Intellectual property can hold significant business value. These five company examples highlight practical ways to protect it.

1. Protect confidential information

Apple requires NDAs for all employees and controls access to sensitive information before patent filing or product launch. Apply confidentiality agreements and protocols to staff, contractors and partners.

2. Establish ownership early

Samsung specifies IP ownership in external collaboration contracts. Clarify ownership in collaboration and supplier agreements before work starts to protect commercialisation rights and avoid disputes.

3. Train your team

Google uses regular, practical IP training with real-world examples and interactive content. Help employees recognise and protect valuable ideas.

4. Review before sharing

IBM reviews potential patents before public disclosure, including presentations and academic papers. Check new concepts and findings before sharing them externally.

5. Plan for departures

Pfizer uses confidentiality and non-compete clauses to reduce the risk of knowledge reaching competitors. Consider reasonable post-employment protections in staff agreements.

Businesses can start by identifying their IP, using NDAs and clear IP clauses, creating project checklists, educating staff regularly and seeking tailored advice from an IP advisor.

To discuss your business’s intellectual property needs, contact Origin IP.

Finance:.   NZ dollar remained steady over the week but the real concern is the cross rate with the Australian dollar.  The Brent Crude varied across the week & is currently $104.56/barrel. It’s the cost of refining that has gone up as the Russian refineries are destroyed. 

Wool:  The prices in both the crossbred and finer wools are encouraging but have eased at last weeks’ sales.

Beef, Sheep & Venison schedules: The meat schedules remain steady across all categories as the spring growth kicks in. The international demand for red meat is very strong.  Schedules are expected to rise leading up to Christmas.

Dairy Prices   The g/DT lifted 1.2% with a large volume offered.  WMP is up to $US3605/tn while SMP lifted 4.3%.  Cheddar dropped 3.7% and butter fell 0.3%.  It was considered a positive auction underpinning the seasons farm gate estimates.

I was serious last week suggesting that the 2027/28 is underway as your mating decisions affect the 2027/28 season just as your feed planning does.  The feeding management through this season will impact on the following season, so there are some tough decisions regarding the purchase of supplements that will take you through the autumn of 2027 and the anticipated summer dry.  Harvest as much surplus grass into silage as possible, but do not restrict the cows feeding!!

Quote:    “What's done is done. What's gone is gone. One of life's lessons is always moving on. It’s okay to look back to see how far you’ve come but keep moving forward.”

Need Help. If at any time you just want to talk & need someone to talk to, just call - Male Support Services (Waikato) 0800-677-289,  or Rural Support Trust 0800-787-245.  Crisis TXT – HELP (4357).  A shared problem can be a problem solved!!

Jims Rant,

Borrowed from somewhere but worth contemplating  - GREEN PARTY TAX SYSTEM EXPLAINED IN BEER

Every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100

If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes:

The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.

The fifth would pay $1

The sixth would pay $3

The seventh would pay $7

The eighth would pay $12

The ninth would pay $18

The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59

The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve.  "Since you are all such good customers," he said, "I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20" Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.  The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes.  So the first four men were unaffected.  They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men? The paying customers?

How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his fair share?'

They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer.

So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.

The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings)

The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33% savings).

The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28% savings).

The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).

The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).

The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).

Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free.

But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.

"I only got a $1 out of the $20" declared the sixth man.

He pointed to the tenth man," but he got $10!"

"Yeah, that's right," exclaimed the fifth man. "I only saved a $1 too.

It's unfair that he got ten times more than I!"  "That's true!!" shouted the seventh man. "Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!"

Wait a minute," yelled the first four men "We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!"  The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.  The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him.  But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!

And that, Chloe is how our tax system works.

The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction.

Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore.

NOT A PARTY HAS A RADICAL PROPOSAL—LEAVE POLITICS BEHIND

New Zealand’s political problem may not be which party wins—but why we keep asking parties to govern us.

