December Newsletter
December 2011
- Nau mai ki tenei panui mo te marama o Hakihea
- Anndion Lodge – Anne & Dion Ngatai
- Aotearoa Credit Union – Tuhi Leef
- Pacifica Restaurant – Jeremy & Rebecca Rameka
- Pet Pac Food 2005 Ltd – Donna & Rick Pickard
- Playtopia Playland & Café Ltd – Aroha & Missy Armstrong
- RHYTHMZ Dance Company – Carla Beazley
- Australian Geographic Magazine – Massey Archibald
- Gear Steel Buildings – Brent Gear & Hayden Dooney
- DoL - Christmas & New Year Holidays
- Poutama Out & About – Nov-Dec
- Contacts
Nau mai ki tenei panui mo te marama o Hakihea
Well it doesn’t happen often but one of our long-standing team members, Oscar Nathan, is moving on from Poutama. As well as looking after clients in the Bay of Plenty, East Coast and Waikato regions, Oscar has had a strong involvement with the NZ tourism sector and has represented Poutama on tourism matters. Therefore it is fitting that Oscar leaves Poutama to take up a role in tourism as the General Manager of Destination Rotorua Marketing. Even though Oscar is leaving there is no doubt that he will remain part of the Poutama whanau. We know that our paths will cross many more times. The Poutama team wish Oscar all the best in his new role, Mauri Ora e hoa!
Well its full steam ahead right up till Xmas for Poutama and doesn’t look like slowing down once 2012 arrives. The newly elected Government is settling in and we’ve been perusing their Economic Growth Agenda (EGA). I think they must of been spying on us as the EGA lines up well with Poutama’s strategic direction.
The EGA has a focus on science, innovation and trade as drivers of key activities that include the export of more value-added food & beverages, attracting more high value tourists, deeper international connections, direct investment and green growth. While these activities resonate well with Poutama they are but part of our continuous drive to help strengthen, consolidate and grow sustainable businesses at all levels.
Much of the support for such activities is assisted through Poutama’s ability to forge relationships with other entities that are involved in Maori economic development. Poutama is aware of its limitations and that it can’t be all things to all people. As such much of our activity in 2011 that will continue in 2012 will be on developing and building relationships that have win win outcomes.
While Poutama has a firm set of strategic drivers it will nevertheless continue to strive to offer excellent service to all that we interact with no matter what sized business or what activity they are involved in. For Poutama there is much to do but its about taking one step at a time, staying focused and not biting off more than we can chew particularly when faced with insurmountable opportunity. Our value proposition is one of offering Fast, Friendly & Flexible services.
For 2011 we’ve enjoyed featuring in our newsletter the diverse business activities that Maori are involved in. We’ve particularly enjoyed getting alongside businesses and hearing their story and while we are not the complete story tellers that we would like to be we hope you’ve enjoyed reading this often cobbled together no deadlines newsletter.
We value your input and feedback on the newsletter and look forward to featuring more of your stories in 2012.
Our operations will be taking a bit of a break from December 23 and returning January 16 2012. In the meantime though we wish you and your whanau all the best for Xmas and a very happy New Year.
Noho ora mai, na
Te Roopu Whakatau o Poutama
Anndion Lodge, Apartments and Function Centre
– Anne and Dion Ngatai
Iwi – Atihau-a-Paparangi
It has been another success for Anne and Dion at the 2011 Whanganui Business Awards, being crowned for the 4th year in succession with the award for ‘Hospitality and Tourism’.
The Anndion Lodge (as the name says a combination of Ann and Dion) is an owner operated business and is a mix of both backgrounds with Dion’s family being from Jerusalem, a village on the Whanganui River and Anne growing up in the local hospitality industry.
In April 2004 Anne and Dion Ngatai set their personal dream in motion with the purchase of a rundown building at 143 Anzac Parade in Whanganui. They sold everything they had, a home, three rental properties and their beloved Harley Davidson motorcycles and undertook this major renovation project spanning the next eight months.
The renovation work was undertaken at nights and weekends as Ann and Dion had full time jobs during the day. In November 2004, Ann resigned her “job days as an employee were over”. Their dream became a reality; Anndion Lodge opened for business with a 19-day exclusive booking, hosting the River Queen movie crew. ‘Clearly we were in the right place at the right time’ says Ann.
Within six months the Anndion Lodge had gained a Five Star Qualmark rating (backpacker/lodges). They changed the layout of the rooms and moved to quality instead of quantity. Over the next six months Anndion Lodge became licensed premises with both Dion and Ann graduating with General Bar Managers licenses.
In December 2007 their neighbours at 144 Anzac Parade offered to sell them their property. Although they were not in a position to take it on ‘we have to make this happen’ said Ann. This gave them a place to call home and they named it the Guesthouse.
Shortly, following the purchase of this property Dion resigned from outside employment and joined Ann full-time at the lodge. ”This doubled our mortgage and halved our income overnight. The security blanket was thrown away in pursuit of our dream” says Ann.
