Business South November 2026

Volume 35 | Issue 8 | November 2026 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Looking back, looking forward Christchurch’s McPhail family is celebrating its longstanding association with retail and wholesale commerce in the city with a new venture in Middleton....  Page 04

2 | Contents 26| Inner city statement The Poplars development in Christchurch combines distinctive urban architecture with a great location. 53| Crafty boats Wallacetown boat builder, Huntercraft, is enhancing its workshop capacity to pursue export opportunities 112| Timaru Triumph Harcourts Blackham & Co has been part of the South Canterbury property landscape for more than six decades. 53 112 26 #businesssouth #yourstory www.waterfordpress.co.nz   Rewiring Aotearoa �� 03 McPhail Sports �� 04 Backlanz �� 06 Back Country Foods �� 07 Christchurch International Airport 08 Oxbow Adventure Co. �� 10 Maruia River Retreat �� 13 Business Events Industry Aotearoa 14 Zeal Construction �� 16 Redcliff Bar and Restaurant �� 18 Scott Construction Central �� 22 Herriot Melhuish O’Neill Architects 26 Cooper Developments �� 30 EPR Construction �� 32 Quarry Market �� 33 Southbase Construction �� 34 Marlborough District Council �� 36 Scope Group �� 38 Ceres NZ �� 40 MinEx �� 41 Strode Road Orchard �� 42 Marlborough Farm Vets �� 43 Southern Pet Food �� 44 Morton Smith-Dawe �� 45 Nelson Housing Trust �� 46 GHD Design �� 47 Cromwell Collision Repair �� 48 Endura Equipped �� 48 Bascik Transport �� 49 Icon Logistics �� 50 Moloney Distribution �� 51 Stabicraft Marine �� 52 Huntercraft Boats �� 53 Steve Gooding Marine �� 54 Top of The South Marine �� 55 Saavid Diving �� 56 Rzoska Electrical �� 57 Aurora Energy �� 58 Oamaru Engineering �� 59 Franz Mechanical & Engineering �� 60 Bulleid Engineering �� 61 Level Electrical Timaru �� 62 EIS �� 63 Dirty Girl Landscapes �� 64 Monowai Ecological �� 65 Sullivan + Wall Landscapes �� 66 Armor Demolition �� 68 KDM Roofing �� 69 Letton Kerb & Channel �� 70 Evolve Decorators �� 71 Canterbury Roof Painting �� 72 Target Apparelmaster �� 72 Esque House Design �� 74 MOA Design �� 75 NJS Architecture �� 76 Fearon Hay Architects �� 76 SUR Architecture �� 77 Weir Architecture �� 78 Straightline Architectural �� 79 Wilde & Stone �� 80 SemiCreative �� 81 Projects & Ventures �� 82 OUR PARTNERS: T&C’s: These conditions are prescribed for the sake of understanding between the Waterford Press Ltd and its clients. 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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 Print ISSN: 2537-9941 Online ISSN: 2537-995X MANAGING DIRECTORS James Lynch james@waterfordpress.co.nz Chris Pearce chris.pearce@waterfordpress.co.nz EDITORIAL Editor Nick Gormack nick@waterfordpress.co.nz Sub-editors Christine Defelice, Margaret Landauer WRITERS Alexia Anderson, Emma Bailey, Kim Bowden, Kelly Deeks, Russell Fredric, Kim Newth, Sue Russell, Karen Phelps, Nick Walker, Rosa Watson, Aimee Wilson, Virginia Wright RESEARCH & MARKETING James Anderson, Sam Dart, Chris Graves, Megan Hawkins, Annie Patrick, Chris Pearce, Danielle Percival, Adam Shirra, Leo Smith, Alasdair Thomson, Jane Watson sales@waterfordpress.co.nz PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT General Manager Luke Lynch luke@waterfordpress.co.nz Graphic Artists Anton Gray, Francesca Hildawa, Jamie Thomson, 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 Redmund Spur �� 84 Kamana Estate �� 85 Brooksfield �� 86 Maungatua Developments �� 88 Dwell Residential �� 89 Faye Homes �� 90 RDR Builders �� 90 Summit Construction �� 92 Henderson Building �� 93 Kevler Homes �� 94 David Reid Homes Chch North �� 97 RN Building �� 98 Bruce Ensor Builders �� 100 Elegant Kiwi Homes �� 102 Totalspan Nelson �� 103 D&A Homes �� 104 BuildMe Dunedin �� 104 Kenny Builders �� 105 Stroud Homes �� 106 Jono Blakely Builders �� 108 Osborn Brothers �� 109 Orange Homes �� 110 Rydan Homes �� 111 Harcourts Blackham & Co �� 112 Mackersy Property �� 113 Bayleys Leeston �� 114 Country & Co Realty �� 115 Salisbury School �� 116 Waihi School �� 118 Catholic Diocese of Dunedin �� 119

