Business North December 2025

Volume 24 | Issue 8 | December 2025 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Sailing away... Auckland’s Explore Group has anchored itself as an innovative leader in maritime tourism… T T Page 03 businessnorth

2 | Contents businessnorth 33| Taking flight New Zealand’s first purpose-built aviation community is taking shape at Te Kowhai Airpark 50 | Steely stuff Auckland’s Dean Steel is demonstrating just how diverse a modern engineering workshop can be. 124| Under cover Tennis Auckland is progressing plans for redevelopment of the historic Manuka Doctor Arena in Parnell. 50 124 33 #businessnorth #yourstory www.waterfordpress.co.nz   Explore Group ��03 The Trusts Arena ��04 Sea Turner ��06 Action Manufacturing ��07 Hamilton Pet Transport ��10 Peak Safety Training ��11 Shott Beverages ��12 Soljans Estate Winery ��14 Cambridge Town Hall ��14 Sawmill Brewery ��15 Tasman Holiday Parks - Miranda ��16 Southpark Corp ��18 PJM Project Management ��20 Engas Developments ��21 Southpark Corp - Marsden City ��22 Feathers Planning ��23 Fletcher Living ��24 Samson Corporation ��26 Kalmar Group ��28 Kalmar Group: York House ��29 CMP Construction ��30 Te Kowhai Airpark ��33 Landmark Homes Hamilton ��34 Urban Homes NZ ��35 Waikato District Council ��36 Whangarei District Council ��38 Vanari Caravans ��40 Tutukaka Marina ��41 Mitre 10 Waiuku ��42 Rangitikei Timber ��43 Fonterra Maungatūroto ��44 A2 Milk Company ��45 Silver Fern Farms ��46 Booth’s Group ��47 Les Harrison Transport ��48 Dean Steel ��50 Pact Steel ��51 Meara Engineering ��52 Frame Group ��52 Shorewise Engineering Consultants ��54 Total Marine Group ��56 CB Civil & Drainage ��57 Almond Contractors ��58 Hick Bros Civil Construction ��60 Land and Sea Civil ��62 North Harbour Towing ��64 Electrical Works ��65 Aotea Electric Northland ��66 Curle Electrical Services ��67 NZ Crushing Services ��68 Thermal Solutions ��69 Rochford Landscapes ��71 Mod Architecture ��72 First Principles Architects and Interiors 73 Jon McAlpine Architecture ��74 Nick Rowe Architecture ��76 Southern Draught ��76 Smith Architects ��78 Dusk Projects ��79 G.J. Gardner Homes Manukau ��80 Navigation Homes Counties Franklin ��82 Platinum Homes Auckland South ��84 Ebode Homes ��86 Bryton Property ��87 OUR PARTNERS: Christchurch Office 112 Wrights Road, Addington, Christchurch Phone 03-983 5500 PO Box 37 346 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Queenstown Office 70 Glenda Drive, Queenstown 9300 MANAGING DIRECTOR James Lynch james@waterfordpress.co.nz CO-MANAGING PARTNER Chris Pearce chris.pearce@waterfordpress.co.nz EDITORIAL Editor Nick Gormack nick@waterfordpress.co.nz Sub-editors Christine Defelice, Margaret Landauer Journalists Anne Boswell, Bernadette Cooney, Kelly Deeks, Hugh de Lacy, Russell Fredric, Kim Newth, Sue Russell, Karen Phelps, Rosa Watson, Nicki Woodlock, Virginia Wright RESEARCH & MARKETING James Anderson, Sam Dart, Chris Graves, Megan Hawkins, Annie Patrick, Chris Pearce, Danielle Percival, Adam Shirra, Leo Smith, Alasdair Thomson sales@waterfordpress.co.nz PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT General Manager Luke Lynch luke@waterfordpress.co.nz Graphic Artists Anton Gray, Francesca Hildawa, Sophie McCleary, Liki Udam art@waterfordpress.co.nz CONTENT COORDINATORS Alissa Crosby, Ann-Marie Frentz, Michelle Phelan, Josie Villa OFFICE AND ACCOUNTS Lyn Barlow lyn@waterfordpress.co.nz T&C’s: These conditions are prescribed for the sake of understanding between the Waterford Press Ltd and its clients. 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Views and opinions expressed in our publications are not necessarily those of the editors, staff, Waterford Press Ltd. or publisher. Waterford Press Ltd. welcomes contributions from freelance writers & journalists. All articles published at editor’s discretion. Waterford Press Ltd. accepts no responsibility for any Errors or Omissions within any articles, where the client approved prior to print date; any post print date advertisement and / or editorial adjustments are made at Waterford Press’s discretion and may incur additional costs to the client. Kahawai Point ��88 Taylored Group ��89 Lanta Construction ��90 CETA Homes ��92 Clothier Construction ��93 Leisurecom Homes ��94 Add Space ��96 NF Construction ��96 Master Craft Construction ��97 G.J. Gardner Homes Waipa ��98 Bennett Homes ��101 Smith and Sons - Pukekohe/Franklin ��102 Keith Hunter Builders ��105 SJR Builders ��106 Stonex Homes ��108 Aalbers Construction ��109 BG Build ��110 Grinter Building ��111 Pukekohe Builders ��112 QM Group ��113 MTP Renovations & Maintenance ��114 White Wood Homes ��115 Fyfe Kitchens ��116 Ecodure Flooring ��117 Team Fitout ��118 Lodge Real Estate ��119 Commercial Realty ��120 Waikato Real Estate ��121 Opononi School ��122 Village Green ��123 Tennis Auckland ��124

