Latest news with #Callum
Scoop
4 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Resilience Fund Wraps Up After Supporting Over 360 Hawke's Bay Businesses
Press Release – Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce The fund expanded on the existing RBP services to help businesses hit by Cyclone Gabrielle, connecting them with training providers for targeted support focused on well-being, financial planning and long-term business resilience. A special 18-month fund supporting Hawke's Bay businesses wraps up this month, with over 360 local businesses having accessed tailored support, training, and resources through the Regional Business Partner (RBP) programme. The Resilience Fund – originally launched as the Hawke's Bay Cyclone Recovery Fund – was secured and delivered by the Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce. The fund expanded on the existing RBP services to help businesses hit by Cyclone Gabrielle, connecting them with training providers for targeted support focused on well-being, financial planning and long-term business resilience. By working with many local training providers, the programme helped strengthen regional networks and ensured the benefits of the funding remained within Hawke's Bay. Callum Ross founder of RossAi utilised the resilience fund for training in areas of strategy and planning. He explained 'The training gave us practical insights into building operational resilience and highlighted key areas to strengthen around governance, communications, and technology' Callum added 'It helped us better align our services with the recovery needs of local businesses and councils…the training also connected us with a wider network of support agencies and mentors, which has been invaluable as we scale our response and build future-ready solutions.' Training demand was especially high in areas such as marketing and business planning, with businesses from Waipukurau through to Wairoa making use of the fund. 'We worked hard to secure this funding as we know how hard the region was hit after the cyclone, and we wanted to support our local business community as much as possible. This funding has made a real difference for small businesses across the region,' said Karla Lee, CEO of the Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce. 'We've really valued working alongside business owners- connecting them with training and advice that's helped them recover, build resilience, and grow.' The Chamber continues to be the region's delivery partner for the Regional Business Partner (RBP) network. In this role, the Chamber supports small and medium-sized businesses by providing access to government-funded resources, expert advice, and capability development services. Small business owners are encouraged to register for support and explore the original and ongoing available funding opportunities (eligibility criteria apply). Learn more at
Scoop
4 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Resilience Fund Wraps Up After Supporting Over 360 Hawke's Bay Businesses
Press Release – Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce The fund expanded on the existing RBP services to help businesses hit by Cyclone Gabrielle, connecting them with training providers for targeted support focused on well-being, financial planning and long-term business resilience. A special 18-month fund supporting Hawke's Bay businesses wraps up this month, with over 360 local businesses having accessed tailored support, training, and resources through the Regional Business Partner (RBP) programme. The Resilience Fund – originally launched as the Hawke's Bay Cyclone Recovery Fund – was secured and delivered by the Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce. The fund expanded on the existing RBP services to help businesses hit by Cyclone Gabrielle, connecting them with training providers for targeted support focused on well-being, financial planning and long-term business resilience. By working with many local training providers, the programme helped strengthen regional networks and ensured the benefits of the funding remained within Hawke's Bay. Callum Ross founder of RossAi utilised the resilience fund for training in areas of strategy and planning. He explained 'The training gave us practical insights into building operational resilience and highlighted key areas to strengthen around governance, communications, and technology' Callum added 'It helped us better align our services with the recovery needs of local businesses and councils…the training also connected us with a wider network of support agencies and mentors, which has been invaluable as we scale our response and build future-ready solutions.' Training demand was especially high in areas such as marketing and business planning, with businesses from Waipukurau through to Wairoa making use of the fund. 'We worked hard to secure this funding as we know how hard the region was hit after the cyclone, and we wanted to support our local business community as much as possible. This funding has made a real difference for small businesses across the region,' said Karla Lee, CEO of the Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce. 'We've really valued working alongside business owners- connecting them with training and advice that's helped them recover, build resilience, and grow.' The Chamber continues to be the region's delivery partner for the Regional Business Partner (RBP) network. In this role, the Chamber supports small and medium-sized businesses by providing access to government-funded resources, expert advice, and capability development services. Small business owners are encouraged to register for support and explore the original and ongoing available funding opportunities (eligibility criteria apply). Learn more at
Scoop
4 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Resilience Fund Wraps Up After Supporting Over 360 Hawke's Bay Businesses
