IMAGINE... THE PERFECT PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, BRING

A New Zealand Herald Commercial Publication
Tuesday, June 6, 2016
RotoruaNZ.com/live
IMAGINE... THE PERFECT PLACE TO
LIVE, WORK, BRING UP A FAMILY, AND
ENJOY A LITTLE PIECE OF PARADISE.
IMAGINE ROTORUA
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3
RotoruaNZ.com
Imagine
I
ROTORUA
t’s a vibrant, thriving city,
conveniently located in the
central North Island.
Renowned as a magical holiday
destination by generations of Kiwis
and international visitors, the
opportunities it provides as a
potential lifestyle choice are often
underestimated.
Imagine being part of a
community of people who have
made a conscious decision to bring
up their families in a clean,
outdoor environment, with a true
Kiwi lifestyle.
Rotorua is a truly diverse district,
rich in history and culture, and home
to a dynamic community of people.
We choose to live here because of
the style of life that Rotorua’s location
and natural resources offers.
Together we aim to make it the
perfect place to live, bring up a family,
and enjoy everything that this little
piece of paradise has to offer. Our
motto is: tatau tatau — we together.
Imagine having a job that gives
you work satisfaction, but also
having the time and the energy to
spend with your family.
The cornerstones of the Rotorua
economy are forestry and wood
processing, tourism and hospitality,
and agribusiness. If you are engaged
in one of these industries, have you
thought of working here?
Growth is also happening in other
sectors, including geothermal,
construction, education, health,
manufacturing, trades, IT, transport,
professional and social services.
We are also fortunate to have
many training schemes and quality
learning programmes available for
people of all ages.
This combination of career,
education and lifestyle opportunities
creates a truly excellent ‘working
environment’.
Imagine easy access to a range
of leisure activities.
Rotorua’s forest and lakes provide
hours of enjoyment, and all within a
short drive of the city.
The forest is enjoyed by large
numbers of mountain bikers, walkers
and horse riders all year round and
the lakes are central to a variety of
summer activities.
Sporting codes and other leisure
activities abound and a range of
modern venues attract high-quality
sporting, cultural and art events.
Imagine a life where 1.5 hours
of driving is the total you might do
in a working week, rather than just
one trip to work.
The time taken to drive to and
from work in Rotorua forms a very
small part of the day’s activities.
It is totally feasible to fit in a bike
ride, a run or some time playing with
the kids before heading off to work.
And the evenings, well … we leave that
to your imagination.
Imagine owning your own home
right now and not having your
lifestyle constrained by mortgage
payments.
Houses in Rotorua are still very
affordable at an average price to
income rating of 3.31.
For $350,000 you can buy a three
to four bedroom, two-bathroom
house on an 800m2 section.
In the Auckland metro area, an
average house price of $820,000
pushes the affordability rating to 9.26.
The lower cost of owning a home in
Rotorua means more disposable
income to invest in your lifestyle now
and for the future. How affordable is
your home?
Imagine a choice of education
options that reflects your family’s
needs and values.
Rotorua is well-supplied with highperforming primary, intermediate
and secondary schools, including
Maori immersion, Catholic and other
Christian character institutions, single
sex and co-educational facilities.
For those requiring private
secondary schooling, our central
location enables easy access to a
choice of schools in Tauranga,
Cambridge and Hamilton.
Rotorua and Tauranga are also the
home of the fourth largest industry
training provider in New Zealand.
Imagine living in Rotorua!
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With the lifestyle choices that Rotorua offers it makes
sense to look for employment or locate your business in
this thriving central region. As a local you will never be
short of things to do or places to go and you will be part
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4
OUR PEOPLE
The decision to move
was heavily swayed by
a desire to live closer to
the outdoor facilities
they love.
Sheldon is an avid longdistance trail runner,
including ultramarathons, and has
recently joined the local
Trail Running Club.
The whole family enjoys
water-skiing and
wakeboarding, which
has become a whole lot
easier now they can get
to the lakes in 10 minutes
after work.
For us, it’s about lifestyle.
It ticks the boxes for
work and play, and it’s
also close to everywhere.
Stacey and Sheldon McEwen,
and their sons, of Sequoia Eatery
RotoruaNZ.com
There’s no place
Rotorua is famous as a tourist
destination, with hundreds of
thousands of visitors each year
enjoying the pristine environment,
the thermal landscape and the
strong Maori culture.
But what’s it like when the visitors
have gone — to be one of the
65,000 locals who call Rotorua
home?
We asked three families to share
with us their experiences of living
and working in Rotorua.
M
A forest of opportunities
ention the Redwoods in
Rotorua and most
people’s thoughts will
turn to the magnificent
55,000ha Whakarewarewa Forest
which dominates the landscape in
the eastern suburb of Lynmore.
It is home to some of the best
mountain biking in the world and a
recreational area that hundreds of
thousands visit each year.
Tapping into this jewel are Stacey
and Sheldon McEwen, who, with their
two young sons, have chosen to make
Rotorua their home and the towering
Redwoods (sequoia) the backdrop for
their new venture, the Sequoia
Eatery.
This family have lived in Rotorua
for less than a year, having packed
up their lives in Napier in August 2015.
In that time, they have found and
bought a house, moved city, settled
children into school and kindy,
renovated a building, recruited staff
and opened their stylish café.
Sheldon is an avid long-distance
runner, including ultra-marathons,
and the whole family enjoys waterskiing and wakeboarding, which has
become a whole lot easier now they
can get to the lakes in 10 minutes after
work.
I
Work, life, fashion
n 2007 Nerida Johnstone, her
husband and three young
children packed their belongings
and left Wellington to experience
a life in Rotorua.
The move enabled them to set
their own pace, enjoy life and watch
their kids grow up with Rotorua’s
scenic backdrop.
Having previously studied fashion
design, Nerida used her move to
Rotorua to return to her first love of
art, and completed study in sculpture
and a casting internship.
A year ago, she launched Henare,
producing spectacular handmade
jewellery pieces.
OUR PEOPLE
RotoruaNZ.com
5
I really like Rotorua for
being uncrowded. I love
walking around the lake
and walking to and in the
Redwoods. It’s all so
convenient as I live in
the centre of town. I’m
not a really sporty
person but I love going
for peaceful walks.
I’ve been rafting with my
friends, which was
amazing.
I’ve also been to the hot
and cold streams in the
bush which I loved.
I want to do more
outdoor activities – these
are the sorts of things
I couldn’t do in Korea
where it’s so crowded
and people work such
long days.
Anna Song,
business manager, ANZ Bank
like our home
Since then, the venture has grown to supply
select stockists across New Zealand and even
a New York Gallery.
With the launch of the new website and
online store www.henare.nz, and a showcase
of her jewellery at Melbourne Fashion Week
2016, the future is looking bright.
A
Investing in a Rotorua future
nna Song is a South Korean-born Kiwi
whose formative years were spent
spanning two different countries.
After completing her degree in
Wellington, Anna lived and worked in a
number of industries in Wellington and Seoul.
This breadth of experience has set her up
well for her current position as a business
manager for ANZ in Rotorua, looking after a
portfolio of more than 300 small and medium
businesses.
Anna moved to Rotorua in 2015 because she
had fallen in love with the city and the potential
of a better quality of life.
She could have selected anywhere in New
Zealand to live, but was swayed by Rotorua’s
‘unique authenticity’ and ‘intimate quality of
life’.
In the short time she has lived in Rotorua,
she has already established solid business
connections and strong friendships, something
she found more elusive in the bigger city
environments.
She enjoys the convenience of Rotorua, the
beauty and tranquility of the lakes and forests,
and the potential that the district offers.
■ As you read through our magazine,
you’ll hear more about the work/life
balance of these and many other locals, as
they talk about lifestyle, employment,
education and real estate opportunities.
The hustle and bustle of
the city had become too
much.
We wanted a life that
centred on raising the
kids in the best possible
environment.
I can remember when
they first arrived that
they couldn’t believe
the amount of grass
and open space.
We immediately knew
that we had made the
right choice.
“I can go running to
soak in the amazing
views, play squash at
the local rugby club and
walk my dog at two dog
parks without having to
use my car.
Nerida Johnstone,
Henare jewellery
6
DINING
RotoruaNZ.com
Follow
the golden
brick road
Eat Streat (str-eat — get it?) has become the place to go for quality, al fresco dining in New
Zealand.
Whether you’re after authentic Kiwi cuisine, Middle Eastern meals, Italian, Indian, Thai or
something else entirely, there’s a good chance you will find the perfect meal in the heart of
Rotorua.
