Reception for the Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship

Source: New Zealand Governor General

E nga mana, e nga reo, e nga iwi o te motu e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi nui ki a koutou. Kia ora tātou katoa.

I’d like to begin by acknowledging the official party for this evening: Richard Cathie, Chair of the Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship Committee; Chelsea Winstanley and Kent Gardner, Co-Chairs of The Arts Foundation Board of Trustees; Jessica Palalagi, General Manager of The Arts Foundation; Sue Wootton, 2019 Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellow; William Reubenstein, Menton representative and member of the Fellowship Committee.

And of course, the Katherine Mansfield Fellows and your partners who have joined us tonight. My very warmest welcome and thanks to you all for being here to celebrate the legacy of one of our greatest writers, and to congratulate this year’s Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellow.

Richard and I are both avid readers, and can relate to Mansfield’s observation that every true admirer of any kind of literature ‘cherishes the happy thought that they alone – reading between the lines – has become the secret friend of their author.’

That, surely, is one of the great pleasures in reading Mansfield – catching a fleeting glimpse of this brilliant soul, who lived and wrote with such intensity and depth.

Katherine Mansfield’s life was cut cruelly short – but in those 34 years, she produced a remarkable body of work: work which continues to radiate with such warmth and wit and wisdom, and which continues to speak so clearly and compassionately to the nature of the human condition.

You all know much better than me what makes great writing. But in my own experience as a reader or audience member, I have always enjoyed those books or plays or poems that do not try to teach or tell me something – but rather, that invite reflection: on family and memory, on faith and wisdom, on loneliness and love.

I admire those works most of all, that – regardless of their location in time or place – hold up a mirror to our own lives and experiences, and guide us towards a deeper understanding of ourselves and each other.

We remember Katherine Mansfield as both an extraordinary writer and an extraordinary woman. She was driven by a bold determination to experience life in all its fullness and mystery, and to translate those experiences onto the page: the tiny joys and sadnesses and wonders so easily drowned out in the humdrum of our daily worries and routines.

Perhaps one of my favourite examples comes in The Garden Party, as Laura is running down the driveway with her basket of leftover sandwiches and cream puffs – the gift for her grieving neighbours: ‘The road gleamed white … and it seemed to her that kisses, voices, tinkling spoons, laughter, the smell of crushed grass, were somehow inside her. She had no room for anything else.’

Like other artists of her generation – and particularly women – Mansfield regarded England as a place of pilgrimage and refuge, where she was free to take risks, to come to know herself and her passions, and to develop her remarkable literary talents.

And, like so many New Zealanders who have made that same long journey, she found the opportunities intoxicating and liberating, while also feeling that familiar ache of separation from beloved people and landscapes – the clear, bright Antipodean light; the bush and beaches; the colours and sounds and feelings of home.

The Katherine Mansfield Fellowship has proven an enduring and perfectly appropriate way to both honour her memory, and to assist successive generations of New Zealand writers. It is truly a great honour to welcome so many of you to Government House this evening, representing the brilliance and diversity of New Zealand’s literary landscape.

I can imagine that having the time and space in Menton to commit to your craft must be a precious gift. And for those who may have taken family with you to France, I hope it may have also been a place of exploration and joy and adventure – where you created memories of a distinct and special chapter in your family’s life together.

When I try to imagine sitting down to write in that room beneath the Villa Isola Bella, I can see it being both inspiring and daunting – imbued as it must be with the wairua of previous writers who have laboured there, including of course Mansfield herself.

But it is a testament to your own labour and dedication and artistry, as well as the immense value of this fellowship, that so many of the works produced by New Zealanders in that room have become classics of this country’s literature.

Tonight, Richard and I very much welcome this opportunity to advance beyond the status of ‘secret friends’ of authors, and to thank you – personally, sincerely, and on behalf of all New Zealanders – for your insights, your reflections on our time and place in the world, and, most of all, for the solace, meaning, and joy we find in your words.

No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tatou katoa.

Otago physiotherapy students volunteering as sports medics for over 20 years

Source: University of Otago

For more than 20 years Otago physiotherapy students have been volunteering weekends to take strangers to the emergency department.
It’s all part of the deal for School of Physiotherapy students who volunteer thousands of hours as medics for local sports teams – managing acute injuries, doing pre-game strapping, and even accompany players to the hospital when needed.
Though facilitated by the School, the service is not part of the Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree.
School of Physiotherapy lecturer Professor Gisela Sole says about 40 students volunteer about 4.5 hours a week for 15 weeks equating to about 3,200 hours a year helping the local sports community. 