A special 18-month fund supporting Hawke's Bay businesses wraps up this month, with over 360 local businesses having accessed tailored support, training, and resources through the Regional Business Partner (RBP) programme. The Resilience Fund - originally launched as the Hawke's Bay Cyclone Recovery Fund - was secured and delivered by the Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce. The fund expanded on the existing RBP services to help businesses hit by Cyclone Gabrielle, connecting them with training providers for targeted support focused on well-being, financial planning and long-term business resilience. By working with many local training providers, the programme helped strengthen regional networks and ensured the benefits of the funding remained within Hawke's Bay. Callum Ross founder of RossAi utilised the resilience fund for training in areas of strategy and planning. He explained 'The training gave us practical insights into building operational resilience and highlighted key areas to strengthen around governance, communications, and technology' Callum added 'It helped us better align our services with the recovery needs of local businesses and councils…the training also connected us with a wider network of support agencies and mentors, which has been invaluable as we scale our response and build future-ready solutions.' Training demand was especially high in areas such as marketing and business planning, with businesses from Waipukurau through to Wairoa making use of the fund. 'We worked hard to secure this funding as we know how hard the region was hit after the cyclone, and we wanted to support our local business community as much as possible. This funding has made a real difference for small businesses across the region,' said Karla Lee, CEO of the Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce. 'We've really valued working alongside business owners- connecting them with training and advice that's helped them recover, build resilience, and grow.' The Chamber continues to be the region's delivery partner for the Regional Business Partner (RBP) network. In this role, the Chamber supports small and medium-sized businesses by providing access to government-funded resources, expert advice, and capability development services. Small business owners are encouraged to register for support and explore the original and ongoing available funding opportunities (eligibility criteria apply). Learn more at
Buzz Feed
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Uli Latukefu Interview — Voices Of The Pacific
BuzzFeed: Many American fans were introduced to you when you played the young adult Dwayne Johnson in Young Rock. What was it like portraying a character inspired by the life of a real person we all know and love? In a previous interview, you revealed that you didn't actually meet Dwayne in person until the set of Black Adam, which surprised me. Can you share what that was like? Did anything surprise you about how he was in person versus over Zoom? How do you balance staying true to your heritage while participating in an industry often dominated by non-Pacific Islander narratives? And is there a moment in your career where you felt especially empowered and proud of your Tongan identity? What can you tell us about your role as Lucas Finau in Prime Video's upcoming crime drama, Countdown? You played Callum in the Nicole Kidman-produced Australian show, The Last Anniversary, based on the book by Liane Moriarty. It felt different from some of your more physical roles since the show is a family drama mystery, and I loved seeing another side of you! How did it feel stepping into this genre and portraying Callum, whose focus is as a father and husband? For Pacific Islanders, there are so many aspects of our cultures that we hold close to our hearts, from our foods to our dances to our tattoos. What's your favorite part of your culture? Do you have a favorite Tongan food? You played Nicky Salapu in Next Goal Wins, a rare Hollywood film with a predominantly Pacific Islander cast, including legends like Oscar Kightley and Rachel House. What did you take away from that experience? Do you have any favorite behind-the-scenes memories with Taika? If you could work with any Pacific Islander, who would it be and why? You've been open about not speaking Tongan when you were young, which made it harder to connect with your community and culture. Though I believe you later learned the language, this is a common struggle for many Pacific Islanders across the diaspora, whether in the US, Australia, NZ, or anywhere else. What would say to anyone who doesn't speak their mother tongue and feels a bit disconnected? What would your dream role be? What advice do you have for young Pacific Islander creatives? Finally, what does being Pacific Islander mean to you? Thank you for chatting with us, Uli! Be sure to keep up with Uli here.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Surfers Murdered in Mexico Honored with Statue
In a tragedy that shook the surf world and beyond, last April, Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson, along with American Jack Carter Rhoad, were murdered in a carjacking gone wrong while on a surf trip in Baja, Mexico. The loss was devastating, and every new detail that emerged from what was supposed to be a 'trip of a lifetime' painted a darker, more sinister picture. But now, the trio of travelers gone too soon are being honored with a statue, which will be unveiled at the site where they were killed on Wednesday, according to CBS news. And marking a year since the tragedy, the parents of Jake and Callum are remembering the positive impact their sons had on those around them. See the touching tribute from the parents below on the one-year anniversary. Speaking about the overflow of support and messages they've received since the tragedy, the boys' mother, Debra Robinson, said: 'I think that's the only thing that's really kept us going. It seems to grow. We're very grateful for that; we're grateful that so many people have contacted us, and helped us. I didn't realize, but Callum and Jake surrounded themselves with really good people. There's a lot of good people out there, and we're starting to meet them, and they're beginning to meet each other. There's so many crazy connections. It's helped us immensely; it's kept us afloat.' Callum (33), Jake (30), and Jack (30) were traveling, camping, and surfing in Baja when reportedly, upon an attempted carjacking, they fought back. As a result, they were each shot in the head, and their bodies were dumped in a well, nearby to where they were killed in suspects have been arrested in the investigation. An indictment hearing is expected soon, with charges including aggravated homicide. Following the tragedy, northern Baja surfers banded together to stand with the deceased, and to call for improved safety measures along their coastline. Local surfer and protestor Beatriz Ibarra said: 'This horror story happened to some good people, who in their short stay on the beaches of Ensenada left among those of us who had the opportunity to talk with them a great pleasure of meeting people from another world, admired by our country, wanting to listen to traditional music, eat tacos and surf. Today it was them, yesterday it was others, tomorrow we don't want it to be us. We will continue fighting for a Baja California with decent and safe access and space to all beaches.'Surfers Murdered in Mexico Honored with Statue first appeared on Surfer on May 28, 2025