Locals are very proud of the unique $2 million facility, which has received national accolades
for its design and construction.
It features a whole block of quality restaurants, cafés and bars, either side of a covered central
walkway.
The dining strip was designed to complement both the city’s main boulevard — Tutanekai St —
and the stunning Rotorua lakefront and is a key part of Rotorua Lakes Council’s inner-city
revitalisation project.
It also aligns with the Rotorua’s timber initiative, WoodFirst, and was built using locally
sourced materials.
Eat Streat’s 13 restaurants and cafes can extend their outdoor dining areas into the central
spine, with retractable roofing making for an all-weather dining experience.
The unique geothermal heating under the terraces and enhanced lighting enables the area to
remain warm and inviting even during cold or wet winter days.
There are so many wonderful
tourist attractions that I feel like
I’m on holiday at the weekends.
I go to Eat Streat, I go to the lake
— it’s wonderful.
I think the locals sometimes
take it all for granted!
Anna
RotoruaNZ.com
DINING
7
PHOTO: David
.nz
Rotorua’s Night Market started in 2010 and has become a city institution.
Running from 5pm every Thursday night on Tutanekai St, this is a must for
locals and visitors.
Boutique-style shopping showcases the best the region has to offer — arts, crafts,
local wines and fresh produce from regional growers.
This is also the perfect place to sample a spectacular variety of delicious ethnic
cuisine.
Whether you’re after Croatian treats, Mexican treats, Indian curries, Indonesian
hot pots, French pastries, handmade Italian pasta or, of course, Kiwi kai, the
market will have something to tempt tastebuds.
The Night Market is extended over the warmer months to more than 45 stalls
arranged around a live music hub, with entertainment by local musicians.
This relaxed ‘family zone’ includes seating, groovy bean bags, a reading space
with free take-home books, games, bike racks and even more food.
Le davidle.co
Night fever
8
ARTS
RotoruaNZ.com
Art for
heart’s
sake
R
otorua’s vision to 2030
contains an exciting
strategy to support creative
communities. This includes
strong financial assistance through
‘per cent for arts’ funding.
One per cent of the city’s annual
capital expenditure is diverted into
a creative pot, which enables rapid
growth in the city’s visual arts,
performing arts and creative
industries.
Children’s Art House
The Rotorua Children’s Art House
officially opened in March 2016 in the
beautiful grounds of the Government
Gardens.
A variety of art lessons are on offer
to children from pre-school to teens.
These include after-school visual
art, music and raranga (Maori
weaving) classes as well as a range
of school holiday programmes.
Sculpture Symposium
The first Rotorua Sculpture
Symposium was held in 2014 and
resulted in the installation of 17 pieces
themed The Returning Soldier as an
art trail around the City’s Sulphur
Lake.
This tranquil setting was
historically an area where
convalescing soldiers relaxed while
undergoing treatment at the old
sanatorium, and is now commonly
used by walkers, runners and family
groups.
The symposium will be happening
again in 2016, with the creative theme
of The Energy Within.
Public Art
Permanent art installations including
murals, sculptures, carvings and
memorials are dotted throughout the
city, reflecting the diverse artistic
talents of our local community.
Art is also integrated with
architectural features, such as street
furniture, lighting and water features
and planted elements.
Fashion Design
Rotorua is home to a number of
talented designers including
Adrienne Whitewood, Kharl William
Wirepa, Henare Jewellery and Leilani
Rickards.
Whitewood’s work is heavily
inspired by Maori art, history and
tikanga (culture) and her vision is “to
create an emotional connection to
indigenous design.”
She completed a fashion degree at
AUT then showed her first collection
at New Zealand Fashion Week.
In 2011 she won the Supreme
Award at the Miromoda Maori
Fashion awards, which saw her head
to a successful showing at Melbourne
Fashion Week.
She now works full-time in the
industry and her designs are being
sold through her Rotorua boutique
ahu and online.
Wirepa followed his dream of
becoming a fashion designer by
studying through Waiariki Institute of
Technology in Rotorua and at the
same time launching his label KW,
which specialises in glamour
dressing, creating limited ready-towear collections and one-of-a-kind
evening wear.
He has been a regular at New
Zealand Fashion Week and won
many prestigious awards including
the Miromoda Maori Fashion
Supreme Award in 2014.
Wirepa sells his clothes
nationwide and also works on
creative projects such as the Bay of
Plenty OHO Fashion Show.
Above, The Returning Solder sculpture trail wends around the city’s Sulphur Lake; below, the Children’s Art House
offers lessons from pre-schoolers to teens; bottom, murals, sculptures and carvings are dotted around the city.
Arts Venues
Rotorua is endowed with top-class
facilities for sporting, performing arts
events and exhibitions/ trade shows.
These include the Sir Howard
Morrison Performing Arts Centre, the
Energy Events Centre, two amateur
theatres and several sizable school
performance venues.
The city attracts an exciting
programme of shows and concerts.
Visual arts venues include
galleries, the Rotorua Arts Village and
Rotorua Museum.
The vision and courage needed to put this policy in
place is starting to pay off.
Visitors and locals alike are enjoying the murals and
sculptures, etc, this fund has actuacted.
To have dedicated funding gives stability and creates
trust; the ability to plan ahead and create
partnerships.
A modern city engages and celebrates art and
culture, and we are doing just that.
James Pickernell, artist, resident
EVENTS
RotoruaNZ.com
Tulip Fest
Get into it!
2016
2017
JULY
Nduro Winter MTB Series, 3 July
National Boxing Champs, 19-23 July
Blue Lake Rowing Regatta,
21-22 January
Blue Lake Multisport Festival,
28-29 January
AUGUST
Nduro Winter MTB Series, 7-8 August
The Complete History of the Royal
New Zealand Navy, 16-20 August
Tough Guy & Gal Rotorua, 20, 27
August
Hinepau — Capital E National Theatre
for Children, 21-22 August
Kurungaituku Netball, 26-27 August
SEPTEMBER
Kurungaituku Netball, 2-3 September
and 10-11 September
Nduro Winter MTB Series, 4 September
Royal NZ Ballet — Giselle, 5 September
NZSO: Swing into Spring, 7 September
Silver Ferns v Jamaica, 10 September
Beyond the Barricade, 22 September
BoP Steamers v Auckland,
25 September
Round the Lake Marathon
FEBRUARY
Tarawera Ultra Marathon, 6 February
Rotorua Bike Festival, 10-19 February
MARCH
Rotorua Off-Road Half Marathon,
5 March
Rotorua Walking Festival, 18-19 March
APRIL
XTERRA, 8 April
MAY
52nd Rotorua Marathon, 6 May
Targa Rally, 12-14 May
Rotorua Bike Festival
OCTOBER
Tulip Fest, 1-9 October
Rotorua Ekiden, 8 October
CRNZ Blue Lake Regatta, 8-9 October
The Gruffalo, 19 October
Tarawera ultra-marathon
NOVEMBER
Tarawera Trail Marathon, 12 November
NZ MTB Orienteering, 18-20 November
Rotorua Running Festival,
26-27 November
DECEMBER
Weetbix Tryathlon, 11 December
Rotorua Half Ironman, 17 December
JANUARY
Bay of Plenty Steamers at the
International Stadium
Ekiden team relay, around
Lake Rotorua
Royal NZ Ballet’s Giselle
9
10
ADVENTURE
RotoruaNZ.com
Moving to
the big
Wide Open
W
alk into the Wide Open
headquarters in Rotorua
and you would be
forgiven for thinking
you’re visiting a high-tech office on
the US West Coast.
The space is fresh and modern, the
walls are decked with highperformance bike parts and action
photography, and the staff are young
and animated.
This is the home of one of
Rotorua’s quietly up-and-coming
small business success stories.
It is run by Matt and Alice
Whitaker, a dynamic husband and
wife team who have for the past nine
years made Rotorua their home.
They moved here with their
fledgling business in search of the
dream that was becoming elusive in
Wellington — a piece of land and an
outdoor lifestyle.
They now live with their children
on 8000sq m in a residential park just
outside Rotorua.
Wide Open is a bike component
wholesaler, providing mid- to highend products for road and especially
mountain biking.
Their market is bike retailers all
over the country who stock the
brands they import, including bike
parts and accessories like helmets
and clothing. Customers are looked
after by sales staff operating out of
Rotorua.
Matt says, “It’s great having the
airport and plenty of flights in and out
to access Wellington and the South
Island.
Rotorua’s central location makes it
ideal too for sales trips round the
North Island.”
