Tauranga-based social enterprise Volunteer Build is motivated to change the perspective of poverty. Diana Judge, the former brand manager for Shell Oil, and founder Diana Judge discusses why she started the business and helping the world’s poorest communities. What does your business do? Volunteer Build is a social enterprise that builds homes, school classrooms and…
Small Business Tauranga’s second anniversary on February 17 is a milestone for the network, says the network’s chairman Steven Farrant. Steven Farrant “The group plays a key role within the Bay of Plenty business community and we think that reflects the relevance, importance and significance of the small to medium-sized business sector across the country,…
A Customer Radar study released this week found shoppers are more likely to be disgruntled in the lead up to Christmas, with customer satisfaction scores falling from mid-November, and dropping sharply to a year-low in mid-December. From July to December 2016, customer feedback company Customer Radar studied the levels of customer satisfaction from small…
High profile businessman and social entrepreneur, Tenby Powell, who chaired the government appointed Small Business Development Group for five years, is leading a call for the new Government to establish an Institute for Small Business. The idea for a step-up from government in support of small business is resonating in New Zealand and farther afield…
New Zealand small businesses are lagging behind Australia in their uptake of cyber protection, according to the Insurance Council of New Zealand. Only 6 per cent of all small businesses in New Zealand have cyber insurance – less than half the amount of Australian small businesses, at 14 per cent. Without cyber insurance many Kiwi…
A new mobile app which brings together banking, accounts and sales data is intended to allow greater oversight and save time for small businesses. ASB has launched Plus – a platform that brings together Xero, Vend and Shopify into one place, allowing businesses to look at cashflow, sales or product information in one app. Steve…
For Craig Hudson rugby is in the blood. He travelled the world as a New Zealand Sevens rugby player before illness forced him from the field and into the business world. At accounting software company Xero, Hudson was on a technological tour, moving quickly through the ranks to become regional director for Europe, Middle East…
Story by ELLY STRANG | October 6, 2017 When Captain James Cook first laid eyes on the shores of Tauranga in the 1700s, he aptly named the town the ‘Bay of Plenty’ in reference to the many villages and bountiful produce he could see from on board the Endeavour. Centuries later, the ‘Bay of Plenty’ name still fits,…
When Melanie Walker moved to Tauranga a year-and-a-half ago she struggled to find a one-stop-shop for local travel advice so decided she would make her own app. “The Local Roamer”, which launches in 10 days on Android and IOS, will create a GPS-powered route for the user, in the timeframe and starting point they have…
Christina Sorensen, managing director of Bay of Plenty-based party business GoBananas, talks about planning corporate functions and making an impression. Can you describe your business? GoBananas is an online party planning business based in Whakatane, Bay of Plenty, which organises corporate events, Christmas parties, team building dos, birthdays and stag and hen parties. We operate throughout…