| 3 “We turned a $50,000 diesel bill into essentially a $25,000 revenue stream for our farm by running off energy that we largely create ourselves.” T TRussell Fredric Harnessing the power of electricity Mike Casey, chief executive of Rewiring Aotearoa, has turned Forest Lodge Orchard into a working demonstration of farm electrification. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Rewiring Aotearoa Central Otago entrepreneur and cherry orchardist, Mike Casey, chief executive of Rewiring Aotearoa, has turned Forest Lodge Orchard into a working demonstration of farm electrification. Owned by Mike and his wife, Rebecca, and believed to be the world’s first fully electrified, zero-fossil-fuel commercial cherry orchard, Forest Lodge is the practical foundation for Mike’s work. From 2020 to 2022, he replaced its fossil-fuel machinery with 21 electric machines, covering tractors, irrigation, frost-fighting fans and the truck used to take cherries to the packhouse. “Everything is electric. We don’t burn any diesel or gas on our farm at all,” Mike says. The change has altered the economics of the orchard as well as its energy use. Forest Lodge has turned what was a $50,000 annual diesel bill into an energy revenue stream, generating about 92% of the energy it uses on the farm and producing about four times its own requirements. “We turned a $50,000 diesel bill into essentially a $25,000 revenue stream for our farm by running off energy that we largely create ourselves,” says Mike. Solar generation, battery storage and the electric machinery allow the orchard to use its own power before exporting surplus electricity to the national grid. For Mike, that experience demonstrated that electrification can be a business decision rather than simply an environmental one. “I came for the climate, but I stayed for the economics.” That thinking now sits behind Rewiring Aotearoa, the charity Mike helped establish and leads as chief executive. The organisation has a team of 16, spanning climate, energy, community and communications expertise, working to remove regulatory and financial barriers to electrification. Its focus is broader than encouraging people to buy electric vehicles or install solar. The organisation is working on the settings that influence how New Zealanders generate, use, store and pay for energy, while advocating for long-term, low-interest finance to make electrification more accessible. “We’re here to do something and get it done and then shut down. We’re going to be here for a short time, we’re going to get a job done, we’re going to change the settings and then we’re going to go do something else,” Mike says. The organisation is taking that message directly to communities, with Mike recently spending 12 days travelling around New Zealand. Rewiring Aotearoa has supported 30 to 40 events, about 35 volunteer community groups, and eight national expos, alongside its Electrified Queenstown initiative. For Mike, the opportunity is ultimately about keeping more of the money New Zealand spends on energy within the country. He points to the roughly $10 billion spent annually on fossil fuels, and argues that replacing imported energy with locally generated electricity could strengthen the economy. The work has brought wider recognition, with Mike a finalist in the 2026 New Zealand Leadership Awards. The recognition came as a surprise, but he sees awards as secondary to the work itself. “Awards are in a way a by-product of doing something really well.” With Rewiring Aotearoa, Mike is seeking further significant philanthropic funding to continue its work, while Forest Lodge remains the practical example behind the message. For him, the two roles are closely connected: one demonstrates what electrification can do on a working farm; the other is focused on making it easier for others to do the same. Specialising in ... • Electric motor controls installation & repairs • Electronic Innovations • Electrical design & installations • Industrial Process & control | 4 McBride Crescent, Cromwell | 027 245 6472 03 445 1139