As well as operating a national
distribution hub, they also have a
local workshop where they custombuild wheels and do suspension
servicing.
Matt has been mountain biking
since he was 13 and this passion
eventually led to five seasons in
California working as a bike
mechanic for a professional downhill
team.
Almost on a whim, he started a
business with another Kiwi who was
racing in the States, importing
handlebar grips into New Zealand.
The business started very much
part-time, and for four years Matt also
worked on building sites for four days
each week, with a hammer in one
hand and a phone in the other.
“Signing up a couple of big brands
prompted Matt, and within a year
Alice, to enter into running the
business full-time.
The couple are still fully involved
with the business, but now employ
four other staff members.
A significant part of their work is
relationship-building, with Matt
attending several international trade
shows and distributors’ meetings
each year.
The company also exhibited at the
world-famous Crankworx Mountain
Bike Festival in Rotorua in March,
which included hosting a number of
international guests from big-brand
companies.
“The people we brought over
loved it all, including Rotorua. They
all went out riding in the forest every
morning and were buzzing with what
was on offer.” says Alice.
The Whitakers enjoy mountain
biking as a family, but also make time
in their busy working lives to take
advantage of Rotorua’s convenient
location to Mt Maunganui and
Coromandel to indulge Matt’s new
passion, surfing.
With beaches close by, 18 lakes on
tap and skiing just a couple of hours
down the road, Rotorua really is a
place for outdoor entertainment.
When asked what little gems they
would recommend in Rotorua, Matt
is quick to answer: “The Ciabatta
Bakery on White St.”
Alice laughs. “We tend to do the
tourist stuff when we have visitors,
but we still regularly use the gondola,
the luge and visit Waikite Valley
Thermal Pools with the children. We
enjoy Eat Streat too.
“If you have visitors, they are just
blown away by the variety of
experiences and the laidback nature
of this place.”
What does the future hold for this
enterprising family?
“Since we moved to Rotorua,
there’s been a lot of growth in the
mountain biking industry, and it has
been very beneficial to have built up
our business here.
“It’s just amazing how populated
the forest is and if you pull up at the
mountain biking car park, it is full of
families and people who are
relatively new to the sport,” says Matt.
“Events like Crankworx also
provide great opportunities for us
and for the city.”
Would the Whitakers recommend
Rotorua as a place for their friends
to live?
“We don’t have to sell the benefits
of Rotorua as many of our friends
from out of town love visiting.
“They love the riding, the culture,
there are nice places to eat, plenty of
things to do.
“They can see there have been
some really positive changes in
Rotorua and the place is definitely
moving forward.”
We don’t have to sell the
benefits of Rotorua as
many of our friends from
out of town love visiting.
They love the riding, the
culture, there are nice
places to eat, plenty of
things to do.
They can see there have
been some really
positive changes in
Rotorua and the place is
definitely moving
forward.
Matt and Alice Whitaker
Matt and Alice Whitaker say Rotorua, with events like Crankworx (below) and
its biking expo (bottom), is the perfect base for their business — and lifestyle.
ADVENTURE
RotoruaNZ.com
11
Listen to
the local...
Ben Fraser, Rotorua Daily Post
Tak Mutu is a Rotorua adventure
tourism stalwart. Locally born and
bred, he is the face of the dynamic
Multi Day Adventures and the
world-renowned event Crankworx
Rotorua.
Having the time of their lives
Tak’s infectious belly laugh and easygoing personality are a familiar part
of the Rotorua mountain biking
landscape and the rapid growth of his
multi-faceted business, currently
employing 42 staff across three
companies, is a much-lauded local
success story.
Tak knew from an early age that
he would end up running a business.
“I made that call when I was 5 years
old. My very first day of school, I
dressed myself in a shirt and clip-on
tie, because I wanted to be a ‘business
man’ … one day.”
Tak trained in adventure tourism
at Waiariki Institute of Technology
and spent five years river guiding and
instructing. He went on to become a
tour guide, travelling and working all
over New Zealand for the adventure
tourism company he would later go
on to own.
Tak was also travelling throughout
Australia and New Zealand playing
waterpolo and fin swimming, a
member of New Zealand squads in
both sports.
Tak and his brother Tu took over
MultiDay Adventures in 2011.
“I knew there was a peak I could
reach in terms of positions in
adventure tourism and it was a natural
progression for me to move into the
business side of things, so that’s what
I did. Funnily enough, I now try to
avoid a shirt and tie as much as I can.”
The original business of MultiDay
was running guided adventure tours
for students from international
schools across Asia.
The point of difference is a highly
personalised service with guides
looking after groups, from picking
them up at the airport, through to
leading their adventure activities.
The company owns all its own
equipment and it was the availability
of this and on-tap expertise that
prompted them to also set up a
business in the luxury tourism setting,
a market that they have been focusing
on ever since.
This side of the business also
involves guiding clients on trips and
activities throughout the central
North Island.
As Tak says, “It’s a wonderful sector
of tourism. You don’t necessarily get
the same numbers through, but the
trips that you end up doing are
fabulous, dream trips.”
This business has grown rapidly
through positive word of mouth
endorsement and the development of
strong relationships with inbound
agents.
In 2011, the company established
Mountain Bike Rotorua, hiring out
mountain bikes from a small building,
with a generator for power and a small
fleet of bikes.
Tu became the sole charge, jack of
all trades — servicing bikes, taking
bookings, and doing the accounts and
marketing.
Five years later, the business
employs 12 or more staff and hires out
150 bikes a day in the peak season.
This arm of the company also has a
strong web presence and social media
following.
Then there’s the events side of
things. Having just bought a house,
had a new baby and delivered a
fantastic Crankworx 2016 in the space
of a few weeks, you might imagine
that some downtime would be in
order.
Not for the indefatigable Mr Mutu.
Planning is already well underway for
next year’s Crankworx event, and the
team recently put on a strong
presence at the TRENZ Tourism Expo
in Rotorua.
Tak sees the company’s expertise
as being the adventure side of tourism
and the Maori cultural aspect. The
Mutu brothers were brought up with
a strong understanding of their
heritage and Maori values.
Everything they now do reflects
Crankworx put Rotorua in the international spotlight. There’ll be a second mountain biking spectacular in 2017.
their culture. This includes running
between three and four hundred
marae stays each year for the
backpacker/youth market, with the
aim of creating an authentic, intimate
experience for clients, but also
employing locals and generating
income for the marae.
The benefits of locating an
adventure tourism enterprise in
Rotorua are self-evident, but what
about the personal benefits for those
working in the business?
Tak is a walking advert for living
in Rotorua. “Compared to everywhere
else I’ve seen in my extensive travels
round the country, Rotorua is a good
place to do business cos it’s an easy
place to live.
“I’ve bought a warm, comfortable
house for under $400,000, in the
beautiful area of Springfield.
“I’m part of an awesome
community, close to friends, and can
pedal to work.
“I can be riding on the best
mountain bike tracks in the world in
10 minutes, or wakeboarding, jetskiing or fishing in 20 minutes — it’s
a bit of a no-brainer really.”
Tak’s enjoyment of living in
Rotorua doesn’t just end with the
great outdoors. “The communities are
amazing here — for example the
mountain bike community, the
kayaking community out at Okere
Falls, the adventure tourism
community and the community in my
own backyard.
“The people in this town are its
biggest asset. There are a lot of people
with a lot of passion for what they do
and the city they live in.”
Tak’s the first to admit that the
lifestyle may not suit everyone.
“If you want a buzzing nightlife so
you can go out late seven days a week
to a club that’s pumping, you’re not
going to get that here.
“But for people who want a great
day life, including awesome cafes and
restaurants, a cheaper cost of living
and the opportunity to be active,
healthy, and enjoy the outdoors
rather than working all the time, then
this place absolutely makes sense.”
And where will you find Tak when
he’s not out catching air in the forest?
“We’ve still got hot pools and
amazing walks that people don’t know
about. I play in a band with friends.
I café-hop. Between the lakes, forests,
coffee and music, I don’t know how
much more I can fit in. The standard
of living we are able to have here is
one of Rotorua’s best-kept secrets.”
Putting
their best
feet
forward
Runners and walkers can take on Redwood Forest trails (above) or go at their own pace (below).
O
Puarenga parkrun
run by runners, for runners, held weekly,
8am every Saturday - all welcome!
- print out your personal barcode
- join us for a run every Saturday
ne thing to pack if you’re on the way
to Rotorua — a pair of trainers.
There’s a thriving running scene for
everyone from the absolute
beginner through to those who love to run
forever.
