News

An even stronger voice for local business

North Harbour Business Association (NHBA) is pleased to announce the results of the North Harbour Business Improvement District Expansion Ballot which concluded midday, 29 April 2013.

Over the last three weeks, property and business owners and managers in the area bounded by the Northern Motorway and Sunset, Rosedale and East Coast Bays Roads have been given the opportunity to gain access to the programmes and services delivered by NHBA.

We are delighted with the level of engagement shown, with over 36% of all qualified voters responding, a participation rate far higher than that for local body elections and significantly above the threshold set by Auckland Council for the poll.

The... More Information

Vector working in Albany area

Rosedale duct installation project - Vector are carrying out these works and have issued the following press release:

To reinforce the electricity network we are about to begin work installing ducting for future cable installations in the Albany area.

Project timing: April 2013 – July 2013

The hours of work will generally be 7am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. The project schedule allows for the fastest possible completion and minimum level of disruption under noise and safety restrictions for the type of work that is taking place.

How is the work carried out?  The work will be carried out in sections and... More Information

Great opportunity - Certificate in Applied Business Growth

10 positions are still available on a Certificate in Applied Business Growth course which is FREE for all New Zealanders or overseas passport holders who hold NZ permanent residency visa qualifications and who meet the requirements. It is a Level 5 course, NZQA approved.

This is a 24 week course which involves 3 hours one night a week at 2 William Pickering Drive, North Harbour along with extra study time and starts on the 21st of March 2013.

The course is designed for small business owners who want to take strategic action to grow and expand their business.  It is based on identifying problems, issues, opportunities for business development and implementing strategies for positive change.... More Information

Telework Week, 12 - 16 November

You may have seen NZ’s first Telework Week is being held next week, 12-16 November. The week is an initiative of Cisco, Vodafone, Datacom & Kensington Swan – and the Government is supporting through CFH. The week aims to get businesses to explore the benefits of employees working remotely (typically from home) to make workplaces more flexible, cheaper and more environmentally sustainable.
 
There is more information (including how to participate should you wish to) at http://www.teleworknz.co.nz

Advertising opportunity that supports the community - Good Neighbour Magazine

Good Neighbour, the North Auckland Neighbourhood Support publication.

In December 2012, the official publication of NORTH AUCKLAND Neighbourhood Support, GOOD NEIGHBOUR will be released to the local community. This A4 full colour publication is a FREE book to be distributed and available from Community Constables, local businesses, residential areas, Neighbourhood Support and general community groups.

This publication is specifically designed for your local area and is a great way for you to advertise locally and show your support for the well being and safety of your community.

The publication will contain local news, views and events. It will be used as a vital tool to create great community... More Information

Auckland Council opens retail bond offer

Auckland Council has opened its first retail bond issue for sale as it seeks to raise as much as NZ$175 million to fund investment in Auckland's infrastructure.

The offer, which is for 6-year, fixed-rate secured bonds, closes on Friday 12 October 2012.  

Auckland Council is seeking to raise up to NZ$125 million, though it may accept up to NZ$50 million in over-subscriptions.

"Our first retail bond offer provides ratepayers and other retail investors the opportunity to invest alongside institutional investors and banks in Auckland’s growth and see tangible outcomes from their investment. Auckland Council is one of the best rated entities in the country," says Chief Finance Officer Andrew... More Information

ATEED and Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards

ATEED is sponsoring the 2012 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.

The programme fits with our goal of Auckland being recognised as the innovative and entrepreneurial capital of the Asia Pacific rim.

Our partnership with Ernst and Young gives us access to past Award winners. It also shows our support of entrepreneurship from YES students through to ICEHOUSE support and onto to the most successful entrepreneurs in the country.  

As sponsors, we can all be involved by encouraging our Auckland clients to enter the Awards.

An Auckland entrepreneur has taken out the major title in each of the past three years, it would be good to have another Auckland based entrepreneur to win this... More Information

Free Justice of the Peace and Citizen Advice Bureau services available in Albany

Local Justices of the Peace in Albany, East Coast Bays and Orewa are offering to provide a weekly service at the Upper Harbour Local Board Office. This office is adjacent to the Albany Library which is behind the shops in the Albany Village.

