Latest news with #Tauranga-based
NZ Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
‘No regrets' for Rotorua Retiree
A 600m move brought Lesley new friends, fun and peace of mind. Despite moving just 'around the corner' from her family home, Lesley Evanson reckons it is one of the biggest – and best – steps she's taken in her life. After selling her family home, the 73-year-old shifted three months ago into a brand-new unit in the recently completed 87-unit Karaka Pines Regency Park Estate in Rotorua. 'I haven't gone far,' she says. 'My home was literally 600m from the village and I've lived in the area for 40 years. I've no regrets. Everyone here is so friendly and it has a nice vibe. I don't even think about my old house now.' Regency Park Estate is owned and operated by Tauranga-based Karaka Pines Villages and is one of eight retirement villages the company runs throughout New Zealand. With 59 units occupied when Karaka Pines purchased the complex in 2019, a further 28 have since been constructed, with the final one completed in February this year. One of the advantages for people moving into Karaka Pines Villages like Regency Park Estate is that they get to retain capital gains, unlike the situation at most other retirement communities in New Zealand, where it is kept by village operators. Karaka Pines CEO Adam Yates says this financial model is a fair one for residents and can make the difference of hundreds of thousands of dollars in their pockets. The last unit to be constructed at Regency Park Estate was the one snapped up by Evanson, and already she says it feels like home. 'It's got two bedrooms, a joint bathroom (between the bedrooms), a visitor toilet and a huge kitchen, living area and patio. I love it,' she says. 'I had watched the village being built and a few years ago I took an aunt to have a look at it. Then I had some of my friends move in here which started me thinking 'oh, maybe it's time for me too'. 'Since I've been here, I've had other residents knock on my door and introduce themselves, it's been really nice. The staff and managers are lovely and keep us informed about what's going on.' While Evanson enjoys plenty outside the village – including aqua jogging, knitting, crochet and quilting – she's kept just as busy within Regency Park Estate. 'There is always something to do,' she says. 'A lot of activities are organised for us. We had a Mother's Day night and I believe they are arranging something for the King's Birthday weekend in June.' Evanson, who lives alone, was just six when she emigrated to New Zealand from England with her parents. Before settling in Rotorua, she lived in many areas of the country including Northland, Lower Hutt, Christchurch and Auckland. She retired four years ago from her job in the information systems department at Rotorua Hospital, a position she held for 33 years. Another plus for Evanson is that she still sees her five grandchildren regularly. Ranging in age from 3 to 23, they all live nearby apart from her 23-year-old granddaughter who is away studying in Hamilton. 'One of my granddaughters goes to high school not far from Regency Park Estate and she often pops in to see me on her way home.' Yates describes Regency Park Estate as a boutique lifestyle retirement village set in 'beautiful' landscaped grounds. It is close to the Redwoods Forest Park and is a short drive from the Green and Blue lakes, Lake Tarawera and Lake Rotorua. 'Everything people need to live a satisfying and easy-going retirement is close at hand as well,' he says. 'The Te Ngae shopping centre is just across the road and a bus stop is right outside the village.' Yates says construction on the first home in the new development started in July 2021 (progress had earlier been held up amid the Covid-19 pandemic) with the first resident moving in in December 2021. 'In the time we have owned Regency Park Estate we have renovated the resident community centre, introduced a weekly fee that's fixed for 15 years, and had the pleasure of watching residents thrive.' He says homes come up for sale in the village from time to time. Before being put on the market, they are refurbished to near new condition with modern kitchens and bathrooms. Apart from Regency Park Estate, Karaka Pines operate Roseland Park in Hamilton, Kempton Park in Tauranga, Karaka Lifestyle Estate in Auckland, Karaka Pines Rototuna in Hamilton, Woodcroft Estate in Christchurch, Karaka Pines Waihī Beach and Karaka Pines Pāpāmoa.