In 2023 though, that number has more than doubled. Eighty-four students have volunteered – 64 doing it in Dunedin and 17 in other places.
“It is fantastic to see our students providing such an altruistic service to kiwis across the nation. It is clear they have a genuine passion for physiotherapy practice and a desire to give back to their local community, helping to make sports safe and accessible to all,” says Professor Sole.
Rebecca Hourigan volunteered in Dunedin and Sophie Wilson in Palmerston North.
A fourth-year physiotherapy student, Rebecca says she grew increasingly interested in rehabilitation and physical education while studying sport and exercise nutrition for a Bachelor of Applied Science.
Physiotherapy student Rebecca Hourigan says the experience she gained volunteering as a sports medic with the Kaikorai Rugby Club was “priceless”.
This led to her second degree in physiotherapy, which she feels is an underrated profession.
“It’s not just about helping people when they’ve hurt themselves, it about their holistic wellbeing, taking preventative measures to ensure they don’t get hurt, and encouraging them to live their best lives – volunteering as a sports medic encapsulates this in a very practical sense.”
Volunteering at the Kaikorai Rugby Club had been a “priceless” experience that allowed her to interact with people she might not have, learn about the management of sports clubs, get practical experience, and support people in need.”
She strongly encourages other physiotherapy students to volunteer, even if it’s just for a season, because the hands-on experience is so helpful in increasing confidence.
Sophie says volunteering as a sports medic benefitted both her professional and personal skills.
Volunteering as a sports medic while on placement in Palmerston North has increased Sophie Wilson’s personal and professional confidence.
From Dunedin, she is doing her fourth-year placement in Palmerston North, where she volunteers with the Fielding Rugby Club.
“It’s been hands-on experience, where I’ve had to learn about injuries, make quick assessments on how to manage them, and share with players how they can prevent long-term complications.”
Personally, she had enjoyed giving back, growing her contact networks and more quickly become a part of the “Palmy” community.
She encourages other physiotherapy students to volunteer as medics regardless of whether they want to be a sports physiotherapist eventually or not, because it helps improve communication and teamwork skills as well as shoring up what has been learned in class.
Sophie’s clinical supervisor helped her get involved with the rugby club, but students can also reach out to clubs themselves if they would like to volunteer.
“Most medic opportunities come from reaching out to people and I emailed several clubs but ended up taking up a volunteer position that my supervisor found as that was the right fit for me,” Sophie says.
“Also, I’ve found that opportunities tend to stem from taking up other opportunities; so be proactive and search out experiences because you’ll likely find yourself in exciting places you had never previously considered.”
Kōrero by the Division of Health Sciences Communications Adviser, Kelsey Schutte.

Queen Street homicide: Name release

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Police are releasing details of the man who died following a shooting on Queen Street, as the homicide investigation continues.

Today, Police can name the man who died in hospital on Friday.

He was Sione Tuuholoaki, aged 26.

“Our thoughts are with Sione’s family as they continue to grieve their loss,” Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Bolton says.

“This is a very difficult time for them, and we are ensuring they have support in place.

“Our investigation team are continuing to work hard to bring them answers and to ensure the person responsible is held to account.”

The second man injured in Thursday night’s incident remains in hospital in a stable condition.

  • POLICE STILL SEEKING PERSON OF INTEREST:

Detective Senior Sergeant Bolton says Police are continuing to seek sightings of Dariush Talagi.

Talagi has a warrant for his arrest.

“It is our absolute priority to locate Talagi and enquiries have continued throughout the weekend,” Detective Senior Sergeant Bolton says.

“It is only a matter of time Dariush, and now is the time to hand yourself in.

“My message to anyone who has chosen to help him evade Police is to do the right thing.

“Being an accessory after the fact is a criminal offence, and you could be put before the Court.”

Talagi should be considered dangerous and the public should not approach him.

If you sight Talagi, please contact 111 immediately.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts can also contact Police on 105 quoting file number 230804/3399.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

State Highway maintenance – a big year for Lower North Island and top of the South state highways

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Contractors responsible for maintaining state highways in the top of the South Island and lower North Island have literally gone the extra mile.