During the next 12 to 18 months the Anndion Lodge’s configuration and diversity changed with first the introduction of two new suites. A retail section was set up offering NZ made Kiwiana jewellery and souvenirs for their guests. Then there was the development of a two bedroom Anndion Cove thus taking the number of rooms to 15.
In June 2009 their neighbours at 145 Anzac Parade approached them about their property. “They wanted to sell, we wanted to buy. Between us we came up with a contract with a 2-year extended settlement, 17 July 2009 we took possession of our new property. The property was not in great shape, but we completely redecorated it and bought it up to meet current regulations, what a fantastic facility this has turned out to be; six beautifully appointed boutique suites and a function/conference room” says Ann.
Fast forward to 17 July 2011 when they settled on 145 Anzac Parade and the business now numbers 3 properties, 21 rooms, 54 beds and a fully catered function/event centre. The reception has been shifted to the back of the guesthouse and this gave more space for an expanded retail area. A gazebo has been designed and built in the front garden as well as their new ‘Harley Bar’ and outdoor deck area. Anndion has achieved a Dual Qualmark with 11 rooms a ’5 star’ Backpackers/Lodges rating and the 10 suites gaining a ‘4.5 star’ Self-contained and Service rating; the highest rating in the region.
It is seven years ago when Ann and Dion started this journey and they had to sell everything including their beloved Harley’s to realise their dream. Life has somewhat come full circle and they have indulged themselves a little, buying a Harley each to ‘easy ride’ to continue their journey.
Ann and Dion appreciate the assistance from Poutama over the years with their development right back to the early days with the infrared sauna and developments around the lodge and conference centre.
For further information visit these sites:
www.anndionfunctioncentre.co.nz
Aotearoa Credit Union – Tuhi Leef
Iwi– Ngapuhi, Ngati Whatua
‘People helping people’ – the kaupapa for Aotearoa Credit Union.
Aotearoa Credit Union is owned by the Members, for the benefit of the Members. They provide savings accounts, term investments, personal loans and insurance services.
For many local people, Aotearoa Credit Union is a one-stop financial shop. They have local branches and offer 24-hour phone banking and ATM/Eftpos facilities.
They offer the same services that banks do but they are different in two important ways – they’re not for profit and they’re 100% locally owned.
The friendly team at Aotearoa Credit Union are happy to talk through the options available and see how they can help. They do their best to help Members reach their goals.
Tuhi Leef has recently been appointed to a newly created role of National Branch Network Manager for Aotearoa Credit Union.
“We’re here to help our people, not to make a profit”, Tuhi says. “The thing I love most about my new role is meeting our Members and understanding what they need from us”.
Its early days yet, however Tuhi is getting a good feel for what Members want from their Credit Union.
“We have eleven branches in the North Island and we are the fastest growing Credit Union in New Zealand. I’m amazed at the growth; I understand better now why we are so successful”.
According to independent research undertaken by an international market intelligence company, New Zealand Credit Unions ranked well above banks in terms of the overall customer experience when they are looking to become a Member, Aotearoa Credit Union is a good example of this.
Tuhi says “It’s great to work for a financial institution where our staff know their Members names, their partner’s names, and their kid’s names. It really is a whanau feeling”.
“Our staff are great with our Members; you can see there is mutual trust and respect”.
Tuhi will be responsible for leading the Branch Network team and particularly focusing on the development of Aotearoa Credit Union’s services and support to Maori communities.
“Having been in financial services both here in New Zealand and in London for twenty two years, it’s my time to give back, and financial literacy is one of our key strategies to help our Members”.
“Manaakitanga, kotahitanga, whanaungatanga are values we live everyday at Aotearoa Credit Union, and I am so pleased to be part of this organisation. I have a lot of good mahi to do for our Members and team”.
“Everyone is welcome to join Aotearoa Credit Union. Our Members include individuals, families, employees and beneficiaries, and come from all ethnic groups including; Maori, Pacific Islanders, Europeans and Asians”.
For further information check out – www.aotearoacu.co.nz
Pacifica Restaurant - Jeremy and Rebecca Rameka
Iwi – Ngati Tuwharetoa, Ngapuhi
Pacifica Restaurant is owned and operated by Jeremy and Rebecca Rameka and are celebrating their sixth year in business.
In 2011 Pacifica was again voted best Hawkes Bay restaurant, four years running. Jeremy was also voted Outstanding Chef with Rebecca being voted Best Front of House personality. In the last few years the couple have received considerable recognition, not only from their peers, but also in national competitions such as the annual Cuisine Magazine awards.
Pacifica Restaurant is set in a weathered blue beach bungalow on the Marine Parade in the heart of Napier. The ambience inside the restaurant is cosy and classic...soft neutral colours, native wood tables, gorgeous glassware, and a quaint outside courtyard with a glowing fireplace.
Pacifica Restaurant specializes in innovative locally produced cuisine. They pride themselves in using the freshest local seafood and produce to showcase the best that the Hawke's Bay has to offer. Jeremy works hard to set that right with an inspired and frequently changing menu. He's keen on local produce, but quite happy to look further afield.
