Latest news with #AngelaRuske
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Dunedin collective to take ownership of teams
Mystery group to the rescue. After weeks of uncertainty, there is positive news for the Otago Nuggets and Southern Hoiho. In a statement released yesterday by the New Zealand National Basketball League, Sports Entertainment Group (SEN) says it intends to transfer ownership of the Nuggets and Hoiho "into the hands of a passionate collective of local Dunedin community supporters". It did not go further into the ownership structure or who was behind the passionate collective. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of next month. SEN's Australian sponsorship team will continue to support both teams through to September 2028, the statement said. General manager of the Nuggets and Hoiho Angela Ruske said it was "incredibly good news for basketball in Otago". "The Nuggets and Hoiho are more than just teams — they bring our community together through high-energy entertainment, inspire our youth, and create meaningful pathways for local players, coaches, and officials. They also contribute economically by drawing supporters and teams from around the country to Dunedin. "SEN has done a very good job in laying the foundation, and there's a real sense of passion and purpose to build on that legacy and take both teams to new heights. "Having local ownership brings a deeper connection and commitment to our region," she said. In the statement, SEN chief executive Craig Hutchison said his organisation was pleased to be able to provide some certainty for the clubs' players, staff, stakeholders and fans. "We flagged that our aim was to sell the teams to leaders motivated to maintain and grow them within the Otago region — a region that loves its basketball and takes great pride in its national teams, backed by an amazing and passionate fan base. "We believe both clubs are in the perfect hands, with strong local support and a deep understanding of what these teams mean to the community." Transfer of the ownership is subject to approval by the NBL's commission. — APL
Scoop
4 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
New Era For Otago Nuggets, Southern Hoiho, Driven By Local Leadership
Sports Entertainment Group (operating as Sports Entertainment Network - SEN) is pleased to announce it has signed a Term Sheet to transfer ownership of the Otago Nuggets and Southern Hoiho to the hands of a passionate collective of local Dunedin community supporters. The transaction is expected to be completed by 31 July 2025, with SEN's Australian sponsorship sales team continuing to support both teams through to September 2028. This move marks a major milestone for basketball in the South, with the teams now backed by those who know and love the region best. Rooted in community values, the new leadership brings a strong commitment to local engagement, long-term sustainability, and continued success on the national stage. Craig Hutchison, CEO of SEN, said his organisation was pleased to be able to provide some certainty to the future of the clubs for their players, staff, stakeholders and fans. 'We are delighted to hand over the long-term future of the Otago Nuggets and Southern Hoiho to a locally-led group who are the perfect point guards for the continued success of both teams. 'We flagged that our aim was to sell the teams to leaders motivated to maintain and grow them within the Otago region—a region that loves its basketball and takes great pride in its national teams, backed by an amazing and passionate fan base. 'We believe both clubs are in the perfect hands, with strong local support and a deep understanding of what these teams mean to the community. 'As owners, we were proud to share in many successes in Dunedin, including the 2022 New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL) Championship for the Nuggets. 'We are excited to continue supporting both clubs as the sponsorship agency for the Australian region and look forward to cheering on the Hoiho and Nuggets as they move into a whole new era.' With the pride of Otago behind them, both the Nuggets and Hoiho are poised to grow stronger than ever, inspiring the next generation of basketball talent and continuing to unite fans across the region. Current General Manager of the Nuggets and Hoiho, Angela Ruske, said she was buoyed by the news the teams would be remaining at home in Dunedin. 'This is incredibly good news for basketball in Otago. The Nuggets and Hoiho are more than just teams - they bring our community together through high-energy entertainment, inspire our youth, and create meaningful pathways for local players, coaches and officials. They also contribute economically by drawing supporters and teams from around the country to Dunedin. 'SEN has done a very good job in laying the foundation, and there's a real sense of passion and purpose to build on that legacy and take both teams to new heights. Having local ownership brings a deeper connection and commitment to our region, and I'm really looking forward to what the future holds.' Maree Taylor, Basketball New Zealand 's General Manager of Leagues, overseeing the Sal's NBL, G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi and Sky Broadband Rapid League competitions, also welcomed the transition. 'We fully support the transfer of the Otago Nuggets and Southern Hoiho to local leadership. Community-based ownership is a vital part of each League's success, and we're confident that the new owners will bring renewed energy and long-term stability to both franchises. 'We thank SEN for their significant contribution to the growth of basketball in the South Island, and look forward to continuing with the momentum with the new team behind the clubs.' The transfer of license is now subject to approval by the NBL Commission at an upcoming scheduled Commission meeting.
