Blog

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...
Pro Features
Fresh fields approach for local engineering firm
Back in 1998, engineer Scott Field had just returned to Hawke’s Bay from the UK. Having worked for engineering firms in England and Brazil, he was keen to carve a niche in a rapidly expanding local economy. Setting up in Brookvale Road, Havelock North, with a 120-metre2 workshop, Scott asked brother- in-law and engineer Blair Hislop to join him. Blair...
Pro Features
Hub helps fledgling businesses fly
A new Hawke's Bay Business Hub initiative is connecting established businesses with Hub services and assisting fledgling businesses get off the ground. ‘HUB Connect’ is a three-stage programme to connect businesses with Business Hub services. It’s designed for all businesses to find out more about what help is available here and how best to get started says Business Hawke’s Bay...
Pro Features
Reinventing retail: The Cuba Street of Hastings
Take a walk along Heretaunga Street East’s ‘200 block’ and you’ll find the central Hastings precinct buzzing with retail excitement – except in one corner. The windows of the former long-time home of Denton Wyatt Books on the corner of Heretaunga and Warren Streets, which closed in late 2017, have been whited-out ahead of a major redevelopment. But elsewhere, along...
Business Leaders
Nash rolls sleeves up for SME’s
There’s a new party running the country, Labour, and Napier MP Stuart Nash has picked up one of the most coveted and important portfolios – in fact he’s got two – Minister for Small Business and Minister of Police. We thought it was important to get Stuart’s views on how the government can support SMEs and what opportunities he sees exist for...