NZ Herald
7 days ago
- NZ Herald
Whakatāne homicide: Women accused of killing 8-year-old Rickah'Shae Keefe-Haerewa face additional charges
She's now also charged with ill-treatment of a child and two charges of assault with a weapon, which she denies. The charge notice alleges she used a cord, and a pole or stick, as weapons. Timu faces six charges relating to Rickah'Shae – including manslaughter and two charges of assaulting a child, which she previously pleaded not guilty to. Pauline Timu (left) and Maya Hati, pictured at earlier appearances, face charges of violence, and the ill-treatment of a child. Composite image / Hannah Bartlett She's now also charged with ill-treatment of a child, and two charges of assault with a weapon, which she denies. She too is alleged to have used a cord, and a pole or stick, as weapons. Hati now faces three charges related to a further child, added to the same charge notice as the Rickah'Shae charges. They are assault of a child, assault with a weapon, and ill-treatment of a child. Timu also faces the same three charges, against the same child. An investigation into Rickah'Shae's death began after police were called to Whakatāne Hospital in November last year, after the child died following an alleged assault. A scene examination was carried out at a property in the small town of Te Teko. Rickah'Shae Keefe-Haerewa, also known as Joppy. Hati was charged first over Rickah'Shae's death, with Timu's charges following. Family members posted tributes to the young boy, who also went by the nickname Joppy, online. 'Mummy and Daddy love you. Forever 8 my son.' At earlier court appearances, supporters of Rickah'Shae wore 'Forever 8″ hoodies and T-shirts to the proceedings. At Hati's previous appearance in Tauranga, emotions ran high for both families; as Hati's family expressed their love and support for her as she left the dock, a single voice from the boy's family was heard to allege, 'You killed my baby'. Supporters for Hati, Timu and Rickah'Shae, were present in court on Wednesday. Hannah Bartlett is a Tauranga-based Open Justice reporter at NZME. She previously covered court and local government for the Nelson Mail, and before that was a radio reporter at Newstalk ZB.
NZ Herald
23-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
On The Up: Drone-maker Syos Aerospace wins top honour at NZ Hi-Tech Awards
Founded in 2021, the company develops and manufactures heavy-lifting drones and autonomous boats and ground vehicles. It recently signed a $66.8 million supply contract with the British Defence Force to supply drones for Ukraine. The Syos team comprises more than 50 industry-leading engineers, with research and development operations in Mount Maunganui and a production site in Britain. Judges said Syos showed a company could build 'big things' in small, pleasant places. 'The company sells its products to government and commercial customers for security, border patrol, surveillance, disaster response, delivery logistics support, agriculture, and environmental monitoring. 'They have made the 'jump' overseas that is critical to getting Kiwi companies to global scale.' More than 80 local and international judges contributed to deciding the awards. Syos Aerospace chief executive Samuel Vye told the Bay of Plenty Times before the awards that what set Syos apart was how quickly it had grown. Until only a couple of months ago, it had 'flown under the radar', relentlessly focused on 'rapid development'. 'Our reputation has been built on customer delivery and growth. We are pushing hard, growing hard, and we're setting up production here in the Bay of Plenty.' Vye said Syos had its sights set 'pretty high' as to how big it could grow. 'We really are focusing on growing New Zealand in the tech space and trying to put New Zealand out there as a technology country. 'Our relentless growth isn't pausing,' he said. Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale congratulated all the Tauranga-based winners and finalists. Drysdale said Tauranga was being increasingly recognised not just for its lifestyle, but as a serious contender on the national stage where businesses could scale globally from a regional base. Advertise with NZME. 'This is a phenomenal achievement and testament to our region's growing reputation as a hub for innovation and strong influence on New Zealand's tech and innovation landscape.' A company based in Waikato that has worked on significant projects in Tauranga won Māori Company of the Year. Deep Dive Division is a robotic diving company founded in 2018 by Tua and Courtney Karalus. It has worked on everything from salvage and biosecurity to films (including Avatar: The Way of Water) and creating artificial reefs in the Tauranga Harbour. 'It's really cool to pave the way as a Māori Pacific business,' Courtney Karalus said. She said it was important to work with excellence, but also to be inspirational for the future, knowing that anything is possible in their community. 'It's also badass to look after the environment while you're doing it, because everyone loves the water.' Tua Karalus said he just wanted people to 'embrace the water'. 