Jeremy’s food is emotional which means guests can expect dishes to evolve daily and with the seasons. Not only do Jeremy’s recipes evolve but so too does the menu. All dishes are entrée sized to provide guests the opportunity to try a few different things during their night out. This menu concept gives diners more flexibility, while encouraging them to experiment a bit. For those ‘adventurous foodies’ Pacifica also offers an 8-course chef’s tasting menu. This is a culinary odyssey which is an all night dining experience.
Pacifica matches all its food to good local wines, and under the guidance of Rebecca and an extremely professional wait staff.
The service is also based on emotion rather than convention. There are no fancy table cloths or snooty waiters. Rebecca and her team are intuitive, well informed, and generous. They offer that all too elusive blend of professionalism and informality, the kind of service that encourages you to relax and to be served.
The restaurant seats only 35 people, thus reservations are highly recommended. Guests may dine inside or outside in a quaint courtyard that Poutama assisted with its development, which features an outdoor fireplace. The restaurant may also be closed periodically for special functions for groups of 20 to 40 people.
For further information visit www.pacificarestaurant.co.nz
Pet Pac Food 2005 Ltd – Donna & Rick Pickard
Iwi – Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairoa
Pet Pac Food 2005 Ltd is a whanau owned business run by Donna and Rick Pickard along with their son Joshua. For the past seven years they have operated and managed the Pet Pac retail pet store based in Takanini, Auckland.
The pet store primarily retails pet products including food, supplements and other pet care products as well as having livestock for sale. They stock a huge variety of pet accessories in store, and if they don’t have what their customers are looking for, they order it in.
From the moment you walk through the doors of the shop the environment is welcoming. Birds fly free chirping loudly, some even say hello as you walk by or mimic the sound of the phone ringing. There are bunny rabbits, guinea pigs, kittens and puppies as well as a large variety of tropical and cold water fish.
Just recently Donna and Rick’s daughter Annika and son-in-law built a new farm yard enclosure for the store out of recycled wood and corrugated iron to house their puppies and kittens. It is quite unique and the animals love it too!
Rick has always been terribly fond of and owns many pets. Formerly a school principal and selector of NZ Cricket, the well known personality around Counties Manukau finds a lot of pleasure in making sure that people and pets are happy and satisfied.
Rick enjoys the interaction with his customers and is sought after to organise and MC many sporting and fundraising events in the wider community. If he is not at work you can usually find him exercising Reba, his German shepherd.
The whanau and crew at Pet Pac are known for their amazing service. They work hard to make a visit to the Pet Pac store a memorable experience. This is one of the biggest accolades they get from customers who love going into the shop and going out with a laugh.
Josh and his faithful German shepherd Max are responsible for the everyday running of the shop as floor managers. He helps run the store and was responsible for planning and developing the fish facility “Fin City” in the shop.
Pet Pac not only sells from the shop they also wholesale and freight throughout New Zealand delivering their products at a small cost.
If you can’t get to Takanini or make it into the shop, you can now order online and have the product delivered right to your door.
With the support of Poutama, Pet Pac has been able to update their website to enable their customers to shop online and they are working on an e-commerce site to increase online sales and develop a customer management system.
Pet Pac also manufactures and sells two daily food supplements, one for horses and one for dogs. Horse Helper and Dog Helper are formulated at their shop and warehouse so the cost is kept to a minimum and the savings passed on to their customers. For further information on these amazing products check out - www.petprimeproducts.com
Pet Pac has grown into one of the biggest pet stores in the Auckland area and has customers from all over the North and South Islands. If you are ever in Takanini, Auckland make sure you pop in to the Pet Pac store to see why – you won’t be disappointed! For more information check out - www.petpac.co.nz.
Playtopia Playland & Café Ltd – Aroha & Missy Armstrong
Iwi – Te Arawa & Nga Puhi/Tuwharetoa
Sisters-in-law Aroha and Missy Armstrong refreshed and recreated the facilities and services of a formerly run down Chipmunks franchise to provide a new and magical play experience for children. Renaming the business ‘Playtopia’ they offer an indoor playland as a “pay for play” service provider.
Playtopia are the only indoor playland in Rotorua and provide a high quality and safe play experience aimed at families with children under the age of 12 years. Meeting the needs of children is essential with a wide variety of activities that are fun, educational and user friendly. The needs of parents and caregivers are catered for as well with quality and healthy café style food and coffee available, and activities that enable them to participate with their children.
Innovation is a hallmark of the business with services available such as afterschool and school holiday care, onsite tutoring of children in Te Reo, and ‘Drop & Shop’ whereby children can be dropped off and mother’s especially, can head off to get their hair done, do the groceries, go exercising or just go shopping. As Maori the concept of whanau is central to how Aroha and Missy operate. Core values of whanaungatanga and manaakitanga help to create a friendly, welcoming and relaxing environment at Playtopia.