The city is home to the long-running and
internationally renowned Rotorua Marathon —
it celebrated its 52nd edition in April — and
hundreds travel to the city for the Tarawera
Ultramarathon, which boasts distances up to
102km.
There’s the Rotorua Running Festival,
Copthorne Off-Road half-marathon, Tikitapu
adventure run, Tough Guy mud run and more.
The city boasts two running clubs — Lake
City Athletic Club and Rotorua Trail Runners.
It’s fair to say the city is on its feet and moving.
This month there’s an event for everyone
from those starting out to veterans.
Puarenga parkrun is the 14th New Zealand
parkrun and sets off at 8am on June 25.
A parkrun is a free, weekly, timed 5km run
that takes place every Saturday at 8am and
is suitable for runners of all capabilities. The
only person you’re competing with is yourself.
There are almost 900 parkruns worldwide
with 1.5 million runners taking part each week.
This parkrun is unique in that runners —
and walkers — will go through geothermal
areas.
These events started in the UK in 2004 but
it took a passionate runner to get the
movement started in Rotorua.
Marathoner and running coach Alison King
wrote “run a parkrun” on her 2016 goals list.
Underneath it she wrote, “Start parkrun in
Rotorua”.
“Even though I’d never been to a parkrun
when I wrote that I knew I had to do this,”
she said.
“I kept hearing so many positive stories
coming out of parkruns in Australia and in the
UK.
“People who wouldn’t consider themselves
runners turned up to parkrun week in, week
out.
“I loved that it was free — less of a barrier
for newcomers to get involved.
“It is such an inclusive event that families
can take part together. You don’t have to
register your spot each week — you just turn
up with your barcode and you run.”
She ran her first parkrun in January and
on the same day inquired about how to get
one off the ground.
“Rotorua is a great place to live, work and
play. We have so many great running trails
in the forest and around the city.
“There are so many people running that you
can easily find a running buddy to team up
with or a group to join.”
3RD ANNUAL
TARAWERA TRAIL MARATHON
& 50K
POHUTU GEYSER TE PUIA TO HOTWATER BEACH LAKE TARAWERA
“Tarawera 50k : the ultramarathon with geysers, waterfalls – and a cream tea” the guardian, uk
SATURDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2016
www.taraweramarathon.co.nz
ROTORUA JOBS
NZ LICENSED
CADASTRAL
SURVEYOR
• Award winning
consultancy – engineering,
surveying, planning & 3D
laser scanning
• Exceptional
communication skills
• Client focused
• Innovative
• Technology savvy
Applications to be made in
writing to:
Regional Administrator
Cheal Consultants Ltd
PO Box 396, ROTORUA 3040
Email: [email protected]
CIVIL PROJECTS
ENGINEER
• 10 years’ professional
experience managing civil
engineering projects, with
structural or geotechnical
engineering highly regarded
• Well-established NZ
professional networks
• Proactive; ability to seek out
projects, cultivate clients and
get projects off the ground
• Excellent interpersonal/
communication and
mentoring skills
• Great team player and team
leader
Closing date: 19 June 2016.
Contact Vanessa Barter at
[email protected]
for more information.
CONSULTANT
PSYCHIATRIST
• Vocationally registered
psychiatrist to join Inpatient
Mental Health & Addiction
Service
• Lakes DHB area includes
recently upgraded Rotorua
and Taupo Hospitals
• Based in Rotorua; may
involve clinics in Taupo
• Attractive remuneration
package and CME allowance
For more information contact:
Stephanie Wearne, Medical Staff Recruiter on
[email protected] or
David Chaplow, Clinical Director on
[email protected] or
visit www.lakesdhb.govt.nz
SHINE PR:
INTERMEDIATE/
SENIOR
COMMUNICATIONS
CONSULTANT
• Rock star required to
add value to clients and
colleagues
• Great career opportunity –
professional development
and diverse work
• Experience, innovation,
creative thinking, quality,
energy and drive to succeed
For a full job description and
further information contact Director
Jacky James on 021 577 871 and
[email protected]
CIVIL DESIGNERS
TIMBER INDUSTRY
PERSONNEL (Waipa Mill, Rotorua)
WIDE OPEN BRAND
MANAGER
For more information go to: www.
redstagtimber.co.nz or contact Maureen
Smith, HR Advisor on 07 349 5831 or
[email protected]
Applications close Friday,
10 June 2016. Please contact
Matt on 021 526 492 or
[email protected] for further
information
SENIOR ACCOUNTANT
CHIEF EXECUTIVE –
ROTORUA ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT CCO
• Red Stag is NZ’s largest Sawmill producing
quality timber products, and Rotorua’s
largest private employer.
• The mill is currently investing in new plant
and equipment to support increased
production capacity expected to reach
650,000m3
• To support this expansion we will start a
3rd shift in the Secondary Processing area
to work Friday through to Sunday dayshift
hours
• We seek qualified staff to join our weekend
shift team as Machinists, Timber graders,
Quality Control or experienced operators
to train as Optimisation Technicians
• A pre-employment medical including clear
drug test result, and sound work history
referee checks are required
• 2+ years’ work experience
in Civil Engineering and
Roading Design
• Extensive New Zealand
based Civil 3D/AutoCAD
experience
• Strong design background
• Computational skills for
preparation of schedules of
quantities
• Excellent interpersonal/
communication skills
• Flexibility and willingness
to go the extra mile when
needed
• Proactive self-starter
• Maori chartered accountancy
and management consulting firm
• CA qualified with at least
5 year’s accounting experience
• Governance experience
• High-level communication,
facilitation and relationship skills
• High level problem solving,
analytical, research and report
writing skills
• Experience in financial modelling
and advanced spread sheeting
• Knowledge and ability in
Te Reo Maori
Closing date: 19 June 2016.
Contact Vanessa Barter at
[email protected]
for more information.
Please email your CV and
covering letter to
[email protected] or contact
Donyale Hema on 04 473 6400
for more
information
SENIOR
ACCOUNTANT
SENIOR POLICY ADVISOR
• Position in Private team, focusing
on creating growth and value for
SME’s, owners and stakeholders
• 3+ years accounting experience,
including management accounting
• CA qualified (or equivalent)
• Solid understanding of accounting
and tax issues facing NZ SME’s
• Knowledge of Te Reo and Tikanga
Maori an advantage
• Excellent organisational,
communication and team
leadership/mentoring skills
• At least five years’ experience in
resource or environmental management
• Proven background in resource related
policy development and planning;
extensive knowledge and experience
working with the RMA
• Tertiary qualification in Resource
Management, Planning or other related
discipline
• Customer focused orientation with
proven ability to develop successful
relationships at all levels
• Extensive experience in consultation to
deliver clear outcomes
• Strong verbal and written
communication skills; attention to detail
For more information contact
Michelle North, Recruitment Advisor
on 09 303 0748 or
[email protected]
For full job description contact
Maria Green,
HR Advisor on 07 351 8128 or
[email protected]
• NZ distributor of leading
cycle brands
• Requires brand manager
with experience in retail
brand strategy and long
term brand development
• Marketing, sales strategy
and sales management
skills
• Cycling industry
environment preferred, but
not essential
• Highly numerate; data
analysis skills
Join us to make Rotorua an even
greater place to visit, live, work, study
and invest.
• At Rotorua Lakes Council we have
decided to merge our economic
development and destination
marketing agencies.
• Building upon what has already been
achieved we want to work even more
closely with the Rotorua business
and investment community.
• You will be an outstanding leader,
who can build enduring partnerships
and will have a strong commercial
background.
If this sounds like you, then confidential
enquires and expressions of interest
should be directed to our appointment
partner, Larry Small at Executive
Appointments Ltd
on 09 308 9325
or [email protected]
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
MANAGER
• Highly successful manufacturer
of coatings, chemicals and
aerosols
• Seeking proactive, solutionsfocused hunter with the
tenacity to hit sales targets
• Proven background in business
development
• Previous mid to senior roles in
sales, marketing and account
management
• Strategic planning skills
• Confident negotiator with
ability to ‘close the deal’
Applications close Friday, 17 June 2016.
Please email your CV and covering letter
to Heather Turner, HR Advisor on
[email protected]
EMPLOYMENT
RotoruaNZ.com
15
Job options and
salaries on rise
R
Tourism is one of many areas offering
increased job opportunities in Rotorua.
otorua is on point. A number
of factors are driving
population growth, real
estate prices and increased
investment in the key sectors of
agribusiness, forestry, geothermal,
and tourism.
In the context of Auckland and
Christchurch, Rotorua’s housing is
affordable, yet still up a promising 12.4
per cent compared to a year ago.
