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Gallagher Group Limited and Gasbot Pty Ltd Sign Exclusive Distribution Agreement for New Zealand

Gallagher Group Limited has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Australian Gasbot Pty Ltd to introduce a satellite-based liquid monitoring system to the New Zealand market. The Gallagher Satellite Water Monitoring system uses Gasbot’s cutting-edge wireless sensor technology to provide timely information on the water levels in tanks, enabling farmers to make informed decisions about water usage and management. The system uses satellite communications to transmit data from the t...

Enthusiastic property market lacks in urgency at the busiest time of year

The real estate market is right in the thick of what is usually the busiest month of the year.  And while there is heightened interest in Hamilton properties, buyers lack a sense of urgency.While March historically sees the highest house sales volumes of any month during in the year, Lodge Real Estate Managing Director Jeremy O’Rourke says, “It’s an enthusiastic market but lacking in any urgency. And that all comes down to fear and apprehension. â€œPeople are still wondering if w...

Regulatory and financial challenges boost sexed semen and dairy beef sales by 40%

CRV’s sales of sexed semen and dairy beef jumped by more than 40 percent last year as New Zealand dairy farmers change their genetics buying behaviour to help mitigate increasing regulatory and financial challenges.  CRV reports that between the 2021 and 2022 seasons the percentage of total sexed semen and dairy beef sales increased by 44% and 41% respectively. On average, for each farmer who bought sexed semen this made up 18% of their order. For those buying dairy beef it made up 1...

Graduate part of a new generation helping farmers navigate significant change

Perrin Ag’s newest graduate recruit is part of a new generation of farm consultants helping New Zealand farmers navigate unprecedented change.Lincoln University graduate Abbey Dowd joined the firm this month as part of its Empower graduate advisor programme.Perrin Ag launched Empower in 2021 and each year invites applications from graduates from Massey, Lincoln and Waikato universities.The programme offers hands on experience across a range of different sectors in the primary industries as wel...

When it comes to writing, is a bot or human best?

In the public relations industry, using artificial intelligence (AI) to develop stories is one of the trends we are watching with huge interest. Using online bots to do your writing for you is no longer an unrealistic, sci-fi dream. It is reality and creative agencies and journalists the world over are embracing the technology. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, there are apps you can use that scour the internet and write stories on your chosen topic. Think that the writing canâ€...

Hill Laboratories forms strategic partnership with Mérieux NutriSciences

Hamilton-based Hill Laboratories has signed a joint working partnership agreement with Mérieux NutriSciences, who are global leaders in food safety, quality, and sustainability. Hill Laboratories’ CEO Dr Jonathan Hill says the partnership was established in response to increased New Zealand customer demand for high-quality food safety auditing services for export. â€œPartnering with Mérieux NutriSciences allows us to offer our customers a world-class independent auditing service al...

Entry level homes attract growing interest, first home buyers and investors see opportunity

Interest in entry level homes in the $500,000 to $600,000 price bracket is leading activity in the Hamilton property market, with transactions in this range accounting for 20% of total sales by Hamilton real estate agency, Lodge Real Estate. Lodge Real Estate Managing Director, Jeremy O’Rourke, says this is a marked increase from the 10-12% of the market this price bracket usually accounts for, and is due to a significant rise in first home buyer and investor activity.“There’s really ...

Gallagher accelerates international expansion with acquisition of Australian gate and livestock handling equipment leader

Gallagher Group is accelerating its commercial expansion across Australian and international markets with its acquisition of Norton Livestock Handling Solutions in Australia. Norton LHS was founded in 1989 by brothers Tom and Peter Russ. The company is widely acknowledged for offering Australian-made high-quality sheep & cattle handling equipment, farm gates, and sheep & cattle yards under its family-values brand. New Zealand-based Global General Manager for Gallagher Animal Ma...

Award-winning agency grows digital and marcomms grunt

Hamilton-based public relations agency HMC has announced the promotion of Rosie Miller to Senior Account Manager - Marketing Communications Lead, and welcomed Jamie Batters into the newly created position of Digital PR Content Creator. HMC was established in 2004 and is a two-time winner of the PRINZ PR Agency of the Year Award in 2018 and 2021. Since joining HMC in 2019, Miller has spent over three years working on a diverse range of clients across many industries including professional service...

Developers face significant pain points with access to finance just the latest hurdle

Commerce Commission recommendations to boost competition in the building materials industry is not enough to address the current pain facing developers, say nonbank lenders. Omega Capital General Manager Noni Martin, says New Zealand’s developers have battled the building supplies shortage and increasing costs, navigated one of the worst labour shortages in history and now many are against the wall, struggling to get finance to complete developments. “For a mix of reasons, including regulato...

Ruminant BioTech develops ‘game-changing’ technology to cut ruminant methane emissions by 70%

The New Zealand Government announced today it will commit $7.8 million to Ruminant BioTech’s CALM (Cut Agricultural Livestock Methane) programme, to develop a sustained release methane inhibitor technology for grass-fed animals. Ruminant BioTech investors will match the Crown’s cash injection. The company aims to develop a commercially viable bolus by 2025 that delivers at least a 70 percent reduction in ruminant animals’ methane emissions over six months. Ruminant BioTech Chief Executive...

Babich Wines puts coastal preservation to the fore with sponsorship of Sustainable Coastlines

As water quality and ocean pollution become two of New Zealand’s biggest issues, Babich Wines is sponsoring the Sustainable Coastlines Charitable Trust to support communities around New Zealand to clean and protect local beaches and waterways. Water is vital to a healthy wine industry and as one of New Zealand’s oldest wineries Babich Wines has a proud history of investing in water conservation initiatives, both here and internationally, says Babich Wines CEO David Babich. “Over our 100-ye...

