Edible Branding Helping New Zealand Businesses Stand Out

Businesses across New Zealand are increasingly turning to creative marketing tools to capture customer attention, and branded edible products are quickly becoming one of the fastest-growing promotional trends.

Auckland-based companies and are helping organisations transform ordinary marketing campaigns into memorable customer experiences through custom-designed cookies and personalised lollipops featuring company logos, slogans, and promotional messaging.

Marketing specialists say consumers are more likely to remember a brand when multiple senses are involved in the experience. By combining visual branding with delicious treats, businesses are creating positive brand associations that last well beyond traditional promotional materials.

"Our customers are looking for ways to make their brand memorable," said a company representative. "When someone receives a branded cookie or personalised lollipop, it creates a unique interaction that people tend to remember and share."

The products have become popular at conferences, trade shows, networking events, and client meetings where businesses want to make a lasting impression. Both companies offer nationwide delivery and customised designs tailored to specific campaigns.

The Branded Cookie Company for your Branding

As competition for customer attention continues to increase, edible branding is proving to be a sweet solution for businesses looking to differentiate themselves

Contact Us for more information by direct message here: https://m.me/lollipop.nz/ Or email us at robyn@lollipop.nz.

Smaller and regional contractors play an important role throughout New Zealand's civil construction sector.

Many deliver excellent outcomes and maintain strong relationships within their local markets, however, when project size, complexity, or stakeholder requirements increase, clients often need to assess whether a civil contractor NZ has the plant, manpower and systems required to manage those additional demands.

During a tender process, procurement teams typically evaluate capability, capacity, methodology, and risk management alongside pricing. These factors help determine whether a civil contractor NZ can successfully deliver a project from scoping to completion.

Capacity can become a constraint

One of the first considerations when evaluating a civil contractor NZ is delivery capacity.

A civil contractor can hold a strong reputation within a local region and a proven history of delivering great local projects, but despite that, challenges can arise when a project requires larger labour resources, specialist personnel, or multiple crews operating simultaneously across different work fronts.

Clients will assess current commitments, available resources, and a contractor's ability to deliver within required timeframes. While many smaller civil contractors manage growth successfully, larger projects can place additional pressure on workforce availability and project scheduling.

For complex infrastructure projects, capacity limitations can affect programme certainty if unexpected demands emerge during construction.

Specialist expertise may be harder to access

Modern civil construction projects often require expertise that extends well beyond earthworks and construction activities, especially in infrastructure sectors like energy and Three Waters.

Environmental management, quality assurance, traffic planning, stakeholder engagement, and project controls all play an important role in successful project delivery.

A smaller civil contractor NZ may access these skills through subcontractors or external consultants. While this approach can work well especially if there are existing partnerships, clients often examine whether those resources will remain available throughout the project and how closely they are integrated into the delivery team.

For larger projects, the depth of specialist capability can become a significant consideration during tender evaluation.

Systems and reporting requirements can be more demanding on larger projects

Clients may require detailed programme reporting, environmental monitoring, quality documentation, health and safety reporting, and stakeholder communication plans throughout the life of the project.

The ability of a civil contractor NZ to manage these requirements is often linked to the systems and processes that support project delivery.

As project complexity increases, reporting requirements typically become more demanding. Clients therefore seek confidence that contractors have successfully managed similar obligations on previous projects.

Strong systems help improve visibility, support compliance requirements, and provide greater certainty around project performance.

Business continuity risk may receive closer scrutiny

Every contractor faces commercial and operational risks. The difference is often the level of resilience available when challenges arise.

When evaluating a civil contractor NZ, procurement teams frequently assess workforce depth, organisational structure, financial capacity, and succession planning. These factors help determine how effectively a contractor can maintain delivery throughout the contract period.

For projects that span several years, clients may also consider access to replacement personnel, specialist equipment, and additional resources should project demands change.

Of course, this does not mean smaller contractors present greater risk in every situation. Many regional businesses successfully deliver complex projects throughout New Zealand. However, organisational resilience often receives greater attention as project size and complexity increase.

Selecting the right civil contractor NZ for the project

Choosing a civil contractor NZ is rarely a question of size alone. Many smaller and regional contractors are ideally suited to particular projects and consistently deliver excellent outcomes. At the same time, larger and more complex projects often require clients to place greater emphasis on capacity, specialist expertise, systems, and organisational resilience.

New 60-second scorecard helps local businesses identify gaps in their Google Business Profile and improve their local search visibility.

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — 18 September 2026 — Kiwi Web Design has launched a new free Google Business Profile audit tool designed to help Auckland small businesses quickly assess the strength of their local search presence.

The online scorecard allows business owners to review six key areas of their Google Business Profile in approximately 60 seconds. Users receive a score out of 100 together with practical recommendations on what to improve first.

The tool focuses on six visible profile foundations:

Recent and relevant business photos
Active Google Business Profile posts
Customer reviews and review responses
Useful questions and answers
Accurate business categories
A working and relevant website link

The scorecard does not require users to connect their Google account and does not collect Google Business Profile data.