4 | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT McPhail Sports T TVirginia Wright Building on family’s proud legacy McPhail & Fisher expanded into sporting goods, equipment and outdoor lifestyle products, and built a reputation as an iconic sports store. “As a kid I’d go up into the attic where they held the stock at 79 to 81 Manchester Street and there would be Daniel Boone possum hats with the tail hanging down like Davey Crocket wore on TV.” Christchurch’s McPhail family is about to open another chapter in their longstanding association with retail and wholesale commerce with a new venture in Middleton. At the same time, they plan to pay tribute to the first family business, McPhail & Fisher, which opened in Manchester Street in 1907. Andrew McPhail is the fourth generation of the McPhail family to combine business with a love of sport and recreation. It began when Alexander McPhail opened that first family-owned Christchurch business nearly 120 years ago, having emigrated from Scotland in 1885. Originally a leather /footwear merchant, McPhail & Fisher expanded into sporting goods, equipment and outdoor lifestyle products, and built a reputation as an iconic sports store, while manufacturing leather and textile goods. It’s to those retail roots that Andrew is about to return when he opens new McPhail & Fisher premises at 1 Birmingham Drive in time for Christmas. The idea grew out of a steady stream of queries the McPhails had been fielding from the public, Andrew says. “They were asking about the history of items like leather jackets and sheepskin coats that had been purchased back in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, so we decided to buy all the McPhail & Fisher-made jackets and casual wear and everything else they made over the years that we could find.” Andrew remembers the shop from his childhood when it was run by his father, Ian McPhail, along with his grandfather, Clem, selling general sporting goods, from specialist fly-fishing equipment to hunting goods and firearms. They brought these goods in wholesale while having 100 machinists working upstairs. “It was a big operation,” says Andrew. “The shop downstairs was shotguns and camping gear, and upstairs they were manufacturing sheepskin products, leather jackets and travelling luggage. “As a kid I’d go up into the attic where they held the stock at 79 to 81 Manchester Street and there would be Daniel Boone possum hats with the tail hanging down like Davey Crocket wore on TV.” It’s memories like those that fuelled the decision to make the new premises part retail, part family museum. Examples of McPhail & Fisher clothing are already on display at the Canterbury Museum and, as part of their wish to offer the sort of shopping experience you can only get through bricks and mortar, the new shop will offer a whole lot more. Also on display will be another strand of the McPhail & Fisher story, which was unknown to the fourth generation of the family until recently. As they trawled globally online for garments made over the years they came across an Ashburton listing on Facebook for a McPhail & Fisher boat made by Cresta Craft, called Seawolf, bought in 1964, sole owner. As they discovered, back in 1963 McPhail & Fisher made a signature range of boats called Seawolf in collaboration with this well-known Christchurch manufacturer, and the boat in Ashburton was the first of its kind. The last wooden boat to be manufactured, Gavin Hyde bought it at the 1964 Canterbury Boat Show and held on to it for 63 years. “He only used it on Lake Camp in Canterbury and it’s done 50 hours. It’s a time capsule, and we’re extremely grateful to him,” says Andrew. It was even more intriguing, given that in between the original McPhail &Fisher closing its doors and the new one about to open, the McPhails have been the distributors and licensing holders for the US Body Glove brand of Watersports products, including boating equipment. They renamed as McPhail Sports in the 1990s, and for 30 years have been distributing Body Glove’s extensive range of products, from lifejackets and wetsuits to water-skis and inflatable SUPS.

| 5 REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT McPhail Sports As Andrew says, “We’re a boating family, and all of a sudden we find out we used to make boats. We really appreciate this piece of nostalgic history Gavin held on to and that will be on display in the new premises. Somebody is looking down on us.” The McPhail family’s ability over generations to combine work and play into a way of life stretches beyond sport to the arts. Andrew’s equally proud of the legacy left by his uncle Neil, rated as the fifth-greatest All Black coach in history from 1961-1965 (85% winning rate), as he is of another uncle, wellknown actor and comedian, David McPhail, who was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal and honoured as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his contribution to the arts and to the wider community. Their photos and achievements will sit alongside other family memorabilia in the new shop-come-museum where Andrew is looking forward to getting to know his customers just as his grandfather used to do. McPhail & Fisher will offer a glimpse of what one Canterbury family striving for excellence can achieve over four generations: from a band of three brothers, Neil, Clem, and John, who excelled on the rugby field and made a name for themselves in World War Two, through its multi-faceted retail history, into what good-quality retail can look like today designed with customer experience in mind. The McPhail family’s re-entry into Christchurch’s outdoor activities retail landscape starts with an opening factory sale to launch their latest venture and find out firstThe McPhail family legacy encompasses business, sport and the arts. Above, left Clem & Neil (NJ) McPhail, right David; below, Neil, coach on the 1967 All Blacks British Isles tour. Top, Andrew McPhail with an original Seawolf boat. McPhail & Fisher made the signature range of boats in 1963 in collaboration with Christchurch boat manufacturer Cresta Craft. hand what their customers want. With their part-museum, part-retail operation, and fully dedicated to the customer experience, the McPhail family looks forward to meeting you in their new premises at 1 Birmingham Drive.

