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Young Enterprise regional finalists announced
This year's Young Enterprise regional finalists have been announced.
Young entrepreneurs from schools around the country have been working hard all year and will pitch in their region for a chance to attend National Awards 2021.
The Young Enterprise Scheme is an opportunity for students to set up and run a real business.
The Rotorua/Taupō finalists include Vitanic, Paws & Claws and Afina.
Rotorua Boys' High School team Coffee Direct was announced as the Rotorua/Taupō regional champions.
Earlier this year, the Year 12 students discovered their teachers were making special trips to get coffee before arriving at school. So they created Coffee Direct.
Teachers order their coffees through a New Zealand online ordering app called On The Go and minutes later they receive their brew.
The Western Bay of Plenty finalists include Toi Matauranga, Smyle, B-Well and Zealous Candles.
Otumoetai College team KiwiKick - a new natural edible kiwifruit gel - was announced as the Western Bay of Plenty regional champions.
Young Grower of the Year for 2021 announced
Melissa van den Heuvel has won the Young Grower of the Year for 2021.
The 25-year-old is an avocado grower services representative at Bay of Plenty-based Apata Group Limited.
"I am very proud to be in this industry. It is something I am very passionate about. What we produce is very top-notch.
"It was great to be part of this competition and get to know my fellow competitors."
HortNZ president Barry O'Neil says supporting young people and encouraging more of them to join the industry is critical to its continued success and growth post-Covid-19 lockdowns.
"At times like these, having a cause and taking time out to celebrate it is even more important than it was before.
"This year's regional finals were oversubscribed, which shows the inherent optimism in our industry as well as the pride inherent in providing New Zealand and the world with tasty and healthy, fruit and vegetables."
The national final was held at the Lower Hutt Events on October 20 and 21 following all alert level 2 health and safety protocols.
The Young Grower of the Year, run by Horticulture New Zealand, is an annual competition comprising regional finals in major fruit and vegetable growing areas and a national final.
The competition is to encourage young people to take up a career in horticulture as well as celebrate the success of young people in the industry.
Bryce Morrison from the Bay of Plenty was also named a finalist in this year's Young Grower of the Year.
Re-election of Peter Tinholt to Priority One executive board
The election to fill the vacancy on the Priority One executive board has closed.
Oriens Capital partner Peter Tinholt has been re-elected to serve another three years on the board.
Priority One independent chair Simon Clarke said, in the Priority One newsletter, voter turnout was higher this year and thanked all those who voted.
Clarke said he looked forward to Tinholt's ongoing contribution.
"I would also like to thank Simon Anderson, Carolyn Culliney and Debbie Ireland for their nominations and interest in the position on the board."
Seeka upgrades market guidance
Seeka Limited has upgraded its financial guidance for the 2021 financial year.
The company's existing operational full-year net profit before tax ranges from $13.5 million to $16m and its upgraded operational full-year net profit before tax range is $15m to $17m.
In a media statement, Seeka said it has closely monitored costs and focussed on the successful integration of acquisitions (OPAC) and delivery of synergy gains.
"The business continues to experience challenging business conditions but has performed ahead of expectation.
"The base business has performed well along with growth in its SeekaFresh and Australian business."
New Zealand agritech companies attracting millions of dollars
New Zealand agritech companies are attracting millions of dollars of investment, proving Covid-19 is not stopping significant business activity, AgriTechNZ chief executive Brendan O'Connell says.
O'Connell says Aotearoa agritech is seeing remarkable progress in new global partnerships, collaborations, investments and team growth.
"It feels like fertile ground for a burst of growth in 2022 and beyond."
Tauranga-based global agritech business, Bluelab, has brought on new shareholders Pioneer Capital and New Zealand Superannuation Fund to fund further growth of their business, he says.
"Also, New Zealand electric utility bike company UBCO are seeking interest in their series B round through Snowball Effect.
"Already strong globally, they are looking to accelerate their sales growth strategies through both direct to consumer and business to business models."
O'Connell says Tauranga's Trimax Mowing Systems has notched up 40 years in business, also proving agritech success isn't limited to startups.
Trimax is operating globally and is investigating emerging technologies with the aim to make even smarter and more responsive systems.
The firm has manufacturing, assembly and warehousing facilities in New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Meanwhile, O'Connell says agritech startup Auckland orchard management software company Hectre is positioning for global growth after attracting $3.5 million in new capital.
"The team is already trading in global markets and this vote of confidence will further empower them to build the team and bring new capabilities to fruit growers and packers around the world."
The company's latest technology, Spectre, uses artificial intelligence to provide data for growers on fruit size and colour and helps estimate crop yields, he says.
The technology can also help with decision-making in fruit pack houses regarding storage, packing, sales, and reduces waste. Developed for apples, the technology is now being used in the citrus industry.
Bay homes named finalists in House of the Year competition
The homes of two Bay of Plenty families have been announced as finalists in this year's Lockwood House of the Year competition.
The Pugh family from Pāpāmoa and a couple from Pahoia in the Western Bay of Plenty, join four other finalists from around New Zealand in the annual competition, which is now open for public voting.
Both homes were built by local Lockwood contractors, Seaside Homes.
To celebrate Lockwood's 70th birthday this year, anyone who places a vote in the House of the Year competition will go into the draw to win a Smeg kitchen appliance package.
Lockwood House of the Year has been running for five years but only judged on a public vote since 2020.
The Bay of Plenty homes are up against four other finalists located in Kapiti Coast, Tokoroa and Coromandel.
Police have said he was evading arrest, but a family member disputed that.