Kiwi Web Design created the tool after seeing a common issue among local service businesses: many businesses have created a Google Business Profile but rarely review or update it after the initial setup.

“Having a Google Business Profile is only the starting point,” said Charlie, owner of Kiwi Web Design. “For many local businesses, the profile is one of the first things a potential customer sees. The information there needs to help that customer understand the business, trust it, and take the next step.”

Google Business Profiles can play an important role in local search, particularly for service-based businesses such as trades, home services, clinics, professional services and other businesses that rely heavily on customers within a defined geographic area.

However, Kiwi Web Design emphasises that the score generated by the tool should not be interpreted as a prediction of Google Maps rankings.

Local search visibility is influenced by multiple factors, including relevance to the search query, the location of the person searching, local competition, website quality and other online signals.

Instead, the scorecard is designed as a practical starting point.

A business with missing photos, outdated information, few recent reviews or an incorrect business category can quickly identify those issues and create a clearer list of priorities.

One area the audit places particular emphasis on is the connection between the Google Business Profile and the company website.

A business may successfully attract attention through Google Maps or local search results but still lose the enquiry if the visitor clicks through to a website that is difficult to use, unclear about services or lacks an obvious way to make contact.

According to Kiwi Web Design, local search marketing should therefore be viewed as a complete customer journey rather than a collection of isolated SEO tasks.

The intended journey is straightforward: a potential customer searches for a service, finds the business, sees enough evidence to trust it, visits the website and then makes contact.

That contact may take the form of a phone call, booking, quote request or online enquiry.

The new scorecard reflects Kiwi Web Design’s broader focus on helping small businesses connect their online presence with measurable business outcomes.

Rather than treating websites, SEO and Google Ads as separate products, the Auckland-based agency focuses on how those channels work together to generate enquiries and new business.

Businesses can access the free Google Business Profile scorecard at:

https://www.kiwiwebdesign.co.nz/google-business-profile-audit-auckland/

About Kiwi Web Design

Kiwi Web Design is an Auckland-based digital marketing agency helping New Zealand small businesses generate more enquiries through websites, SEO, Local SEO and Google Ads.

The agency focuses on building practical digital marketing systems that connect online visibility with leads, customer enquiries and business growth.

For more information, visit:

https://www.kiwiwebdesign.co.nz/

Unfortunately, commercial motor insurance premiums move for reasons that often have little to do with your individual business.

Insurers tend to set their pricing using a mix of claims data, vehicle information and driver risk, and adjust pricing as conditions change across the wider market. Claims and losses have always been a major driver in the industry. Insurance Council of New Zealand guidance explains that premiums change from year to year based on the volume and cost of claims an insurer pays out, along with shifts in a policy's own details such as sum insured or the main driver of your company vehicle.

Claims and losses across the industry are a major driver. Insurance Council of New Zealand guidance explains that premiums change from year to year based on the volume and cost of claims an insurer pays out, along with shifts in a policy's own details such as sum insured or main driver.

The council's consumer guide notes that accidents happen more often in Auckland than in Dunedin, which can mean a younger driver in Dunedin pays less than a middle-aged driver in Auckland.

Location plays a far bigger role in commercial motor insurance nz pricing than most business owners expect.

Claims history and how it's used

A fleet's own claims record carries significant weight in the world of premiums. Fleet premiums increasingly reflect a company's individual claims rather than a blanket industry-wide adjustment. If you’re a business lodging more frequent claims, or a small number of high-cost ones, that may push your business toward a higher pricing tier. Fewer claims over time tend to pull it back down.

And this is one reason a broker arranging commercial motor insurance nz cover is often going to ask about claims history before quoting. Past performance signals future risk to an insurer, even when a single claim was unavoidable.

Vehicle type, age and technology affect premiums

Newer commercial vehicles cost more to repair than older ones, largely because of the technology built into them. Electronics already make up around a quarter of a vehicle's value, with that share expected to climb toward 40 percent as the national fleet pivots towards EVs and more complicated cars. Sensors, cameras and driver-assist systems raise the cost of even minor repairs, since many require recalibration at an authorised dealer.

A specialised paint colour or finish adds further cost. Vehicles with complex wraps or custom livery, common across trade and courier fleets, can take longer to repair and cost more to restore to a pre-loss condition. That’s going to be passed on to you as a business via your premiums; another reason a commercial motor insurance broker is so important.

Where and how your commercial vehicle gets used

Insurers price risk differently depending on how far a vehicle travels and where it operates. A vehicle doing long-haul freight work carries different exposure to one used to visit clients and shoot out for coffee.

Businesses operating mainly in high-traffic areas tend to face higher premiums, since congestion raises both the frequency and cost of claims. Your vehicle storage matters too. A vehicle parked securely overnight in a locked compound or carpark generally presents less risk than one left on the street, and insurers will factor this into underwriting.

What driver factors do insurers weigh?

Driver age, experience and licence history all feed into calculating the premiums for your vehicle fleet.