| 3 T T Anne Boswell Exploring maritime attractions in style Explore Group has anchored itself as an innovative leader in maritime tourism REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Explore Group Whether your idea of heaven is discovering pristine island sanctuaries, sightseeing in spectacular marine parks, or experiencing the Waitemata Harbour through the eyes of an America’s Cup sailor, Explore Group can bring that magic to life with one of its unique maritime experiences. Since its beginnings during the first America’s Cup in Auckland in 2000, Explore Group has anchored itself as an innovative leader in maritime tourism, creating unforgettable experiences that connect people to New Zealand’s breathtaking natural environment. “When we captured the opportunity to take people sailing on an authentic America’s Cup yacht, it was a unique experience that had not been done before,” managing director William Goodfellow says. That bold move marked the start of what has become an expansive, vibrant business. Explore Group’s spirit of innovation and expansion continues, with the introduction of two new vessels operating out of Auckland – one that travels to Tiritiri Matangi Island and offers the Tikapa Moana Whales, Dolphin and Island Cruise, and another that visits Rotoroa Island and the stunning Man O’ War vineyard and the brand-new Forest Flight Zipline experience on Waiheke Island. These additions allow more visitors to experience the Hauraki Gulf’s extraordinary wildlife and landscapes in comfort and style. Explore Group extended its operations to the Bay of Islands in 2003, launching a large sailing vessel that offered visitors a new way to explore the region. It now caters to a wide range of markets – from locals wanting to rediscover their own backyard, to domestic travellers and international visitors seeking iconic and unique New Zealand experiences. Explore Group’s offerings also include exclusive charters for small groups wanting a private adventure – from corporate teambuilding to weddings, special occasions and events. In the Bay of Islands, with significant investment Explore Group is launching a brand-new flagship cruise vessel for its renowned Hole in the Rock and Urupukapuka Island experiences, enhancing the comfort in which visitors can experience its offerings in the region. And, in time for Labour Weekend, the company reinstated the popular Auckland to Coromandel ferry service, reconnecting Aucklanders and visitors alike with one of the country’s most stunning coastal destinations. The two-hour scenic cruise will initially run on a limited timetable, with plans to extend as demand grows. William says a large part of Explore Group’s success is the strength of its relationships. “For us, it’s all about partnerships,” he says. “We love it when we can partner with local iwi and tourism operators, and organisations such as Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi, Rotoroa Island Trust and Project Island Song. “Partners who can add value beyond what we are capable of alone, and as a result, we end up with quite an extraordinary experience for our visitors.” William says for the last 25 years, Explore Group has prioritised delivering exceptional experiences to its customers. “It’s important that we deliver unique experiences that are special for people, and our friendly team go above and beyond to deliver that,” he says. “We are so lucky with the destinations that we can go to; it gives people an experience they can’t get anywhere else.” - Four generations of experience - 85 ton x 8.5m wide travel lift - Full service yard Our services include: New builds, Refits, Repairs, Maintenance, Survey work Phone – 09 425 7001 | Email – info@robertsonboats.com | Website – www.robertsonboats.com

4 | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT The Trusts Arena T T Karen Phelps Sustainability underpins operations The venue’s Sustainability Action Plan outlines clear targets through to 2030. “Sustainability is not a oneoff project at The Trusts Arena – it’s a culture of responsibility, innovation and progress.” The Trusts Arena in Henderson, Auckland, is not only celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, but it has also been named a finalist in the Excellence in Sustainability category at the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards. “Becoming a finalist is an achievement in itself,” says Marcus Reynolds, the arena’s chief executive officer. “We’ve worked incredibly hard to implement meaningful, measurable change across our entire operation, from waste management and energy use to water conservation and sustainable procurement.” The venue’s sustainability journey has delivered impressive results since it began in 2019. By 2024, it had achieved a 70% reduction in waste sent to landfill through a comprehensive separation system, increased recycling capacity and partnerships with composting providers and local food rescue charities. The venue now provides sustainability guidelines to all hirers, with clear expectations communicated to contractors and catering partners. “Our long-term target is to divert 75% of all waste from landfill and we are on track to meet this goal,” explains Marcus. A major milestone came in April 2025 with the completion of a solar power installation in partnership with Lightforce Solar. The system comprises 297 photovoltaic panels mounted on the arena’s roof, currently offsetting between 30 and 60% of the venue’s total electricity load. “The solar installation marks a significant leap towards energy independence and carbon emissions