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Shoppers spent a little more than $3 million in the Bay of Plenty this year, according to the latest Paymark figures.
The annual spend was 3.6 per cent more than the $2.9m spent in the region last year.
Retailers using the Paymark network know that 2020 was a tough year for many but by December, for a number at least, the year ended on a high note.
The June quarter, which included alert level 4 nationwide lockdown, saw payments through Paymark via an underlying set of Core Retail merchants drop 15.5 per cent from a year earlier in dollar terms.
By the December quarter that had completely reversed and year-on-year December 2020 was up by 5 per cent over December 2019.
For the year in total, Core Retail spending was $42.6 billion through Paymark, an underlying increase of just 0.1 per cent.
Not surprising in view of Covid-19, the average spend on each transaction across all cards increased, from $39.04 to $42.58.
Trevelyan's boosts staff skills to make Bay roads safer
Leading Bay of Plenty post-harvest operator, Trevelyan's, is going the extra mile to help staff obtain their full driver's licence.
Dozens of New Zealand-born and overseas (RSE) workers have undergone intensive driver training in the past few months to either progress through the graduated licence system or convert their international driver's licence to a New Zealand one.
All of the training was paid for and organised by Trevelyan's, and staff were given an advance to cover the actual licence fees if they couldn't afford to pay them upfront.
"We set up an in-house project to coordinate everyone who was on no licence, a learner's licence or restricted licence to keep them moving through and working towards getting their full licence," Trevelyan's human resource manager Jodi Johnstone said.
"It was hugely successful and we had 13 staff gain their full licence as a result."
A subsequent project aimed at Trevelyan's RSE workforce has helped eight Samoan staff convert their international driver's licences to New Zealand ones so far, with another five due to soon follow suit.
Johnstone said sitting the written theory test was a significant challenge for the staff because English is their second language.
"We're incredibly proud of their achievement and believe Trevelyan's is one of the first companies in the country to help RSE workers to convert their international driver's licences post-Covid."
Normally an international licence expires after 12 months but because of border restrictions, Johnstone said Trevelyan's RSE workforce has opted to stay here longer than ever before.
"We wanted to be proactive and keep them safe so they could continue driving on our roads."
A total of 56 RSE workers are currently working for Trevelyan's – far fewer than previous years.
"They're mostly out in the orchard but they work in our packhouse during the peak harvest season as well and they need to be able to drive so they can get their teams around."
There have been a number of fatal road accidents over the years involving overseas workers brought in to pick fruit across the Bay of Plenty and Hawke's Bay.
Johnstone said the effort put into helping both local and RSE staff gain their full New Zealand licence will improve safety for all road users.
"We put them into vehicles with a driver trainer and they spent a significant amount of time out there, just making sure that they were calm and had a really good understanding of what the rules are in New Zealand around driving."
Trevelyan's has previously been recognised at the inaugural Primary Industries Good Employer Awards held at Parliament for the family-owned company's commitment to good employment conditions and employee health, safety and wellbeing.
Consultation open on new real estate qualification suite
The Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) and Real Estate Authority (REA) are pleased to support The Skills Organisation's design of a new proposed real estate qualification suite.
This consultation follows a review in light of the current agent qualification expiring and a desire to ensure that the real estate qualification suite is high quality and fit for purpose.
The consultation opened January 19, and all real estate professionals and members of the public are invited to have their say and provide their feedback on the proposed changes. The consultation period closes at 9am on February 22.
International tourist absence sparks new domestic idea
One of Rotorua's oldest tourism attractions has joined up with one of Rotorua's youngest tourism operators to launch a new tourism experience designed specifically for the domestic market.
The Steaming Cliffs Kayak Tour at Waimangu Volcanic Valley is a new, three-hour guided experience revealing Lake Rotomaha's volcanic secrets.
Visitors will take in Waimanu's Volcanic Valley's Jurassic-type environment and colourful landscape, with the majestic Mount Tarawera in the backdrop, witnessing up close the steaming cliffs, fumaroles, and the numerous geysers dotted around the lake in the world's youngest geothermal system.
"The absence of international tourists gave us the opportunity to take another look at our tourism experiences," said Waimangu Volcanic Valley general manager David Blackmore.
"We noticed our domestic visitors had more time to explore the valley and were keen to learn more about the Tarawera Eruption and the Pink and White Terraces."
Paddle Board Rotorua director and guided Nev Wilson is enthusiastic about this new venture.
"The first time I kayaked Lake Rotomahana, I was blown away by the sights, witnessing the earth breathing with the water is simply surreal."
The tour is available now and will be officially launched on Auckland Anniversary, January 30 to February 1.
New leadership appointments at Veros
Veros welcome the new year with the appointment of two new standout shareholding partners.
Adele Hadfield and Paul Spurdle join the leadership team at Veros.
The appointments build on the depth and unique skillset of the team at Veros as the company increases its capability across the property sector of New Zealand.
"We're delighted to announce these latest appointments that recognise the leadership and skills of Adele and Paul, and signal another milestone as a company," said managing director Morgan Jones.
"Over the last few years, we have added more talented and passionate staff to our team."
Jones said Spurdle's development management and property advisory skills were sought after nationally, and particularly he has a real passion for bringing about positive change and growth to his home town of Rotorua.
Hadfield has successfully established and led the strategic advisory offering for Veros, which was supporting clients across the country in solving a wide range of complex issues, Jones said.