A fleet with a mix of experienced and newer drivers may see blended pricing, while a business with a history of at-fault claims linked to specific drivers can expect more scrutiny at renewal.

Driver shortages across some sectors have added a further layer of risk. Taylor has pointed to cases where operators, under pressure to keep vehicles moving, have had to relax recruitment standards, which insurers factor into claims trends over time.

Excess, cover type and sum insured

The excess a business chooses has a direct and immediate effect on premium. A higher excess generally lowers the premium, since the business absorbs more of the cost at claim time. The cover type matters as well, since agreed value policies price differently to market value policies.

Sum insured should reflect the current value of a fleet rather than what it cost when purchased. An outdated sum insured can either inflate a premium unnecessarily or leave a business underinsured.

Why go with a broker?

A broker's value truly shines at renewal. Rather than accepting a quote for cover as it stands, a broker will often go back to the insurer with context one of their algorithms don’t capture, such as a driver retraining programme introduced after a claim or a change in how vehicles are stored overnight. That context, which they know from their relationship with you and your business, can shift a premium that would otherwise reflect a business at its worst moment on paper.

Brokers also work across a panel of insurers rather than a single provider. This gives them a clearer sense of which insurer is pricing a particular risk profile competitively in a given year, since appetite for different fleet types and industries shifts across the market over time.

Ultimately, the relationship you have with your broker pays off most during a claim itself, since a broker who advocates for a fair settlement also protects the claims record that shapes next year's premium.

Lower Hutt -  Many established trade businesses are spending thousands of dollars each year on Google Ads without necessarily understanding what is happening inside their advertising accounts.

A new practical workshop being presented at the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, 22 September 2026 aims to help business owners understand the information already available inside their Google Ads accounts.

The 90 minute workshop, “Google Ads: Know What You’re Paying For,” is designed specifically for established New Zealand trade and service businesses spending $1,000 or more per month on Google Ads.

Rather than teaching businesses how to build or manage campaigns, the session focuses on helping business owners understand what they are already paying for.

Participants will follow along privately in their own Google Ads account, using their own laptop.

The workshop will look at the key information available inside an account, including:

What campaigns are running and what they are designed to do
What the key performance numbers actually mean
Where advertising is being shown geographically
What people are actually searching for when they find the business
What Google can tell businesses about the people interacting with their advertising

The session is particularly relevant to businesses such as electricians, plumbers, HVAC and heat pump companies, builders, roofers, landscapers, arborists and other established service businesses.

“Business owners don't need to become Google Ads experts,” says the workshop presenter. “But if they are spending $1,000 or more a month on advertising, they should be able to understand what is happening inside their account and what the information is telling them.”

The workshop is also designed for businesses where someone else manages their Google Ads. Attendees do not need to manage their own campaigns, but will need access to their Google Ads account to follow along.

Importantly, attendees will not be asked to share their account, advertising results or business information with the group.

The workshop is complimentary, with places limited to five established trade businesses.

Event Details

Google Ads: Know What You Are Paying For

Date: Tuesday, 22 September 2026
Time: 2:00pm – 3:30pm
Venue: Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, 15 Daly Street, Lower Hutt
Cost: Complimentary

Attendees should bring a laptop and have access to their Google Ads account.

Registration is available through the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Or lean more about what will be covered in the "Google Ads - Know what your are paying for" workshop with Clicks4business.

A laptop repair bill can range from around $80 to several hundred dollars in Auckland, depending on what has gone wrong and what needs to be replaced.

New pricing data collected from the Auckland business owner community in July 2026 gives consumers a current reference point for some of the most common laptop repairs, from battery replacements and charging-port repairs to cracked screens and liquid damage.

All figures are GST-inclusive and limited to Auckland.

The data is not an official industry price survey, so individual repairers may charge more or less depending on the laptop, parts required and work involved. But it gives Auckland laptop owners something they can use when a repair quote lands in their inbox or across the counter.

What Aucklanders are paying for common laptop repairs

The July 2026 figures put common laptop repairs at the following starting points and ranges:

• Diagnostic assessment: Free at some businesses
• Battery replacement: $120–$260
• Charging port / DC jack repair: $120–$240
• Keyboard replacement: $130–$300
• Screen replacement: $180–$450
• SSD upgrade with data transfer: From $150 + drive
• RAM upgrade: From $80
• Liquid damage clean and assessment: From $120
• Fan clean and thermal repaste: From $110

For consumers, the most striking figure is the $180–$450 range for laptop screen replacement. That's a $270 difference for what might sound like the same repair.

But a screen replacement isn't the same job from one laptop to another. Screen size, resolution and touch capability can change the cost of the replacement component.

A quote at the upper end therefore needs to be judged against the laptop and screen being fitted rather than the price alone.

Battery and charging repairs can reach $200

Battery replacement is listed at $120–$260, while charging port or DC jack repair ranges from $120–$240. For someone using a laptop every day, either problem can be enough to make the machine difficult or impossible to use.