reduction,” says Marcus. The system includes battery storage capable of providing approximately 150 kilowatts of backup power during electricity disruptions, reinforcing the venue’s capacity to operate as an officially designated Community Emergency Hub. Marcus says this emergency preparedness proved vital during Auckland’s recent flooding events. “Our self-sustaining infrastructure, including solar power, rainwater systems and ample indoor shelter, ensures we are equipped to respond in times of need,” he explains. Other energy-efficiency improvements include a phased rollout of LED lighting, now covering over 50% of interior spaces, alongside automated lighting and climate- control systems that adjust based on occupancy and daylight. The venue has also focused on water conservation, with all bathrooms and toilets now connected to rainwater harvesting tanks, significantly reducing reliance on municipal supply. “Sustainability is not a one-off project at The Trusts Arena – it’s a culture of responsibility, innovation and progress,” says Marcus. The venue’s Sustainability Action Plan outlines clear targets through to 2030, including increased waste diversion, continued renewable energy expansion, and measurable carbon footprint reduction. The venue serves over 58,000 track and field users and over 500,000 arena users annually, hosting everything from international concerts and national sporting events to community gatherings and cultural celebrations. Its community-first approach includes a tiered pricing model, allowing commercial events to subsidise costs for schools, not-for-profits and community groups. “We operate with a strong community-first ethos,” says Marcus. “Affordability should never be a barrier to accessing our venue, enabling us to serve a broad and diverse range of users.” As the venue commemorates two decades of service to West Auckland, Marcus says the sustainability award nomination represents recognition of its evolution from a grassroots sporting facility into a forward-thinking, environmentally responsible community hub. We’re proud of how far we’ve come and even more excited about where we’re going next.” Your local specialists in Onsite First Aid Training, Private Medical Coverage, Ambulance Transfers, AED Sales 0800 4367 111 w w w . e l i t e m e d i c a l . c o . n z Dedicated To The Business Of Life TEMPORARY TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT EXPERTS OPERATING NATIONWIDE 0800 424 387

| 5 REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT The Trusts Arena The solar power system comprises 297 photovoltaic panels mounted on the arena’s roof, currently offsetting between 30 and 60% of the venue’s total electricity load. When The Trusts Arena set an ambitious target to divert 75 per cent of waste from land ill, the West Auckland venue knew every operational detail would need to be scrutinised including how its carpets were cleaned. The answer came from Green Shield Carpet Cleaning, a family-owned Auckland business that has been pioneering an unconventional approach to carpet maintenance using a biotechnological cleaning solution instead of harsh chemicals and excessive water. “We do things di erently,” says P J Fernandes, owner of Green Shield. “I've been using this environmentally friendly product to clean carpets for 15 years and have got great results.” Green Shield maintains The Trusts Arena's carpets on a carefully designed plan that maximises e iciency and minimises environmental impact. The company conducts a deep clean once annually, then returns quarterly to address high-tra ic areas and spot-clean spills. This approach keeps carpets in excellent condition without the resource-intensive processes. The biotechnology-based method means that, unlike traditional carpet cleaning, which requires signi icant water and electricity usage, Green Shield's bacterial cleaning system operates on a fraction of the resources and delivers superior results. “This method uses perhaps 10 per cent of the water we would normally use,” explains P J. “It also cuts down on electricity usage because it doesn't need hot water to work.” The bacterial cleaning technology works by harnessing microorganisms and enzymes that actively break down dirt, grease and grime. These bioactive ingredients continue working after the initial cleaning, providing ongoing results that extend the time between professional treatments. The environmental bene its of Green Shield's approach extend beyond water savings. The ultra-concentrated formulas eliminate single-use plastic waste and compact products reduce transport-related greenhouse gas emissions. The biodegradable, nature-powered ingredients replace toxic chemicals, improving indoor air quality and creating healthier environments for sta and visitors. For venues and businesses, the environmental advantages come alongside practical bene its. The system's neutral pH is gentle on surfaces and skin and its VOC-free formulas create healthier indoor environments without toxic exposure. While carpet cleaning remains its core service, Green Shield has expanded to o er a comprehensive range of cleaning solutions for both commercial and residential clients. The company provides upholstery cleaning for