Aroha says that with no other playland type offerings in Rotorua there is plenty of room for the business to develop and grow. She says that marketing of the business is ongoing and never stops and is currently focused on brand identity and communication strategies. Even though there is a ready customer base with a long waiting list Aroha does not see her and Missy resting on their laurels. They have plans to increase turnover by 20% on the previous year, either upgrade the premises or purchase a building, and create business systems and training packages to be marketed and sold as a business franchise.
Aroha concludes that whanau have been essential to the development and consolidation of the business often helping out when there are staff shortages, participating in working bees and just being there when times get tough. She says there is so much to learn when you take the leap from being employed to running your own business from handling compliance and human resource matters to moving from working in the business to working on the business. She wouldn’t have it any other way though and appreciates the support Playtopia has had from Poutama with getting the business off the ground and more recently assisting with marketing initiatives for the business.
RHYTHMZ Dance Company - Carla Beazley
Iwi – Ngati Ranginui
From an early age Carla Beazley (owner of Rhythmz Dance Co.) has had an entrepreneurial streak. She was that kid selling feijoas or lemonade on the side of the road and as she got older always created a job for herself, be it delivering newspapers, baby sitting the neighbourhood’s kids, working at the local dairy or doing cleaning jobs around town. Not one to shy from new trends and fads, Carla has been an early mover on a number over the years including as a young girl selling scented potpourri baskets wrapped in cellophane – a novel idea Carla made a small fortune doing selling back to the very people who had so generously donated their rose petals from their gardens to her a few days earlier. It is this inherent trait to move on opportunities which now see’s Carla heading up the business she does.
Having started Rhythmz Dance Company about 3 years ago, Carla first began teaching dance in a small church hall in Gate Pa for a few friends and their preschool aged daughters. With a mixed dance background with the BOP Academy of Performing Arts, the NZ School of Dance, local shows and time abroad in Japan and Sydney with various dance and performance companies, Carla and her husband moved back to Tauranga from Australia and immediately identified a niche in the local market for less rigid and formal form of dance expression and training.
In 2009 Carla caught wind of a programme that was going to revolutionise the exercise world – a craze called Zumba. At the time the closest training was in Australia and whilst sceptical she thought she’d take the risk and top up the mortgage to go and find out what it was all about. The week Carla returned from Brisbane the Zumba infomercials started screening on New Zealand TV and (as they say) the rest is history.
Fast forward to today and Rhythmz Dance Company has appeared on the Good Morning Show (over 4 weeks) teaching the nation to Zumba and locally the company teaches up to 25 Zumba fitness classes per week to hundreds of adults of all shapes, sizes and ages. In terms of dance, the company is the largest provider of dance lessons in the area, teaching classes to over 500 children per week across Tauranga, Mount Maunganui and Papamoa. In addition they have worked hard to establish themselves and so they also run the only OSCAR and WINZ approved dance holiday programme in town, which reflects Carla and Teejay’s passion for kids providing a number of dance scholarships annually to those that show promise but whose family aren’t in a position to afford the fees.
The newest branch of the couple’s business is selling dance products to their growing legion of customers and friends. They have recently set up a small (boutique) dancewear store that they run from home and have just returned from a trip to China this year to find products and source suppliers for their online web shop that they aim to establish in 2012 – filling the gap for affordable dance products in the Bay.
Contact; Carla Beazley (Ngati Ranginui)
Ph: 075788780
email:
carla@rdc.net.nz
Australian Geographic Magazine - Massey Archibald
Iwi – Ngati Kahungunu
Towards the end of November Poutama received a call from Massey Archibald the Advertising Manager for Australian Geographic Magazine. Massey talked about the magazine doing a feature on indigenous tourism in New Zealand.
As it happened Poutama was about to make a visit to Sydney to meet with Australian tourism operators that bring visitors to New Zealand and so was able to arrange to meet Massey while there.
Australian Geographic is Australia’s highest selling and most read travel magazine. For 25 years the journal has been helping Australian’s with an adventurous spirit and enquiring mind, explore and experience their world in the unique Australian Geographic way.
“We’ve done the backyard, it’s now time to do the neighbourhood” says Ian Connellan, Australian Geographic’s Editor. With a primary focus on Australian content it’s with thought leading vision from their editor that Australian Geographic plans to venture beyond its shores. In 2012 Australian Geographic plans to cross the ditch for the first time.
Moving beyond the backyard and into the neighbourhood is the nature of discussion Poutama had with Massey while in Australia. The discussion centred around Australian Geographic specifically featuring stories on Maori tourism. Since then Massey has put a proposal to Poutama that would see a number of promotional activities occurring in Australia as part of the feature. These promotions would be targeted at Australian Geographic’s subscriber base many of which have an interest in experiential and cultural tourism.
The nature and extent of Poutama’s involvement is currently being considered. A key consideration for Poutama will be on how we measure and monitor the effect of any promotion in terms of the tangible benefits it will actually deliver to Maori tourism operators.