Not A Party believes it has the best idea in New Zealand politics precisely because it is not trying to be a winning political party.

Recent surveys have revealed a party political landscape in which support is increasingly polarised between parties on the left and parties on the right, while the traditional centre struggles to maintain a clear identity. The major parties appear increasingly dependent on positioning, polling and coalition arithmetic, while minor parties compete to capture the votes of the disenfranchised.

Not A Party proposes something considerably more radical.

Exit politics.

Not through apathy. Not through authoritarianism. Not by pretending that disagreement can disappear. Instead, Not A Party asks New Zealanders to consider whether we could design a completely different way of making collective decisions.

Political parties were designed for a particular kind of representative democracy. They organise people into competing groups, develop policies, seek votes, acquire power and then attempt to govern on behalf of everyone else. But what happens when the competing groups no longer represent the complexity of the people? What happens when citizens are forced to choose a package deal—agreeing with one party on housing, another on the environment, another on taxation, and none of them on the rest? What happens when the political system becomes better at producing political careers than producing good decisions?

Perhaps we don’t need better parties. Perhaps we need a better system.

Not A Party is therefore proposing a national conversation about governance beyond party politics.

That could mean experimenting with citizens’ assemblies, deliberative democracy, local decision-making, participatory budgeting, digitally enabled consultation, rotating civic representation, transparent public deliberation and new mechanisms for allowing expertise and lived experience to enter decision-making without requiring people to join or identify with a political tribe.

The point is not to arrive at another ideology and call it the answer. The point is to experiment.

A functioning society is not a reality television show in which two teams fight for the trophy while everyone else watches from the stands. It is a complicated living system constituted by millions of people with different knowledge, interests, skills and experiences.

Why should the machinery for governing that system be built around choosing a team every three years?

Not A Party does not claim to have found the final replacement for representative party politics. That is precisely the point. We don’t need another group of politicians arriving with a ready-made answer and asking the public to vote for it. We need citizens, researchers, technologists, artists, workers, communities, businesses and political thinkers to build and test alternatives together. New Zealand has an opportunity to become a laboratory for innovation in governance.

The political parties can keep arguing about who should run the country.

Not A Party wants to ask a more fundamental question.

What if we stopped trying to run the country through parties at all?

Not a new party.
A new question.

ENDS

https://nap.org.nz/exit-politics/

Businesses across the Waikato region will have the opportunity to hear firsthand about some of the most significant policy developments affecting employers when the EMA joins the upcoming NZ Business Connect networking event in Hamilton on 28 October.

Simon Devoy, the EMA's Head of Membership and Export, will provide an update on changes to employment relations legislation, proposed health and safety reforms, Holidays Act changes, and the organisation's broader advocacy priorities ahead of the election.

The EMA’s 2026 Election Policy Directives, put together following extensive engagement with members, call for greater certainty and stability in government policy, recognising that businesses need confidence to invest, expand and create jobs. Key priorities include improving infrastructure delivery and consenting processes, strengthening New Zealand's energy security, modernising employment legislation, and encouraging greater investment and innovation.

The EMA has also been vocal about the need to address workforce challenges, including improving work readiness among young people, creating effective pathways for skilled workers, and helping businesses prepare for the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence.

According to the EMA, many businesses have spent recent years navigating significant domestic and international disruption. Greater policy consistency and a focus on productivity will be essential to unlocking future economic growth.

The EMA is New Zealand's largest business membership organisation, supporting thousands of businesses nationwide, including a strong and growing network of members across the Waikato region. With a local team based at Waikato Innovation Park in Hamilton, the EMA is well positioned to understand and advocate for the challenges and opportunities facing Waikato businesses.

The EMA provides a comprehensive range of services designed to help businesses thrive, including leadership and professional development training, expert employment relations and health and safety advice, business advocacy, and practical workplace support. As a trusted partner to employers, the organisation helps businesses navigate change, manage risk, build capability, and unlock growth opportunities.