The two repairs can also be easy to confuse from the customer's perspective. A laptop that won't charge doesn't necessarily have a damaged charging port. The battery, charger or charging circuitry can also be responsible.

That makes diagnosis important before a customer agrees to replace a particular component.

Keyboard repairs can cost $300

Auckland pricing for keyboard replacement ranges from $130 to $300. Again, the laptop model can affect the cost. Different laptops use different keyboard designs and assemblies, so the price isn't comparable between two machines.

This is one reason a consumer comparing repair quotes should check whether both businesses are quoting for the same replacement part and scope of work.

Liquid damage is difficult to price

Liquid damage cleaning and assessment starts from $120, but there is no fixed upper figure in the data because the severity of the damage can vary. A small spill and a laptop with liquid reaching internal components can require different work.

The initial assessment may determine whether the laptop needs cleaning only or whether damaged components also need to be repaired or replaced. For consumers, that means an initial starting price shouldn't be mistaken for the final repair cost.

Upgrading an older laptop can be cheaper than replacing it

The data also covers upgrades rather than repairs.

A RAM upgrade starts from $80, depending on the amount of memory required, while an SSD upgrade including data transfer starts from $150 plus the drive.

These options can make sense when the laptop itself remains in good working condition but has limited memory or storage.

There is a catch: not every laptop can be upgraded in the same way. Some models have soldered RAM, for example, while SSD compatibility and installation requirements vary between machines.

The starting price therefore needs to be considered alongside the specific laptop and the component being installed.

What does a laptop diagnostic actually cost?

The Auckland data lists diagnostic assessment as free. That doesn't mean every Auckland repair business provides diagnostics at no charge.

Advanced Computers, for example, starts diagnostic assessments at $80 NZD, but credits the fee toward the final cost when the customer proceeds with their laptop repair.

For a customer comparing businesses, the distinction is worth understanding. A diagnostic fee may form part of the eventual repair cost rather than being an additional charge on top of it.

It also means consumers shouldn't choose a repairer based on whether the word "free" appears beside diagnostics.

The more useful question is what the assessment covers and what happens to the fee if the repair goes ahead.

So, when does a repair quote look expensive?

The July figures shouldn't be treated as official maximum prices for Auckland repairers.

A laptop screen costing more than $450, for example, isn't evidence of overcharging. A particular model may require a more expensive display, while a liquid-damaged laptop may require more work than a basic cleaning.

The same applies at the lower end.

A quote below the figures isn't always the better deal if it excludes the replacement part, data transfer or other work.

For consumers, the most useful comparison is therefore between like-for-like quotes.

Before agreeing to a repair, find out what has been diagnosed, which component is being replaced, whether the part is included and whether the quoted figure is the total cost.

The questions worth asking before handing over your laptop

Auckland laptop owners don't need to be computer technicians to check a repair quote.

A few straightforward questions can establish whether two prices are comparable:

1. What has failed?
2. What part needs to be repaired or replaced?
3. Is that part included in the quoted price?
4. Does the price include GST?
5. Are labour and testing included?
6. Could there be additional charges?
7. If there is a diagnostic fee, is it credited toward the repair?

These questions are useful when comparing starting prices with complete repair quotes.

What Auckland laptop owners can take from the July 2026 figures

The current figures give consumers a useful starting point when checking a repair quote.

A battery replacement around $120–$260, charging-port repair around $120–$240, keyboard replacement around $130–$300, and screen replacement around $180–$450 are reasonable reference ranges from the Auckland pricing information collected in July.

They shouldn't be treated as guaranteed prices.

The most important thing is to compare the complete repair and what it includes, rather than looking at the cheapest number advertised.

A repairer who explains the fault, identifies the required part and gives you the total cost before starting the work gives you much more useful information than a headline price alone.

And if a quote still looks high after you've established what it covers, getting a second assessment can be a sensible way to find out whether you're looking at a genuine high-cost repair or simply an expensive quote.

Dairy beef is becoming an increasingly important part of New Zealand’s livestock sector, as farmers look for ways to improve the value of surplus or non-replacement calves.

More dairy farmers are selecting beef genetics that complement their dairy herds, creating animals that deliver stronger returns throughout the supply chain.

This shift reflects changing market demands, advances in breeding technology, and a greater focus on producing calves with a clear purpose. Dairy beef now represents a significant opportunity for dairy farmers, beef finishers, processors, and consumers alike.

Why dairy beef is growing in New Zealand

The use of beef genetics within dairy herds has increased considerably in recent years. According to DairyNZ, dairy beef breeding helps create calves with improved growth rates, carcass performance, and overall value when compared with calves bred from lower-value dairy matings. Dairy farmers can capture additional income from calves that are suitable for beef production while maintaining progress within their replacement breeding programmes.

Industry data also highlights the growing adoption of dairy beef across New Zealand. Reports from Dairy News indicate that dairy-beef breeding has increased to around 12% of matings (about the same as purebred Jerseys), reflecting confidence in the economic benefits of well-planned breeding decisions. Farmers are recognising the value of producing animals that meet the needs of beef finishers while generating stronger returns from the dairy platform.