Fonterra’s Wendy Paul appointed Growing Future Farmers’ new CEO

Growing Future Farmers is pleased to announce the appointment of its new CEO, Wendy Paul. Transitioning from her senior role as Director Culture and Wellbeing at Fonterra, Wendy has been chosen to lead the programme into the next phase of growth. In one sense, Wendy’s move from a corporate like Fonterra to a community-focused organisation represents a significant shift. In a deeper sense, leading the Growing Future Farmers (GFF) programme is the fulfilment of her passion for the sector. What a...

What a dag! Nadia Lim and Royalburn Station launch cheeky room fragrance to help fundraise for the Rural Support Trust

Nadia Lim of Royalburn Station has today launched a cheeky new room fragrance to fundraise for the Rural Support Trust and help raise awareness of the issues facing rural New Zealand. And it’s a bit of a dag! ‘Eau de Dagg’ was created using essential oils made from the wool dags of Nadia’s very own sheep. So, what does it smell like? “Yes, good question! It literally smells just like a woolshed. It is not overly offensive, but you wouldn’t wear it as a perfume – unless you wanted...

Dairy farmers encouraged to consider OAD milking to better cope with looming summer dry

With NIWA predicting a hot, dry summer, dairy farmers are being encouraged to consider once-a-day milking as a low-cost strategy to minimise the impact of dry conditions on next season while looking after their cows and their team. NIWA has recently released its predictions for the upcoming summer months, with the North Island in for above average temperatures, near or below average rainfall, and near or below average soil moisture. Perrin Ag senior consultant Rob Brazendale says while predict...

Leaders: hands-off social management is missing a trick

If you’re a business owner or leader, I have a few questions for you:  When’s the last time you visited your company’s social media sites?  Are you inputting into the content being shared?  Who makes the decision around what you share and do you trust them to represent your brand to the public?  Is the person responsible for posting and monitoring an integral part of your team or a junior staffer far removed from the heart of your business? I ask these questions becaus...

Number of home appraisals increasing in Hamilton market

An increasing number of homeowners are seeking property appraisals to find out what their homes are worth in the current market according to Hamilton real estate agency, Lodge Real Estate. Lodge Real Estate Managing Director, Jeremy O’Rourke, says October was a quiet month for Hamilton real estate agents, with school holidays affecting activity. But he says appraisal requests have increased considerably. “Residential property prices have decreased steadily this year and while they are stil...

Gear up now for new whistleblower law

By Tina Liu, Senior Associate Tompkins Wake...

Why bother entering awards?

Have you ever thought about putting in an application for an industry award? It can be daunting if you haven’t done it before.   What should you write? How can you tell your story in a way that will connect with the judges? From a public relations point of view, applying for select industry awards can be a great part of your business strategy. They can help you build your brand’s reputation as an industry leader and build your credibility among customers and peers. Being a finalist...

Experts share 5 rules for building business resilience as tough times bite

Economic indicators are pointing to tough times ahead as the inflation rate remains high and the Reserve Bank persists in lifting the official cash rate. Tough economic times are a stark reminder to all business leaders they need to build resilience to survive downturns. Tompkins Wake commercial partner Bryce Davey, Deloitte partner Jono Peart, and Backdoor Managing Director Geoff Hutchison have over 50 years’ experience between them. They know how to build a resilient business and share fiv...

Cashed up investors entering the rental market looking for positive returns

Cashed-up investors are being drawn to the Hamilton property market where rents in the mid to upper range increased 8 percent in the last 18 months and demand is outstripping supply. Lodge Real Estate Managing Director Jeremy O’Rourke says agents are meeting with an increasing number of investors who are cash buyers looking for a safe haven for their money and not wanting to buy more shares in the current volatile stock market. “Investors seem to be looking for a haven for their money amid s...

CRV’s industry-first NAIT accreditation good news for dairy farmers

CRV has become the first service provider to achieve NAIT accreditation under OSPRI’s more rigorous five-step process. Representatives from OSPRI today officially presented CRV with its accreditation certificate in Hamilton. myHERD Product Manager Andrew Fraser says the decision to become NAIT accredited means CRV can continue to help dairy farmers meet their obligations and protect their farm businesses. “Having an effective animal traceability system is like having car or house insurance,...

Babich Wines named Official Wine Sponsor for ASB Classic 2023

As the ASB Classic returns to centre court at Stanley Street this summer, tennis fans can take in all the tournament action while enjoying fine wines from Babich Wines, the official wine sponsor for the ASB Classic. The ASB Classic will take place from January 2 to 14, 2023, and the Babich Bar, situated in the tournament’s entertainment precinct, The Serve, will provide spectators the perfect off-court experience. Or for those lucky enough to be close to the action in a box or corporate lounge...

When brands should speak up on social issues

We've been talking about whether organisations should take a stand on social issues, and our team learnt more about how to strike a balance on this when we attended a recent webinar on the topic.  You’ll recall the situation earlier this year when seven Australian NRL players refused to wear a rainbow-detailed jersey, celebrating inclusion and the LGBTQ community. If you missed the story, check it out here: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/471893/pride-jersey-controversy-a-reckoning-for-a...

Heather Named Chair of PRINZ

If you didn’t catch the news on LinkedIn, our director Heather has taken up the helm of Chair of the PR Institute of NZ (PRINZ). PRINZ is the membership body for the public relations and strategic communications profession.  The organisation provides continuing professional development to members and non-members, advocates for the profession, runs the prestigious annual PRINZ Awards and promotes ethical practise. Heather says, “It’s an exciting time for people working in com...