The EMA is pleased to partner with Waikato Innovation Park where the event will take place. As a thriving centre for innovation and business growth, the Park brings together industry, research and enterprise on its 17-hectare Hamilton campus, creating connections that help businesses innovate, collaborate and succeed.

The NZ Business Connect Hamilton networking event will provide local businesses with the chance to hear these insights directly, connect with other employers, and gain a better understanding of the policy issues likely to shape the business environment in 2027 and beyond.

For more information
Contact Media PA
Phillip Quay, Founder, Media PA
027 458 7724
phillip@mediapa.co.nz

Owning a rental home involves more than finding tenants and collecting rent. There are repairs to organise, inspections to carry out and paperwork to keep in order. For New Zealand landlords, one of the biggest decisions is how much of that work to handle themselves.

Managing your property directly can save on fees and give you more control. Hiring a property management company can reduce your workload and provide experienced support. The right choice depends on your time, confidence and how involved you want to be.

What does managing a rental involve?

Rental management starts before anyone moves in. You need to advertise the home, assess applications, check references and prepare a tenancy agreement. Once the tenancy begins, there are rent payments to track, maintenance requests to answer and records to maintain.

Landlords also need to understand their obligations around bonds, property access, repairs and tenancy notices. Having a friendly relationship with tenants helps, but clear processes and accurate paperwork still matter. Tenancy Services provides guidance and resources for owners taking on these responsibilities.

Managing the property yourself

The clearest benefit of self-management is avoiding ongoing management fees. You deal directly with tenants, choose your own contractors and make decisions without going through another person.

This can work if you live nearby, have time available and feel comfortable handling administration. Owners with reliable tradespeople and a good understanding of tenancy requirements may find the work manageable.

The challenge is availability. A leaking pipe or missed rent payment may need attention during your working day or while you are away. Finding replacement tenants can also involve several viewings, application checks and follow-up conversations.

There is a personal side, too. Discussing overdue rent or damage can feel awkward when you know the tenants well. Self-management requires you to stay approachable while keeping clear boundaries.

Hiring a property management company

A property manager takes on the agreed day-to-day tasks and becomes the main contact for tenants. This can be useful for owners who work full-time, live elsewhere or have several rental homes.

Propertyscouts, for example, lists tenant screening, rent collection, inspections, maintenance coordination, rental appraisals and Healthy Homes compliance support among its services. It operates through a nationwide network of locally owned franchises.

The practical benefit is having someone responsible for following up routine issues. However, service quality matters. Ask who will manage your property, how they communicate and what happens when that person is unavailable.

You will still need to budget for repairs and make decisions about larger expenses. Agree on spending limits and approval processes before management begins.

Comparing the real costs

Look beyond the advertised management percentage. Request a written breakdown covering GST, tenant placement, inspections, maintenance administration and any other charges.

Then consider the value of your own time. Managing one nearby home might fit comfortably around your schedule. Managing several properties across different towns could become a substantial commitment.

Professional management may help organise maintenance and tenant changes, but it cannot guarantee that every tenancy will run smoothly. Compare the total cost with the actual service offered.

Keeping the home compliant

Both approaches require attention to the condition of the property. Healthy Homes standards cover heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress and drainage, and draught stopping.

Self-management suits owners prepared to commit time and learn the requirements. Professional management suits those who value regular support and fewer daily demands. Choose the approach you can maintain consistently, through quiet months and unexpected problems alike.

You’ve been in the house a while now. You know the neighbours, the kids have mates down the road, and you’re pretty happy with where you live.

You just wish there was a bit more room.

The spare bedroom’s no longer spare. There’s always someone waiting for the bathroom, and the garage is full of stuff you’ll “get around to sorting” one day.

Maybe the family’s getting bigger. Maybe the house is looking tired. Either way, you’ve started having that conversation: should we move?

