Back to Blog

Tompkins Wake gifts $250,000 to the Waikato Regional Theatre as the firm celebrates 100 years

Tompkins Wake is gifting $250,000 to support the development of the Waikato Regional Theatre to help boost the region’s economy and create a space where culture and communities can thrive. The announcement comes as the law firm celebrates its 100th birthday this month and recognises the importance of its Waikato heritage.    Chief Executive Jon Calder says the Waikato Regional Theatre will be a world-class facility and a valuable community asset. “The Theatre is one of several proj...

Selling a home requires a new approach in the current ‘cool’ market

The city of Hamilton currently has around five months of housing stock listed for sale on the market.  This compares to around five weeks of stock just one year ago. Lodge Real Estate Managing Director Jeremy O’Rourke says the slow market means vendors must change their sales approach.  He says there are three things vendors must get right to minimise the number of days to sell. “There are three considerations vendors need to understand about what it takes to sell a property in a m...

Increasing numbers of property developers turn to Alpha First to access non-bank finance

Mortgage investment firm, Alpha First, says demand from borrowers for funds has grown 20% in the past six months on the back of a growing need for property developers to access non-bank financing. With $150M of investor funds and 60 loans in its portfolio, Director Scott Massey says the firm is on track to double its loan book within the next 24 months. “Alpha First works with our other company Omega Capital, which primarily is a brokerage, financing property developers operating across New Z...

Genetics can help dairy farmers take steps this season to reduce their emissions

Genetics can help dairy farmers take steps this season to reduce their emissions while they wait for further new tools and technologies to be developed, says CRV managing director James Smallwood. “Dairy farmers in New Zealand want to breed cows that are more productive, last longer in the herd and convert feed more efficiently into milk solids. “And as they achieve these results, herds will naturally have a lower environment impact. Breeding for lifetime production also means farmers requi...

Matt Chisholm partners with Rural Support Trust on a nationwide mental resilience tour

TV presenter turned sheep and beef farmer, Matt Chisholm, has signed on as the inaugural Ambassador for Rural Support Trust.  He kicks off his ambassadorship role with a nationwide tour talking to rural communities on the topic of mental wellness and resilience. Chisholm has shared openly about his mental health struggles.  Through the tour, he will talk about his personal experiences and how he found a way through. Chisholm will visit rural halls on the Rural Support Trust’s Time Ou...

Barfoot & Thompson takes equity stake in Hamilton-based Lodge Real Estate

Lodge Real Estate announced today that Barfoot & Thompson has taken a 50% shareholding in the company, effective from 30 June 2022.  The Auckland-based real estate agency bought the full shareholding off David Couch.  Managing director Jeremy O’Rourke remains a 50% shareholder. “After 52 years with Lodge, David Couch has decided it is time to retire fully and sell down his fifty percent holding in the company. While we are sad to see David step down, it is also an exciting time for...

Ag career gives new territory manager sense of purpose

Kaitlin Bates’ love of the land goes back to childhood. Graincorp Feeds’new Territory Manager for Northwest Waikato grew up on a farm in Tokoroa and surprised no one when she majored in biological science at Massey University. In spite of what seems a predictable path to a career in agriculture, Kaitlin recalls a time when she thought about becoming a teacher. “What I wanted in a job was a sense of purpose, something that got me out bed in the morning to go make a difference. For a short s...

New Zealand surrogacy law needs a total revamp says legal expert

One of New Zealand’s leading surrogacy law experts says New Zealand’s surrogacy law needs a total revamp. The Law Commission is set to publish a review on New Zealand’s surrogacy law shortly and Tompkins Wake Partner, Zandra Wackenier, who sat on a working group submitting to the review, says it’s time for New Zealand to move on from the inadequate legislation currently being used. “Most other countries in the world have a totally separate piece of legislation but New Zealand has laws ...