A service offered by Justices of the Peace in Milford Mall is so successful that it is believed a similar service (on a reduced basis) should be offered to the residents, students and workers in the Albany area.  Albany has a large population of immigrants which often need such a service and providing weekly opportunities for everyone to visit a place other than the homes of the Justices of the Peace should be welcomed. A trial period of 4 months is commencing on 5th July 2012.  If... More Information

Undergraduate Research and Development Grants - closing on the 20th June 2012

The Ministry of Science and Innovation (MSI) is offering grants to encourage innovative companies to employ senior science, technology, engineering, design or marketing undergraduate students for a research and development project. This year two hundred places are available.

Applications Close
Applications for the Undergraduate Internship Grant close on 20th June 2012.

Funding Available
The funding provides $16 per hour for up to 400 hours of work. The maximum grant is $7,360 including GST. Funding is available to large and small companies. The contractual term will be five months – from 1 November 2012 to 31 March 2013. The internship can be of any duration... More Information

Expo Connects, Empowers Local Businesses

A successful local business expo is back, with the aim of ‘Empowering Better Business’ on the North Shore for the second year in a row.

And the North Harbour Business Association Business Expo provides the means to do just that.

After the success of the inaugural expo in 2011, demand for exhibitor spaces has prompted the move to a larger venue. This year’s expo, to be held at the North Harbour Stadium on Thursday 17 May, is a sell-out.

With over 60 exhibitors in industries ranging from finance, IT and security to law, communications and education, the event reflects the diverse range of businesses operating in the area. There will also be representatives from community groups, Auckland Transport and... More Information

North Harbour BID reballot results

At the close of the voting period, midday 9 March 2012, Independent Election Services Ltd reported the outcome of the North Harbour BID reballot as shown in the graph opposite:

We very much appreciate your support for the ongoing operation of the North Harbour BID, which is managaged by NHBA.  The voluntary Board and Executive Team of NHBA look forward to continuing to provide services and activities that are valued by voters in our area. 

We now need to finalise the extension of the... More Information

National Foundation for the Deaf - Hearing Impairment Point of Sale Cards

We have been asked by the National Foundation for the Deaf, (NFD) to circulate the following information to our members. 

The NFD is distributing free of charge to businesses in Auckland and Northland small signs which make communication much easier with members of the public with hearing impairment/loss   –  that’s about 10% of the population.

The signs are about 17.5cm x 10cm. The signs are ideally placed on counter-tops or in reception, or on a wall behind. Basically the signs indicate to people who walk in off the street that the premises are ‘deaf... More Information

Auckland ranked world’s third liveable city

 
Auckland is celebrating being ranked the third most liveable city in the world in the Mercer 2011 Quality of Living Survey.
 
New Zealand’s harbourside city moved up from fourth place last year and is third only to the European cities of Vienna and Zurich.
 
Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) Manager Tourism Jason Hill says this is an outstanding result for the destination.
 
“Auckland has performed consistently well in this survey, but to jump to third spot and be the only Southern Hemisphere city ranked in the world’s top 10 is an excellent achievement,” he says. 
 
Auckland was credited for having a good... More Information

Strike action at Ports of Auckland

1.     from 10.30pm on Thursday 1st December 2011 to 10.30pm on Monday 5th December 2011;

2.     from 10.30pm on Thursday 8th December 2011 until 10.30pm Monday 12th December 2011.

The multi-cargo wharves, the Port of Onehunga and the Wiri Inland Port will remain open, and the vehicle import business, cruise ships and marine services, including the Awanuia fuel barge, are not affected. The on-dock empty container depot will also remain open.

If this strike action is likely to impose any disruption to your... More Information

JOB MARKET ECHOES SEASONAL TREND

“The dip of 3.9% in new job ads listed on www.seek.co.nz is typical for this time of year as businesses tend to hold off from hiring before Christmas. This can be due in part to the additional cost of covering statutory holidays and leave, and many businesses also see workloads wind down over the festive season,” explains Janet Faulding, General Manager SEEK New Zealand.

Despite the slight decline... More Information

Transpower Infrastructure Roll-Out

NHBA has been advised of an infrastructure development programme which impact on some businesses located within our BID area. We will update you as to progress as soon as we are advised so that you can manage your business demands.   Attached to the base of this page is the full information pack as provided by Transpower.   

The Project and Background:
Transpower – the owner and operator of the National Grid - has been progressing a project to reinforce the electricity supply into the upper North Island. This is an essential infrastructure project essential for meeting the growing energy demands of the region.  This is known as our North Auckland and Northland (NAaN) project.

Free Breast Screening in Albany

If you’re a woman aged 45 to 69 years working or living in North Harbour, now is the time to enrol for a free mammogram.

