Turning manufacturing around
The announcement by McCains of their closure in Hastings and that of Heinz Wattie’s to close three sites around the country has come with a (wait for it) vacuum of comment, suggestions and concern. Neither does it affirm the benefits of having fifty cent cans of vegetables coming into NZ […]
Ecostore: Building world-class sustainable manufacturing from Auckland
Offering environmentally responsible and eco-friendly alternatives to conventional products has been the goal of Ecostore since its foundation in 1993. That purpose is backed by a sophisticated manufacturing operation in Auckland, where ecostore develops, manufactures and packs its home cleaning, personal care and baby products at its own Toitū Net Carbon […]
Exporting in 2026: Sustainability and proof
Exporters are not being asked for their sustainability commitments. They are being asked to prove them. Across global markets, sustainability is becoming a condition of doing business. Not because it is the “right thing to do” (although it is), but because regulators, retailers and procurement teams are building sustainability into […]
Why our car dependence is now a strategic liability
Timothy Welch, Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau The war in Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz have sent oil prices past US$100 a barrel – and Kiwis flocking to fill up. Petrol just hit NZ$3 a litre and some stations have reported running […]
Tech companies are blaming massive layoffs on AI
Uri Gal, Professor in Business Information Systems, University of Sydney In the past few months, a wave of tech corporations have announced significant staff cuts and attributed them to efficiency gains driven by artificial intelligence (AI). Companies such as Atlassian, Block and Amazon have announced they would lay off thousands of employees due to increased […]
Workplace literacy: The hidden lever of performance
Adam Harvey, Business Performance Partner – Manufacturing, The Learning Wave We all know the story: New Zealand productivity lags behind much of the OECD. For years, it’s been in reports, debated at conferences and written in board packs. You feel it when the same issues resurface, rework creeps back […]
In God we trust: All others bring data
David Altena is Head of Growth & Partnerships at SmartSpace.ai & Co-Founder & Host of The Better SMB Podcast. david@altena.solutions Rob Bull is Director of the New Zealand Lean Academy. rob@nzla.nz Edwards Deming’s line has been quoted so often it risks becoming wallpaper. But for New Zealand […]
Uncertainty and opportunity for Kiwi exporters
By EMA Head of Membership and Export, Simon Devoy With the global trading environment shifting rapidly, uncertainty is the new normal for Kiwi exporters. The latest developments around tariffs from the Trump Administration show just how quickly the rules can change, and how vulnerable small, open trading economies like […]
Busy Isn’t Productive: The Hidden Cost of Broken Flow
A practical reset for factories stuck in firefighting, batching and workarounds. By Neil Robinson, a Senior Business Consultant with Argon & Co (Auckland) specialising in productivity improvement, Lean systems and capability building. A Six Sigma Black Belt and experienced facilitator, he helps manufacturing teams make flow visible, stabilise performance […]
Find a Business Partner – DIY or Not ?
Mike Warmington, Director, Platform1 New Zealanders often like to try their hand at projects especially when it comes to DIY jobs around the house. We pride ourselves on having a can-do attitude. This can transcend itself into business when owners are looking at exit planning strategies. It may sound […]
Q & A Stephanie Fry, General Manager, Stratmore
Stratmore is proud to be a 100% New Zealand owned and operated, family business, with over 71 years expertise in building and construction products supply. Stratmore manufactures and distributes premium, high-performance products for construction and repair and provides comprehensive consulting for the New Zealand construction industry. Stratmore is also […]
Power Politics: How high electricity prices are squeezing NZ Manufacturers in an Election Year
By Sean Doherty,Manufacturing Commentator | NZ Industry Trends New Zealand’s electricity market is producing two parallel realities. For the country’s four major generator-retailers, business has never been better. For manufacturers, the same market is steadily destroying the economics of making things in this country. If the balance is not […]
Unlocking productivity: The National Launch of the 35 by 35 Business Performance Programme
New Zealand’s productivity challenge is well documented — but what if lifting performance across small and medium-sized businesses could be systemised, measured, and accelerated at scale? That is the ambition behind 35 by 35, a national business performance movement designed to help New Zealand businesses lift productivity, capability, and resilience by 35 percent by 2035. Taking Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce’s concept, The Better SMB is amplifying 35 by 35 to a national programme. At its core is a simple idea: high performance should not be left to chance, personality, or luck — it should be measurable, repeatable, and accessible. The national launch by The Better SMB of its flagship performance intelligence tool, PerformIQ, marks a significant step toward turning that ambition into action. From aspiration to evidence-based uplift For too long, business support has relied on fragmented advice, disconnected programmes, and anecdotal outcomes. PerformIQ changes that by introducing a shared measurement system — a practical diagnostic that establishes clear baselines across business performance, leadership maturity, and operational foundations. Businesses can finally answer the question: Where are we actually strong — and where are we exposed? More importantly, they can see how they compare to similar businesses and track improvement over time. This shift from opinion to evidence is what unlocks productivity gains. When leaders have clarity, they can prioritise the right actions, invest with confidence, and move faster. A national programme, grounded in regions The rollout of PerformIQ begins with the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, followed by the North West Country Business Association, before expanding nationally through chambers and regional business organisations. This partner‑led model ensures the programme strengthens local ecosystems rather than bypassing them. Businesses are guided toward chamber‑approved, local providers first, reinforcing regional capability and keeping investment close to home. At a regional level, anonymised and […]