Business Leaders

Re-Leased plays big role in retaining tech talent in the Bay

It was not too long ago that school leavers were leaving Hawke’s Bay in their droves. Tempted by big city lights and the promise of high-flying careers, the region was, at the time, seemingly lacking the opportunity, and the excitement to keep the twenty-somethings around. In recent years, however, thanks to some long-term thinking and perhaps risky business moves by many key individuals and...

Tribune complex a tribute to couple’s vision and hard work

A Hastings landmark that closed due to earthquake risk has come alive as a stunning office, retail and hospitality precinct that rivals the best in New Zealand. Property developers and passionate Hastings’ champions Rob and Barb Hansen have brought life back into the former Hawke’s Bay Herald Tribune buildings, transforming them into a modern social and business precinct that still acknowledges its past newspaper history. The old...

Pro Q&A – Doug Tate

CHB is not the sleepy part of Hawke’s Bay any longer and under the combined leadership of for chief executive Monique Davidson and Mayor Alex Walker, the district has overcome many challenges to bring its THRIVE vision to life. Doug Tate has been part of that journey as the council’s group manager of customer and community partnership but with Monique...

Doctor sticks to script to create world class hospital

This vision has been driven by Dr Colin Hutchison, who will be joined by local surgeons and local investors in creating a state of the art world class hospital. Kaweka Hospital’s stage 1 will open in July in Canning Road, Hastings and is expected to undertake 5000 operations a year. Stage 2 is also under construction and is set to...

The road to success for QRS starts with being community focussed – Nigel Pollock

Nigel Pollock, Quality Roading and Services (QRS) chief executive puts the Wairoa based roading firm’s business award win down to maintaining a balance between economic support for council (which owns QRS) and its social responsibility to the people of Wairoa. QRS won the Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce 2020 Pan Pac Supreme Business Awards at the end of 2020, with...

Call of duty interview inspires new innovation for smart phone

Peter Fowler has an entrepreneurial spirit, an uncanny ability to see what others don’t and to always find a gap in the market for innovation. A resident of Kahuranaki Road in the Tuki Tuki Valley, Peter is a journalist by profession. He has worked in newsrooms and was the Radio New Zealand (RNZ) voice of Hawke’s Bay for a number...

The road to success for QRS starts with being community focussed – Nigel Pollock

Hastings – on centre stage – Pro Q&A with Sandra Hazlehurst – mayor of Hastings

Sandra has a long history of involvement in the CBD. Her family owned a bakery – Warrens Bakery for many years and she also owned a fruit shop in the 90s, while she and husband Mark own buildings in Warren Street. She was also the president of the Hastings Business Association prior to being elected a councillor in 2010. In...

Bubble bursts for tourism in the Bay – but it will rise again

Tourism was the first casualty of COVID-19 with no international tourists flying in, nor any NZers able to travel outside of the region during full lockdown. This was a major hit for many of Hawke’s Bay’s tourism operators as well as the hospitality sector. Tourism is a major economic earner for the region, to the sum of $690 million and...

Brenda Chapman bids farewell to successful stint at EIT

Brenda Chapman has been the marketing face and voice of local tertiary education institute EIT for 20 years. You will have heard Brenda’s Canadian effervescent accent on the local radio stations promoting the many courses at EIT. Brenda started at EIT in January 2000 when there was just over 2000 EFTS (students) and leaves 20 years later with the EIT...