Blog

Pro HR
Show Me The Money
After a long period of low inflation and low wage and salary rises pressure is building in the remuneration market. There are a number of factors having an impact, most of which have featured prominently in the media. The new Government’s pledge to increase the minimum wage will be good news for those on low wages and will undoubtedly also...
Pro Legal
Expect the best, plan for the worst and prepare to be surprised
It is important for every business to have formal Terms of Trade. When comparing large businesses to small, it’s fair to say the larger the business the more likely it will have written Terms of Trade. While there may be some who have operated for a substantial amount of time without written Terms of Trade and have never had cause...
Pro Property
The value of a registered valuer
Late last year Napier City Council updated the Rating Valuations (RV) for properties within its Territorial Authority (TA). Also known as Government Valuations (GVs) these property valuations are undertaken every three years and are based on mass appraisal techniques. The values are used primarily for assessing local authority rates and in many cases the subject property has not been inspected....
Pro IT
Lightbulb Moment – An alternative to Wifi, that’s worth considering?
The summer holiday season is here! It’s been good to have a few days off over Christmas and enjoy this little piece of paradise with friends and family. It’s been great to keep in touch and there haven’t been many places I haven’t been able to get access to Wifi to check emails and generally carry on with business. Wifi...
Pro Finance
Do you want tulips with your bitcoin?
The cryptocurrency bitcoin continues to make the news. What many New Zealanders don't realise is that if they hold loyalty cards like Fly Buys or an air points card, they already own digital currencies. However, when we read in December of a Wellington waterfront property for sale in bitcoin, and that bitcoin futures recently debuted on Wall Street, the subject...
Pro Features
Steaming ahead for success
When the Newton team took to online capital-raising platform Kickstarter in September seeking seed funding, it took them just 23 minutes to secure the $10,000 they were after. Production of a unique Hawke’s Bay eco-friendly coffee machine is underway after the team behind the award-winning project took just 23 minutes to raise the required start-up funding online. Designing and manufacturing...
Business Leaders
Port success sets region up for growth
The foundations for the growth and success of our regional economy are underway at Napier Port, with the operation posting record cargo volumes, delivering a strong financial result, and lodging an application for consent to build a new wharf. A record 4.754 million tonnes of cargo crossed the port’s wharves in the year to 30 September 2017, up from 3.916...
Business Leaders
New pastures for Brent Linn
Brent Linn has stepped down as general manager of Hawke’s Bay A & P Society, one of the region’s oldest and most traditional organisations. Brent was in the role for seven years and during that time has seen the society add additional events such as the Edible Garden Show, while at the same time ensuring the long-term sustainability of the...
Pro Features
New Zealand and India building stronger horticultural relationship
A new partnership has been announced between New Zealand and the State of Himachal Pradesh under the Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Development Project which targets smallholder farmers in northern India. The Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Development project aims to be the start of a much broader relationship with New Zealand horticulture. The New Zealand team, working on the project, includes scientists from...