The result is a more connected approach to livestock production, where breeding decisions made on dairy farms contribute to profitability throughout the wider industry.

The role of genetics in dairy beef success

Strong results begin with the right genetics. Successful dairy beef programmes rely on sires that deliver traits valued by both dairy farmers and beef producers. Calving ease remains a priority within dairy systems, while growth, feed efficiency, and carcass quality remain important for downstream performance.

Dairy genetics companies like World Wide Sires New Zealand have invested heavily in identifying and supplying genetics that meet these requirements. Through partnerships with leading breeders and internationally recognised studs, World Wide Sires provides dairy farmers with access to carefully selected dairy beef sires suited to New Zealand conditions.

The company’s dairy beef programme is built around proven performance data and ongoing genetic evaluation. This gives farmers confidence when making breeding decisions and helps ensure calves are bred with both dairy and beef objectives in mind.

Bluestone Lincoln, a Hereford sire available through World Wide Sires New Zealand by Canterbury breeders Bluestone Herefords. has attracted attention for his combination of calving ease, short gestation length, low birth weight and strong growth performance. His progeny are designed to meet the practical needs of dairy farmers during calving while delivering the growth traits valued by calf rearers and beef finishers.

Dairy beef benefits for dairy farmers

For dairy farmers, dairy beef provides an opportunity to maximise the value of calves that are not required as herd replacements. The focus has shifted from producing surplus calves with limited market demand to breeding animals with clear finishing potential.

Genetic selection plays a major role in this process. When dairy farmers use proven beef sires over suitable cows from genetics companies like World Wide Sires, the resulting progeny often demonstrate stronger growth performance and improved market appeal. These calves can attract greater interest from rearers and finishers who are seeking animals capable of delivering profitable outcomes.

The dairy beef model also supports more strategic herd management. Many farmers now use sexed semen to generate replacement heifers from their top performing 25 percent, and beef genetics across some or the remainder of the herd. This approach helps balance replacement requirements with opportunities to increase calf value.

Supporting a stronger livestock sector

The benefits of dairy beef extend beyond the farm gate. Beef finishers gain access to animals bred specifically for growth and carcass performance. Processors receive livestock that better aligns with market specifications. Consumers benefit from a reliable supply of quality beef products.

New Zealand’s dairy industry produces a large number of calves each year. Dairy beef creates a pathway that allows more of these animals to contribute positively to the red meat sector. This supports greater efficiency across the agricultural landscape while helping meet demand for high-quality beef.

Recent reporting from Farmers Weekly highlighted increasing farmer interest in dairy beef as producers seek additional value from livestock systems. The trend reflects a broader understanding that genetics influence outcomes long before animals reach finishing properties.

How World Wide Sires is helping shape dairy beef

As demand for dairy beef continues to grow, World Wide Sires continues to invest in elite dairy beef sires, allowing farmers to access genetics that balance calving ease with traits that support strong beef performance later in life.

Partnerships with respected breeders and studs around the world have played an important role in this progress. These relationships provide access to leading genetics and continuous improvement within dairy beef breeding programmes. The results are being seen on farms where producers are achieving stronger calf values and creating livestock that appeal to beef finishers.

World Wide Sires also works closely with farmers to help match sires to herd objectives, ensuring breeding decisions align with both short-term requirements and long-term profitability.

It is hard to imagine a party today without somebody taking photographs.

Phones come out. People pose. Someone shouts "one more!" and another photograph is taken.

But the idea of stepping into a dedicated machine and having your photograph taken automatically is considerably older than the smartphone.

In fact, the origins of the modern photo booth go back almost a century.

The machine that changed photography

Anatol Josepho, an immigrant from Siberia, developed an automated photographic machine during the 1920s.

His Photomaton studio opened on Broadway in New York in 1926 and quickly became a sensation. Customers could pay 25 cents for a strip containing eight photographs.

The appeal was simple.

• You didn't need a professional photographer.
• You didn't need to make an appointment.
• You simply stepped inside, followed the instructions and waited for your photographs.
• According to the Smithsonian, the machines soon appeared in cities around the world.

From serious portraits to having fun

The photo booth gradually became part of popular culture.

People used booths for everything from personal photographs to romantic memories and simple entertainment. Famous figures including John Lennon, Yoko Ono and Andy Warhol became associated with photo-booth photography.

The basic attraction has remained remarkably consistent.

• Get together with someone.
• Step in front of a camera.
• Do something silly.
• Take a photograph.

Then technology changed everything

The traditional photo booth relied on mechanical and photographic processes.

Modern digital booths are very different.

Instead of simply taking a photograph, today's technology can allow guests to experiment with digital effects, virtual props and different ways of sharing their photographs.

The emphasis has shifted from simply getting a photograph to creating an experience around the photograph.

That makes the modern photo booth particularly well suited to parties and events.