6 | Lighter bipods a big plus for hunters The bipod supports the front of a rifle, while the hunter’s shoulder and arm provide support at the rear. Backlanz T TKim Bowden REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT For hunters carrying a rifle through the hills, 200 grams can make a surprisingly big difference, and that is the thinking behind Backlanz, the New Zealand company founded by engineer and hunter, Ethan Todd, which has redesigned the traditional rifle bipod to weigh less than half as much as many conventional models. Traditional bipods typically weigh about 400 grams, while Backlanz’s models are under 200 grams. “Bipods have been used for hundreds of years and are usually made using machined components, but we’ve changed things up and we use 3D-printed titanium components, and we can print something that’s a lot lighter and still just as strong and functional,” Ethan says. The bipod supports the front of a rifle, while the hunter’s shoulder and arm provide support at the rear. Ethan estimates at least 80 to 90% of hunters now use one, as better technology pushes shots further. “A shot that used to be considered a long shot, say 200 metres, is nowadays close. So now people are shooting out for 500 metres-plus,” he says. Backlanz operates as a family business in Invercargill, with Ethan and his wife, Caitlin, doing most of the assembly, while specialist contractors manufacture components. Its 3D-printed parts are made in Tauranga, while machined components come from a mix of New Zealand and overseas suppliers. The company has five main bipod models. Its original hunting range uses a quick-release system that screws straight onto many off-theshelf rifles, with no modifications needed. “You can easily attach it and detach it from the rifle and keep it in your pack, which is really good for New Zealand hunting,” Ethan says. The precision range followed, “due to what customers were after”, adding more adjustability and attaching to the Picatinny and Arca rails common on high-end American rifles. Backlanz cracked 1000 units sold last year for the first time, and Ethan expects sales to have increased again this year. Between 60 and 70% of sales are offshore, with the United States its biggest market and a European distributor based in Spain. Backlanz recently partnered with high-end US rifle maker, Snowy Mountain Rifles, and now ships orders from a US warehouse. Ethan attends US trade shows each year. Lightweight gear is particularly valuable there for competition shooters, where “your rifle needs to be under a certain weight, and that includes your bipod weight,” he says. He says there is little else like Backlanz’s bipods in that market. “We 3D print our stuff. It just gives it a different look and appearance that you don’t get with other products. There’s people who buy it because it’s like a piece of jewellery for their $50,000 rifle.” Backlanz’s innovation was recognised at the 2024 Southland Export Awards, where it won the Innovation in Export Award, and this year the company was a finalist for the 2026 Export Southland Grant. Backlanz’s design components are now patent pending, which Ethan says has given the company added strength in the US market, where it is working with patent attorneys to protect its technology. 26 Orari St, Dunedin 021 042 2300 or 03 456 4283 info@toddengineering.co.nz • 3D Laser Scanning • Design • Fabrication • Waterjet Cutting • Press Work • Certified Welding • CNC 5-Axis Machining • Site Maintenance • Conveyors / Machinery Manufacturing • CNC Plate Rolling • Full Machine Shop Excellence in Engineering Your one-stop engineering workshop

| 7 T TVirginia Wright Nutritious food fuelling adventures Freeze-dried meals are popular with people carrying what they need on their backs because they are so much lighter. Back Country Foods “Hiking and hunting are the two biggest groups of end users in New Zealand because hunting’s so popular here, but it’s mainly hikers elsewhere.” REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Now owned by the Invercargill-based, family business, George Wilson Group, Back Country Foods Ltd has its origins in the freeze-dried steaks originally produced by Southland’s Alliance Freezing Group. In 1998, when Alliance divested its noncore services, it was bought by one of their food-scientists, Arthur Ballantyne and his wife Shirley, and production began at its current site under the Back Country Cuisine brand. This year, Back Country Foods was honored as a finalist in the 2026 DHL Southland Export Mentorship Award. “We’ve grown to be the market leader in New Zealand, Australia, Chile and South Africa. Hiking and hunting are the two biggest groups of end users in New Zealand because hunting’s so popular here, but it’s mainly hikers elsewhere,” says Tony Caudwell, general manager of Back Country Foods. While fresh food is always best, freeze-dried meals are popular with people carrying what they need on their backs because they are so much lighter: they weigh around a third of what they will once they are re-hydrated and ready to eat. Unlike in some dehydrating processes, because the meals are freeze-dried at very low temperatures, the nutrients retain their integrity. To guarantee the consistency of the ingredients within each meal, Back Country Foods processes ingredients individually then puts them together according to the recipe in the convenient pouch that’s designed to be eaten directly out of – no mess, no dishes. They pride themselves on using quality New Zealand ingredients and a process that focuses on providing the consumer with a cost-effective, enjoyable dining experience once the food is rehydrated. Back Country Cuisine’s most popular meals are Roast Lamb and Veges and their Cooked Breakfast (eaten for dinner), which Tony puts down to the fact that they both offer plenty of calories along with their protein. “Our cooked breakfast is mashed potatoes, hash browns, smoky beef, eggs and tomato, so it’s a really hearty meal, which delivers a lot of energy after a hard day hauling your backpack around in the back country. “The Roast Lamb and Veges has been in our range from the start and it’s a traditional favourite with people in the wilderness and the outdoors, who seem to like that taste that reminds them of the comfort and security of home.” Along with the old favourites, Back Country Foods’ meals feature more Asian-influenced options these days, as well as the Outdoor Gourmet premium meals. Combined with the gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options, Back Country Foods wants to ensure a healthy, light-weight, freeze-dried meal is available for everyone wanting to put on a backpack and get into the great outdoors. Back Country Foods is proud to be an exporter of value-added food products and is always looking for ways to expand into new markets overseas. In the meantime, the company also does contract freeze-drying. CONTACT US ON 03 218 4338 sales@gilkison.co.nz 77 Bond Street, Invercargill GILKISON & ENGINEERING MAINTENANCE. Proudly supporting Back Country Cuisine • General Engineering • Manufacturing • Plant Maintenance • Auto-Cad Design & Build • Heavy Transport - LT400 Repairs • CertifiedWelding Industrial • Commercial • Residential “Quality Solutions delivered on Time” INVERCARGILL QUEENSTOWN DUNEDIN CHRISTCHURCH

