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Otago Daily Times
02-07-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Otago lolly firm chews over Jaffa alternative
Oamaru-based sweets-maker Rainbow Confectionery has said it would consider launching its own alternative to Jaffas as "we believe the Kiwi customers deserve quality New Zealand-made confectionery". PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH It may not be the end of the Jaffa after all. An Otago confectionery company has not ruled out creating its own alternative to the beloved orange treat it has dubbed an "iconic Kiwi favourite". RJ's Confectionery announced on Tuesday the sweet was being discontinued indefinitely, citing declining sales. Rainbow Confectionery general manager Brent Baillie said they were sad to see the "iconic" product taken away from New Zealand consumers. "Jaffas are as much of a cultural symbol to New Zealand confectionery lovers as Snifters were and their supporters will be left feeling a bit put out." It was a sign of the times, as excessive manufacturing costs had "severely impacted" the options to produce products that were not sold on volume. "This is just another example in a long line of departed iconic Kiwi favourites." Brent Baillie. Photo: file But when asked if the Oamaru-based sweets-maker would consider launching its own alternative to Jaffas, Mr Baillie said: "Yes, definitely, as we believe the Kiwi customers deserve quality New Zealand-made confectionery". There was no "real alternative" to the product on the market, he said. Jaffas were originally produced by Australia's James Stedman-Henderson's Sweets Ltd, in 1931. In 2018, Levin-based RJ's Confectionery announced the signing of a deal with Mondelez International to take over the manufacturing and production of the sweet. That followed the closure of Mondelez's Dunedin factory months earlier, which produced its New Zealand Cadbury's products. The city's annual Jaffas race down Baldwin St was last held in 2017.
Scoop
02-07-2025
- General
- Scoop
New Exhibition At Whanganui Regional Museum Celebrates Sacred Architecture
Whanganui Regional Museum is proud to announce the opening of Our Places of Worship, a captivating photographic journey through the diverse churches and places of worship that have shaped the wider Whanganui region. The exhibition combines print and digital photography captured in 2024. The exhibition is the result of a major collaborative effort between the Whanganui Camera Club and the Whanganui Regional Heritage Trust. Featuring the work of 24 talented club photographers, the project documents 70 sites of architectural significance, with over 2,000 digital images. The images have been archived in the Alexander Heritage & Research Library/Te Rerenga mai o te Kāuru. Of these, 40 carefully selected prints are on display, alongside a digital display of around 200 images. The original print exhibition unveiled last year at Whanganui Arts Centre was curated by Andrew Clifford (Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery), Bruce Dickson and Denis McGowan (local architects and members of the Whanganui Regional Heritage Trust), and Beverley Sinclair and John Smart from the Whanganui Camera Club. The current presentation at the Museum has been curated by Maeve Egan, Kaihāpai Taonga/Curator at the Whanganui Regional Museum. 'This exhibition honours not just the buildings, but the stories and communities behind them,' says Egan. 'It's an evocative tribute to the region's spiritual heritage, captured through the eyes of passionate local photographers. We're thrilled to offer visitors a chance to experience these spaces in a new light.' Our Places of Worship is now open daily from 10am to 4.30pm until September 16, at the Whanganui Regional Museum, located in Pukenamu Queens Park on Watt Street. Entry is free, with koha (donations) gratefully accepted to support the Museum's work. Exhibition details Our Places of Worship Open daily 10am-4.30pm at Whanganui Regional Museum, Pukenamu Queens Park, Watt Street, Whanganui. Admission is free. Founded in 1892, the Whanganui Regional Museum is internationally renowned for its Taonga Māori Collection. Located in Pukenamu Queen's Park, visitors can view the exceptional creations of tupuna (ancestors) of Whanganui tangata whenua (indigenous people) alongside a changing exhibition programme encompassing a world-class collection of natural and human history, with a regional emphasis. The ground level boutique museum store sells a range of local and Māori jewellery, books, cards, art, and other New Zealand-made gift items. The Whanganui Regional Museum Trust is an independent legal entity that owns the collection and governs the development of the Museum on behalf of the Whanganui community. Open to visitors daily from 10.00am to 4.30pm (except Christmas Day and Good Friday), entry to Whanganui Regional Museum is free.
Otago Daily Times
02-07-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Confectionery company may launch alternative to ‘iconic' Jaffa
Oamaru-based sweets-maker Rainbow Confectionery has said it would consider launching its own alternative to Jaffas as "we believe the Kiwi customers deserve quality New Zealand-made confectionery". PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH It may not be the end of the Jaffa after all. An Otago confectionery company has not ruled out creating its own alternative to the beloved orange treat it has dubbed an "iconic Kiwi favourite". RJ's Confectionery announced on Tuesday the sweet was being discontinued indefinitely, citing declining sales. Rainbow Confectionery general manager Brent Baillie said they were sad to see the "iconic" product taken away from New Zealand consumers. "Jaffas are as much of a cultural symbol to New Zealand confectionery lovers as Snifters were and their supporters will be left feeling a bit put out." It was a sign of the times, as excessive manufacturing costs had "severely impacted" the options to produce products that were not sold on volume. "This is just another example in a long line of departed iconic Kiwi favourites." Brent Baillie. Photo: file But when asked if the Oamaru-based sweets-maker would consider launching its own alternative to Jaffas, Mr Baillie said: "Yes, definitely, as we believe the Kiwi customers deserve quality New Zealand-made confectionery". There was no "real alternative" to the product on the market, he said. Jaffas were originally produced by Australia's James Stedman-Henderson's Sweets Ltd, in 1931. In 2018, Levin-based RJ's Confectionery announced the signing of a deal with Mondelez International to take over the manufacturing and production of the sweet. That followed the closure of Mondelez's Dunedin factory months earlier, which produced its New Zealand Cadbury's products. The city's annual Jaffas race down Baldwin St was last held in 2017.