The modern selfie booth

A contemporary selfie booth can be as simple as stepping in front of a camera and pressing the screen.

But then the fun begins.

Guests can use physical props supplied with the booth, while virtual props can be added directly on the screen.

A ring light helps create the bright, flattering lighting associated with modern social-media photography.

Once the photographs have been taken, guests can access them digitally through a QR code or email their favourite image to themselves.

The organiser can then receive the complete collection of photographs after the event.

From Broadway to Auckland

Almost 100 years after Josepho's invention, the fundamental idea is still surprisingly relevant.

People like taking photographs of themselves.

They like taking photographs with friends.

And, perhaps most importantly, they like having an excuse to do something a little silly.

That's why photo booths continue to work so well at weddings, birthdays, parties, corporate functions and Christmas celebrations.

Get Flashed NZ brings the modern version of that idea to events throughout Auckland.

The technology may have changed dramatically since the 1920s, but the reason people step in front of the camera hasn't changed much at all.

They want to have fun and remember it afterwards.

And sometimes the best photographs are the ones that weren't planned.

Get Flashed NZ Photo Booth Hire is available throughout the Auckland region, bringing a digital selfie-booth experience to parties, Christmas functions, corporate events and celebrations.

As the end of the year approaches, Auckland businesses are once again starting to think about Christmas parties and end-of-year celebrations.

The food is usually organised. The venue is booked. The drinks have been considered. Someone has probably been asked to put together a playlist.

But there is another question worth asking: What are people actually going to do once they arrive?

That is where a selfie booth can make a surprisingly big difference.

More than just taking photographs

A modern photo booth isn't simply a camera that takes photographs of people standing in a line.

A good selfie booth becomes an activity within the event.

Guests can step in front of the ring light, grab some props, experiment with poses and add virtual props directly on the screen. Before long, people who might otherwise have been sitting at different tables are laughing together and encouraging each other to join the next photo.

And that is particularly useful at a Christmas function.

After a busy year, colleagues are often ready to relax and have some fun. A selfie booth gives them an easy excuse to do exactly that.

The reluctant photographer may become the star

There is always someone at a party who doesn't want their photograph taken.

There is also usually someone who seems to have been waiting all year for an excuse to wear a ridiculous hat.

A combination of physical props and virtual props gives guests plenty of opportunities to make the photographs their own.

The result isn't necessarily a collection of perfectly posed photographs.

It is often much better than that.

It is a collection of photographs showing people actually having fun.

And the photographs don't disappear when the party ends

One of the advantages of a modern digital photo booth is that the experience doesn't depend on producing a physical photograph at the event.

Guests can access their images through a QR code and can also email photographs to themselves.

That means people can share their favourite images with friends or colleagues while the event is still fresh in everyone's minds.

The event organiser also receives the complete collection of photographs afterwards, providing a lasting record of the evening.

An easy addition to an Auckland Christmas function

For businesses organising an end-of-year celebration, entertainment doesn't necessarily need to be complicated.

Sometimes the best additions are the ones that guests can simply walk up to and enjoy when they feel like it.

Get Flashed NZ provides photo booth hire throughout the Auckland region, with no additional delivery charge within Auckland.

The setup is designed to be straightforward: a ring-light selfie booth, a selection of physical props and the option of adding virtual props on screen.

Guests take the photographs. They have fun with them. They can access and share them digitally.

And the organiser gets the full collection afterwards.

Make the Christmas party something people remember

The best staff Christmas parties aren't necessarily the most expensive ones.

They're the ones where people relax, laugh, talk to colleagues they don't normally work with and go home with some good memories.

A selfie booth can help create those moments without demanding that everyone participate at the same time.

It simply sits there, ready for the next group of willing volunteers.

And judging by how quickly one group can turn into another, it may end up being one of the busiest parts of the party.

Planning an Auckland Christmas party or end-of-year function? Get Flashed NZ Photo Booth Hire provides digital selfie booth entertainment throughout the Auckland region.

New Zealand's resource management system is undergoing significant change, creating important considerations for iwi, hapū, councils and communities involved in environmental and planning decisions.

For iwi and hapū, understanding how these reforms may affect existing participation arrangements is particularly important. Changes to the framework could influence how Māori participate in planning processes, engage with local authorities and ensure relevant Treaty settlement obligations are recognised.

A Changing Resource Management System

For decades, the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) has provided the main legislative framework for managing New Zealand's natural and physical resources.

As the Government progresses reforms to replace the RMA, councils, businesses, landowners, iwi and hapū will need to understand how the new framework affects their responsibilities and existing arrangements.

One area undergoing change is the way iwi and hapū participate in resource management processes.

What Are Mana Whakahono ā Rohe Agreements?

Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements were introduced in 2017 as a mechanism for iwi authorities and local authorities to establish formal arrangements for working together on resource management matters.

These agreements can address matters such as participation in planning processes, information sharing, consultation and how relevant Treaty of Waitangi settlement obligations are given effect.

For iwi, hapū and councils with these arrangements in place, they can provide greater clarity around how parties engage with one another on resource management issues.