furniture, commercial curtain cleaning, area rug care, mattress cleaning to eliminate allergens and dust mites and even specialised chewing gum removal services. “Our mission is helping people live healthier lives by starting with a cleaner and healthier environment,” says P J. The family-run business prides itself on transparency and customer service. It o ers exact appointment times rather than vague windows, honest pricing with no hidden costs based on square footage, and uses only cleaning solutions registered as safe for children and pets. The company's technicians are trained in the latest cleaning techniques and equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. Looking after the environment Fresh carpets that will impress your clients and sta Peace of Mind Guaranteed on All Work Quick Drying Fast and Reliable Team Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products & Solutions Providing environmentally friendly carpet cleaning for The Trusts Contact Us 09 898 4746 www.greenshield.co.nz We proudly serve Auckland and the Bay of Plenty.

6 | Sea Turner REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Dinghy lift making waves Nicole and James Turner’, their innovative new dinghy lift is making waves around the world. T T Russell Fredric The brainchild of Auckland couple Nicole and James Turner, Sea Turner, an innovative new dinghy lift that operates from a boat or car roof, is making waves around the world. The couple had discovered a problem, and in classic Kiwi fashion, went about creating a solution when they could not find any other suitable option. A revolutionary way to load and store dinghies on boats and vehicles, based on a pair of easily installed folding davit arms, as far as James and Nicole know, Sea Turner is a world-first. With the push of a button on a remote, a dinghy is lifted and loaded on four points and deployed in less than a minute. When secured, Sea Turner keeps a dinghy compactly stowed upside down and out of the way, while preventing water and debris collecting, and it can usually be installed without significant reinforcement or modification, needing just eight bolts to secure it. James and Nicole launched their company in 2023 after they bought their dream nine-metre boat, but found that the outboard motors meant storing a dinghy for getting their two young children ashore was a struggle. After trials storing it on the bow and roof that was awkward for one person to do, they settled on an inflatable dinghy that lived on the back deck and inflated as needed, but this added 30 minutes to every trip ashore. After failing to find a ready-made product, James started coming up with ideas of how he would solve the problem, and sketched out a set of arms that would lift the boat up and turn it upside down to store it on the roof. While this sounds simple, prototyping, manufacturing, and marketing a product from scratch has been a huge challenge, Nicole says. James worked in IT, and is a commercially qualified skipper with 20 years of maritime search and rescue experience, so he knows well the challenges of working in a maritime environment, and the need to create a product that could stand up under harsh conditions. Nicole had a background in event management, but neither she nor James had any engineering experience, so they initially approached a patent attorney, who introduced them to an engineer. “Now we’re into the selling and marketing stage. In March of this year we launched for production,” Nicole says. Sea Turner is a finalist in the 2025 Auckland Business Awards North and West Excellence in Innovation category. Sea Turner’s largest social media presence is on Instagram, and in recent months the system gained a viral global boost when it featured on Supercar Blondie’s Instagram channel, which has 18 million followers. “We’re massively pleased and so grateful for the exposure. We’ve had over eight million views on that; that’s generated a lot of enquiries, basically we’re getting enquiries from all over the world,” says Nicole. Consequently, in addition to engaging New Zealand distributors, Sea Tuner has been establishing distributor agreements in Australia and Canada with the expectation of more countries to follow. The first export unit was shipped to Australia in October. Weighing 50 kilograms, Sea Turner can lift a 40kg boat and is fabricated locally by Phoenix Engineering. It has been a real head-turner at boat shows or anywhere it has been demonstrated. “It’s such a showstopper,” says Nicole. “A crowd gathers to watch it; it’s pretty cool. Seeing people’s reaction to it makes it all worth it.” Precision engineering services supported by the best technology. Proudly supporting Sea Turner 04 568 4442 www.myriadengineering.co.nz