Scoop
15-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Bremworth Awarded Contract For Supply Of Wool Carpet To Kainga Ora
A decision by Kāinga Ora to award a two-million-dollar contract for the supply of wool carpet in some of its new builds and renovations is being hailed as a breakthrough for NZ's natural fibre sector by industry experts. The selection of locally owned manufacturer Bremworth as a supplier of wool carpet for Kāinga Ora's newly constructed and renovated homes will see wool carpet installed in around 900 planned state housing projects annually for the duration of the three-year contract. Bremworth CEO Craig Woolford says the win has far-reaching implications for both public sector procurement, the rural community and the broader property development industry. 'This isn't just a commercial contract, it's a signal to the entire construction sector that wool carpet meets the durability, safety and sustainability standards expected of any high-traffic housing environment. Government agencies like Kāinga Ora are seen as setting the benchmark for the wider industry,' says Woolford. 'Wool has now passed one of the most stringent testing processes in the country. It's proof that when put on a level playing field, New Zealand-made natural fibres can not only compete, but they can also win.' 'The fact this contract has been awarded is the result of years of effort to ensure wool had a seat at the table,' Woolford says. 'The inclusion of wool is a win for New Zealand's farmers and future tenants of these homes.' 'Beyond the public housing win, we're now expecting to be invited to present wool carpet solutions to property developers and construction firms involved in Kāinga Ora builds, and those working on private developments. It is expected that this project will give us access to projects that had previously defaulted to synthetic solutions. Woolford says that while the production volumes for the Kāinga Ora contract represent a relatively small portion of Bremworth's total capacity, the strategic value is enormous. 'To produce the annual wool carpet requirement for the Kāinga Ora contract you're looking at approximately 95 tonnes of wool, the annual fleece of circa 25,000 New Zealand sheep. It's a demonstration of the potential scale of opportunity for our wool sector.' 'It also opens the door for broader adoption in schools, commercial fit-outs and private homes.' He says wool's natural properties, including its flame resistance, air purification capabilities, thermal and acoustic insulation and biodegradability make it uniquely suited to New Zealand's sustainability goals. 'Kāinga Ora's new state homes are built to the latest standards, designed to deliver warmth, comfort and health outcomes for some of New Zealand's most vulnerable residents, and flooring choices like wool carpet help play a role in achieving that.' 'This is an important milestone, but also just the beginning of a much bigger conversation about the role of New Zealand wool in our built environment.
The Sun
13-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
Perak PMR 2025: APM's Sealegs boat ride offers unique experience at Lumut Waterfront
LUMUT: Set against the scenic backdrop of the sea, the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) is offering a unique and interactive experience to visitors of the Perak MADANI Rakyat Programme (PMR) 2025 at the Lumut Waterfront. Departing from the usual static displays, this edition of PMR gives the public a chance to ride in APM's Sealegs amphibious boat - a high-tech New Zealand-made asset capable of operating on both land and water. Bagan Datuk District APM Officer Capt (PA) Mohd Fazly Mohamad Zawawi said visitors only need to take part in a quiz at the APM booth to receive a coupon for the boat ride. 'We're offering visitors the chance to board the boat from the Lumut public jetty, cruise along the Lumut Waterfront and return to the jetty,' he told Bernama. Apart from the ride, visitors will also be briefed on the functions of the 7.1-metre tactical vehicle, which was specially mobilised from the Perak APM's disaster asset fleet. Mohd Fazly said the Perak APM currently maintains two units of the Sealegs boat, which are mobilised during disasters such as floods. The boats have previously been sent to the East Coast and Johor to assist in flood relief operations. Bernama journalists had the opportunity to take a 20-minute ride on the vessel, cruising along the Lumut Waterfront and catching a glimpse of Royal Malaysian Navy combat vessels and Littoral Combat Ships anchored nearby. Visitors can also try out rescue tools such as the power cutter, used to slice through concrete and metal during actual emergency operations. 'A total of 90 APM personnel are involved in this programme, including members of the Rapid Response Team (PASPA) from our headquarters. We've also brought in the Alpha Band from Bangi to perform busker-style entertainment,' he added. Other attractions at the APM exhibition include safety education sessions featuring exotic animals such as snakes, brought in from the APM training centre. The Perak PMR 2025 runs from 9 am to 10 pm on Friday and Saturday, while on Sunday, the event concludes at 6 pm. Government service booths are open from 9 am to 6 pm daily. With the theme 'Pendidikan Tinggi, Pemacu Negara MADANI', the programme features over 200 services including knowledge-sharing sessions, exhibitions, health checks, advisory services, and various activities for all levels of society.