Regardless though on whether Poutama does something with Australian Geographic we now have a relationship with Massey. He has a lot of media experience and in addition to working for Australian Geographic for the past two and half years he worked for six years at ACP Magazines, Australia’s leading magazine publisher. Massey has also worked on Burke’s Backyard, NetGuide magazine, Inside Rugby, Inside Cricket, Rugby League Week and the Waratah’s and Wallabies match day program. So at the very least we now have a well connected contact in the Australian media scene.
Gear Steel Buildings – Brent Gear & Hayden Dooney
Iwi – Ngati Rangiwewehi, Ngati Whakaue & Ngararanui
Gear Steel Buildings is jointly owned by Hayden Dooney and Brent Gear. Together the pair have developed an innovative structurally engineered flooring system that minimises the number of piles required for building and thus increases the time, efficiency and cost of a build. With a suite of multi-purpose buildings which utilise structural steel and framing at the core of their design, it allows for buildings to be quickly assembled and just as easily picked up and relocated.
With the challenges in the building sector the way they are, Gear Steel Buildings foresees a major change in the direction that New Zealand is heading in terms of the future of sustainable building solutions. With the world becoming more carbon aware and taxes coming in the cost of building in traditional methods, such as wood and concrete are becoming more and more expensive. The length of time it takes to build from traditional methods due to having to prepare floor foundations, lay concrete floors and then waiting for surface to cure is time consuming. Combined with framing walls and trusses this can at times add an additional six to eight weeks delivery due to wood undergoing moisture tests. The Gear Steel Buildings design concept not only reduces the build time but also reduces the cost, due to new technologies and streamlined compliance. Once the piles have been driven into the ground the build can move forward steadily with completion times of four to six weeks dependent only on the size of the project.
As a building material, steel has one of the highest strength to weight ratios of all. It allows for buildings to have greater spans, meaning there is less dependency on load-bearing walls that can restrict internal spaces and design. In addition, the complexity created with concrete for services such as plumbing and electrical are significantly reduced through GSB houses being built on piles which enable easy access to get under the house and make changes. The strength afforded a new home or building is significant when built with steel as opposed to wood which is a major point of difference for the company says owner Brent.
Thinking about building a home, office or some new rooms at the Kohanga or on the Papakainga check them out for yourself at www.gearsteelbuildings.com or call either Hayden or Brent on 021 996175 or 0272714357
Department of Labour – Xmas & New Year Holidays
During this time of the year many businesses either close down or manage with skeleton staffing arrangements to enable employees to spend Christmas and New Year celebrations with family and friends. Many employers allow staff to take annual leave as well as the public holidays.
Public holidays are celebrated on the day they fall unless the employer and employee agree in writing to transfer the observance of the public holiday to another working day or, where Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day and 2nd of January fall on either a Saturday or Sunday.
The rule is that if these public holidays fall on either a Saturday or Sunday, employees who normally work on these days celebrate the public holiday on these days. For employees who don’t normally work on a Saturday or Sunday, the public holiday is transferred to the Monday or Tuesday respectively. To help you decide whether an employee is entitled to take the public holiday you will need to determine if the public holiday falls on an otherwise working day. The Department of Labour has a Holidays and Leave Tool that can help you with this. You can also use this chart to determine which day the public holiday will be taken.
| Public Holiday | Not an otherwise working day | Is an otherwise working day |
| Christmas Day (Sunday 25th December 2011) | Christmas Day is transferred to Tuesday 27th December* | Christmas Day is observed on the day it falls |
| Boxing Day (Monday 26th December 2011) | Not entitled to the public holiday* | Boxing Day is observed on the day it falls |
| New Years Day (Sunday 1st January 2012) | New Years Day is transferred to Tuesday 3rd January* | New Years Day is observed on the day it falls |
| New Year Holiday( Monday 2nd January 2012) | Not entitled to the public holiday* | New Year Holiday is observed on the day it falls. |
*If the day that the public holiday is taken on is not an otherwise working day for that employee, then the employee observes that public holiday as an unpaid public holiday.
For more information about public holidays and what to pay for a public holiday visit the Department of Labour website: www.dol.govt.nz/infozone/businessessentials.
The Poutama Trust Office will close at 12.30pm on Friday December 23 and reopen again on Monday January 16, 2012. From the Poutama whanau, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and safe New Year.
Poutama Out & About - November, December
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Much of my focus over the past month has revolved around developing relationships and opportunities for Maori businesses involved in the food & beverage sector. Early November kicked off with Poutama hosting a Maori food & beverage showcase evening prior to the start of the annual Federation of Maori Authorities (FOMA) Conference. The showcase enabled a range of food and beverages to be promoted to the sponsor organisations for the FOMA conference as well as iwi groups, most importantly of course was that everyone got to indulge in the tasting of an extravaganze of Maori produced kai!! The foods and beverages that were tasted included cheeses made from sheep and cow milk provided by Matatoki Farm (www.matatokicheese.co.nz) a range of breads including a flat bread called Lavash supplied by Ringawera (www.ringawera.com), smoked fish including eel and kina pate from Apatu Aqua (http://auntysgarden.co.nz/apatuaquaenterprisesltd/author/apatuaquaenterprisesltd/), muttonbird pate from Wendy Bennet at Te Puia, chilli sauces from Kaitaia Fire (www.kaitaiafire.com) and paua relish from Toku Foods (www.tokufoodsnz.com). Beverages were supplied by long standing wine producer Tohu Wines (www.tohu.co.nz), beer from Aotearoa Breweries (www.mata.net.nz), still and sparkling water from Hema Water (www.hemawater.co.nz).