The mobile breast screening unit is coming to Albany and will be in the Albany Mega Centre upper car park (near Farmers Home Store) from the 26th September - 1st October 2011.

Fully digital ‘state of the art’ breast cancer screening equipment
All mammograms independently read by two radiologists
Appointments available at times to suit including early mornings, Saturdays and evenings

Breast screening every 2 years could save your life and... More Information

Auckland Accounts Unite to Support Local Business Owners

Local Accounting firm RES Group has joined forces with Baldry & Sandford to give you the opportunity to learn strategies for business success from one of Australisias' top business coaches Dean Marinac at "The Edge" on 24th August.

Complimentary tickets to ‘The Edge' are available to NHBA members, however seats are limited, so please contact Aimee Bridgman for North Shore tickets to secure your place at the event.

Date: Tuesday 24 August

Venue: Harbour Function Centre, Stadium Drive Albany (Gate A)

Arrival Time: Doors open and registration begins from 6pm

Session Time: 6.30pm - 9.30pm

For more information about the event please contact:
Aimee Bridgman from... More Information

New Legislation - Unit Titles Act

On June 20 the Government voted the Unit Titles Act 2010 into law, a move that brings unit title developments into line with today's property market.

As part of this there will be some changes in how body corporates and unit title developments are handled.

The main changes are:

• The Tenancy Tribunal will now be able to hear disputes arising in developments such as apartment buildings;
• There are now extensive disclosure obligations for sellers, which will likely push up the seller's costs. Failure to provide timely disclosure may give purchasers the right to cancel contracts;
• From October 1, 2012 a body corporate will be required to establish a 10-year... More Information

High-tech HoloDesk heading for Cloud

An Albany company which sells audio-visual interactive technology is hoping to introduce its products to a wider audience in the Cloud on Auckland's waterfront during the Rugby World Cup.

Transparent screens, similar to those featured in Minority Report, will go on display at the Cloud. Photo / Supplied
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Transparent screens, similar to those featured in Minority Report, will go on display at the Cloud. Photo / Supplied

An Albany company which sells audio-visual interactive technology is hoping to introduce its products to a wider audience in the Cloud on Auckland's waterfront during the Rugby World Cup.

Ice AV will display its interactive HoloDesk in public for the first time. The... More Information

An Export Led Recovery? by Dr Ganash Nana

An export led recovery should be straight forward - correct?  New Zealand just needs to sell goods overseas at a good price, while having a low exchange rate to ensure New Zealand exporters receive more New Zealand dollars for every foreign dollar earned.

So, if this is all we need to do, why hasn't this already happened? Or, alternatively, is this export led recovery going to happen this year?

At the beginning of the last couple of years, economists and the Government have been waiting for exports to lead New Zealand out of the global recession. The question still remains, is an export led recovery going to happen this year? And if so, will our export sector be the strong growth engine?

A good... More Information

NZ Job Growth Stronger Than Australia - latest survey released July 2011

New Zealand\'s new job growth has been stronger than that in Australia over the last three months. The SEEK New Job Ad Index released today reveals that since April 2011 new job ads have risen by 1.8% in New Zealand but dipped by 0.7% in Australia.

"SEEK is the biggest job source in Australia and in New Zealand, with strong market leadership and more jobs than any other site or source in both countries. As the market leader, and with comparable measurement tools active in each country, we are able to evaluate and compare jobs and applications in each market," says Janet Faulding, General Manager of SEEK New Zealand.
"While the Australian labour market recovery... More Information

Give Blood - North Harbour Stadium 22nd June

Spread some sunshine this winter-donate blood
LG Lounge, North Harbour Stadium
WEDNESDAY 22 June
1.00pm - 7.00pm
THURSDAY 23 June
1.00pm - 7.00pm

www.nzblood.co.nz/

Business as usual after Tornado hits North Harbour Business district

After Tuesday's tornado we were fortunate to discover minimal damage occured overall to our business district. Normal access in and out of the business park has resumed.

It is a timely reminder for all our businesses to check that they have a robust disaster recovery plan in place and that insurance cover is adequate and all encompassing.

If any businesses require advice or assistance please call us on 968 2222.

Business Confidence at 18 month high!

The latest issue (9 May 2011) of the BNZ Confidence Survey is all good news.

Business sentiment about where the economy will be in a year's time has risen to its highest level since December 2009. A net 42% of respondents in the monthly BNZ Confidence Survey are optimistic about the economy compared with 14% in April, -21% in March immediately post-earthquake, and 34% a year ago.