8 | Christchurch International Airport T TKaren Phelps Creating the foundations for growth Recent major projects at the airport include DHL Express’s new $42 million international gateway, an 8500sqm facility that consolidates its Christchurch operations under one roof. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Christchurch International Airport Ltd (CIAL) is entering a significant new phase of growth with a series of major infrastructure projects delivered this year designed to strengthen the South Island’s connections to global markets. From a $250 million expansion of the Christchurch Engine Centre to a new freight apron, DHL’s new international gateway and a major manufacturing facility for Enatel, the projects are increasing the airport’s capacity and supporting high-value jobs, trade and international connectivity. “These projects are about preparing Christchurch and the South Island for the opportunities ahead, rather than simply responding to today’s demand,” says CIAL manager strategic communications, Sean Tully. A major investment has been the expansion of the Christchurch Engine Centre, a joint venture between Pratt & Whitney and Air New Zealand. The $250 million project will add 14,000sqm of capacity and create about 200 new high-value technical jobs. “The expanded engine centre will secure Christchurch’s place in the international aviation supply chain for decades to come,” says Sean. “It will ultimately have the capacity to overhaul up to 140 Geared Turbofan Engines (GTEs) a year, bringing highly specialised work and skills to the region.” The first GTF engine is expected to enter the facility in the fourth quarter of 2026, with fullscale throughput anticipated by 2032. More than 90% of the centre’s current work comes from overseas, highlighting the international nature of the business. Another addition to the airport campus is Enatel’s new 8000sqm manufacturing, engineering, distribution and office facility at Dakota Park. The purpose-built structure is designed to support the company’s industrial battery-charging technology and global electrification markets. “Enatel’s new facility demonstrates how the airport campus is becoming home to advanced manufacturing and technology businesses, as well as traditional aviation operations,” says Sean. Freight capacity has also received a major boost with the opening of CIAL’s new $40 million freight apron in June. Covering an area larger than six rugby fields, and big enough to fit up to eight smaller freighters or four larger widebody aircraft, the apron provides greater flexibility and capacity for freight operators. “This investment gives exporters the reliable infrastructure they need to connect South Island products with international markets and creates room for future growth,” says Sean. Alongside all the major freight companies based at the airport, the new apron is complemented by DHL Express’s new $42 million international gateway, an 8500sqm facility that consolidates its Christchurch operations under one roof. It can process up to 6500 inbound and 5600 outbound parcels an hour, and its high-speed X-ray screening system is designed to increase throughput significantly. “These freight investments strengthen Christchurch’s role as a logistics hub and make it easier for South Island businesses to reach customers around the world,” says Sean. International passenger connectivity is also expanding. Under a new, long-term partnership with Air New Zealand, three new nonstop routes from Christchurch to Singapore, Tokyo and Perth are due to begin from late October. “Christchurch Airport is gearing up for its biggest international summer season yet, with airlines adding new long-haul routes, more flights and larger aircraft, and airlines extending services beyond the traditional summer peak,” says Sean. “More than 1.27 million international seats will be available across the season between November and March, 21% more than last summer. Together, these developments strengthen Christchurch’s position as the South Island’s international gateway.” Residential / commercial foundations & floors Excavations & siteworks Decorative concrete, driveways & landscaping Concrete pumping & placing www.bcpltd.co.nz