Transitioning feeding crucial as recent rain heightens milk fever risk for dairy farmers

With many dairy farmers now experiencing a pasture flush following recent rain, a well-planned Transition feeding regime is even more crucial to minimise the increased risk of milk fever. As dairy farmers countdown to calving, Transition feeding can help minimise the costs of milk fever on animal health and farmers’ bottom lines. This was a key message of Nutritech’s Ruminant and Forage Technical Services Manager Nadine Olsen on a recent GrainCorp Feeds webinar. The webinar is part ofGrain...

Lowest cost feed not necessarily the best option for drought-stricken dairy farmers

As Waikato and South Auckland dairy farmers battle drought conditions, GrainCorp Feeds is urging them to plan well and weigh up the expected return from supplementary feed rather than just choosing the lowest cost option. “The price of feed will always play a part in farmers’ feed purchasing decisions. But with some areas experiencing drought conditions and a lack of locally grown supplement, combined with global supply uncertainty around imported feeds, the number of feed opt...

Lodge Real Estate issues first-home buyer FOMO caution

As property sales plummet by 32.5 percent and first home buyers move from a fear of missing out (FOMO) to a fear of paying too much, real estate agents are warning that a lull in the market is the best time to buy. Lodge Real Estate Director, Jeremy O’Rourke, says Hamilton experienced one of its slowest months in April with only 192 properties changing hands and very few of them to first home buyers. The latest figures from REINZ also show sales have plummeted 32.5 percent annually and monthly...

Debunking four media myths

by Heather ClaycombThis month I thought I would share a few myths or misperceptions I hear a lot from organisations that are not used to working with media.  If you are thinking about doing more proactive media publicity in your business, these four myths will help you prepare for the road ahead. Why doesn’t the media ever ask us for a story? Newsflash: journalists are not sitting around wracking their brains about who they can do a ‘good news’ story about.  They will not simply ...

“If you go up the driveway of farmers and you don’t believe you can make their lives better, you may as well not be there.”

That’s the philosophy of CRV’s new Regional Sales Manager for the Upper North Island, Michelle Bratty. She likes farmers. Likes to see them do well and loves being part of a company that shares her zeal for helping people succeed. “I’m passionate about farmers because I’ve been one. Only for a short time, but I know how hard it is to keep that bottom line from sinking. It’s a constant battle to get the best out of your herd, so I’m thrilled to be in a company that helps farmers do ...

He Waka Eke Noa consultation - farmers rightly remain nervous, confused, and angry

As consultation by He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN) has rounded up there are still a vast number of farmers who are nervous, confused, and angry about what the future for managing agricultural emissions in New Zealand might look like, and for good reason. The fast pace of law-making in New Zealand in recent years is unsettling. Not only for the rural community trying to get their heads around what it all means for them, but for a range of sectors, including participants in New Zealand’s Emissions Tradin...

Key appointment strengthens Perrin Ag’s presence in the Lower North Island

Experienced dairy industry professional Rob Brazendale has joined Perrin Ag as the firm looks to strengthen its support of farmers and growers in the Lower North Island. With over 30 years in the agricultural sector, Rob knows how to navigate farmers through the regulatory maze. As Perrin Ag’s newest senior consultant based in Palmerston North, he is in a unique position to help farmers more than ever. “I’ve been in agriculture a long time and my work has been varied: farm advisory work,...

Micro market segment performance shows strength remains in Hamilton housing market

Many segments of the residential property market are still performing strongly in Hamilton.  Despite overall sales volumes for March being approximately 25% less than March 2021, one Hamilton real estate agent is reminding people that residential property is not a commodity market. Lodge Real Estate Director, Jeremy O’Rourke, says people need to remember the housing market is comprised of diverse segments and many are still performing very well. “When you listen to commentators talking ...

Three new partners appointed to Tompkins Wake legal team in Auckland and Hamilton

Leading law firm Tompkins Wake is pleased to announce the appointment of three new partners: Daniel Erickson, Wayne Hofer and Karina McLuskie. Daniel joins the Auckland office of Tompkins Wake from the firm he helped establish, Douglas Erickson. For Daniel the switch to Tompkins Wake was the right career move at the right time. “In my own firm, I was having to deal with admin and the daily tasks of running a business. What I wanted was freedom to take my skills and practice to the next level. ...

