38 | Well-equipped for big jobs The company has built a reputation for delivering high-quality asphalt and chip seal work, driveway repairs, excavation, and site-clearance services. Goldfinch Contracting T T Kelly Deeks REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Hawke’s Bay-based Goldfinch Contracting may only be three years old, but the small, family-run business is already making a big name for itself in the region’s surfacing and civil construction industry. Founded in 2022 by Steve and Marilyn Goldfinch, the company has built a reputation for delivering high-quality asphalt and chip seal work, driveway repairs, excavation, and site-clearance services. With Steve’s 40-plus years of experience in surfacing and construction, and Marilyn managing the company’s accounts and administration, Goldfinch Contracting blends technical expertise with a personal touch that resonates with its growing client base. The business has recently taken another leap forward, moving out of a yard it shared with Toa Civil in Waitane Place to its own premises at 86 Austin Street, Onekawa, Napier. “It’s been a big step for us,” Steve says. “Having our own yard gives us more room for our machinery, and creates a better base for operations.” At the heart of this growth is a willingness to invest in the right tools and equipment for the job. Late last year, Goldfinch Contracting purchased a Bomag paving machine, and this asset has opened up new opportunities and enabled the company to take on larger projects. “Having the right machinery is crucial,” Steve says. “People won’t ask you to price their asphalt job if you don’t have the right equipment. You’ve got to be in the game from the start.” The timing of the purchase proved fortuitous. A local competitor going into liquidation created a wave of new enquiries for Goldfinch Contracting, and the Bomag paver ensured Steve and his small team could meet the demand. Today, Goldfinch Contracting employs a lean crew, with Steve in operations, Marilyn in the office, and one additional worker. For larger jobs, they draw on a network of trusted contractors built up over decades in the industry. “We collaborate a lot,” Steve says. “When a big job comes along, we bring in experienced people we’ve worked with for years. It allows us to tackle major projects without becoming a large company ourselves.” Steve’s background speaks volumes about the calibre of work Goldfinch Contracting elivers. His career began at 16 in a local family construction and surfacing business in the UK, where at 27 he rose through the ranks to contracts manager. After moving to New Zealand, he spent years overseeing high-profile maintenance and resurfacing projects for national contractors, including major works at Queenstown, Gisborne, Wellington and Hamilton airports. Now leading his own company, Steve enjoys the freedom and flexibility of a smaller operation. “I’ve run big teams before, and while I can do it, I don’t want the stress of finding work for 20 people every day,” he says. “We’re working hard and reaping the rewards, but we’re also keeping it small enough to enjoy life.” Looking ahead, Steve hopes to continue growing Goldfinch Contracting’s profile in Hawke’s Bay, supporting the region’s infrastructure needs and its ongoing development. “Our name is definitely getting out there, and people are starting to recognise us as the team to call.” With strong local demand, top-tier equipment, and a wealth of industry knowledge, Goldfinch Contracting is well-positioned to help pave the way for Hawke’s Bay’s future. Azure Advisory is stepping boldly into its next chapter, with its founder, chartered accountant and business advisor Jessie Chen, unveiling a refreshed brand that better reflects her evolving services and future direction. Formerly CJL Chartered Accountants, the Napier-based business has undergone a strategic rebrand to Azure Advisory, marking Jessie’s shift from traditional accounting into more hands-on business advisory. “I never really liked the old name,” Jessie says. “It didn’t say anything about what I actually do beyond compliance work. As I built my first website, i felt like the right time to reposition the business with a name that better reflects the value we deliver.” As a chartered accountant with a strong background in both compliance and commercial accounting, Jessie is passionate about helping small business owners make better financial decisions. Her advisory service goes far beyond tax returns and GST. “I help clients understand their numbers, make decisions based on those numbers, and ultimately build a business that supports the life they want to live.” After starting her business part-time two years ago while raising her young daughter, Jessie committed full-time to Azure Advisory last year. Drawing on her early experience as a commercial accountant, she works closely with small and medium businesses, the engine room of New Zealand’s economy. Her approach blends strategic, forward-thinking advice with the kind of personal, down-to-earth support that small business owners really value. “I want to make high-quality, practical advice accessible – without the big-firm price tag,” she says. Jessie’s diagnostic approach often begins with what she calls a financial health check, triaging immediate issues and then working on long-term strategy. “When clients first come to me, there’s often a problem that’s been bugging them for a while,” she says. “We stop the bleeding first, then look at the bigger picture. Often, small changes in pricing, margins, or cash flow management can have a huge impact.” One client recently identified an opportunity for an additional $70,000 in annual revenue after Jessie helped him reassess his pricing strategy. Others have worked with her to restructure their banking setup, introducing dedicated accounts for income, expenses, tax, shareholder salary, and profit, creating clearer visibility over business finances. Through services spanning compliance, tax planning, and tailored consulting, Azure Advisory is giving business owners across New Zealand the tools and confidence to take control. “A lot of small business owners are stuck operating their business like it’s just a job,” Jessie says. “I help them shift their mindset, leverage resources, and build a business that creates time, money, and freedom.” With a strong client focus and an eye firmly on the future, Azure Advisory is positioned as a trusted partner for businesses ready to grow. From Compliance to Clarity: Helping Kiwi Businesses Thrive. Jessie Chen (BCom, MPA, CA) Business Growth Advisor | Chartered Accountant Mobile: 027 533 0902 Hours: Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri 8AM to 4PM Office: 32 Hasting Street, Napier Book a meeting with me: https://calendly.com/jessie-azureadvisory BOOK YOUR CLARITY SESSION TODAY:
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