| 9 Christchurch International Airport Christchurch International Airport Ltd (CIAL) is entering a significant new phase of growth. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT P: 03 366 8679 M: 021 322 847 E: admin@jjsteel.co.nz Structural Steel Fabrication & Erector SOUTH ISLAND WIDE JJSTEEL.NZ The leading manufacturer of high-speed spiral doors. Book a consultation or visit to discover the right solution for your facility. www.efaflex.com Modern industrial doors for the highest standards. 0800 EFAFLEX (332 3539) brian.hill@efaflex.com High-speed spiral doors High-speed roll-up doors Two major projects at Christchurch Airport have highlighted the importance of selecting industrial doors capable of performing reliably in challenging conditions with EFAFLEX high-speed doors chosen for their high wind resistance. “Christchurch Airport can experience some challenging wind conditions so wind resistance was an important consideration for these clients when selecting doors,ˮ says Brian Hill, EFAFLEX area sales manager. For DHLʼs logistics warehouse EFAFLEX supplied four SST US Classic doors. The SST Classic range is designed for demanding industrial environments with double-walled aluminium door leaves, opening speeds of up to 2m per second and closing speeds of up to 1m per second. At Air New Zealandʼs Hangar 3 EFAFLEX supplied two Next Generation SSTL Classic Premium doors. The Next Generation range builds on the companyʼs established spiral-door technology providing increased performance, durability and flexibility. EFAFLEX pioneered high-speed spiral door technology and has continued developing the principle for industrial applications. Rather than winding the door leaf around a shaft its spiral-shaped guiding system keeps the door leaf separated as it opens allowing the doors to operate quietly and reducing wear. “We are the world market leader in high-speed industrial doors. This is achieved thanks to innovative engineering that promises highest reliability, efficiency, durability and safety,ˮ says Brian. The Next Generation range uses a modular design with four door types available in Premium, Eco and Basic variants. Brian says this allows doors to be configured for different operational requirements. The Premium model is designed for up to 500,000 operating cycles per year and has integrated safety features including a door line light grid and spring-break detection in both frames. Brian says that for an airport environment, high-speed operation can also help minimise the time a large opening remains exposed to external conditions. EFAFLEX doors are used across industrial and commercial applications where traffic flow, safety and durability are key considerations. Founded in Germany in 1974, EFAFLEX specialises in high-speed industrial doors and has developed a range covering spiral, roll-up, folding, clean-room, freezer and machine-protection applications. The family-owned company now has 1,600 employees worldwide and operates across 74 countries. Research and development forms an important part of its approach to product development. EFAFLEX also provides installation, maintenance and repair services, with its service programme designed to support customers throughout the working life of its door systems. “Whether the highest wind load, high insulation requirements or enormous durability EFAFLEX doors solve every challenge as at their core is the high-speed spiral door technology we invented, which remains unrivalled to this day.ˮ 0800 327 767 www.tdmelectrical.co.nz / admin@tdmelectrical.co.nz COMMERCIAL / INDUSTRIAL • ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS

10 | T Tto page 12 Oxbow Adventure Co. T T Kelly Deeks Cycle trail prompts ‘gentle’ innovation “This is a high-risk industry, but we have got awesome systems in place. That’s the cool thing about New Zealand tourism, it is very well regulated and we have annual audits to make sure our systems are working and our activities are safe.” REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Oxbow Adventure Co is now adding gentler ways to experience the Gibbston Valley as it approaches six years at its purpose-built Queenstown site and prepares for the Kawarau Gorge Cycle Trail to bring thousands more visitors past its front door. The adventure business opened its flagship hub in 2020, bringing to Queenstown a distinctive mix of four-seat jet sprint boats, custom-built all-terrain vehicles, and clay target shooting. Now, with the Kawarau Gorge Cycle Trail expected to open before Christmas, managing director Darb Richmond is expanding the range to appeal to visitors who may prefer views and wildlife to high-G thrills. Oxbow began in 2012 in Wānaka on a property owned by Darb’s wife’s parents Julie and Lloyd Ferguson, where it operated as a corporate retreat with activities on a large site overlooking the Clutha River. Tourism was booming before the Covid-19 pandemic, and two products in particular stood out: four-seat off-road vehicles and jet sprint boats. “There are a lot of products in Wānaka, but our main products were different. People were loving them,” Darb says. Finding a suitable Queenstown site took about two years, followed by another two years of development. The location needed reliable water for the boats, flat land for a purpose-built jet sprint course, a hillside for the off-road track, and direct access to the highway. The Gibbston Valley site, near wineries and other adventure operators, offered all four. Its 190-metre pond has five islands around which the boats race, while the hillside track puts passengers through steep gullies, rock climbs, and tight turns. Nearby wineries also cater for corporate groups, and Oxbow sends guests to them for lunch, creating a natural link between activities and local hospitality. The vehicles are built for a very different experience from conventional jet boats or offroad tours. Oxbow’s jet sprint boats accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 2.5 seconds and can pull three to four G through corners. Built by seven-time world jet sprint champion Peter Caughey, they are the world’s only four-seat jet sprint boats, carrying a driver and three passengers. Darb says the four-seat design gives guests a more intimate experience, with the emphasis on acceleration and cornering rather than carrying large groups. The custom-built four-wheel-drive, four-wheel-steer off-roaders were built by five-time New Zealand 4x4 Trails champion Dan Cowper. Oxbow has introduced a custom-built 12-seat tour vehicle that climbs behind the site to a viewpoint over the vineyards and Gibbston Valley.

| 11 Oxbow Adventure Co. Oxbow’s jet sprint boats accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 2.5 seconds and can pull three to four G through corners. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Lake Dunstan Trail | Otago Central Rail Trail Roxburgh Gorge Trail | Clutha Gold Trail Kawarau Gorge Trail 25 Holloway Street, Clyde | 6 Barry Avenue, Cromwell | Three Parks, Wanaka 0800 BIKENOW | 0800 245 366 | www.bikeitnow.co.nz BOOK NOWFOR 2026/27 • Bike Tours • Bike Hires • Bike Shops • Bike Workshops • Electric Bikes • Family Friendly • Personalised Itinerary Planning You bring the commercial ambition. We’ll bring the acceleration. Let’s drive business performance: Marketing & Advertising Websites & Technology Branding, Creative & Content AI Solutions Proud partner of Oxbow Adventure Co. | platocreative.co.nz