The results by industry show good sentiment in farming, agricultural servicing, forestry and manufacturing for export, with improvements in sentiment evident for accountants, construction, residential and non-residential real estate, and even tourism. However retailing remains extremely weak and lawyers are not seeing much... More Information

FREE Discovery Passes for Public Transport!

The NHBA together with Auckland Transport are working together on solutions for congestion problems in the North Harbour Business District.  The Discovery Pass is a multi-operator pass which offers you an easy one-purchase ticket for your entire day's travel. With the Discovery Pass you will be able to travel on virtually any bus, train or ferry to get to or from work, study or shopping.

Over the next few months we will be encouraging business people in the area to trial public transport!  As an incentive we are giving away FREE Discovery Passes which can be used in the last 2 weeks of each month.  To qualify you must be a new user of Public Transport and live, work or study in the NHBA area.

Maximise the Rugby World Cup 2011 opportunity for your business?

More than 85,000 visitors are expected in New Zealand for Rugby World Cup 2011, and many of them will be business people.  it'll be a great opportunity to make business connections between matches. North Harbour is playing a big part in the action - is your business part of it?

Match Ready is your source of essential business information for preparing for Rugby World Cup 2011. It also provides resources to pass on to your staff and help respond to visitors eager to enjoy their Auckland experience.

Don't miss the action - register now at www.auckland2011.com/matchready

and your business will go in the website's draw to win... More Information

Wine, wine and more wine!

If one of your New Year resolutions was to abstain from alcohol this year then you might want to skip this article.  However if you want to give your palate a treat, then please read on.....

North Harbour Business Association has re-launched their Wine Club.  They have selected David Prescott from Wine and More to manage this club and have charged David with the task of delivering a compelling range of interesting and often exclusive wines for their members each month.  Wine offers will be included in our monthly e-newsletters, and also hosted on the NHBA website.   These offers will be available to all businesses within the North Harbour area plus for individual staff members who want to... More Information

Scholarship winner announced

Rangitoto College student Matt Jillings has been named as the winner of the inaugural Bachelor of Business Studies Scholarship.

17 year old Mairangi Bay resident and Rangitoto College student Matt Jillings has been named as the winner of the inaugural North Harbour Business Association Bachelor of Business Studies Scholarship worth $15,000.

Presented by Prime Minister John Key, the award to Mr. Jillings was the highlight of the Association’s 2010 Annual General Meeting Luncheon held this week at North Harbour Stadium and attended by close to 200 local business people.

North Harbour Business Association General Manager Gary Holmes said that the competition between the six finalists was close but the judging... More Information

New General Manager for NHBA

Janine Brinsdon joined the North Harbour Business Association\'s management team as General Manager at the end of November.

Janine has recently returned from the UK where she led the redevelopment of an expat newspaper from a printed publication to a top ranked website.  We are confident that Janine will add depth to the NHBA\'s relationship with key stakeholders, media and the 1300 businesses which are core to our association.

"The opportunity to create and support North Harbour business growth - either... More Information

NHBA Targeted Rate extended

The North Harbour Business Association has been allowed to extend its initial funding period from three years to four years before needing to undertake a re-ballot of its ratepayers.

The business association is partially funded by a targeted rate - a special levy which is collected on top of normal council rates in the area in which the business association operates. Throughout New Zealand, targeted rates are used to fund specific organisations and/or projects.

The targeted rate which partially funds the North Harbour Business Association was introduced in July 2008 after the association had balloted all businesses in its catchment area and submitted the results to the council.

At that time, the council's... More Information

North Harbour Business Association targeted rate extended for a year

The North Harbour Business Association has been allowed to extend its initial funding period from three years to four years before needing to undertake a re-ballot of its ratepayers.

The business association is partially funded by a targeted rate - a special levy which is collected on top of normal council rates in the area in which the business association operates.  Throughout New Zealand, targeted rates are used to fund specific organisations and/or projects.

The targeted rate which... More Information

CBM

Giving makes good business sense

New Zealanders are naturally generous people. Each year an estimated 1.2 million of us volunteer our time and together we give more than $1 billion a year.

Recent changes to our tax rules have made it even easier for businesses and employees to give. These are:

• The introduction of payroll giving through the PAYE scheme -employees can give as they earn and receive an immediate tax credit of one third of each donation;

• Removal of caps on the donations tax credit - individuals and companies (including close companies) can now donate up to the level of their net income and still receive a tax benefit;

• Clarification of the tax treatment of... More Information