Following on from this event I met with Jason Witehira the owner of the Victoria Park New World Supermarket in Auckland. My discussions with Jason were around the processes for getting food and beverages into the New World Supermarkets. Jason is enthusiastic in his support for Maori food businesses however there are a number of requirements that food suppliers have to meet. Once Poutama has a good understanding of these requirements we will then assist Maori food businesses on getting their products into the New World Supermarket chain. While in Auckland I also got to attend a dinner held for Sir Terry Leahy the retiring Chief Executive of the UK owned Tescos which is one of the world’s largest supermarket chains. He said that the wider Asia region holds good growth opportunities for Tesco and that the key to this growth was the relationships that they had established. People in these markets show a high degree of loyalty and that many of them had become friends. Sir Terry spoke on how New Zealand food producers can leverage off the supply chain and distribution power of Tesco and thereby cut out the middleman through shortened supply lines. He commented on how New Zealand as a country can brand itself around the provenance, quality and safety of its foodstuffs similar to what Denmark, Ireland and Israel had done in branding their countries. Other activities around food include attending the monthly Awhina Group meeting in Taupo. Some of the members of Awhina are shareholders and suppliers to Maori owned milk processing plant, Miraka www.miraka.co.nz. The Awhina Group are currently working on consolidating their meat supply in readiness to arrange a deal with meat processors. Hopefully one day we will see a Maori meat brand on the market. I also attended the annual Te Awanui Huk Pak dinner at Matapihi near Tauranga. This was a well attended event with the mana of Te Awanui evidenced through their joint venture partner and representatives from the Kiwifruit industry in attendance. Te Awanui is one of NZ’s largest kiwifruit businesses whose shareholders are Iwi and Trusts from Tauranga Moana area. Whilst the PSA disease is certainly having an effect on the kiwifruit industry, Te Awanui is fully engaged in responding to PSA and finding solutions for combating the disease. One of the hightlights of the evening was a tribute to those that have passed on. Entertainment was provided by Te Kura Kaupapa o Matapihi. Lastly on the food theme I met with a representative from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. We talked about Hong Kong (HK) as an entry point and stepping stone for the China market. With a population of 7 million HK in its own right offers plenty of opportunity for food producers. This combined with the widespread use of English, the diversity of its population, familiarity with both Eastern and Western business practices makes HK an ideal market to test the waters and work out entry strategies if wanting to move into China. Tourism continues to be a focus for Poutama and along with the CEO Maori Tourism Council we made a quick visit to Sydney. As per my last visit in October once again Sydney based Mike Tamaki had lined up some meetings with the CEO’s of Australian tourism businesses including Kirra Tours, Base Tourism Group and Education Tours. All of the CEOs are Kiwis and are very enthusiastic on exploring ways that we can collaborate to promote amd market Maori tourism experiences to the Australian market. We also met with Tourism NZ for an update on their marketing activities in Australia. We discussed some direct to consumer travel shows that Tourism NZ will be having a presence at in 2012 as well as possible travel stories around Maori tourism that Australia’s Channel 10S is looking to feature. Myself and three of the Directors from the Central North Island Rail Trail company, Kohia Ltd, recently made a visit to the Otago Rail Trail to check out business operations along the trail. The visit was mainly to give the Kohia Ltd Directors a sense of what is required to operate businesses that service customers using the rail trail. Kohia Ltd intends to operate business along the soon to be completed Timber Trail. This cycle trail will run from Pureora through to Taumarunui, a total of 105km. There will be two overnight stops along the trail one near Waimiha and the other at Ongarue. Well that’s it from me for this year, I’m on holiday for all of January and will be back on deck February 2012. |
Tom Manaena
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Where has the year gone, 2011 is nearly over as we approach and look to the new year in 2012. Visited Manawatu and Whanganui towards the end of November and met with previous clients and a few that have recently started in business. In Palmerston North met with Kristin and Dion Kumeroa who have moved their business from their garage when they bought the Beads BazaarShop at 14 George Street. The business creates and produces jewellery pieces as well as conducting jewellery classes and parties. Check them out if you are looking for something special for that special person. Also in Palmerston North met with Wiremu Mathews who is about to open his business Fitpro specialising in health and fitness. The business is conducted from a small boutique gym and is more around nutrition and health education that is complimented with fitness. Stayed the night at Anndion Lodge (see article) www.anndionlodge.co.nz with Ann and Dion Ngatai recent winners for the 4th year running in the Wanganui Business Awards. They certainly have grown bigger and better and if you are looking for somewhere to stay in Whanganui go no further, great venue, great hospitality. Colin Tyson-Tahana along with Michelle Pickard as Managing Directors bought the business that they were previously employed by that went into receivership and renamed it Piping Hot Plumbing & Drainage Ltd. They have now been operating in their own right for over 12 months and if in need of plumbing work they can be contacted at admin@pipinghotplumbing.co.nz or (06) 345 8033. Marilyn and Marty Vreede from Pakohe Papers www.pakohe.co.nz make paper from off-cuts of paharakeke that weavers drop off to them. Interesting to watch the making of the paper using hand driven adapted or homemade equipment. Georgina Cribb runs a taxi business in Taumarunui, Ruapehu Taxis www.ruapehutaxis.com and has recently diversified her business activities in establishing King Country Tours to work in conjunction with the various tourism operators in the region. Priscilla