A reasonably priced house is only
attractive if there is confidence in the
job market to accompany it.
And according to the Ministry of
Business, Innovation and
Employment, the Bay of Plenty is the
top performer of five regions showing
growth around the country. The
number of job vacancies advertised
is up 15.2 per cent on a year ago.
“Our experience certainly
confirms this,” reports Kellie Hamlett,
director of Talent ID Recruitment, a
Baywide human resource and
recruitment firm.
“Over the past six months,
applications to key roles within
forestry, finance and tourism were up
30 per cent, with an increased
number of candidates applying from
outside the region.
“This has resulted in some very
satisfied employers who are
benefitting from the fresh
perspective, skills and experience
these new team members bring.”
High-calibre candidates are having
an impact on what the region is
paying.
According to the Seek
employment website, there was a 7
per cent increase in salary levels in
the Bay of Plenty region in 2015.
The cost of living in Rotorua was
reported to be 32 per cent less than
Auckland.
Factor in the reduced travelling
time and it’s a no-brainer for most.
“Living in the Bay doesn’t
necessarily mean taking a huge drop
in pay,” says Ms Hamlett.
“I always tell our candidates that
they can have both a fantastic career
and lifestyle here — a salary package
that includes a better quality of life.”
The future looks bright for this
regional city, with employment,
investment and visitor arrivals all
forecast to grow.
Listen to the Local: turn the page for
a Rotorua resident’s story of why
she came to the city to live and set
up her business.
This is the best place I’ve
ever worked by far. The
business community is
very welcoming and the
potential for business in
Rotorua is very high.
Young people may not
think there are many
jobs, or as many
opportunities, but in
smaller cities you can get
connected more easily
and people are warm
and very willing to help.
ROTORUA JOBS
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT
IT’S BETTER IN THE BAY
BOOKKEEPER (X2)
• Commercial role – timber processing sector
• Part time hours supporting work life
balance requirements
• Accounting based qualification required or
applicable experience within a similar role
• Take control and ownership of your own future
and earning capacity
• Be your own boss, build your brand and
influence
• Find your balance between work and
life - right here in Rotorua
• Established Chartered Accounting Firm.
This company is a ATO
• You will need to be tertiary qualified with a
minimum of Diploma of Business in Accounting
• Sound previous working history within a
New Zealand based company
PART TIME
Apply now – [email protected]
www.talentid.co.nz
SENIOR CHARTERED
ACCOUNTANT
• A big 4 company and registered ATO
• Based locally in the heart of Rotorua
• Sound previous experience in a
New Zealand based corporate is desirable
Apply now – [email protected]
www.talentid.co.nz
Apply now – [email protected]
www.talentid.co.nz
Apply now – [email protected]
www.talentid.co.nz
TECHNICAL WRITER
JOB COSTING ADMINISTRATOR
• Engineering qualification is essential
• Previous experience writing procedures
for robotic equipment in New Zealand
• Large leading company in transport
manufacturing industry
• Strong focus on alpha/numeric imputation
and reconciling of job cards
• Large leading company in the transport
manufacturing industry
• Diverse workload requiring a candidate with the
ability to problem solve on the spot in a lateral way
Apply now – [email protected]
www.talentid.co.nz
Apply now – [email protected]
www.talentid.co.nz
ASSISTANT ACCOUNTANT
DIESEL MECHANIC
PRODUCTION MANAGER
• Accounting career in a commercial sector
• Join this global and strategic company for exposure in
national and international accounting
• You will need to be degree qualified with interest in further
study towards ACA or CA. This company is a registered ATO
• Highly innovative global company
• Mechanical experience is a must, from
either a commercial or service sector
• Mechanical Trade Qualification is essential
• Chemical or food production management
experience with a LEAN focus is necessary
• Site and staff management leadership/
mentoring is an essential skill
Apply now – [email protected]
www.talentid.co.nz
Apply now – [email protected]
www.talentid.co.nz
Apply now – [email protected]
www.talentid.co.nz
Anna
16
EMPLOYMENT
RotoruaNZ.com
Listen to
the local...
Kellie Hamlett owns the Talent ID
recruitment and human resource
consultancy. Rotorua born and
bred, she travelled and worked
throughout Europe before setting
up her consulting business back in
her home town.
Kellie Hamlett’s busy life includes
running a business, raising a
toddler and competitive riding
around the North Island.
You can have a career — and a life
Why did you decide to set up a business
in Rotorua?
Spending time overseas was fantastic and I
loved every minute that the opportunity
provided. However there is no place quite like
home, and Rotorua was the obvious place to
head back to.
The central location and economic climate,
coupled with my family being close by, all meant
that it was the perfect place to launch my
business.
I believe that being based regionally means
we are able to provide more personalised,
professional, one-on-one service to our clients
and candidates alike.
Rotorua has proven to be a good choice, as
nine years on the business has grown
significantly and the region is proving to be a
real hot-spot for talent relocation.
Tell us something about your business
here? What are you working on at present?
We like to stay ahead and are always looking
forwards and keeping on top of recruitment and
human resource trends. We are currently
working on two exciting projects – one is an app
which will mean that candidates get instant
notification of current roles available and the
second is a new website. Watch this space,
#BetterintheBay
Why is Rotorua a good place to base a
business? Would you recommend that
others set up business here?
We love Rotorua. For us, it’s all about the
lifestyle on offer here. As strong advocates of
the region we tell candidates that not only can
they have a career they’ll love, but a lifestyle
which is the envy of all their city-dwelling friends.
Rotorua is a particularly attractive option for
those who love the outdoors and for those who
want to have more time to spend with family.
The other great thing is that there is a strong
support network of some amazing small- to
medium-sized businesses. You’d be surprised by
the breadth and depth of business here.
Which suburb did you choose to settle
in?
We live in Hamurana, which is a rural area
11km from the CBD. We have been fortunate
enough to have bought some land, which
probably equates to the cost of a small flat in
Auckland. It is also only a short commute to
Tauranga where we have an office.
What are some of your favourite
activities/interests in Rotorua and why?
Having both a toddler and a business means
I am very busy. However my other passion is
competitive riding and so when I get the chance
I love to ride and train my horses, and compete
around the North Island.
Cool Job • Hot Location
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•
Tauranga
•
Temporary & Contract Staff
Redundancy & Outplacement
Permanent Recruitment Solutions
Skill & Psychometric Assessments
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Human Resource Consulting
Rotorua
•
Taupo
•
0800 850 080
Family time is important and we use the lakes,
beaches, and forests and get out mountain
biking whenever possible.
I love the fact that you can be in the
Redwoods within 10 minutes of finishing work.
You can be in the middle of the forest and see
no one at all. It’s very tranquil and refreshing
at the end of a working day. We really are spoilt
for choice.
Why would you recommend people
move here?
In the past, Rotorua has often been
overlooked — but what I always tell my
candidates is that you don’t have to sacrifice
salary or your career to have a life.
You can have it all right here.
RotoruaNZ.com
EDUCATION
17
A
nimation College is the only
tertiary campus in New
Zealand that offers degree
and diploma level courses
in 2-D and 3-D animation.
Animation is all about creating
characters that convey real emotions,
mimic life and evoke empathy in the
viewer. It is a way of telling stories
that inspire, influence and entertain.
The college has been running for
more than 25 years, and last year took
the exciting step of setting up its first
satellite campus in Rotorua.
At this early stage, the Rotorua
college is focusing on teaching a 2-D
animation course, which includes
both manual and digital elements.
The first year of teaching has gone
so well that the school is already
looking to expand the number of
courses available.
The current mix of students
includes school-leavers and adult
students in their 30s and 40s, from
across the Waikato and the Bay of
Plenty. Students tend to be passionate
about drawing, comics or gaming.
Their futures lie in animation,
illustration, game design, app design,
film, graphic novels, cartoons and
comics, either working for studios or
remotely over the internet for clients,
pitching for work outsourced via
freelancing platforms, or over social
media.
Nigel Ward is the lead tutor on the
Rotorua campus and an ex-student of
the college.
He has been animating for as long
as he can remember, including
The schools my children
have attended, and in
particular the teachers
and coaches, have
played an important role
in encouraging my
children to thrive
academically, culturally
and in the sports arena.
We have been very
fortunate and made
many connections and
life-long friends through
Rotorua’s great school
systems.
Nerida
working as an intern in a studio,
freelancing round the world and now
teaching at the college.
As he says: “The raw talent coming
out of high schools is crazy. We are
now offering a pathway for students
to use their skills and creativity in
industries that are big growth areas.
