Pro Experts

The risk of using generative AI at work

Ask around the office and you’ll find that many of your people have used an AI chatbot to generate a document for work purposes. But is this putting your business and client data at risk? Here are a few things to consider with your employees using these applications, along with what you can do to help mitigate these risks. Risk...

Is your business resource consent compliant?

Cameron Burton, Senior Consultant – Projects and Sustainability Stadegy and Brad Lawson, Commercial Manager / Senior Consultant – Projects and Sustainability Have you ever considered that your business might not be able to continue to operate due to a non-compliance with your resource consent? Perhaps this already sits on your corporate risk register in the operational or reputational damage section?...

Fake it till you make it

Part 1: Deep fake Imagine seeing a video of a well-known CEO making outrageous statements, only to find out later it wasn’t real at all. That’s the power — and danger — of deep fake AI. This technology uses artificial intelligence to create highly convincing fake images, videos, and audio clips. It’s like Photoshop on steroids. While the technology itself...

Listings galore favour buyers

Chelsea Kennedy, Napier Sales Manager for New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty (NZSIR), provides her insights into the Hawke’s Bay residential property market and the traditional spring selling season. Currently, the Hawke’s Bay property market is experiencing an increase in listings (35.6% increase year on year), presenting the highest number of available properties seen in many years. This offers a wide...

Hawke’s Bay property market rebounding

Following the long-awaited announcement of the first cut to the Official Cash Rate in more than four years by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, market sentiment in Hawke’s Bay is lifting. While the road to recovery following the economic shocks caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and extreme weather events such as Cyclone Gabrielle has been long, green shoots are...

Do you need a Trust?

It’s no secret that Kiwi’s have long loved trusts. It is estimated that there are currently between 300,000 and 500,000 trusts in New Zealand. But why the obsession? And is there still the same love for trusts that there once was? Trusts have always been a useful tool for asset protection and estate planning. Asset Protection Historically, one of the...

Rising insurance costs and difficulty getting cover – especially in flood-prone areas

Why are insurance costs going up? Over the last 18 months insurance premiums have gone up by nearly 30%, with significant increases in high flood risk areas, such as the Hawkes Bay. Whilst pricing is starting to stabilise, it is still a large cost for many people whether it comes to their home, business or both. Why have costs risen...

But that’s what we agreed …

A wise and respected local businessman once gave my Father some sage advice which he has often repeated: “You are a fool if you do not understand what you are signing”. Not so long ago a handshake and a discussion of the broad terms of an agreement were often enough to create a lasting and workable arrangement. Whether or not...

Fractional work – hiring a part-time specialist to help grow your business

Over 2024, high interest rates and inflationary pressures have made it harder than usual for Kiwi businesses to thrive. At the same time, many businesses still see an opportunity to grow but may be reluctant to spend money on hiring a new person (especially at a senior/ executive level) who could play a key role in unlocking that growth opportunity....

Bayleys championing businesses with scale

Bayleys is the largest full-service real estate agency in New Zealand and has also been actively assisting business owners to sell their businesses through its team of specialist brokers. In January 2024, Bayleys made the strategic acquisition of bespoke brokerage and advisory firm Rede, which had a track record of transacting sizable unlisted business enterprises valued between $5m to $50m....