| 7 T T Sue Russell Stellar year for innovative company Action Manufacturing won the Sustainability and Community Contribution categories at the 2025 Waikato Business Awards. Action Manufacturing REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT T T to page 8 It’s been another stellar year for the Hamilton-based quality vehicle specialists, Action Manufacturing. The company won the Sustainability and Community Contribution categories at the 2025 Waikato Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. It was also a finalist in the People and Culture, and Innovation categories. Action Manufacturing marketing and communications specialist, Brooke Sullivan, says the awards success was fantastic for the company and for everyone involved. “We know we’re doing great things, and to have this acknowledged by the Waikato business community is like the icing on the cake.” Brooke says with a company culture that focuses on consistent innovation, commitment to excellence, collaboration and a second-to-none passion for what it does, their success is driven by the attitude of CEO Chris Devoy, to “never turn away from a challenge”. “He saw a huge opportunity, for instance, for us to pioneer electric power technology in the commercial trailer space, resulting in Action Manufacturing producing the first electric refrigerated trailer, the Fairfax ZE, a joint effort with subsidiary companies Fairfax and Transcold,” Brooke says. Within the Action Manufacturing Group, and through a history spanning 80 years, the business has expanded in scale, now operating from branches in Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch, as well as over the Tasman in Brisbane. Since establishing in 1989, Acron Plastics, located on Auckland’s North Shore in the Wairau Valley, has been delivering high-quality thermoformed plastics solutions to a wide array of customers. Over the years, the company has developed a strong reputation for solving complex design and manufacturing challenges. Acron works closely with customers throughout the development stage to ensure the best possible outcome. “Often the conversation begins with the customer carrying a vision for the end-product, and not being certain as to what material would best suit, or how to go about creating it. This is where our years of industry leading expertise comes to the fore in product design, tool making, thermoforming and fabrication of plastics,” says the company’s sales and business manager, Mark Wong. Acron Plastics works with a wide selection of materials, including ABS, Acrylic, HIPS, HDPE, PET G, Polycarbonate, Polypropylene and PVC. Thermoforming begins with a sheet of plastic, which is heated and laid over a tool/mould. The mould has multiple tiny holes for the vacuum to pass through, drawing the sheet onto the mould to create the desired shape. The max forming size is 2m x 1.5m x0.7m. Tools are made from laminated MDF, alloy, acetal, or resin. Acron Plastics possesses a state of the art 5 axis CNC router. They can undertake complex trimming on parts after forming, allowing for signi icant design creativity. Use of the CNC is available for all kinds of CNC work, and is not limited to trimming thermoformed parts. As testament to the company’s quality and service, Mark says the team is proud of the many long-standing relationships they maintain with customers—partnerships built through years of engagement and reliable delivery. “One such company is Action Manufacturing. They’ve had an association with Acron Plastics pretty well since their inception. Our association with Action is one we very much enjoy and value.” Mark adds that it’s a source of great satisfaction that Acron Plastics still produces products for its very irst customer, who approached the company’s founder to design and manufacture meter boxes in 1989. “That’s something pretty special!” Proudly registered with iconic branding organisation NZ Made, Mark says Acron Plastics has put a great deal of time and e ort into minimising its environmental footprint. “Most of our o cuts get ground down and returned to our supplier to be extruded back into our raw material. Some are recycled locally instead, substantially reducing our environmental footprint.” Mark says he is pleased to see renewed con idence in the market, with strong orders already con irmed for the irst quarter of 2026. “It has been an up and down time for many in the industry and I’m feeling very good about the year ahead as positive economic factors impacting demand, become more evident.” Plastics solutions guaranteed Providing thermoformed plastic solutions from concept to completion ACRON Plastics Limited is the leading turnkey thermoforming company, manufacturing components and products from conception to design to production. We specialise in Vacuum Forming, CNC trimming & Fabrication of plastic parts. No matter the size of the project, ACRON Plastics has the expertise and experience to deliver. Vacuum Forming | CNC Machining & Trimming Fabrication & Assembly | Product Design | Tooling Retail Displays | Signage | Thermoforming PHONE: 09 443 5652 MOBILE: 021 241 9484 EMAIL: sales@acronplastics.co.nz CONTACT US TODAY www.acronplastics.co.nz