Planning for reconnection

By Heather ClaycombA simple way I sometimes define the field of public relations to those who aren’t quite sure what I do with my time, is that it involves intentional communications and actions to build reputation and relationships. Over the past two years, the pandemic has given many organisations an opportunity to really ‘show their spots’ in these two areas.  Those who have deliberately focused on upping their game in the communications space have maintained and even enhanced thei...

Dairy farmers encouraged to maintain first calvers’ body condition to minimise wastage

Dairy farmers are being encouraged to maintain the body condition of their rising three-year-olds as first-time calvers to help secure their longevity in the herd and maximise profitability. GrainCorp Feeds hosted PGG Wrightson Technical Expert in Ruminant Nutrition Laura Pattie this month on a farmer webinar. She says prioritising rising three-year-olds for a second season is crucial to minimising wastage in terms of empty cows and lost milk production. This begins at calving time and throughou...

Rising fuel prices drive commuters to cost-saving e-bike alternatives

With fuel prices across the country continuing to hit new highs, commuters are looking towards alternative transport methods like e-bikes to keep their monthly bills down, amidst other economic factors such as rising inflation. Whilst the Government announced last week they are cutting 25c a litre off the petrol excise duty and road user charges for three months, the provisional forecast from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment shows prices tracking on an upward trajectory. This,...

New business manager brings winning combo to the team

Mike Matthews’ energy, commercial experience and rapport with people are a winning combination for driving change and building on the value Perrin Ag delivers its clients. Mike (31) is the firm’s new Business Manager. He joined Perrin Ag after nearly a decade working in supply chain and logistics roles with dairy giant Fonterra and GPS positioning system company, Trimble Navigation. Combine that experience with a Bachelor of Management Studies in PR and supply chain management and he’s wel...

New graduate advisor impresses with self-drive, intentionality and hands-on farming experience

Laura McQuillan-Reese’s self-drive, intentionality and hands-on farming experience rivals most her age. As Perrin Ag’s newest graduate advisor, she is poised to make her mark on New Zealand’s agricultural sector.   Perrin Ag launched its Empower Graduate Advisor Development Programme in September last year, inviting applications from graduates from Massey, Lincoln and Waikato universities. Laura was the obvious choice. Laura (23) grew up on a sheep farm in the small town of Hawar...

Increasing number of Kiwis illegally using train tracks in dangerous photography shoots

TrackSAFE is blowing the whistle this March on an increasing number of Kiwis who are using train tracks as a backdrop for photography, from members of the public, to clothing labels and even musicians. TrackSAFE NZ Foundation Manager Megan Drayton says photography for creative campaigns on train tracks and at level crossings is a growing issue in New Zealand and TrackSAFE is being contacted frequently about people using railway tracks as a backdrop for their photography. “Almost every week we ...

New Zealand’s false housing market faces a reset as borders open

New Zealand is experiencing an artificially suppressed housing market.  As borders reopen, house prices, alongside demand, could reignite as those locked out through MIQ restrictions return looking for somewhere to live, says a Hamilton real estate agent. Lodge Real Estate Managing Director, Jeremy O’Rourke, says New Zealand has been operating in a false market with our borders closed and people hunkered down in a semi-lockdown state as Omicron numbers continue to rise.  He believes ...

Review of Omicron isolation periods may save New Zealand businesses

The shortening of Omicron isolation periods may give some relief to businesses say insolvency experts, but many are still facing permanent closure if they can’t open their doors due to staff isolating. Tompkins Wake insolvency specialist Wayne Hofer says even before Omicron entered New Zealand there was a severe labour shortage economy wide, compounded by New Zealand’s border closures. “Some businesses had already seen their bottom line reduce drastically. If they have no staff, they canno...