12 | A ‘gentler’ Gibbston experience The Gibbston Valley site, near wineries and other adventure operators, offered all four. Its 190-metre pond has five islands around which the boats race, while the hillside track puts passengers through steep gullies, rock climbs, and tight turns. T T from page 10 Oxbow Adventure Co. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Wine, dine & stay a little longer Located in the heart of Gibbston, Kinross offers wine tasting experiences from five exceptional wineries at one Cellar Door, seasonal dining in the bistro and wine garden, and boutique cottage stays, all amongst the vines of a working vineyard. W I N E • D I N E • S T A Y • D I S C O V E R That performance comes with a strong focus on risk management. Oxbow operates in a high-risk sector, but its activities are subject to regulation and annual audits, with trained drivers, instructors and mechanics, regular equipment inspections, protective gear and safety briefings for guests. “This is a high-risk industry, but we have got awesome systems in place,” Darb says. “That’s the cool thing about New Zealand tourism, it is very well regulated and we have annual audits to make sure our systems are working and our activities are safe.” As well as “Safe As”, Oxbow’s values also include “Epic. Every Day”, “Best Mates” and “One Step Ahead”. Darb says customer reviews frequently praise the staff as much as the activities, and the team aims to make visitors feel welcome rather than simply ushering them through a ride. The cycle trail creates a new reason to keep innovating. Darb says projections suggest about 120,000 people a year could use the trail, with 800 to 900 riders a day during peak summer and Christmas periods. The route will pass Oxbow’s front door before heading into the gorge, making the business the last stop before riders enter a more remote stretch. To cater for that audience, Oxbow has introduced a custom-built 12-seat tour vehicle that climbs behind the site to a viewpoint over the vineyards and Gibbston Valley. The trip is designed as a lower-key option, with time to enjoy the scenery, spot wildlife, and even indulge in a local tipple. Oxbow has also added a .22 shooting range, building on the popularity of its clay target shooting. Darb says the activity was fully booked during China’s Golden Week holiday in October, and the new range offers another smaller-scale experience. “We want to live our values, be one step ahead, and keep doing cool stuff,” he says. As the cycle trail brings another flow of visitors through Gibbston, Oxbow is aiming to make the most of its location without losing what set it apart: distinctive machinery, personal experiences, and a safety framework designed to keep the adventure under control. PROUD TO HELP OXBOW’S c+Y.==ɣ] ; Y] & c cJ &Y.V] s.c+ J%%ɣYJ %gDȾ MAXXISTYRES.CO.NZ

| 13 T T Kim Newth Maruia River - a place to recharge and reset Customised experiences at the retreat include private forest bathing in a hot tub or sauna, yoga classes in the wellness centre, guided nature walks and nourishing gourmet cuisine. Maruia River Retreat REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT When people travel to conferences or business meetings, many choose to extend their business trip for nonwork purposes. Increasingly, what they are seeking out is seclusion, solitude and wellbeing. Places like Maruia River Retreat, south of Murchison, present a compelling prospect for those in need of rest and rejuvenation. The private wellness resort, offering a range of tailored restorative wellness experiences, is surrounded by 500 acres of native beech forest, mountains ranges and gardens. With just seven private, self-contained villas, only a dozen guests stay at any one time. Designed for deep sleep, digital detox, relaxation and personalised wellness, the Qualmark-certified 5-star Gold Award boutique luxury lodge and eco-resort offers the ultimate wellbeing reset. Hosts Cristina and Lasse Holopainen acquired the estate in 2018, and following refurbishment work, opened just before the Covid pandemic. By necessity, it kept their focus on the local market and providing a luxury lodge experience at an accessible price point. “The majority of our guests are New Zealanders and most come back almost every year,” says Cristina, the retreat’s general manager, resident yoga teacher and retreat co-host. “A lot are business owners, who employ 20 or more people. They come to us with partners or by themselves for a minimum of three to five nights for a ‘Personal Restoration Retreat’. “We encourage our guests to stay for longer, as we have a large, self-contained estate; it elevates the experience if you stay for several days or more. “After an active holiday in Queenstown, you can come here and slow down. It’s an opportunity to step back and soak up space, stillness and the natural environment.” Many international travellers also stay at the lodge for several days, often as an antidote for jet lag – or use it to recharge ahead of a big flight. Cristina and Lasse’s vision is to continuously strive to make this a place of wellbeing and healing. It permeates every aspect of the operation. With an on-site mini-hydro plant providing renewable power, the secluded sanctuary steps lightly on the land. Customised experiences at the retreat include private forest bathing in a hot tub or sauna, yoga classes in the wellness centre, spa and skincare treatments, luxury massage treatments, a heated magnesium pool for soaking or swimming, guided nature walks and nourishing gourmet cuisine. “After an active holiday in Queenstown, you can come here and slow down. It’s an opportunity to step back and soak up space, stillness and the natural environment.” “When people first arrive here, we see a sense of curiosity and a desire to rest. Then, when they leave, they are so much more energised. “Some are completely transformed – they didn’t realise they could still finish a book, or get a good night’s sleep after doing nothing, or find joy in not being bothered all the time,” says Cristina. “People sometimes feel guilty about taking an opportunity to unplug, but wellbeing can be seen as a leadership quality. It’s about taking time to recalibrate so you can then go back to work and be fantastic again.” Beyond the retreat, there is much to see and do in the area, with the Maruia Falls Reserve, Buller Swing Bridge, Nelson Lakes National Park and Maruia Hot Springs all within an hour’s drive. The town of Murchison is only 25 minutes’ drive from Maruia, with activities like fly fishing and river rafting providing further options. Food & Fire, Family & Friends The Kiwi Outdoor Oven is the high-quality outdoor centrepiece that combines restaurant-quality, wood-fired cooking with the warmth and atmosphere of a premium outdoor fire. The Best of Both Worlds. Cook pizza, roasts, barbecue, smoked meats, vegetables, bread and desserts. Then sit back, relax, and enjoy the fire with the people who matter most. Countless memories. thekiwioutdoor.nz