8 | Action Manufacturing REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Another stellar year for Action team Building motorhomes for parent company THL, which owns iconic brands such as Maui, Britz and Apollo, is a core activity at Action Manufacturing, T T from page 7 Underpinning its success is a design-led approach and can-do attitude to creating and delivering an array of specialised vehicles, servicing the medical, emergency, transport and leisure campervan sectors, to name a few. Action Manufacturing produced Australasia’s first electric ambulance, and Brooke says this move to equip vehicles with electric energy is part of the company’s goal to be at the forefront of increasingly harnessing sustainable technologies. “We love nothing more than a challenge to design, build, and fit out a vehicle absolutely fit-for-purpose.,” says Brooke. “We excel in problem-solving to arrive at exactly what our customers need to operate successfully.” On the sustainability front, Brooke says much time has been spent breaking down all the processes and activities Action Manufacturing does, beginning with the development of a five-year sustainability plan, documenting goals like converting the company’s sales cars to electric power, shifting to electric forklifts and re-purposing off-cuts to reduce waste. “Our community contribution, the Fairfield Project, is an ongoing commitment to planting trees at Fairfield College,” says Brooke. “This initiative has been underway for two years now, and staff enjoy time away from work getting their hands in the soil helping grow a plantation of trees that will be a lasting legacy in the area.” Building motorhomes for parent company THL, which owns iconic brands such as Maui, Britz and Apollo, is a core activity at Action Manufacturing, with upward of 1000 vehicles assembled and fitted out annually. Brooke says with another positive year coming to a close, everyone working at Action Manufacturing is focused on continuing this good work in 2026. “Our people culture recognises the contribution of everyone around the table, and their unique place in Action Manufacturing’s journey of growth and success.” Proud Suppliers to Action Manufacturing Plastic Water / Waste Tanks for over 12 years TT Plastics manufactures New Zealand’s largest extensive range of rotationally moulded tanks with over 200 sizes & shapes available. Over 25 years’ experience supplying the Recreational Vehicle, Marine, Equestrian, Mobile food stalls, Portable buildings, Tiny home markets. Support & Key Partner to the Action Manufacturing Team sales@ttplastics.co.nz 07 8686191 97 State Highway 25, Thames

| 9 Action Manufacturing Underpinning its success is a design-led approach and can-do attitude to creating and delivering an array of specialised vehicles, servicing the medical, emergency, transport and leisure campervan sectors. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT When Steven Cherrie and Stephen Dunn decided to purchase Star ish Interiors, a decade ago, based in Avondale, Auckland it was an opportunity for them to bring their individual capabilities to the table and propel the upholstery business in new directions. “Stephen came with a jack-of-all trades skill-set, with 20 years of engineering and automotive upholstery industry experience. There’s not much he can’t turn his hand to and is a great problem-solver. Whereas I came from an accountancy and management background, so our complementary skills it together well leading this business,” Steven explains. In total, the team comprises 15 today, having started with 3, testament to the judicious seizing of opportunities and growth that has accompanied this. Having the best quality sewers is fundamental to Star ish Interiors success. Steven says having an excellent team engaged sits at the foundation of the consistently high standard of work the company is known for. “It’s the melding of these physical skills with the use of the modern technologies we have that has put us at the top of our game.” Lead designer Tina is a graduate of architecture and design. Steven says she’s been an absolute super-star these past ive years. Starting out focused on interior upholstery for the motor-home sector, Star ish Interiors has evolved beyond this and into residential and commercial spaces. They now craft lush and luxurious it outs manufacturing the likes of banquettes, window nooks, dining areas, bar seating and restaurant booths. “We do the majority of upholstery for Action Manufacturing and when you think about it a well designed and constructed squab for a motorhome is similar to a domestic squab, so it just made sense at every level for us to embrace this market to expand.” Motor-homes themselves have undergone something of a revolution in style, it-out and performance expectations for their owners. Gone are the days where the basic upholstered item was destined for the small traditional caravans, or retros as they’re known today. “Instead, caravans and motorhomes are extremely sophisticated in their design with elements becoming bespoke and robust in nature. Retro itting to upgrade a caravan or motorhome to meet the demands of modern living is something we’re well versed in delivering.” If a motorhome, for instance, is being built from scratch for its owner, then the team at Star ish Interiors can be called on to input ideas around the soft furnishing elements. “We love itting out motorhomes and we’re upholstering over 1000 each year.” As for the future, Steven says with strong links to the tourist sector, indications of numbers increasing is a healthy sign there will be plenty of work for the company ahead. Asked what makes Star ish Interiors the special company it is, Steven says it simply comes down to