Otago Daily Times
23-04-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Concern swells over 'horrendous' flight costs
The women's basketball team representing the South was "probably lucky" not to make last year's final because it would have struggled to pay the costly airfares to get to the game, the general manager says. Dire accounts of prohibitive airfares continue to flood in from Otago Daily Times readers, including long-distance couples facing costs of more than $1000 to see each other, leaving some considering a cheaper reunion in Australia instead. Concern high Air NZ fares cutting off South Calls are growing for the government, a majority shareholder in national carrier Air New Zealand, to address "extortionate" airfares, following Tauranga man Scott Koster's complaint to the Commerce Commission about the airline. Otago Nuggets and Southern Hoiho general manager Angela Ruske said the Hoiho's flights for the 2025 season had been booked since mid-2024, but the fare increases were evident if flights were changed or cancelled. "With the Hoiho, for example, if we had made a finals playoff, the cost per-person, one-way to get to Auckland was $550," she said. "Multiply that both ways by 15-plus people, it was probably lucky or fortunate that we didn't have to spend that cost, because that's well over what we'd normally expect to pay for flights." She was most concerned about flight costs for next season — and changes to the team's programme, such as travelling on game day, may be needed. Regional Development Minister Shane Jones said he had been "overwhelmed" with calls from people concerned costly and unreliable flights were disconnecting regional New Zealand from the rest of the country. He said he would be taking the matter to State Owned Enterprises Minister Simeon Brown and Finance Minister Nicola Willis as the government had bailed out the airline during the pandemic. "Air New Zealand has a great deal of equity in its brand ... but losing the confidence of garden-variety Kiwis is a deep and troubling contradiction." Taieri MP Ingrid Leary said "horrendous" airfares were marginalising people and crippling businesses in the lower South Island and the government needed to issue a "please explain" to the airline. "This is the ideal scenario for a newly minted Minister for the South Island to show his chops and how much influence he has and get it sorted." Dunedin MP Rachel Brooking said she had heard "outrageous examples" of people paying "extortionate" prices to travel to and from Dunedin. "The government, as a shareholder, should be able to give some direction to Air New Zealand to provide affordable flights to southern regions." Chief executive of industry group NZ Airports Association Billie Moore said a market study on the aviation sector was needed to address Air New Zealand's monopoly. "[The sector is] less competitive than groceries and banks that the government spend a lot of energy on," she said. "It's time to focus on the biggest monopoly in New Zealand, and that is, sadly, the national carrier." Air New Zealand had no competition on 80% of its domestic routes, which stunted growth and innovation seen in markets around the world, she said. "We're 1.5 million [available seats in the domestic network] down from where we were in 2019. "Usually airline markets grow, and capacity grows, and the fact that it's declined that much tells us there's something seriously wrong with the health of the network." Support for smaller airlines, investment in another large competitor and collection and analysis of aviation performance data by the government could restore competition to the market, she said. Air New Zealand chief commercial officer Jeremy O'Brien said significant operating costs, such as fuel and labour, were reflected in airfares. A supply and demand-based pricing system meant booking flights early was the best way to find cheaper fares, he said. A spokesman for Mr Brown said the minister was not a shareholding minister of Air New Zealand while Mrs Willis was unable to answer the ODT 's questions by deadline.
Otago Daily Times
23-04-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Concern swells over costly flights
The women's basketball team representing the South was "probably lucky" not to make last year's final because it would have struggled to pay the costly airfares to get to the game, the general manager says. Dire accounts of prohibitive airfares continue to flood in from Otago Daily Times readers, including long-distance couples facing costs of more than $1000 to see each other, leaving some considering a cheaper reunion in Australia instead. Calls are growing for the government, a majority shareholder in national carrier Air New Zealand, to address "extortionate" airfares, following Tauranga man Scott Koster's complaint to the Commerce Commission about the airline. Otago Nuggets and Southern Hoiho general manager Angela Ruske said the Hoiho's flights for the 2025 season had been booked since mid-2024, but the fare increases were evident if flights were changed or cancelled. "With the Hoiho, for example, if we had made a finals playoff, the cost per-person, one-way to get to Auckland was $550," she said. "Multiply that both ways by 15-plus people, it was probably lucky or fortunate that we didn't have to spend that cost, because that's well over what we'd normally expect to pay for flights." She was most concerned about flight costs for next season — and changes to the team's programme, such as travelling on game day, may be needed. Regional Development Minister Shane Jones said he had been "overwhelmed" with calls from people concerned costly and unreliable flights were disconnecting regional New Zealand from the rest of the country. He said he would be taking the matter to State Owned Enterprises Minister Simeon Brown and Finance Minister Nicola Willis as the government had bailed out the airline during the pandemic. "Air New Zealand has a great deal of equity in its brand ... but losing the confidence of garden-variety Kiwis is a deep and troubling contradiction." Taieri MP Ingrid Leary said "horrendous" airfares were marginalising people and crippling businesses in the lower South Island and the government needed to issue a "please explain" to the airline. "This is the ideal scenario for a newly minted Minister for the South Island to show his chops and how much influence he has and get it sorted." Dunedin MP Rachel Brooking said she had heard "outrageous examples" of people paying "extortionate" prices to travel to and from Dunedin. "The government, as a shareholder, should be able to give some direction to Air New Zealand to provide affordable flights to southern regions." Chief executive of industry group NZ Airports Association Billie Moore said a market study on the aviation sector was needed to address Air New Zealand's monopoly. "[The sector is] less competitive than groceries and banks that the government spend a lot of energy on," she said. "It's time to focus on the biggest monopoly in New Zealand, and that is, sadly, the national carrier." Air New Zealand had no competition on 80% of its domestic routes, which stunted growth and innovation seen in markets around the world, she said. "We're 1.5 million [available seats in the domestic network] down from where we were in 2019. "Usually airline markets grow, and capacity grows, and the fact that it's declined that much tells us there's something seriously wrong with the health of the network." Support for smaller airlines, investment in another large competitor and collection and analysis of aviation performance data by the government could restore competition to the market, she said. Air New Zealand chief commercial officer Jeremy O'Brien said significant operating costs, such as fuel and labour, were reflected in airfares. A supply and demand-based pricing system meant booking flights early was the best way to find cheaper fares, he said. A spokesman for Mr Brown said the minister was not a shareholding minister of Air New Zealand while Mrs Willis was unable to answer the ODT 's questions by deadline.