'We're out there, we're doing it, and there's a really bright future in the environmental space.' Best Software finalist Carepatron, which helps medical practices manage appointments in person and online, was highly commended in the Most Innovative Hi-Tech Software Solution section. Tauranga's Jenny Rudd was a finalist in the Inspiring Individual category, but missed out on the win. She founded Dispute Buddy, a software program that supports people with the Family Court process by helping them find and extract texts, emails and messages needed as evidence. Bay of Plenty finalists for Best Manufacturer – wearable lymphatic therapy company Flowpresso and pH-measuring device maker Bluelab – also missed out. New Zealand Hi-Tech Trust chair Marian Johnson said she saw the achievements of the tech sector as something all of Aotearoa could take pride in after the challenging past couple of years. 'We continue to see exceptional growth of both our largest tech companies and burgeoning ecosystem of start-ups,' Johnson said in a statement. 'We're witnessing an industry that is continuing exceptional growth as well as innovation and matching it with the best in the world.' 2025 NZ Hi-Tech Award winners PwC Hi-Tech Company of the Year Syos Aerospace Advertisement Advertise with NZME. Xero Hi-Tech Young Achiever Luke Campbell (co-founder & CEO of VXT) Spark Best Hi-Tech Solution for the Public Good Optimation Consult Recruitment Best Contribution to the NZ Tech Sector Talent RISE Advertisement Advertise with NZME. Datacom Hi-Tech Inspiring Individual Lee Timutimu Aware – an HSO Company Most Innovative Deep Tech Solution Kitea Health Poutama Trust Hi-Tech Kamupene Māori o te Tau – Māori Company of the Year Deep Dive Division Advertisement Advertise with NZME. Tait Communications Flying Kiwi Sir Peter Beck NZX Most Innovative Hi-Tech Creative Technology Solution The Village Goldsmith Duncan Cotterill Most Innovative Hi-Tech Software Solution Winner: Toku Eyes Advertisement Advertise with NZME. Highly Commended: Carepatron Braemac Most Innovative Hi-Tech Manufacturer of the Year The Village Goldsmith Kiwibank Most Innovative Hi-Tech Solution for a More Sustainable Future Cleanery NZTE Most Innovative Hi-Tech Agritech Solution Advertise with NZME. Mindhive Global Punakaiki Hi-Tech Start-up Company of the Year Mindhive Global ASX Hi-Tech Emerging Company of the Year Winner: Projectworks Highly Commended: Calocurb
NZ Herald
23-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Syos wins company of the year at Hi-Tech Awards, Sir Peter Beck named Flying Kiwi
The contract meant Syos' Tauranga-based founder, Samuel Vye, will now fulfil his prediction that revenue would jump from $4m to more than $55m this year. His firm's website says Syos drones have 'proven operational success in conflict zones'. Willis said Syos was 'creating some of the most world-leading drone technology, and they are literally helping fight the conflict in Ukraine - because they do it better than any other country in the world, from Mt Maunganui.' The British deal was announced when Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met his counterpart Sir Keir Starmer in April, when the countries' joint efforts to train Ukrainian forces were on the agenda. Last September, Vye was on an Aerospace New Zealand summit panel covered by the Herald, where a strong theme was that NZ is too squeamish about defence contracts. 'Silicon Valley VCs are happy with defence and dual-use investing. New Zealand is behind, in my opinion. We're still allergic to anything that could be considered used by the Navy or Army or Air Force – whether it's got 1080 on it or it's got guns on it,' Vye said. 'You could say we just make Toyota Hiluxes ... and then the payload goes on it.' Syos drones were also used for agriculture and environmental monitoring. Vye also told the Christchurch summit: 'We couldn't raise from New Zealand VCs because every single group – well, most groups – couldn't invest in dual-use technology because it was against their investment criteria and ESG [environmental, social and governance] policies so hence we went down the high-net-worth individual route.' After Syos' banner 2025, more options are likely to open up. Total immersion Deep Dive Division, a robotic diving company founded in 2018 by Tua and Courtney Karalus, was named Māori Company of the Year. The company is based in the Waikato but has done a significant volume of work in Tauranga, including laying artificial reefs in Tauranga Harbour as part of Cyclone Gabrielle restoration work. Deep Dive Division's founders joked they were 'social housing for crayfish'. It bills itself as NZ's only Māori and Pacific-owned commercial and scientific diving company. Its services range from hull cleans and biosecurity to film production – including work on blockbuster Avatar: The Way of Water. Beefy AI Wellington's Mindhive Global won the start-up and agritech categories. It uses AI to detect 25 types of defects in