However, the move to a new resource management system means the future of these agreements is changing.

What Is Changing?

Under the proposed reforms, existing and initiated Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements are not expected to automatically transfer into the replacement resource management framework.

Instead, councils will be able to negotiate new iwi participation agreements with iwi and hapū.

These proposed arrangements are expected to have a narrower scope, focusing primarily on participation in statutory planning processes and giving effect to relevant Treaty settlement redress.

For organisations currently operating under Mana Whakahono ā Rohe arrangements, this means existing processes should not simply be assumed to continue unchanged.

Why Early Engagement Matters

Changes to established participation arrangements can create uncertainty for everyone involved.

Iwi and hapū may want to begin discussions with their local council about how existing arrangements could be affected and what future participation could look like.

Similarly, councils should consider reviewing their current agreements and relationships with iwi and hapū rather than waiting until the new system is fully implemented.

Early conversations can help identify important issues, preserve productive working relationships and provide more time to prepare for future requirements.

Reviewing Existing Agreements

For iwi and hapū with an existing or initiated Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreement, reviewing the current arrangement can be a useful starting point.

Consider what aspects of the agreement have worked effectively, what commitments are particularly important and which processes may need to be addressed under a future iwi participation agreement.

This may include reviewing arrangements relating to consultation, information sharing, planning processes and Treaty settlement obligations.

Understanding these priorities can help iwi and hapū approach future discussions with councils from a more informed position.

The Importance of Specialist Legal Advice

Resource management reform involves complex interactions between environmental legislation, local government processes, Māori legal interests and Treaty settlement arrangements.

The implications can also differ significantly depending on the circumstances of an individual iwi, hapū, council or existing agreement.

Seeking specialist advice can therefore be valuable when reviewing current arrangements or preparing for changes under the new system.

For a more detailed explanation of the proposed changes, McCaw Lewis provides guidance on Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements and what iwi and hapū need to know as New Zealand transitions to the replacement resource management framework.

Preparing for the Transition

Although further detail about how the new arrangements will operate in practice is still developing, organisations do not necessarily need to wait before preparing.

Reviewing existing agreements, identifying important commitments, maintaining communication between iwi, hapū and councils, and understanding the proposed framework can all help make the transition more manageable.

For iwi and hapū in particular, being prepared can help ensure their priorities are clearly understood as new participation arrangements are developed.

As New Zealand's resource management framework evolves, staying informed and engaging early will be important for maintaining effective relationships and navigating the changes ahead.

This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Specific legal advice should be sought for individual circumstances.

Being told that your role may be made redundant can be stressful and uncertain. Questions about your income, future employment, notice period, and whether your employer has followed the correct process can quickly arise.

In New Zealand, employers can make roles redundant for genuine business reasons, but they must follow a fair and reasonable process. Understanding your rights can help you know what to expect and what steps you can take if you have concerns about how a proposed redundancy is being handled.

What Does Redundancy Mean?

Redundancy happens when an employee's position is no longer required by the employer. Importantly, it is the position that becomes redundant, not the employee.

There are many legitimate reasons why a business may consider restructuring or removing a role. These can include financial pressures, changes in demand, new technology, business restructuring, outsourcing, or changes to the way work is organised.

However, redundancy should not be used as a way to dismiss an employee because of performance concerns, a workplace disagreement, or another unrelated issue.

Your Employer Must Follow a Fair Process

Having a genuine business reason for restructuring does not mean an employer can immediately end someone's employment.

Employees affected by a proposed restructure should generally be given relevant information about the proposal and a genuine opportunity to provide feedback before a final decision is made.

Consultation is an important part of the process. Your employer should genuinely consider the feedback provided rather than treating the outcome as predetermined.

If you receive a restructuring proposal, take the time to read it carefully and understand why your position may be affected.

You Have the Right to Ask Questions

A redundancy consultation is your opportunity to seek clarification and raise concerns about the proposal.

You may want to ask why your particular role has been identified, what alternatives have been considered, whether other positions are available within the organisation, and how any selection criteria have been applied.

You can also provide information that you believe your employer should consider before making a final decision.

Keep copies of important documents and correspondence relating to the process, including the restructuring proposal, your employment agreement, emails and your written feedback.

Check Your Employment Agreement

Your employment agreement is particularly important during a redundancy process.

It may contain specific provisions covering restructuring, consultation, notice periods and redundancy compensation. Employers must also meet their obligations under New Zealand employment law.

There is no automatic statutory entitlement to redundancy compensation in every situation. Whether compensation is payable will often depend on the terms of your employment agreement or other applicable arrangements.

This makes it important to review your agreement carefully before accepting any proposed redundancy terms.

What About Redeployment?

Depending on the circumstances, an employer may need to consider whether there are suitable alternative roles available within the organisation.

If another position is available, factors such as your skills, experience, responsibilities, location, working hours and remuneration may be relevant when determining whether redeployment is appropriate.

Employees should carefully consider any alternative position offered and ask questions if the responsibilities or employment conditions are unclear.

