For these go-getters

Karen Reid, Kirsty Parkhill, Linda Slade, Kim Laurenson, Catherine Livingstone, Nicky Clarke and Meena Chhagan. Photo / Supplied

Let us introduce 14 New Zealanders who look up to the likes of Richard Branson and want to be as successful as Wellington's glossy Terry Serepisos.

Two thousand applicants were easily whittled down to 1000 based on the face value of their CV, says the producer of the New Zealand version of the The Apprentice, Glenn Sims.

Five hundred were picked to audition, and were screened against criteria of business drive as well as television chutzpah.

To make the cut, they had to be prepared to either leave their jobs or take two months leave to film the series, which was shot all over Auckland and in Wellington.

The final 14 come from jobs as diverse as new medicine, accountancy and media. Some are from privileged backgrounds, others are not. And this week they will strut their business nous in a sausage sizzle competition, which Sims says is an example of sprinkling a New Zealand flavour through the show.

The overall winner of The Apprentice will work for the show's judge, Terry Serepisos, who Sims says he hand-picked to be the Donald Trump of the New Zealand show.

"He is a success story, he inspires thousands of people down in Wellington because he re-created soccer in New Zealand. So having someone who is a sporting figure and a property developer as well, plus has this charismatic aura around him, just made him absolutely irressistible as the boss," he says.

Serepisos says the calibre of the 14 contestants is outstanding: "It shows the impressive young business talent that exists in New Zealand. Each and every one of the 14 would-be Apprentices has the drive, ambition and expertise that would benefit any company."

Though the local version of the American show was created on a fraction of the budget, it still looks slick, and uses the same number of cameras.

It was an all-hands-on-deck operation, Sims says.

He has been producing reality shows in New Zealand for the past five years and says The Apprentice offers one of the biggest prizes he has seen: a $100,000 salary plus luxury accommodation and use of a new BMW for a year. The total package is worth $200,000.

Karen Reid
Auckland, 33
Self-employed alternative medicine

What is the most interesting thing about you?
My twin sister and I won the Asia-Pasifika Section of Style Pasifika NZ Fashion awards 2006 and were highly commended overall. The garment is called Uomu Korowai, a cloak made from more than 1000 white chicken feathers, and was a fusion of a Maori cloak and a Japanese kimono.

What tactics will you use on the show?
Clear communication at all levels, passion, integrity, truthfulness, strong leadership, "can do" attitude, strong and positive intention to win. I will not sleep if that is what it takes to win and get the job done well.

What makes you angry?
People who pre-judge others. People who lie.

Kirsty Parkhill
Wellington, 35
Business Development Manager

What is the most interesting thing about you?
I speak bad Moroccan Arabic and I can't leave for work in the mornings until I get my gossip fix from Nelson.

What tactics will you use on the show?
To be honest, work hard, and to remember that as an individual contestant, team work and adapting to change can be a hard-fought win.

What makes you angry?
People who are ill-informed. People who use excuses as answers. Cruelty.

Linda Slade
Christchurch, 21
Bachelor of Business student

What is the most interesting thing about you?
I am South African-born, schooled in New Zealand and then moved to Melbourne alone, where I learned more about myself than I could have imagined. I knew one day I would make my way back to New Zealand to set up my own business. I am currently studying a business degree to work towards this dream.

What tactics will you use on the show?
At the beginning I will try and play the "under the radar" game until the point where most of the riff-raff has been removed from the competition. When numbers are smaller and the attention begins to be focused on all members I will start taking calculated risks, like nominating myself for project manager, and putting myself in the spotlight. As a general rule I would like to be the energiser and motivator in order to win the favour of my team members and avoid them voting me out.

What makes you angry?
People feeling sorry for themselves - there is always someone who is worse off then you are and it frustrates me when people who have so much ahead of them dwell on the negative.

Kim Laurenson
Christchurch, 27
Self-employed - boutique clothing store/real estate agent

What is the most interesting thing about you?
I compete in Ironman triathlons so I like to stay both active in the body and mind... I'm also a girly girl. I like pink.

What tactics will you use on the show?
I am self-assured and confident. If I don't believe in myself then no one will.

What makes you angry?
Lazy people who will not help themselves. If you really can't find a job, then think outside the square and create one.

Catherine Livingstone
Auckland, 33
Self-employed concierge service

What is the most interesting thing about you?
I am an absolute animal lover and have two dogs, two cats and six chickens. Business-wise I love challenges, and one of the things my clients come to me most for is I can resource anything or get hold of anyone they need.

What tactics will you use on the show?
Use my resources, observe and sum up people but not be scared to push what I think needs to be done and how. Pull on my organisational strengths and experience working for CEOs.

What makes you angry?
Something that would hurt my family or my animals.