Mark Owen, Regional Manager Lower North Island/Top of the South, says the figures for last summer’s maintenance season have been compiled, and they show a considerable amount of work was completed, despite the weather being much wetter than usual.

“For Wellington and Wairarapa, our contractors managed to reseal, resurface, and rehabilitate over 45 lane kilometres of road on the state highway network. As well as this, they carried out a significant number of resilience works to help better protect the network from risk. This included our ongoing scheduled maintenance programme for State Highway 2, Remutaka Hill.”

Across the top of the South Island – Marlborough and Nelson/Tasman, Mr Owen says more good progress was made.

“There we renewed just under 13 percent of the network, with over 170 lane kilometres of the state highway network resealed, resurfaced, or rehabilitated.”

While the weather conditions this year haven’t been as challenging as those experienced further north, Mr Owen says the region still had some major hurdles to overcome.

“The post-flood repairs on State Highway 6 between Blenheim and Nelson in late 2022 required a lot of work, as did major slip repairs on State Highway 59, Pukerua Bay and State Highway 58, Haywards Hill. So, to get as much done as we have shows just how hard our contractors have worked.”

SH6 underslip repairs, November – December 2022.

Slip repairs, SH59 Pukerua Bay, September 2009.

But Mr Owen says while winter is here, the work for road crews doesn’t get any easier.

“Winter brings a whole host of different challenges. It’s only a year since we had major floods, which caused extensive damage to local roads and the state highway network across Marlborough and Tasman. While we can’t predict the weather, we must be ready for the problems it may bring.”

“We have already taken some steps here. Extra resilience was built into State Highway 6 between Hira and the Rai Valley when the highway was closed for repairs at the end of 2022. 30 new and larger culverts were installed, and they’ve already shown their worth during heavy rain this year. The road is in a much better position to cope with bad weather than it used to be,” Mr Owen says.

Waka Kotahi appreciates how disruptive resurfacing and pavement work can be for drivers and Mr Owen says road crews work hard to minimise the impact on the public.

“We put a lot of thought into how and when we deliver this important work, to minimise disruptions for road users, while also ensuring highways are well maintained and provide safer and more reliable journeys.”

Reporting state highway problems

It is vital problems on the network are identified. While contractors do regular checks, drivers are the best eyes on the road. If you see a pothole or anything that may be a problem, please report it. The sooner we know about it, the sooner it can be fixed.

Summer State Highway Maintenance – facts and figures

Wellington/Wairarapa

  • Rehabilitation (full road rebuild) – 1.1 lane km.
  • Resurfacing (replacing asphalt) – 22.2 lane km.
  • Chipsealing – 17.8 lane km.
  • SCRIM resealing (improves skid resistance) – 4.6 lane km.
  • Signs replaced – 214.
  • Barriers replaced/repaired – 5.3 lane km.

(Figures exclude SH1 Transmission Gully as this is managed under a PPP)

 Marlborough and Nelson/Tasman

  • Rehabilitation (full road rebuild) – 4.4 lane km.
  • Resurfacing (replacing asphalt) – 7.6 lane km.
  • Chipsealing – 159.5 lane km.
  • SCRIM resealing (improves skid resistance) – 3.1 lane km.
  • Signs replaced – 506.
  • Barriers replaced/repaired – 59.47 lane km.

Business and Tech News – MinterEllisonRuddWatts advises leading tax tech company, DataTorque, on PE investment by Simplicity

Source: MinterEllisonRuddWatts

Leading tax technology company, DataTorque has sold a minority stake to Simplicity, New Zealand’s non-profit KiwiSaver and Investment Fund manager’s private equity fund.
Leading law firm, MinterEllisonRuddWatts acted for DataTorque on the sale of the minority stake.
The Wellington-based company is one of New Zealand’s leading technology players for revenue management software, designing and delivering practical solutions enabling effective revenue collection. DataTorque operates in 16 countries around the world, transforming public revenue systems to become more efficient in their tax collection systems.
Technology is a driving force behind continuous improvement and simplifying processes through digitisation and data sharing, with organisations such as DataTorque offering customers with numerous efficiency benefits.
Corporate Partner John Conlan said, “It’s great to see continued interest and investment in New Zealand’s innovative businesses, which is allowing new ideas and opportunities to be developed as market successes. Simplicity’s investment into DataTorque is a perfect example of this.”
On completion of the transaction, DataTorque Nick Steevens CFO said, “It was excellent to work alongside John and the MinterEllisonRuddWatts team to present DataTorque with a fantastic opportunity to expand our smart solution software into new markets.”
The MinterEllisonRuddWatts team advised on all aspects of the transaction from start to completion, and included partners John Conlan and Rodney Craig, and Senior Solicitor Max McMahon.