Sutton from Avoca Hotel avocahotel@farmside.co.nz reported that the concerts they have been staging have become very popular. They have extended their business interests and recently purchased the Ave Bar in downtown Wanganui. Met up with Brent and Claire Firmin from Spirit of the River Jet www.spiritoftheriver.co.nz who have attained added business from the development of cycleways and have adapted their boat to transport cyclists up the river. The Westpac 2011 Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce Business Awards were held in November with one our clients Nutrients www.nutrients.org.nz being a finalist in The Te Puni Kokiri Maori Business Excellence Award section. Unlucky for them, they were not a winner this year, but have benefitted from the experience. The second Kai in the bay, Maori & Wild Food Festival www.kaiinthebay.co.nz was held on 12 November. Another successful day with some of our clients being profiled there with their produces including pheasant meat from NZ Game Birds www.nzgamebirds.co.nz and alpaca meat from Mesa Natural Fibre Mill www.mesamill.co.nz. Another major event now on the Maori landscape that is gathering momentum is the Ironmaori www.sportsground.co.nz/ironmaori that was recently held in the 1st week in December in Hawkes Bay. It was noticeable to see some of our clients and associates participating. Talking about associates, one from Trade NZ days and more recently from FOMA, a mihi must go out to Rino Tirikatene the succesful candidate in the Tai Tonga Electorate. Another friendly face in parliament. That’s me for the year and extend to you all and your whanau a meri kirihimete me nga mihi o te tau hou hoki. |
Vonese Walker |
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Well what a year it’s been, it’s hard to believe that Christmas is here and how time flies when you’re having fun! It’s been a whirlwind the last couple of months with so much going on but its’ been great to get a few things moving in the right direction, throw a couple of kids school camps into the mix and it’s no wonder I’m thinking – where on earth has the time gone? November for me started off with the Poutama collaboration Hui in Auckland. Collaboration among Maori, added-value and innovation in food were the themes for the Hui that Poutama organised. To read all about it see our November newsletter (link to newsletter story). There were a great mix of participants, some new faces and some old, but the highlight for me was listening to Hayden Pohio’s story of how he developed his Manuka Boosta Bars www.naturescountrygold.co.nz and then getting to taste them too. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to stay for the full two day Hui as I was on “Camp Mother” duties but the speakers on the first day were worth the effort. The following week saw a majority of our team – Richard, Oscar and I in Tauranga at another Poutama hosted event. As Richard has highlighted, we sponsored a food & beverage showcase of Maori products to open the FOMA Annual Conference which was being held in Tauranga this year. What a great night of networking, entertainment, catching up with old and new clients and of course an awesome range of Maori kai! Big thanks goes out to Amy and whanau at the Za Bar www.zabar.co.nz for hosting us that evening and then sending us all across the road to their other bar, The Cornerstone Pub www.cornerstonepub.net.nz for karaoke to dance the night away. The next week I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to attend my son’s leadership camp at Mangatepopo Outdoor Education facility in the Tongariro National Park. As part of their leadership programme, the highlight of the camp was to challenge the kids (and adults) to complete the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a world renowned and rated as the best one day trek in New Zealand. Wow what an achievement and an unforgettable experience, if you haven’t already done it, put it on your bucket list of things to do, the views are amazing and the sense of achievement once you get from one side to the other is highly rewarding. It was even better when we finished the day soaking at the Tokaanu Hot Pools and indulging in a hangi kai cooked in the natural steam pool. Most of November and December has been focused on the recent operational review which Poutama undertook and implementing some of the outcomes from that review. My focus for the next few months is on the continued development of our new online application process, shifting our current database to a new cloud based internet system with synced reporting and further website developments. A big task but once its completed and implemented it will help with our operational efficiencies and improve our systems and processes. Met up with Grant Huwyler, Group Manager for Te Runanga o Ngati Apa www.ngatiapa.iwi.nz at their office in Marton. It was great to catch up with Grant after a few years as the previous time we met he was working for the Hokotehi Moriori Trust and living on the Chatham Islands. Ngati Apa have spent the last couple of years developing an in-house whanau ora database which other organisations are now purchasing from them so a concentrated effort is now focused on defining a clear marketing strategy. Scott and Leah from An Eye 4 Art www.aneye4art.co.nz have moved their shop premises from Westfield Manukau Mall to a new gallery store in the suburb of Three Kings. They supply unique New Zealand made or designed artworks to suit any occasion, location or decor. They are known for their focus on recognisable NZ iconic artwork. Met Clayton and Melanie from The Poi Room www.thepoiroom.co.nz in Newmarket who recently participated in Maori Market 2011 www.maoriartmarket.com – a biennial event produced by Toi Maori Aotearoa. The Poi Room stocks a beautiful collection of work and art from all over New Zealand from emerging and established artists. Well that’s about it from me for now, wishing you all a safe and Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year. |
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Oscar Nathan
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While the core aim of Poutama remains around growing the quality and contribution of Maori SME businesses to New Zealand’s GDP – it has been interesting in recent years to see the increased level of co-operation, professionalism and cohesion amongst many of our Maori trusts and incorporations – particularly in value add sectors such as dairy www.miraka.co.nz, geothermal www.tuaropaki.com and export.