people and being one big family. “Stephen and I work in the business everyday and we’re a close-knit group. Sta turnover is very low and we’re exceptionally proud of the team.” The skills and the passion of the team run deep throughout the business and its evident in the products they make. Skill and passion for design Upholstery without limits For over 15 years we’ve been designing and manufacturing the very highest quality soft furnishings for interiors for motorhomes, caravans, buses and boats as well both residential and commercial interiors. A proud kiwi owned and operated company, Starfish Interiors started off in 2003 as a small operation focussed on motorhome and caravan interiors Our business flourished as we became known for our great workmanship, quality and personalised service which cemented successful partnerships with NZ’s top motorhome builders. Customised Interior Strong Customer Service NZ Owned & Operated www.starfishinteriors.co.nz

10 | Removing stress for pets and owners Sarah and Ihaia Edwards of Hamilton Pet Transport - helping ease the anxiety of moving family pets, for both animal and owners. Hamilton Pet Transport T T Sue Russell “We like to treat animals staying with us as our own pets. It’s a real privilege to be given responsibility for their care while they’re with us.” REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Sarah Edwards of Hamilton Pet Transport says she was somewhat surprised and delighted to see her business met the criteria to enter this year’s Waikato Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. “Well I just thought let’s try it given we were a relatively new business. How awesome would it be to meet the criteria,” she says. “Then I saw the event being advertised and decided to give it a go.’ She says being named one of three finalists in the ‘Emerging Business Category’ sponsored by SleepyHead was the icing on the cake for her and husband Ihaia. The couple are committed to providing the pets given over to their care with a safe and secure experience when being transported, from the couple’s bespoke pre-flight ‘comfort cabin’ for cats and dogs at their own home, to Hamilton Airport and Auckland for their overseas guest flyers. “We understand how important a pet is in a family and for those who want to have their pet relocated to destinations overseas, we’re there right from the start to ease the journey and take away the worry. “Our comfort cabin is the perfect place for a much-loved pet to settle in before the flight to their new home. We take the anxiety and worry away from the owners who already have plenty to deal with as they relocate to a new country,” Sarah says. She said it’s given them the opportunity to really consider how their business works, to establish new procedures that would deliver the very best outcomes to their pet owners and pets alike. In order to operate in the national or international pet transport sector required stringent auditing with MPI and Air NZ exporters registration. Once a pet is delivered to an airport, it’s then passed over into the capable hands of the airlines loading staff. “As an example, when a family is moving to Australia, one of our strongest destinations, we’ll pick up the pet beforehand, giving the family time to concentrate on their own travel and settling in. “We handle the animal being signed off by the export vet, provide the airline cages and take care of all the flight booking and customs clearances. “We also have teams we can use in Australia for further internal flights as well as agents throughout New Zealand at most of the airports.” Sarah’s proud of the journey so far, saying she feels she’s taken the business to where it needs to grow and wants to grow. She says there are a lot of questions to answer when Sarah’s first approached by a prospective customer. These may be whether the animal can be flown on the same flight as its family, whether the animal can be sedated, and just how Hamilton Pet Transport helps ease the natural anxiety a pet has when being separated from its owner. Sarah suggests that making contact early when a move is being planned is the best way to get all the questions answered. The comfort cabins are located on the couple’s home property. Security cameras link to Sarah and E’s devices for 24/7 surveillance to ensure security for the pets. “We like to treat animals staying with us as our own pets. It’s a real privilege to be given responsibility for their care while they’re with us. We have a lot of fun with them.” Asked how far some pets have been transported, Sarah says the majority are to Australia; however, pets have been sent to Hong Kong, Japan, China, Rarotonga, UK, Hawaii, Norway, Europe and South America. “We also do a bit of bird exporting. This is more involved with DOC playing a role. The furthest we’ve sent a pet was a rabbit to Germany/Hamburg.” Considerable time is given to following up with pet owners as to how their pet arrived at its new home. This, Sarah says, is all part of the total care package. “We want to continually improve and the best way to do this is to welcome that feedback. It’s certainly not a case of just saying ‘see you later’ for us at all.” Founded by a dedicated husband and wife team, Gabe and Mia Hagard. Together, they bring extensive experience and a deep commitment to veterinary excellence. Join our family and discover a nurturing environment where your pet's health is our top priority. Experienced & dedicated Dr Gabe Hagard BVSc, Veterinary Director Your local family owned vet clinic in Hamilton The Vet House - your 1st stop for pet health 452b Tauwhare Road, Matangi Factory Complex Ph: 07 829 5676 | www.thevet.house P 07 959 2201 M 021 176 8894 A /310 Tristram Street, Hamilton E fraser@marcroftandco.co.nz