Economy News – What drives rents in New Zealand? A housing technical working group research paper – Reserve Bank

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand

7 August 2023 – Today Te Tai Ōhanga, Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga and Te Pūtea Matua are publishing a joint paper that provides an assessment of the key drivers of rents in New Zealand.

The analysis in this paper was carried out by Alan Bentley, Enzo Cassino and Nam Ngo through the Housing Technical Working Group (HTWG). The HTWG includes staff from the 3 agencies.

Over the last 20 years, wage rises and the relative supply and demand of homes were the 2 key drivers of rents at both the national and regional level, the paper shows.

Research paper — What drives rents in New Zealand? National and regional analysis

Read the research paper on the Treasury website

“When the effect of other factors is excluded, a 1% increase in nominal wages leads directly to a 1%  increase in new tenancy rents,” the paper’s authors say.  New tenancy rents respond more quickly to market changes than rents paid by sitting tenants.

“A 1% increase in the average number of people in each home, an indicator of relative supply and demand, leads to a 1.5%  increase in rents at the national level.” This link between rents and the number of people in each home could occur for several reasons, such as, that rents tend to rise when there are not enough houses to go around, or that renters tend to share accommodation more when rents rise.

The study found rents increase when mortgage interest rates rise, but the impact is quite small. “This is consistent with previous analysis done by the Housing Technical Working Group on the impact of land supply restrictions.” This is because when land supply is highly constrained, we would expect financial factors, such as interest rates, to have a greater impact on house prices than rents.

Understanding these key drivers of rents is important to monitor and assess the balance of supply and demand in the housing market, enhance government policy for renters, improve the accuracy of house price forecasts, and identify potential hot spots at the regional level.

The share of New Zealand households who pay rent has increased significantly during the past 3 decades, rising from about 23% in 1991 to 32% in 2018. The number of rented homes rose from about 290,000 in 1996 to 530,000 in 2018.

“Rents matter since low-income households have little discretion over how much they must spend to put a roof over their heads,” the authors say.  “Renters typically earn less than homeowners, spend a greater share of their pay on housing, and are less wealthy.”

More information

Between 2003 Q3 and 2022 Q2, rents increased broadly in line with wages, but faster than inflation.

New tenancy rents increased a cumulative 83%
Average hourly earnings up 87%
Consumer prices (CPI) rose 54% and,
House prices 267%

The HTWG identified these differing growth rates, amongst other things, as evidence to support their conclusions presented in the Assessment of the housing system with insights from the Hamilton-Waikato area on the Treasury’s website. (HTWG, 2022).

Key findings from the paper

Understanding the key drivers of rents is important to monitor and assess the balance of supply and demand in the housing market, improve the accuracy of house price forecasts, and identify potential hot spots at the regional level.
Wage inflation and relative supply and demand of dwellings (measured by people per dwelling) are the 2 key drivers of rental inflation for new tenancies at the national level.
The impact of mortgage interest rates on rents is positive but quite small. This is consistent with previous analysis done by the Housing Technical Working Group on the impact of land supply restrictions.
The identified key drivers are robust to local circumstances, although unobserved region-specific factors can dampen or magnify the effects in particular regions.

Why we did this research

New Zealand rental prices have received growing attention as the proportion of people who rent has been increasing since the early 1990s. This paper aims to provide an initial framework to improve our understanding of the factors that impact housing rentals in New Zealand.

This analysis is useful for several reasons. Firstly, rents provide a better signal of the balance of supply and demand for dwellings than house prices do. This is because rent prices do not reflect expectations for future gains as house prices do.

Secondly, providing a better understanding of rent drivers can lead to better government policy as renters typically pay a larger proportion of their incomes on housing costs than owner occupiers and so they are more vulnerable to large movements in housing costs.