“Peter Jackson brought a lot of
attention to the industry in New
Zealand, but there’s still a lot of room
for more talent.
“In Rotorua there is also the Maori
side of things. It’s a different medium
for keeping traditional stories alive.
There’s also a gaping hole for
contemporary storytelling in a Maori
setting.”
The Animation College has in the
past year bought out Ames IT and
merged campuses in Auckland.
Courses available there are
gradually being introduced to
Rotorua, starting with certificate and
diploma courses in computer
technical support.
These Microsoft-approved courses
lead on to careers in IT as helpdesk
and computer technicians.
The art of emotion
18
EDUCATION
RotoruaNZ.com
Waiariki’s new $12 million tourism and hospitality centre (exterior above, interior below), will offer real-life training in modern surroundings.
O
Unity is
strength at
Waiariki
campus
n May 1, Waiariki Institute
of Technology and Bay of
Plenty Polytechnic merged
to create a combined
institution that will better meet the
needs of students, communities and
the many vibrant industries that
contribute to the growth of the wider
Bay of Plenty region.
Steven Joyce, Minister for Tertiary
Education, Skills and Employment,
approved the merger of the two highperforming institutions.
The Waiariki campus in Rotorua is
well-regarded for providing quality
learning opportunities across a
number of disciplines, including
adventure tourism, tourism
management, nursing, social work,
forestry, engineering and agriculture.
The new combined institution will
take learning to a new level in the Bay
of Plenty, by providing a wider range
Bart Vosse
of programmes for a greater number
of students.
An exciting project about to start
at Waiariki is the development of a
new $12 million tourism and
hospitality centre.
This will feature a 100-seat
demonstration kitchen theatre, three
commercial kitchens, specialised
barista lab, and a restaurant.
“It’s very timely, given the
phenomenal tourism growth
regionally and nationally. Also, with
Government expectations on
producing successful graduates with
high employability, the new building
means we will be able offer real-life
training for our students in more
modern facilities,” says Bart Vosse,
the institute’s head of tourism and
hospitality.
“The kitchen demo theatre will
allow us to realise our dream of being
able to bring the community into our
learning environment and go back to
a model where we offer night classes,
workshops, upskilling, guest lecturers
and industry presentations to
celebrate all that is tourism and
hospitality.”
The centre will become the main
training hub for popular culinary arts,
tourism, travel, and hospitality
programmes which are currently
spread throughout the campus, with
classrooms and training kitchens
bursting at the seams.
Teaching kitchens, a hotel training
reception, and a climbing wall
befitting the modern adventure
tourism student will merge
seamlessly with an atrium, staff
offices and classrooms.
A 50-seat restaurant will be located
on the top floor with views out to the
bubbling mud pools of
Whakarewarewa.
“Although we’re delighted to have
such a wonderful new home,” Mr
Vosse says, “the focus will remain on
what will happen within those walls:
quality education.
“The new facility will be larger but
the focus is to have a stronger
community engagement and more
high school presence to expose the
next generation of learners to our
environment.”
The new centre will replace a block
of the campus’s original prefabricated
buildings which have served as
classrooms since the institute’s
beginnings as Waiariki Community
College in 1976.
Groundbreaking is scheduled for
November.
EDUCATION
RotoruaNZ.com
Getting the best start
F
rom pre-school to secondary,
tertiary, special needs and
beyond, Rotorua offers
excellent educational
opportunities.
It is easy for students of all levels
to excel within our education system,
which features smaller class sizes and
a greater opportunity to access many
extra-curricular activities. Our
schools also provide cultural and
sporting pursuits during and outside
school hours.
Rotorua has 90 licensed early
childhood services in the district,
providing an early start to the formal
education of more than 3400
children each year.
The area has 13 urban primary
schools and 11 rural primary schools
offering easy access to quality
education throughout the district.
The city has three urban
intermediate schools, offering
children access to high-class
preparation for their secondary
school education.
It has six urban and one rural
secondary school, offering a wide
range of high-quality curriculum and
extra-curricular activities.
Quality tertiary education
opportunities include Waiariki Bay of
Plenty Polytechnic, Te Wananga O
Aotearoa as well as a number of
private training organisations.
Leading training organisations
represented in the district include
EmployNZ, New Zealand
Apprenticeships, Teach NZ, and
Trade and Commerce Training For
Industry.
19
We moved to Rotorua in
August 2015 and our
7-year-old settled so well
into primary school.
We found the school
so welcoming and the
transition was very
smooth.
The kids can bike to
school, or walk on the
walking school bus.
They hang out with all
the neighbourhood kids.
It feels really safe — like
a real community.
Stacey
Rotorua’s schools provide cultural and sporting pursuits during and outside
school hours. Smaller class sizes are popular with many parents.
All of these institutions offer full,
part-time, adult education and
educational block courses in a wide
range of subjects including
commerce, industry, health, forestry
and wood processing, tourism, arts,
Maori culture, as well as a full range
of apprenticeship courses.
There are a variety of up skilling
and training development providers
within the district or nearby that offer
on- and off-site short courses and fulltime programmes.
The city’s five urban secondary
schools all offer courses in English as
a second language.
Western Heights High School, John
Paul College, Rotorua Lakes High
School, Rotorua Boys High and
Rotorua Girls High School, Waiariki
Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and the
Rotorua English Language Academy
have banded together as Education
Rotorua, under which they will
promote Rotorua as a premier
destination for foreign students.
All seven institutions have signed
a memorandum of agreement in
standards of operation and home
stay for international students
learning English as a second
language. Overseas students who
come to Rotorua for English language
studies have unlimited choice of
where to go for their university
studies as they are not formally
linked to any university.
ARE YOU
READY FOR A SHIFT?
Come just a few degrees south to master your life.
CERTIFICATES, DIPLOMAS, DEGREES, MASTER’S
ENROL NOW for Semester 2, 2016
0800 924 274
waiariki.ac.nz
20
INNOVATION
RotoruaNZ.com
IT’s all go in
Traditional industries like forestry and dairy remain cornerstones of the local economy.
Several small and medium-sized businesses on the leading edge of their fields are now
kind of work/life balance that is the envy of many around the world.
their preferred locations. We asked some locals working in the
Building a business
and a lifestyle
Leon Thomas (right) of Digital Elements moved his
family to Rotorua from Wellington eight years ago.
He is a talented graphic designer, with 18 years
senior experience working in the television and film
industry.
Leon’s forte is motion graphic art, which means he’s
a very clever graphic artist with the ability to make
presentations that are totally interactive.
For instance, he has done a lot of work for Lockwood
Homes around what makes their componentry special.
“I’m building an entire house piece-by-piece in 3-D
and then we’re going to animate it actually building,
so the clients get to see what’s so different about the
Lockwood system.
“My specialty is turning such information into a
visual display rather than a static presentation.
“I’ve also done visual presentation contracts for
Weta Digital, animations for Te Wananga o Aotearoa
and the NZ Kidney Foundation, and safety and training
videos for NZ Police, Ministry of Justice and the EQC
Earthquake Commission.”
Leon continues to provide services for clients across
New Zealand and overseas from his home office.
“Because of the type of work I’m doing, I can pretty
much work anywhere.
“So if someone had the same sort of business as
mine I would say, ‘Look Rotorua is a fantastic place
to live from a family point of view’.
“We couldn’t afford to buy a house anywhere else,
but we’ve bought this house which is massive in this
day and age.
“I still like Wellington but it’s just too expensive —
Rotorua wins because of what I can do and provide
for my family here.”
Creating a worldwide future
Chris Parnell (left) originally hailed from Kawerau and grew up in the Western Bay
of Plenty, but his wife was a Rotorua local and now Chris also calls the city home.
After working as marketing manager for Blokart land yachts for several years, he
chose to retrain as an adult and enter the world of graphic design.
His CG Design company has evolved into a bespoke digital creative agency which
delivers everything from logos to entire rebrands, websites and now apps.
“The biggest area of growth right now for us is in web design, using the versatile
Setseed platform designed by our UK developer and business partner.
“Our platform has built-in features like blogs, live chat, newsletter systems, and
shop systems, among others. It’s a white label system that people can take and develop
the way they want, under a monthly licence fee.
“Although we’re based here, we’re dealing with people in the United States, the
United Kingdom, Latin America and Europe.
“Location doesn’t matter — the technology enables a global business.
“I communicate with our developer most evenings over Skype and it gives us an
incredible 24-hour time frame where we can build stuff effectively overnight. We
discuss things at night and by the morning a bunch of stuff has already been
implemented.