What If You Believe the Redundancy Is Unfair?

Not every redundancy process is straightforward. You may have concerns if there appears to be no genuine business reason for removing your role, you were not properly consulted, your feedback was ignored, or the redundancy appears connected to another workplace issue.

If something does not seem right, getting advice early can be valuable. Experienced employment lawyers can review your employment agreement, the employer's proposal and the consultation process to help you understand your rights and available options.

It is also important not to delay seeking advice. Employment disputes and personal grievances can be subject to strict time limits.

Take Time to Understand Your Options

Redundancy can have a significant impact on both your career and personal life, but you do not have to make important decisions without understanding your position.

Read the documents provided by your employer carefully, review your employment agreement, participate in the consultation process and keep written records of relevant communications.

If you are uncertain about whether the process is fair or what you should do next, seeking professional employment law advice can provide clarity and help you make informed decisions about your next steps.

This article provides general information only and should not be considered legal advice. Employment situations vary, and professional advice should be sought for individual circumstances.

Thousands of Kiwi women are set to access a world-first sanitary product designed to reduce reliance on single-use plastic, with tonnes of non-biodegradable waste from disposable tampon applicators estimated to be sent to landfill in New Zealand each year. 

The move follows a five-year research and development programme involving feedback from Kiwi women.

According to a new report from the World Health Organization, around 12 billion disposable menstrual products are used each year globally, contributing to plastic waste, landfill volumes and associated carbon emissions. Over a lifetime, an individual may use approximately 10,000 menstrual products, many of which contain plastic that can take hundreds of years to break down. 

The new product, known as Tazi, is the first bendable sanitary applicator and can be reused across multiple menstrual cycles, providing an alternative to disposable plastic applicators.

Its developers say the product is designed to address a longstanding environmental challenge within the menstrual health sector, where convenience, hygiene requirements and limited innovation have contributed to continued reliance on single-use products.

The New Zealand launch follows a scientific and user testing programme where feedback from Kiwi women was used to refine the product’s design, usability and performance in real-world conditions.

Peter Price, co-founder and CEO of Tazi, says plastic waste from menstrual products has historically received less attention than other forms of single-use consumer packaging.

“Billions of menstrual products are disposed of every year, yet this is an area where the environmental impact is still rarely discussed openly.

“While consumers are increasingly being encouraged to reduce their use of plastic bags, drink bottles and disposable packaging, there have been comparatively few practical alternatives developed for sanitary applicators.

“Tazi is designed to replace the disposable applicator rather than requiring users to completely change the menstrual products they are comfortable using,” he says.

Price says the ability to reuse the applicator across many cycles will help reduce plastic consumption without compromising convenience or hygiene.

The protected insertion method also minimises direct skin contact, helping reduce the potential transfer of bacteria from the hands or beneath fingernails.

Din Redzepagic, pharmacist and COO of Zoom Pharmacy, says environmental improvements are more likely to be adopted when they also offer practical benefits for consumers.

“For sustainable products to achieve widespread use, they need to be convenient, hygienic and easy to incorporate into people’s existing routines.

“This provides consumers with a way to reduce their reliance on disposable plastic applicators while continuing to use familiar sanitary products,” he says.

The product is also intended to help address preventable hygiene risks, including rare but serious conditions such as toxic shock syndrome.

Emeritus Professor Ian Frazer, immunologist and co-developer of the HPV vaccine, says reducing unnecessary contact can support improved hygiene practices.

“Personal hygiene is a critical part of avoiding infections we would rather not have. If you can remove the need for unprotected touch, you reduce the risk of transferring organisms to or from the body.

“We all carry microorganisms on our bodies. The key is avoiding introducing the wrong ones into areas where they can cause problems, or spreading them beyond where they should be,” he says.

The product is also designed for use in environments where access to appropriate handwashing facilities may be limited, including while travelling, at festivals or in public facilities.

New Zealand was chosen as the first international market because of its position as an early adopter of menstrual health and sustainability policies.

Government initiatives have included providing free sanitary products in schools, with environmentally friendly product options available to young people.

Price says New Zealand also has one of the few markets where sanitary product use is relatively evenly divided between applicator and non-applicator products, making it well suited to testing a product designed to accommodate both preferences.

Under a new agreement, Zoom Pharmacy, New Zealand’s largest online prescription pharmacy, will become the first retailer to provide nationwide access to the product range.

“New Zealand consumers have played an important role in developing the product over the past five years.

“The launch will allow us to measure the potential reduction in applicator waste, understand consumer adoption and refine the model before expanding into larger international markets,” he says.

The New Zealand programme is expected to inform a broader international rollout and support the development of further reusable menstrual health solutions.

“We believe menstrual products should be part of the wider conversation around reducing single-use plastics.

“This is a category used by billions of people, so even incremental changes in product design and consumer behaviour have the potential to prevent significant volumes of plastic from entering landfill and the wider environment,” says Price.

For more information, visit mytazi.co.nz.