Thirdly, forecasting rents can also improve the accuracy of house price forecasts, as they are one of the factors that influence house prices.

Finally, the research helps us to test theories of how land and housing markets operate.

New prestigious role for Professor Jemma Geoghegan

Source: University of Otago

After a global search, Professor Jemma Geoghegan has been appointed the Webster Family Chair in Viral Pathogenesis at the University of Otago.
Professor Jemma Geoghegan.
A Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Professor Geoghegan is the third holder of the position, following Professor Miguel Quiñones-Mateu who was appointed in 2019, and the inaugural recipient Professor Andrew Mercer, who held the position from 2005 until his retirement.
Her research focuses on how and why viruses jump hosts and emerge in new populations, and how they evolve while they spread. She has helped pioneer bioinformatic methods for the discovery of novel viruses which are beginning to revolutionise the study of virology.
“As part of the Leading Thinkers Initiative, this Chair is a huge privilege and I am incredibly grateful to Professor Webster and his family for making this possible,” Professor Geoghegan says.
“This position and the associated funding will mean that my current research will be expanded beyond what I thought would be possible. My hope is that by collaborating broadly and building up a network of people working in this area, we can really expand our understanding of this field of virology.”
Originally from Scotland, Professor Geoghegan completed her PhD with Professor Hamish Spencer in the Department of Zoology in 2012, before moving to the United States to undertake postdoctoral research on HIV at New York University. Her career then took her to University of Sydney and Macquarie University, before she returned to Otago with her family in early 2020.
COVID-19 hit the headlines about the same time as Professor Geoghegan arrived at Otago and she immediately found herself not just at the forefront of research into the virus, but often in front of media cameras and microphones, both nationally and internationally.
“Being on the front-line of the country’s response to a viral pandemic was definitely something I didn’t think I’d ever experience,” she says.
During this time, she co-led with her colleagues at the Institute of Environmental Science and Research the establishment of genomic sequencing of SARS-CoV-2.
The resulting genomic approach was described as “world leading” in a report commissioned by the Office of the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor and as a result viral genomics became critical to New Zealand’s successful public health response.
She continues to build on this work and was recently awarded a Health Research Council Project grant to lead genomic sequencing of other viral infections that have been, and will be re-introduced into the community following the return of international travel.
“Through this initiative, I intend to build Aotearoa’s inaugural framework for genomic pathogen surveillance,” Professor Geoghegan says.
A focus for Professor Geoghegan has always been to inspire and be a role model for women in science.
“An important priority for me is to train the next generation of scientists in this field, to build capability and ensure we are much better prepared to tackle the challenges that infectious diseases will bring,” she says.
“This role demonstrates leadership in research and I hope it will encourage a change in culture where women are seen to be leaders in this space too.”
Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Helen Nicholson says Professor Geoghegan has an exceptional track record as an internationally recognised, respected and high impact scientist.
“As a globally respected scientist, Jemma has made significant contributions in her field which have not only garnered acclaim from peers but has also led to groundbreaking advancements.
“Jemma’s expertise and accomplishments makes her the ideal person for this prestigious position, and I have no doubt she will seize every opportunity to make even greater strides in her research and inspire others to do the same.”
The Webster Chair in Viral Pathogenesis
The University of Otago established the ‘Leading Thinkers Initiative’ in 2004 as part of the government’s Partnerships for Excellence Framework. The Initiative invested in people who were knowledge leaders working in areas considered vital to New Zealand’s well-being. Academics have been recruited from New Zealand and around the world to fill these prestigious and important positions. The projects cover the breadth of academic disciplines at Otago and all meet the objectives of the University’s Strategic Direction.
The Webster Family Chair in Viral Pathogenesis was endowed by Robert and Marjorie Webster in 2005 in conjunction with the Leading Thinkers campaign.
Professor Webster is a noted virologist and international expert in influenza. He was the first to acknowledge a link between human and avian flu. His team isolated and identified the avian-adapted strain of H5N1, the causative agent of H5N1 flu commonly known as “avian influenza” or “bird flu”. He is an expert in the structure and function of influenza proteins and in the development of new vaccines and anti-virals. The reservoir of influenza viruses in wild birds, and their role in the evolution of new pandemic strains for humans and lower animals, continue to be a focus of his work.
Robert Webster studied at the University of Otago in Microbiology where he completed a BSc and MSc. During his distinguished career, he has held many research posts, starting out as a virologist with the New Zealand Department of Agriculture.
He continues his work in infectious diseases at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the USA. He has published more than 600 original articles and reviews on influenza viruses.
For more information please contact:
Professor Jemma GeogheganDepartment of Microbiology and ImmunologyUniversity of OtagoEmail jemma.geoghegan@otago.ac.nz
Lea JonesCommunications Adviser, Media EngagementUniversity of OtagoMob +64 21 279 4969Email lea.jones@otago.ac.nz