14 | Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) T T Kim Newth Business events a catalyst for growth Business conferences and other events make a significant contribution to tourism and hospitality. “We have a little saying about attendees from overseas coming to a conference in New Zealand: they arrive as delegates and leave as tourists.” REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) is seeking to broaden the national conversation around business events, and is calling for the sector to be better recognised as a platform for economic growth, international influence, knowledge exchange, innovation and investment attraction. The association has released a paper that sets out its position, called Business Events Election Year 2026: Connection. Influence. Impact. It urges a more deliberate and coordinated approach to make the most of business events as a strategic economic and intellectual asset. It is already well recognised that business conferences and other events make a significant contribution to tourism and hospitality. The boost from bed nights and visitor spend alone is considerable. “We have a little saying about attendees from overseas coming to a conference in New Zealand: they arrive as delegates and leave as tourists,” says Lisa Hopkins, BEIA chief executive. “That also applies to delegates from within New Zealand going to a conference in another region, because they’ll often stay a bit longer to explore local attractions,” she says. “Of crucial importance, too, is that conferences don’t typically take place in the peak season and that helps flatten the peaks and troughs for tourism and hospitality operators.” Research commissioned by BEIA shows multi-day conferences contributed approximately $925 million to the New Zealand economy in 2025. On top of that, the industry is helping to generate ideas, investment, partnerships and influence, which are all so essential for New Zealand’s long-term economic success. “The opportunities that come from these engagements are immense and long lasting,” Lisa says. “Every trade deal typically starts with having the right people in the room discussing what that might look like. “Every peace deal that’s ever happened in the world would have started the same way. When you have the right people coming together, it creates opportunities for connection, investment and sharing knowledge.” Looking at business events through this broader lens is something that BEIA hopes the incoming government will respond to. Business Events Election Year 2026 sets out actions that can strengthen the sector and support wider economic growth. These include adopting a more strongly coordinated approach across government and industry, as well as providing greater certainty around long-term investment into the sector and improving policy settings to ensure New Zealand remains competitive as an international destination. “We wanted to provide some additional thinking for the government of the day to consider on the role of the sector, how important it is for some of the work they want to do and to make sure the sector is properly recognised and sustainably funded,” says Lisa. “It comes down to being more deliberate in how we use business events to help unlock long- term outcomes. We know there’s power in bringing the right people together. That’s how ideas are created, how investment starts and how opportunities begin.” A good example is an event like Fieldays that brings together business and trade engagement with a major event attracting thousands of people. Another is New Zealand’s only national tradeshow for the business events industry, MEETINGS, which is owned and managed by BEIA and this year generated a projected business value of around $170 million. Building confident, capable people in the events sector is helping to strengthen New Zealand’s reputation as a world-class business events destination. Te Haeata, New Zealand’s Certificate in Business Events, launched last November, is growing real-world capability as people enter the sector and encouraging ongoing growth in skills, knowledge and experience. Another popular programme is BE Mentored, which BEIA has been running since 2014 to help develop careers, connections and experience within their industry. YOUR JOURNEY . E L EVAT ED . Premium chauffeur service across New Zealand BOOK YOUR PRIVATE CHAUFFEUR Airport Transfers | Corporate Transfers | Cruise Ship Transfers Executive Day Hire | Conferences & Special Events Bespoke Luxury Day Tours 09 884 1200 bookings@marqueelimousines.com marqueelimousines.co.nz MARQUEE

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