Some key takeouts of the conference were around the scale and significance of the Maori Economy (estimated at $37bn) but at the same time the dire need to ‘Export or Die’, which is essentially about our need as a country to stop selling to ourselves and widening our reach and potential to the wider international market – not a new lesson but one to be heeded more than ever. There was also some very good discussion about the future of FOMA and what the organisation might look like in 2025.
The last of the three Maori Business Networking events in the region was a combined evening hosted at the NZ Sports Academy and supported by Poutama, Te Puni Kokiri, Maori in Tourism Rotorua and Takiwai Maori Business Network. Pictured right: Oscar (Poutama), Roger (TAGH), Keith (Waiariki Institute), Shane (Te Arawa Fisheries) and Glenn Hawkins (GHA & Associates).
Notwithstanding my pending departure from Poutama this Friday, it has been a thoroughly enjoyable time for me to have worked with and alongside so many of our Maori business owners across the country. In particular, I’d like to thank Richard and the team for being great friends and whanau over the years. In leaving Poutama I am returning to Rotorua to head up Destination Rototua and the Rotorua tourism industry and in doing so look forward to continuing my relationship with the Poutama team and where possible supporting the journey to success with many of the Maori tourism businesses across the region. |
The months of November and December have been extremely busy particularly as we spend time finishing off projects, applications and attending events that have been undertaken in recent weeks as what has been an extremely challenging year comes to a close. During this period I have been fortunate to get across a diverse range of business and activities including craft brewing, indigenous apparel, construction, creative design, automotive, e-learning, inflatable’s hire, and ground loading trailers to name a few. If any of these have pricked your eye or interest, please take the time to click on the links below and check them out for yourself; 
In particular, for those seeking out last minute gifts for the season, check out Moko ONU World and Iwi Creations in terms of online shopping and uniquely designed t-shirt and stocking apparel. 
A good outward show of this was the recent Federation of Maori (pic right) Authorities (FOMA) Annual Conference 
Notwithstanding there are a number of regions in the Central North Island catchment (including the East Coast, Gisborne, Taupo, Turangi) Waikato, Tauranga and Rotorua all recently hosted a round of year-end Maori business networking events for their member businesses and strategic partners and supporters. 
The first of these was a simple end of year hangi and get-together hosted at Nock & Co. on Friday 9th December as part of a scaled down Te Humeka (Waikato Maori Business Network) event. The second was a Christmas Dinner evening (above pic), held at the Devonport Hotel in Tauranga where Te Manawa Poutahi (Tauranga Maori Business Network) hosted 30 Maori Business people over a three course meal, as well as two inspiring presentations from 
Pictured left: Wetini Mitai-Ngatai (Mitai Maori Village, Te Matarae-o-Rehu & Snooze Cubes (Dubai) and NZSA owner Jeanna Love. Social Networking
Contact Us
Tom Manaena, Commercial Manager (Tom@poutama.co.nz 021 538 838 or 04 495 1132 ) - Tom is responsible for the finance, investment and accounting side of the business and also spends a lot of time out on the road covering the lower North Island, Auckland, Hawkes Bay, Central and Upper South Island regions. He also deals with clients at all levels and in all sectors.
Vonese Walker, Information Manager (Vonese@poutama.co.nz 021 683 681 ) - Vonese covers the Northland, Auckland and lower North Island regions. She deals with clients at all levels and in all sectors. Vonese also manages Poutama’s database and tourism website and is responsible for designing and improving Poutama’s service delivery to clients.
Gail Maxwell, Office Manager (Gail@poutama.co.nz 021 375 090 or 04 473 2652 ) - Gail is often the first point of contact for Poutama clients. She also supports Tom with the accounting function and provides back up to all of the team and board of trustees.
Richard Jones, CEO (Richard@poutama.co.nz 021 619 075 or Skype richtj ) - Richard focuses on strategic matters as concerns Poutama’s activities and also deals with clients at all levels and in all sectors. He has a particular focus on International business activities and liaises closely with Maori exporters. Richard also has responsibility for producing Poutama’s online newsletter and communications. Feel free to make contact with him with any relevant information or networking events for publication in the newsletter.