Rail Safety Week Take another moment to look

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Take another moment to look for trains at railway tracks and level crossings is one of the messages from Police as Rail Safety Week officially launches today.

The annual awareness event runs from 7-13 August led by KiwiRail and TrackSAFE and supported by partnering organisations urges everyone to always keep a look out for trains.

“It might sound like a simple request, but we can’t afford to become complacent,” says Superintendent Steve Greally, Director: National Road Policing Centre.

“Trains can come at any time and from either direction and recent unfortunate events across the country act as a timely reminder for road users and pedestrians to take further care at railway crossings.”

Police continue to support Rail Safety Week and along with our partners realise the significance of working together to reduce harm and lasting trauma that collisions can cause.

Superintendent Greally says the week-long campaign focuses on encouraging safe behaviours and emphasising the risks around railways.

“It’s vital road users are paying attention around train tracks. Crucial behaviours like stopping at a stop sign, obeying the bells, lights, and barriers, not being distracted by your phone and crossing only when alarms have stopped are all things to improve our safety in these areas.

“It’s equally important for pedestrians to cross tracks at level crossings and having that extra look left and right just like you would when crossing the road. It can be the difference between a near miss or a devastating collision,” says Superintendent Greally.

“Those precious seconds and changes to behaviours could save your life.”

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Business News – Plenty of opportunities for growth as five established offices in the Bay of Plenty and Hauraki region join Raine & Horne

Source: Raine & Horne

Highlights

  • Raine & Horne, an Australasian real estate super brand, is expanding its presence in New Zealand during its 140th year.
  • Five well-established offices in the Bay of Plenty and Hauraki region, led by experienced principals Neville Ruske and Paul Billinghurst, have joined Raine & Horne.
  • According to CoreLogic data, the expansion comes at a time of increased buyer activity in the Bay of Plenty real estate market. The addition of these offices strategically located in Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Katikati, Waihi, and Waihi Beach further strengthens Raine & Horne’s position on New Zealand’s North Island.
Bay of Plenty NZ (7 August 2023) The expansion of real estate super brand Raine & Horne in New Zealand in its 140th year has gone up a gear with the announcement that five highly established offices in the Bay of Plenty and Hauraki region have joined the ranks of the super brand.

Led by experienced principals Neville Ruske and Paul Billinghurst, the latest Raine & Horne group additions are strategically located in Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Katikati, Waihi, and Waihi Beach.

According to the latest data from CoreLogic[i], the expansion coincides with a resurgence in buyer activity in the Bay of Plenty’s real estate markets. The super brand, established on 23 May 1883 and remains 100% family-owned, is taking advantage of this opportunity.

Plenty of real estate experience

Mr Ruske’s journey in real estate commenced in 1988, and brings extensive experience in residential, commercial, industrial, lifestyle, and property management. In 2011, he and his wife, Gill Ruske, founded NRG Realty with the acquisition of an office from another company in Tauranga. The business has since expanded to include offices in Mount/Papamoa, Katikati, Waihi, and Waihi Beach.

Mr Billinghurst, with a background in engineering, IT, and management, transitioned into real estate in 2014. After achieving the NZ Rookie of the Year award in his first year with a previous real estate group, he became a co-owner of NRG Realty Ltd. alongside his wife, Bronwen Billinghurst, in 2021.

As a principal of the business, Mr Billingshurst now oversees the five Raine & Horne offices in Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Katikati, Waihi Beach, and Waihi, relishing the opportunity to support his team and immerse himself in the exciting world of real estate.

Angus Raine, Executive Chairman of Raine & Horne, who is the fourth generation of his family to lead the Australasian super brand, expressed his confidence in the new principals, stating, “I can see Paul takes pleasure in assisting his salespeople in their growth and development which ensures they provide excellent outcomes for their sellers and buyers.