Before you spend your weekends at open homes, it’s worth finding out what you could do with the place you’ve already got.

What would make you want to stay?

Start by thinking about the things that are a hassle day to day.

Would another bedroom stop the kids arguing? Would a second bathroom make mornings easier? Do you need a bigger kitchen, or just somewhere to put everything currently covering the bench?

Think about the good bits too. If you love the location and there’s room on the section, you might have a few options worth exploring.

Write down what you’d change and take a builder through it. Show them the cramped rooms, the wasted space and the laundry cupboard that barely shuts.

You don’t need a finished plan for that first chat. Just an idea of what’s no longer working and what would make you happy to stay.

Could a renovation sort it?

Maybe there’s another baby on the way, the kids need their own rooms, or you’ve just had enough of the kitchen you inherited when you bought the place.

If you still like living there, it’s worth seeing what a house renovation could do before you start packing boxes.

A kitchen renovation could give you more bench space and somewhere for everyone to sit. In the bathroom, it might be time to replace the tired shower or put in a bath for the little ones. Even sorting out the laundry can make a difference, especially if you’re stepping over washing baskets to get out the back door.

If you’ve outgrown the house, a room addition or extension could give you another bedroom, a bigger living area or space for family to stay at Christmas.

Have a chat with a builder about what’s possible. Take them through the house and show them what’s driving you mad. It’s a useful starting point for figuring out what needs to change and how much work you’re ready to take on.

Make some room for everyone out the back

Think about Christmas lunch, a New Year’s barbecue or having the mates over for Crate Day. Where does everyone end up? If you’re dragging chairs onto the lawn and balancing plates on your knees, a deck or patio could get plenty of use.

Make room for the barbecue, a decent table and people to move around. You don’t want whoever’s cooking stuck in a corner every time the whole family comes over.

A pergola can give you some shade, and a privacy screen can help if the neighbours have a clear view of your backyard. Pathways make it easier to get around, while retaining walls could help turn a sloping section into space you can use.

If you spend half the summer cooking outside, an outdoor kitchen might be worth a look too. Even some bench space beside the barbecue would save a few trips inside with plates and tongs.

Need somewhere to put all your stuff?

Sometimes the house is fine. It’s the garage that’s packed to the ceiling.

The lawnmower’s wedged behind the bikes, the tools are scattered about, and the project car hasn’t moved because there’s nowhere to put everything sitting on top of it.

A shed could give you back some room. That might mean a simple spot for garden gear and general storage, or something bigger where you can work on the car without packing up halfway through.

Then there’s the man cave. A workbench, a few chairs, somewhere to watch the rugby. Whatever you’ve got in mind, think about how much space you’ll need once everything’s inside. If the car fits but you can’t open the door, you’re going to wish you’d gone a bit bigger.

Get a quote before making big plans

It’s easy to get carried away once you start looking at tiles and kitchen ideas.

Before you go too far, talk through the job and get a quote. Ask what’s included, who’s organising the trades and how the work could affect daily life at home.

If it’s your only bathroom, that last bit matters quite a lot.

Be clear about your budget, too. It helps the builder understand what you can take on and what might need to wait.

You don’t have to decide everything in that first conversation. The point is to get enough information to make a sensible call.

Start with a chat

Moving could still be the right choice. But if you like where you live, finding out what’s possible is a useful first step.

Mersey Construction is a locally owned residential construction company run by Managing Director and qualified builder Thomas Rea. The team works across Central Auckland, West Auckland, Rodney, the North Shore and Hibiscus Coast.

They handle home renovations, bathrooms, kitchens, decks, fences, sheds and general building work, and offer free, no-obligation quotes.

If you’ve got a few ideas for the house, give them a call and talk them through.

The Office of the Ombudsman has published new guidance on official information and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for requesters, agencies and complainants.

Chief Ombudsman John Allen says the increasing use of AI is reshaping the way information is accessed, interpreted and understood.