Nicky Clarke
Auckland, 28
PR specialist

What is the most interesting thing about you?
I've run an event with the Queen, I toured astronauts around the UK, ran a huge fundraising dinner with the All Blacks ... I guess I can't sit still for long. I'm always looking for something different, exciting and challenging.

What tactics will you use on the show?
I will play the game differently - I'm not into down and dirty. I will play with integrity, 100 per cent complete focus and always look at the bigger picture.What makes you angry?People acting without integrity or selfishly. Bullies.

Meena Chhagan
Wellington, 24
Accountant

What is the most interesting thing about you?
I am an active person who loves snowboarding, cricket and field hockey. I also have a creative side to me which is evidenced through the large oil paintings that I have completed over the past couple of years.

What tactics will you use on the show?
The key tactics that I believe will help me win The Apprentice are: being able to befriend my greatest threat; taking charge of difficult situations; not being afraid to hang others out to dry (it is the corporate world).

What makes you angry?
Not having completed a degree which used my innovative and creative skills.

Chris Whiteside
Christchurch, 28
Accountant/Advisor

What is the most interesting thing about you?
I started up an internet business with my twin brother in high school. This business was relatively successful, however the greatest enjoyment and satisfaction came from turning an idea into reality.

What tactics will you use on the show?
Getting along with the other members of the team. Being a great salesman by understanding that every negotiation is important and attempting to always close the deal. When being the project manager I intend on making sure that bad ideas are not pursued for the task as a result of someone's strong character, rather than for the idea itself.

What makes you angry?
When people say they will do something and don't get it done.

Paul Natac
Auckland, 28
Infringement Relationship Manager

What is the most interesting thing about you?
I use humour in my leadership and in my work style I am very funny but also assertive. Most interesting is my background - I was told I would not amount to anything because I was a slacker at school. One day I decided to start climbing the corporate ladder, so started asking people who were in positions I aspired to how they got there. I did what they did and it actually worked. I used to enter hip-hop dance competitions and also my dream was to be an actor (comedian).

What tactics will you use on the show?
I will use my street-smart skills, because it's not the same as being in a large corporation. I want to try to be one of the first project managers to make an impression of what I can do. Ensure I have built strong relationships in my team, so I won't be taken to the boardroom just for not being liked.

What makes you angry?
I am not easily angered, but what frustrates me is people who make mountains out of small issues. Or people who talk talk talk, but never do - plenty of bright ideas but never any action.

Daniel Phillips
Auckland, 31
Advertising - Senior Account Manager

What is the most interesting thing about you?
I was brought up in a pub in Tokoroa that was just like the one on Once Were Warriors.

What tactics will you use on the show?
Honesty, charm and cheekiness. I can be firm but always with a smile on my face, and I have a reputation for telling it like it is, even if it's not the most tactful thing to say.

What makes you angry?
Unhelpful customer service people. Particularly if they work for a bank or a phone company.

David Wyatt
Auckland, 27
Self-employed - media agency

What is the most interesting thing about you?
I love a good joke and have been telling jokes once a week on the radio for the past three years.

What tactics will you use on the show?
I'll be the smiling assassin. I'm an incredibly flexible and adaptable person who works well with others. I also put an incredible amount of thought and common sense behind any decisions made so I can back myself up with confidence.

What makes you angry?
Laziness.

Richard Henry
Auckland, 26
Self-employed - media

What is the most interesting thing about you?
I have a strong business and political focus, enjoy being outdoors and active, thrive on the creative industries and robust debate, and aspire to better the world en route to the finer things in life.

What tactics will you use on the show?
Entrepreneurial edge, grounded understanding, and core ethics.

What makes you angry?
People who look down on others.

Lee Davies
Christchurch, 29
Self employed - Online Marketing

What is the most interesting thing about you?
In regards to the Apprentice, it would be that I was worth over $1 million on paper at 23, and saved my first million dollars cash at 24. Made my second million at around 27.

What tactics will you use on the show?
Pro-active. Accurate thinking. Working as a team. Identifying everyone's particular strengths. Positive visualisation.

What makes you angry?
I try to work on not being angry, but if it had to be something it would be people getting angry.

Thomas Ben
Auckland, 34
Divisional Manager

What is the most interesting thing about you?
I have managed to build a career with no tertiary education in a tough business environment as well as have a very happy home life.

What tactics will you use on the show?
I never give up. Assess competitors egos and skills sets, strategise accordingly while displaying strong decision making skills and business acumen.

What makes you angry?
People who are mean because they just can be. People who believe they know it all and my occasional poor reaction.

Lowdown

What: The New Zealand version of The Apprentice
Who: Starring 14 wannabe-tycoons and Terry Serepisos as the boss.
When and where: Tuesday February 16, 7.30pm, TV2