“His responsibilities involve running the day-to-day operations of and exploring new technologies and approaches to real estate to keep the team up to date,” Mr Raine added.

“Neville’s passion for property shines through not only from establishing five successful real estate offices in the Bay of Plenty and Hauraki region but also from his ownership of rental and commercial properties and his current involvement in building projects.

“Neville and Paul are excellent operators who are sure to embrace our ecosystem of digital marketing firsts,” he said.

“Digital marketing is redefining how properties are promoted and sold in New Zealand, and with our ecosystem of technology-first, headed by the cutting-edge social media marketing platform, Amplify, Raine & Horne proudly stands as a formidable leader in this rapidly evolving space.”

Embracing a legacy of technology success and unparalleled support

Mr Billinghurst agreed that Raine & Horne’s cutting-edge technology, its unique value proposition, and unwavering support were too good to ignore.

“Raine & Horne offers us something different from other brands in that it adds value to our vendors, team and business,” he said.

“This is not only from its leading-edge technology, such as Amplify but also in the support they give us. It means our current and future salespeople have a real point of difference to offer potential vendors, and we can add even more value to our team as a company.”

Mr Billinghurst added, “Our five offices have been established in the marketplace for many years. We want to take them all to the next level and rapidly grow our regional market share.

Mr Ruske said his dealings with Raine & Horne have been positive from the outset.

“From our interactions, it feels there is a real loyalty to the brand, and there are genuine people behind it,” he said.

“We’re on a growth projection within the Bay of Plenty and Hauraki region, which aligns well with Raine & Horne’s New Zealand growth goals.

“Having 140 years of real estate heritage shows Raine & Horne have weathered all markets and run an exceptional operation.”

“There are many brand alternatives for business owners to choose from, but we believe that with Raine & Horne’s history coupled with their forward-thinking, dynamic approach to real estate, they will shortly be a driving force in New Zealand real estate.”

The business spirit of the 100% family-owned and operated Raine & Horne also struck a chord with Mr Ruske and his fellow directors.

“NRG Realty is an acronym of Neville, Ruske and Gill, and Gill has been an integral force since we began the business, contributing to management decisions and overseeing finances since day one,” Mr Ruske said.

“Her expertise in residential developments adds a significant dimension to the business.

“As Paul and Bronwen became part of the team, this legacy of family involvement persisted, with Bronwen focusing on our company marketing.

“Still having the same company owners but now operating under the Raine & Horne brand is great for both organisations.”

Shaping a more sustainable and innovative fishing industry

Source: New Zealand Government

Protecting New Zealand’s oceans and supporting innovation in the seafood sector are key priorities for the Fisheries Industry Transformation Plan, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Rachel Brooking says.

“We’re striking a balance between looking after our oceans and making sure we’ve got a sustainable seafood sector that can cope with the impacts of climate change,” Rachel Brooking said at the plan’s launch in Nelson today.

“New Zealand has the fourth largest ocean area in the world. Seafood is an important source of food, income and jobs. In the year to June, it earned us a record $2.1 billion in export revenue and employed nearly 12,500 people.

“This plan looks at ways we can earn more and create more jobs without catching more fish, by, for example, making more medical, cosmetic and nutraceutical products from seafoods.

“But our oceans are under pressure too, and there’s no doubt we’ve got to find ways of doing things differently. Protecting ocean ecosystems and all the species living in them is critical to not only the survival of the industry, but also to the survival of life on Earth, especially as climate change impacts like ocean acidification and warming start to bite.

“That’s why I’m so pleased that New Zealand’s Fisheries Industry Transformation Plan puts  environmental protection, climate change and community development at its heart.

“Consumers here and overseas are increasingly demanding evidence that what they’re eating has been sustainably caught or grown. This plan will drive innovations like environmentally friendly fishing gear and finding ways of adding value.”

The transformation plan was developed collaboratively, with the fishing industry working with environmental groups, iwi representatives, scientists, unions and the food sector. It attracted more than 3000 submissions.

“The plan’s vision is for New Zealand to be acknowledged as a world leader on innovative and sustainable premium seafoods and bioproducts. Its release is a major step on the road to achieving that,” Rachel Brooking said.