Pro Experts

Which personal investment strategy is right for you?

For anyone with an eye on the NASDAQ and S&P500 markets, you might have noticed big global tech names like Apple, Amazon and Google are all up 40-50% year to date. But most notably, the chip maker Nvidia is up more than 150% year to date, all heavily weighing on the overall market direction. Hindsight makes things crystal clear when...

The value of history

When Damon told me that this issue of The Profit was going to feature 150 years of Hastings City and look at some of our longest established business, I thought it appropriate to dig into the Harvey family history, as there has been a long association with the Harvey family providing real estate and property valuation services since they stepped...

Artificial Intelligence – user beware Privacy and security are crucial

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as one of the most transformative and revolutionary technologies in recent history. From its humble beginnings to its widespread applications today, AI has garnered significant attention for its potential benefits as well as the inherent threats it poses. Discussions and experiments in technology date back to 1946, when Alan Turing initiated the study of computer-based...

150 years of insurance events in Hawke’s Bay

As this July marks 150 years since the founding of Hastings, we thought it would be interesting to take a journey through some of significant events in the region during this time and see how insurance played a part in them. Has much changed since 1873 and what have we learnt? Fire Hastings first major fire occurred in Heretaunga Street...

Medium density housing Hawke’s Bay

Throughout the years central government have been gradually incorporating legislation into the planning framework that has directed local authorities to consider specific areas for housing developments and incorporating these into the rule frameworks of their district plans. A key piece of legislative framework is the National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD). The NPS-UD was released in December 2020 and...

Talk of town heralds redevelopment of Napier CBD

The talk of the town locally is the recent Colliers sale of two iconic office buildings in the heart of central Napier, Dalton and Vautier Houses, heralding an era of extensive redevelopment in Napier CBD and presenting exciting leasing opportunities within the city. The landmark properties, recognised as the largest office block in the Hawke’s Bay region, were acquired by...

Pro Legal

Protecting Your Assets – Why Legal Advice Matters for ‘Pre-Nup’ Agreements

A recent decision in the Napier High Court, WL v AJ [2023] NZHC 703, is a timely reminder that seeking independent legal advice is crucial for a pre-nuptial agreement (pre- nup) to be valid and enforceable. The decision also demonstrates the consequences of not getting the right advice. Understanding the Case Let’s take a look at the case involving Mr...

Why is the business up for sale?

Invariably, the first question I get asked by the potential buyer of a business is, “Why are the owners selling?” That question is driven by a natural concern that there might be something wrong with the business, “If it’s such a good business, why do they want to sell?” I obtain a no-holds barred view of a business so I...

A closer look at Carbon

At times of market and economic uncertainty, combined with relatively low expected returns for many asset classes, we should consider more widely the assets we hold. It’s important to have a portfolio strategy, designed with discipline, embracing market opportunities while preparing for the unexpected. There are several components of a well-constructed portfolio, including a robust strategic asset allocation that’s consistent...

Risk register protects and creates opportunities

The start of 2023 has been a rough one. Cyclone Gabrielle and the subsequent flooding brought a degree of destruction not seen in the Hawke’s Bay for decades. If we have learnt anything over these last few years following a global pandemic, lockdowns and cost of living crisis, it is that as a group, Hawke’s Bay people and businesses are...