cowhides within seconds, combining machine learning, image recognition, and industrial hardware in a way that's technically robust and commercially viable, the award judges said. Mindhive has recently landed business in Brazil and Italy, the home of leather. The Most Innovative Tech Solution and Most Innovative Manufacturer gongs were picked up by The Village Goldsmith - which is also disrupting a long-standing industry with its development of a unique platform, developed over 17 years and many lasers, that allows diamonds to float without visible prongs, claws, or clasps. It was an innovation the judges said was recognised globally as the most significant change in diamond solitaire ring design since 1886, leading to a deal with Tiffany & Co. Beck joins 'Flying Kiwi' hall of fame Sir Peter Beck was recognised as the 2025 Flying Kiwi and inducted into the NZ Hi-Tech Hall of Fame. He received the honour for taking his company Rocket Lab from a start-up 20 years ago to the multibillion-dollar company it is today, while at the same time contributing to the development of the Kiwi aerospace industry and personally investing in a slate of homegrown start-ups. Watch Beck's pre-recorded acceptance clip below: The 2025 NZ Hi-Tech Award winners PwC Hi-Tech Company of the Year Xero Hi-Tech Young Achiever Winner: Luke Campbell (co-founder & CEO of VXT) Advertise with NZME. Spark Best Hi-Tech Solution for the Public Good Winner: Optimation Consult Recruitment Best Contribution to the NZ Tech Sector Winner: Talent RISE Datacom Hi-Tech Inspiring Individual Winner: Lee Timutimu Winner: Kitea Health Poutama Trust Hi-Tech Kamupene Māori o te Tau – Māori Company of the Year Tait Communications Flying Kiwi Winner: The Village Goldsmith Advertise with NZME. Duncan Cotterill Most Innovative Hi-Tech Software Solution Winner: Toku Eyes Highly commended: Carepatron Braemac Most Innovative Hi-Tech Manufacturer of the Year Winner: The Village Goldsmith Kiwibank Most Innovative Hi-Tech Solution for a More Sustainable Future Advertise with NZME. Winner: Cleanery Winner: Mindhive Global Punakaiki Hi-Tech Start-up Company of the Year Advertise with NZME. Winner: Mindhive Global ASX Hi-Tech Emerging Company of the Year Winner: Projectworks Highly commended: Calocurb
NZ Herald
19-05-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Mōtītī Island: Divers ‘buzzed' by sharks during launch salvage after 14 rescued
When the Maketū Coastguard rescue vessel Eastpack arrived, the bow was still visible and the stern had hit the seafloor, but the vessel was taking on water quickly. Rob Campbell, Pāpāmoa-based Bay Underwater Services NZ Ltd director, said the company had been engaged by the launch owner's insurer to salvage the vessel, and protect the environment from diesel and oil. Campbell told the Bay of Plenty Times that on Saturday the company's staff began raising the estimated 35 to 40-tonne launch, which was about 8m deep. 'Prior to raising the casualty using about 60 tonnes of air lift bags, the launch's fuel tanks were sealed off to prevent any further diesel leakage and the fuel tanks were found intact.' 'Once the vessel was back on the surface enough, it was tethered and moved to a more sheltered area on the southern side of Mōtītī Island to be worked on further,' he said. Campbell said there was 'major damages' to the stern with several holes and they needed to use patches and plates to make temporary repairs and ensure the vessel was water-tight. 'The bow and stern of the vessel were at the surface allowing the salvage divers to work underneath the hull to shore up the holes.' Campbell said eight salvage divers had been working 24-7 in shifts in windy and choppy conditions during Sunday and were 'buzzed by several sharks' attracted by bait and fish floating out of the stricken vessel. They hoped to tow the vessel to Tauranga by mid-Tuesday. Campbell said there was four tonnes of fuel on board and they needed to cap off the fuel once it was fully floated. He said Sean Kelly, the owner of Tauranga-based Pacific 7 which also provides marine salvage services, helped the salvage operation by skippering one of Bay Underwater Services' salvage boats. Maketu Volunteer Coastguard president Shane Beech said the skipper and passengers did 'all the rights things after getting into difficulties and all those on board were wearing lifejackets'. He said he was waiting to talk to the launch owner again. Beech urged all boaties to check their charts and conditions before heading out on the water and to also seek the Coastguard's advice if heading to unfamiliar places. Tauranga Bridge Marina general manager Tony Arnold said the vessel, which left from Sulphur Point marina, was not owned by any of the marina's berth owners. A Maritime NZ spokesman said the organisation was seeking to better understand what happened. 'This will involve speaking with the owner, and others as might be appropriate.' Mōtītī Island is 21km northeast of Tauranga. The Bay of Plenty Times has attempted to contact the owner of the vessel as well as the rescued passengers.