“Even though there are only three of us, we are competing with the big agencies
on big projects by using amazing technology to manage scale.
“Our biggest challenge at the moment is working out how to manage our own
growth.
“We are getting worldwide interest for the stuff we’re doing, and it’s the internet
that has opened the door. It means people like me can be based here and my longterm goal is to stay here.
“We’re starting to get really successful, but that doesn’t mean we have to ship off
to Tauranga or Auckland and do the same thing there — we can do it right here;
we’re already doing it here.
“This place has so much going for it. I’ve travelled the world a little bit now and
how many places in the world sit on a semi-active volcano crater, surrounded by
lakes?
“And it’s not just the tourism, it’s the people and the value that everyone can bring
to the party.
“We’re actually so richly-resourced, not only in the history and forestry areas, but
in the people. There are some really smart people here.”
We’re dealing with
people in the US,
the UK,
Latin America
and Europe.
Location doesn’t
matter.
RotoruaNZ.com
INNOVATION
21
Rotorua
But in recent years the IT and technology sectors have become increasingly relevant.
based in Rotorua, showcasing classic Kiwi know-how and initiative while enjoying the
Players in this industry can largely work anywhere, freed by the internet to choose
technology sector why they have chosen to base themselves in Rotorua.
Finger on the
digital pulse
We have great
community, low
commuting times, costeffective living and
working and I think the
majority of the people
here have a great
attitude which is
important.
Unlike Leon and Chris, Rachel Warrender (right) is a Rotorua
local. Her online marketing business Dubzz contracts to more
than 100 companies across New Zealand, helping them to
market online, and was recently a finalist in the Westpac
Business Awards.
“We help businesses market themselves using the online
space,” she says.
“A lot of business owners, managers and marketing
managers don’t have the skills — they might have a marketing
background or a business background but they don’t know
how to run online Google ads or how to manage social media
for business and things like that.
“We work with them to help them utilise the online space
to grow their business.
“For some businesses, it’s training, but we also work with
businesses as if we are the marketing team.
“We have clients across New Zealand. Tourism businesses
in particular really see the value in what we do. They know
their customer is potentially on the other side of the world.
“Other industries are a bit slower to get up with the trend
and the value in online marketing.
“However, we have customers in pretty much any industry
you can think of.
“Rotorua is conveniently central for visiting clients; has
cheap rents compared to other places, and there is a good
business community here, with Chamber of Commerce and
Rotorua X supporting business growth.
“You can work remotely, so someone sitting here building
an app could be competing with someone sitting in Silicon
Valley.
“We have great community, low commuting times, costeffective living and working and I think the majority of the
people here have a great attitude which is important.
“And we’ve got amazing forests and lakes, and the beaches
and the snow are close. You get the best of both worlds —
a great lifestyle and great business environment.”
Taking the long
way home
Of all these IT professionals, Adam Ellis (right) has probably travelled the
farthest to get to Rotorua.
“I’ve spent my whole life roaming,” he says. “My father was a project manager
for Shell Oil and we travelled and lived all over the planet.
“For me there’s always been a deep-down desire to give something back
to the community I’m in, so as soon as I moved to Rotorua I joined a day
care centre committee and started trying to work technology into the centre.
“I realised I get a huge satisfaction from helping children and this was the
catalyst for setting up the Nga Pumanawa e Waru project.
“Essentially the project is about how we affect student outcomes and
achievements in Rotorua through e-learning. My dream is to put a device
in the hands of every child and to create a ubiquitous learning environment
where any child has the ability to learn from anywhere, anytime.
“This learning continues to happen outside school and the school day.
“The team working on the project includes experts in technology,
measurement, education and community engagement.
“Our work is heavily supported by technology stakeholders — Apple,
Samsung, Hewlett Packard and Vodafone. Noel Leeming have employed a
teacher fulltime to be connected to us. Funding for the next three years has
been provided by the Next Foundation.
“We are putting in place a New Zealand first for e-learning. If we nurture
13,000 learners in our district to be ubiquitous learners, what effect will that
have when they become part of the future workforce in an environment
where ubiquitous working is a reality — working anytime, from anywhere?
“If we have some great connectivity out of this district and into the rest
of the world, there’s nothing stopping people having a fantastic lifestyle, yet
being able to work from wherever they are in the city.
“I think we’re going to breed that culture moving forward, starting with
our children.”
You might expect that this wanderer would be tempted to hit the road
again, but Adam is too fond of Rotorua to leave.
“I love it. It has absolutely everything I dream a city could have — it has
pristine lakes, the Redwood Forest, we can mountain bike when we want.
“Where else in the world could I be where, when I’ve had enough of the
office, I can get in my car or on my bike and be in the forest in 10 minutes;
absolute serenity. In terms of access to and from anywhere, it’s close enough
to Whakapapa, close enough to the Mount.
“For me it’s the best city in the world, bar none. I honestly feel that —
it’s everything for me.”
22
REAL ESTATE
RotoruaNZ.com
Homes not to be sniffed at
by Steve Hart
Editor, NZ Herald Homes
A
Our sous-chef has
moved down from
Auckland with his young
family to work for us.
He admits that they
didn’t think they’d ever
be able to buy a house in
Auckland.
He’s only been here eight
months and now they’ve
bought a house.
How awesome is that?
Stacey
ucklanders looking for a
change in lifestyle, away
from clogged motorways
and the ever-hotter
housing market, are chilling out and
heading to what is popularly known
as an international playground
offering great fishing and inland
adventures.
Among them are Aucklanders
Mike and Alison Hover who have
stepped off the SuperCity merry-goround to retire in Rotorua.
Mike and Alison are not new to
all that Rotorua offers, having
visited the area frequently before
opting to settle there this year.
“Rotorua runs a bit off the radar
when you compare it to places like
Tauranga,” they say.
“So when we sold in Auckland
and decided to make the move,
Rotorua was where we wanted to
end up.”
It can make good sense to sell in
Auckland and pick up a relative
bargain in Rotorua.
Rotorua average house prices
were 16 per cent higher in March
2016 than in March 2015, hitting an
average value of $305,000,
according to Quotable Value.
“The financial side of it was
appealing,” say the Hovers. “But it
was definitely the lifestyle choice
that was most attractive.”
Locals are starting to see their
homes rise in value to above 2007
levels — the last market peak — and
are increasingly making the
decision to sell.
“The number of sales has
definitely increased, prices are
going up and listings are becoming
more scarce,” says one estate agent.
Rotorua is an ideal spot for hardpressed first-time homebuyers too.
Caitlyn DeSanges and Dylan
Paterson are thrilled with their new
Pukehangi house.
Caitlyn says that finding the right
home was a long process, and they
counted themselves among the
lucky to find a property after a yearlong search.
Among the reasons people are
heading to Rotorua include great
fishing on the lakes, a growing
mountain biking scene, kayaking
and forests just minutes from the
city centre.
Another bonus is that the area is
relatively flat, and on your doorstep
are Taupo and Mt Maunganui.
Thankfully, the number of
building consents is on the up.
During the first three months of
this year more than $11 million
worth of residential building
consents were granted in Rotorua
— up 38 per cent on this time last
year.
Rotorua councillor Charles Sturt
says there are still “two years supply
of sections on the market”.
Travelling distance from home to
work can be as little as 10 minutes,
which really helps work/life
balance.
Compare that to the hour or
more Aucklanders can spend
getting to work.
Steve Lovegrove, his wife
Melanie and their three daughters
moved to Papamoa and began
commuting to Rotorua, but quickly
enrolled their three daughters in a
Rotorua school.
It soon became apparent that
wasn’t practical, and after two
weeks they started renting in
Rotorua while they looked for a
house to buy.
“We wanted to be part of the
community here.
“It’s a small city with a big town
feel, people know people, and it’s
very important to be part of the
community.”
“For me Rotorua was really
attractive. I love mountain biking
and I’ve been coming down here for
about 25 years.
“I’m not a race-level mountain
biker, I just love getting out in the
forest and enjoying the trails.
“And there are heaps of things to
do for the kids in Rotorua.”
What about the smell of sulphur?
Locals claim that after a week in the
city you can’t smell it.
But when it comes to a whole
new way of life, enjoying the great
outdoors and having more time to
spend doing what you like best —
Rotorua is not to be sniffed at.
Listen to
the local...
James Alexander is a licensee
salesperson and auctioneer for
Ray White Rotorua. He and his
family have lived in Rotorua for
just over two years, having moved
from Waipu in Northland. The
move was primarily driven by a
passion for mountain biking and
the desire to bring up their son in a
vibrant, energetic community
with lots of get up and go.