"We live in a dynamic country that is grappling with wide-ranging urban growth challenges, new ways of funding, changing demographics, and changing community and housing needs.
"Paul and Adele bring exciting skillsets and expertise to strengthen the unique value and commercial expertise we offer."
Tour the Port of Tauranga
People are invited to take a tour of one of New Zealand's largest ports this month.
The Port of Tauranga Tours include a one-hour guided bus tour from January 18 to 29.
There are two tours, one at 9.30am and another at 11.30am departing from Salisbury Ave in Mount Maunganui.
Tickets cost $5, with all proceeds going to support the Waipuna Hospice.
To book, visit the Port of Tauranga website.
New tourist attraction launched
For iconic tourist attraction Te Puia, the need to keep innovating in 2021 has never been more important.
In 2020, international tourism was hammered by the impacts of Covid-19. For Te Puia, that meant the loss of the international tourism market, which made up most of its business.
Now reliant on the domestic tourism market, Te Puia has changed its focus to better appeal to Kiwis and on January 5, it officially launched a new tourist experience.
Geyser By Night - Te Puia Light Trails reveals Rotorua's geothermal wonderland under night skies as part of a multi-sensory adventure that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world.
Te Puia CEO Tim Cossar said 2020 had brought some hurdles for the tourism industry, especially with the loss of the international tourism market, but it was important to have something to look forward to in 2021.
Poutiri Wellness Centre opens in Te Puke
Poutiri's drive to improve whānau wellness has led to the development of an affordable, holistic wellness hub that proactively supports whānau to be well, get well, and live well.
A new medical practice is opening on January 25 with Dr Joe Bourne, Dr Tim Chiari, Dr Jen Hall, and Dr Dan Jackson joining the team at Poutiri.
The practice will operate alongside Poutiri Trust's mental health and addiction, nursing, whānau ora, breastfeeding, employment support and child/rangatahi services.
The practice is also looking to hire a medical receptionist and practice nurse.
By the end of 2021, the Wellness Centre will integrate rongoā, whānau fitness, health, social, and employment services, and help inform the expansion of innovative, toiora solutions in partnership with the Poutiri network providers.
Enrolments are open now.
Making coastal property ownership a reality
A new nationwide campaign launched in December is set to make coastal property ownership a reality for one New Zealander.
The Long White Win a Bach campaign from Asahi Beverages will provide a contribution of $500,000 towards a holiday home for one Kiwi consumer.
Census data from Stats NZ suggests 10 per cent (191,646) of New Zealand dwellings are unoccupied - a figure which includes bach ownership.
The regions around the country with the greatest proportion of unoccupied dwellings are those with large numbers of holiday homes, including Thames-Coromandel at 49 per cent, Taupō at 32 per cent and Ruapehu at 33 per cent.
The Census data shows a decline in the number of unoccupied dwellings in recent years which may suggest supply pressure on the property market is making the dream of bach ownership harder to achieve.
Real Estate Institute of New Zealand chief executive Bindi Norwell said demand for coastal property and parkland holiday homes increased significantly under the current health pandemic in many regions placing bach ownership out of the reach of many Kiwis.
Norwell's recommended locations for purchasing a bach within the sub $500,000 price bracket include holiday hot spots such as the Coromandel where the median price for a property was $520,000 or Taupō (median property price is $550,000).
General manager of marketing for Long White beverages Oliver Downs said the bach promotion was a way to acknowledge the importance of social interaction with friends which has been severely impacted this year.
"Some figures suggest there are around 50,000 baches in New Zealand, which for a population our size roughly equates to around one holiday home for every 100 Kiwis.
"We want to make this dream attainable for one Kiwi - helping them create a lifestyle asset they can enjoy with friends now and also provide an enduring legacy of memories for future generations."
Mount Hot Pools 2021 makeover
From January 25, the Mount Hot Pools will be closed for scheduled maintenance and an upgrade to its external facade.
The new facade will include illuminated signage to increase visibility, seating for passing visitors, a pou and a segment of palisade fencing to acknowledge the cultural significance of the land on which the facility resides.
Bay Venues Ltd, the caretaker of the Mount Hot Pools, has been in discussions with mana whenua to co-design aspects of the facade.
Bay Venues is also taking this time to undertake scheduled maintenance to the facility.
Interim chief executive Justine Brennan said February and March were the quietest months at the Mount Hot Pools.
"While it's a busy time for the Mount, we find most visitors and locals head to the beach rather than soak in the hot pools in hot weather, so our patronage over this time is over 40 per cent less than the winter months.
"It's the perfect time to close our doors to undertake the facade update, along with essential maintenance work on this outdoor facility that ensures we are ready for our busy winter months."
The Mount Hot Pools will be closed for a 10 weeks, reopening in time for the busy Easter and April school holiday period.
The length of the closure will allow the Mount Hot Pools to undertake important remedial and maintenance work as part of their three-to-four yearly aquatic closure schedule.
Maintenance work includes resurfacing of the children's pool, a new shade sail over a seated section of the active pool, and planned maintenance to the plant room, pool and bore pump and pools themselves, which requires the operating system of the facility to be off and the pools to be emptied for an extended period.
Underground pipes will also be replaced after the discovery of leaks, which have led to water loss and could result in colder pools in winter (due to complying with geothermal bore pool heating resource consent thresholds).
The power station will use geothermal fluid to generate electricity.