| 11 T T Sue Russell Safety training across multiple sectors Peak Safety has been delivering height safety training for 20 years now, culminating recently in the building of its own facility in Rotorua. Peak Safety Training REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT When three mates, who had worked together as ski patrol rescuers on Mt Ruapehu, decided to start their own safety and outdoor emergency training business, they called it, appropriately, Peak Safety. Back in 1996, the Department of Conservation was training staff with standard workplace first aid courses, but asked the rescuers if they would contribute their skills to explain how best to manage emergencies in demanding outdoor situations. This proved the catalyst for the founding of the company in 2000. “Outdoor first aid training proved to be popular and we just grew from there. Today, we have 37 instructors across New Zealand, delivering highly specialised first aid and height safety training programmes,” says managing director, Henry Worsp. Programmes include outdoor first aid, height safety, GWO (Global Wind Organisation) safety training, for those working on windfarm infrastructure, film safety, providing medics for major events, and development of specific industry safety-management systems, to name a few. Peak Safety has also been contracted to provide training to wind farm staff in the Phillipines and in Canada. “The biggest part of our training is around workplace first aid and outdoor first aid for the likes of roading crews, so we go into all sorts of situations where people work, to ensure the training is as relevant as possible to each specific circumstance,” Henry explains. Peak Safety is licensed as a Private Training Establishment, so participants are able to receive NZQA unit standards. “We have very high standards about who we bring into the team. It’s important they fit our culture and work well together. “It’s also essential they have what it takes to connect with the person receiving the training, particularly when we’re talking about working often in challenging environments,” says Henry. The Rotorua company was one of several listed as finalists in this year’s Tompkins Wake Rotorua Business Awards, and one of four finalists in the Professional Services category. The event, held on Saturday, October 11 brought together a diverse array of businesses, each proud to operate in the region. “We were absolutely thrilled to be named winner of the Professional Services category, sponsored by Osborne’s Funeral Directors. All the finalists in our section are top operators. For us, it acknowledges the quality of service delivery by our fantastic team and I’m just so happy for them,” Henry says. Always looking for new opportunities, Henry says Peak Safety has been approached to deliver electrical tower rescue training. Henry says he’s come to realise how important it is to always be at the top of your game and to be very people-focused. “We’re interested in people, and we’re interested in growing people – from our clients, to our wonderful administration team, to our amazing instructors.” Peak Safety has been delivering height safety training for 20 years now, culminating recently in the building of its own facility in Rotorua. “While we travel to deliver height safety and rope rescue training to clients across the country, having a purpose-built facility means we can focus on specialised skills and equipment all in one place,” Henry says.. As the business-end of 2025 approaches, Henry says he and the team are looking forward to the opportunities and challenges 2026 will bring as they continue developing their service offering, always focusing on the very best-quality outcomes for clients from a diverse range of sectors. Chartered Accountants in the Bay of Plenty Established in 1954. Rural Business Expertise — From farms and orchards to agri-enterprises, we provide cash- ow planning, livestock valuation, budgeting, succession planning and more. Accounting & Tax Services — Annual accounts, GST returns, payroll support, tax planning — we make nancial compliance clear and stress-free. Maori Business —We o er specialist support for Māori organisations, Iwi, hapū and whānau-based enterprises, covering trust accounting and governance. Accounting Systems & Payroll Solutions — From setup to ongoing management, We can provide advice on the best solution for your business and make payroll simple. GET IN TOUCH Mount Maunganui 07 578 3013 Te Puke 07 573 8561 www.fdca.nz We congratulate Peak Safety Training Limited on their success in the 2025 Rotorua business awards and are proud to support them.

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