’A close community set for rapid growth’
What appealed to you about
moving here?
Various reasons, but mainly the
mountain biking.
The tracks here are the best in the
country, some of the best in the world.
Both my wife and I are obsessed by
mountain biking.
Rotorua is a city that feels like a
town; it has a close, warm community
yet still provides great opportunities
and is all set for the rapid growth we
are seeing now.
Things are really happening here.
Which suburb did you choose
to settle in?
We picked Lynmore as it was the
closest suburb to the forest. We
wanted to ride from home and into
the woods every chance we get. It’s
also a family-orientated suburb with
a good standard of schooling.
Lynmore School has a stunning
reputation.
What is your professional
background?
I’ve been a salesman for over 27
years, with nine years in real estate,
six years as an auctioneer. My wife
Paula has had various management
positions over the years, ran a motel
and currently volunteers part-time as
a tour guide at the Rotorua Museum,
as well as assisting me with real estate
and raising our son.
What is good about your role?
Making a positive difference to
people’s lives by moving them in and
out of property. It’s a big thing in
people’s lives. It’s a thrill to be
instrumental to that. I enjoy the fact
it’s challenging and forever changing.
What are some of your other
favourite activities/interests in
Rotorua and why?
We also enjoy exploring the secret
nooks around the lakes — hidden hot
pools, etc. The restaurants are also a
treat — there are so many and of such
a high standard.
Why would you recommend
people move here?
Bang for buck. You get a pretty cool
house here for your money. But more
than that, you get to live in a worldclass holiday destination and enjoy
the benefits every day.
Did I mention the traffic? There isn’t
any! You can be anywhere in Rotorua
in about 10-15 minutes — it’s the icing
on the cake.
In addition, you have surfing just
40 minutes away, skiing just two
hours away and superb trout fishing
and lake sports just 10-15 minutes
away.
We wouldn’t want to live anywhere
else. You gain that elusive work/life
balance here without having to battle
for it. It’s here all around you.
FROM THE COUNCIL
RotoruaNZ.com
23
A place like nowhere else
S
Steve Chadwick
Rotorua Mayor
o many places lay claim to
being unique, but there
really is nowhere else like
Rotorua.
Surrounded by forests, lakes and
geothermal resources, Rotorua’s
natural environment offers an
unparalleled lifestyle and its central
location means that so much of the
North Island is close by.
A really dynamic and culturally
rich group of people call Rotorua
home and together we are creating
a vibrant community in which we
value an excellent work/life
balance and a great standard of
living.
We’re inviting you to come and
experience Rotorua, stay a while
and maybe call it home too.
There are so many great reasons
that we call Rotorua home.
For a start, we have so much
going on.
From world-class mountain and
adventure biking and hiking trails,
to fantastic hot springs and spa
attractions, a great night market, a
thriving café and restaurant scene,
excellent public arts and cultural
facilities, as well as historical and
For a style of life we think
is second to none, and a
creative and multicultural community that
is focussed on a future
we can all appreciate,
look no further than
Rotorua.
family oriented attractions, there is
something for everyone, young and
old to enjoy all year round.
New Zealanders are fortunate to
live in paradise and yet so many
of us forget that fact.
In Rotorua you can be reminded
of just how good we have it: no
traffic jams, no exorbitant parking
fees and transport problems, and no
long commutes to work.
In fact we have a great public
transport system and an extensive
cycle network, so much of the time
you can leave the car at home.
In Rotorua homes are still
affordable.
Unlike the main centres, we have
a great variety of existing housing
at very competitive prices and new
builds are once again on the rise.
At a time when many people are
finding it impossible to even
consider owning their own home it
is nice to know that in Rotorua you
can still find a place for you and
your family to spread out, without
taking on major financial burden.
A key part of creating a fantastic
work/life balance is, of course,
ensuring we have great work
opportunities, and in Rotorua we
are making sure that economic
development is a primary focus.
Our major industries, like
forestry and tourism, remain strong
and continue to provide a diverse
range of primary and supporting
employment positions, but growth
sectors like the geothermal and IT/
technology industries are now
providing jobs in exciting new
fields.
Carrying this forward, we intend
to make sure Rotorua continues to
grow both as a destination and as
a regional economic centre that can
provide world-class job
This is
not the
last
word...
Dave Donaldson (orange helmet) and
mates enjoy the Rotorua lifestyle.
Well-placed for a buoyant future
W
ith an excellent strategic
location, a fantastic
climate and a dynamic
population that is
forging ahead with business
development, it is an exciting time for
Rotorua, and I firmly believe the city
is perfectly positioned for a very
positive future.
Growth in the district remains
strong, with gross domestic product
growth consistently above the New
Zealand average in the year to March
2016.
Adding to this trend, the iwi
economy is expected to flourish in
the post-Treaty settlement
environment. Local iwi have a strong
connection to this land, and with this
bond comes a long-term vision that
will bear fruit for future generations.
Rotorua is within three hours of
half the population of New Zealand,
just one hour from the country’s
largest port, and an easy drive or flight
away from an international airport —
opportunities to all those who live
here.
In this regard, education is a key
player, and Rotorua is proud to host
some very established and
accomplished educational facilities.
From our primary and
secondary education providers,
who help to shape our future
generations, to the newly-formed
tertiary organisation formed by the
merger of Waiariki Institute of
Technology and Bay of Plenty
Polytechnic, Rotorua is leading the
way in helping Kiwis to find careers
in a variety of trades and fields.
We also remain at the cutting
edge of new and growing industries.
For many years we’ve been
known as a tourist and holiday
destination and Rotorua is still
eager to welcome you for a great
getaway.
But we are also a great place to
live, work and invest in.
For a style of life we think is
second to none, and a creative and
multi-cultural community that is
focussed on a future we can all
appreciate, look no further than
Rotorua.
Dave Donaldson
Deputy Mayor,
Lead, Economic Growth Portfolio
which means we are in a great place
to do business nationally and
overseas.
Our location also means that we
are less prone to threats from coastal
change and rising sea levels that will
potentially affect other regions in
New Zealand over the longer term.
A pleasant climate, easy access to
lakes, forests and other natural
resources all make for an enviable
lifestyle that is second to none, so it
is easy to see why so many people
are choosing to live, work and invest
in Rotorua.
We think the future of our city is
so bright that we are planning for it
now, with an emphasis on
accommodating growth, improving
infrastructure and facilities, and
maintaining the quality of living that
our residents expect.
With this in mind, our Economic
Growth Advisory Group is
developing strategies that focus on
three key areas — business
development, investment attraction,
and tourism growth. This includes
creating a new Council-controlled
organisation to coordinate and
streamline our economic
development projects.
Underpinning our growth plans is
a drive for sustainability which is
helping to promote innovation, with
particular progress being made
through our ‘Wood First’ policy. This
encourages the use of timber
wherever possible, thereby
supporting one of our cornerstone
industries.
We also remain firmly committed
to tourism and to being New Zealand’s
premier visitor destination, with a
target of $1 billion in visitor
expenditure by 2030.
Allied to this, Council is pressing
ahead with a major revitalisation of
our inner city that has already seen
foot traffic up and increased card
spend, together with a renewed
vibrancy and positivity among our
retailers.
We have also embarked on the
development of an extensive urban
cycling network which will be a
catalyst for more people to choose to
walk or cycle.
In addition to Council-led projects,
a range of investors are
demonstrating their faith in the
district’s future having chosen
Rotorua as a location for the
confirmed development of an
upmarket hotel and spa complex, a
world-class education facility, a
shopping and entertainment
complex and an upgraded mountain
bike hub as part of a future Waipa
Valley development project.
In Rotorua we are building a
buoyant future. Why don’t you come
and see if your future is here too?
It could well be the beginning of
a whole new life — for you.
If you’re inspired by the idea of
living and working, or living and
studying, in Rotorua, take a good
look at the information at:
RotoruaNZ.com/live
Or pick up the phone and speak
to one of the friendly Customer
Solutions team at Rotorua Lakes
Council.
They will be happy to answer
your questions, put you in touch
with specialist recruitment
companies and real estate agents,
or arrange for you to speak to some
of the many people who have
already made the move to Rotorua.
Contact:
Rotorua Lakes Council
1061 Haupapa St
Rotorua District Council
Ph 0800 ROTORUA
Why not take time out, pop
down and have a taste of the
Rotorua way of life?
Take part in a sporting event, or
just enjoy soaking up the ambience
for a couple of days.
Come visit us. We know you’ll
love it!