"Ministers and public sector agencies have told us there has been a significant increase in the number of people using AI to make information requests. Our investigators are also seeing an increasing number of complaints that appear have been generated by AI."

"This is putting pressure on the entire official information system."

"There are some benefits in using AI, but it must be used responsibly. Our guidance offers practical advice to help all parties get the most out of AI, while avoiding some of the common problems that can occur."

"If you're a requester, be clear, concise and focused about the information you really want. If you're not sure how to describe it, calling the agency and talking to officials will always be a good option to get through the request process quickly."

"Agencies are responding to a high volume of information requests. In the last financial year, central government agencies (excluding Police and Defence which are reported separately) completed over 87,000 information requests."

"Straightforward requests will ensure that the Minister or government agency will be able to understand the exact nature of the information you're looking for and quickly respond."

"The key is to use AI responsibly and don't rely on it entirely for accurate advice. It can make mistakes and refer to legislation, cases and obligations that don't exist."

"If requests are very large, wide‑ranging or complex, there's a high chance the response will be delayed, and requests could also be refused under certain provisions of the Official Information Act."

The guidance also gives tips for agencies on how to deal effectively with official information requests made using AI.

"Using AI can be helpful, for example, in preparing a first cut of a response especially around identifying relevant information and proposing possible redactions," Mr Allen says.

"It may save time, free up resources and make the information available to a requester more quickly."

"Ultimately, however, the human element in this process is vital. Ministers, government agencies and local authorities remain accountable for any decisions made on official information requests regardless of the technology they use to assist their decision."

There is also guidance for people using AI to make complaints to the Ombudsman.

AI can improve access for complainants who need help constructing or expressing their concerns. However, it can also make complaints overly complex, emphasise small insignificant details, and add information that is not accurate, or relevant.

"This can be challenging for our investigators because some of these complaints can lack focus, making them time‑consuming to progress," says Mr Allen.

"Complainants should state clearly who and what they are complaining about and the outcome they are seeking."

The guides were developed and informed by best practice advice published by the Ombudsman's overseas counterparts, as well as feedback from our own staff and agencies.

AI is a developing area, and the guidance will be updated as and when required.

Read the guidance:

• Practical advice on AI for requesters
• Practical advice on AI for complainants
• Advice for agencies on information requests and AI

Tubman Heating joined energy, carbon and sustainability professionals at CEP Conference 2026 in Hamilton to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping New Zealand’s energy future.

The conference highlighted practical approaches to energy efficiency, decarbonisation, electrification and renewable energy, with discussions around how businesses can improve performance while reducing emissions.

Tubman Heating shared insights on steam system efficiency, boiler upgrades, biomass heating, heat recovery and commercial hot water solutions.

The event reinforced the importance of practical, reliable solutions as New Zealand businesses work towards more efficient and sustainable operations.

Read the full article to learn more about the key insights from CEP Conference 2026.

Most of the time, we're too busy focused on the next site visit, the next programme deadline, the next client meeting, or the next challenge that needs solving. The projects we are most proud of often become "just another job" because we are so immersed in the day-to-day process of delivering them.

It is only when you step back and view the finished result through a different lens that you truly appreciate the collective effort, creativity, problem-solving and craftsmanship that went into bringing a vision to life.

The 2026 SPASA New Zealand Awards of Excellence, held on 6 June, was one of those moments for our team at Auckland Inground Pools Ltd.

We are incredibly proud to announce that Auckland Inground Pools was awarded SPASA New Zealand's Safety Barrier Award, recognising excellence in the design and installation of a compliant swimming pool safety barrier associated with any type of pool construction.

What made the evening even more special was learning that the same project has now progressed to compete for the prestigious Australasian Enhancement of the Year Award, to be announced on 19 August 2026. To be standing alongside the best projects from New Zealand and every Australian state and territory is both humbling and exciting!

The SPASA Awards of Excellence represent the highest level of recognition within the swimming pool and spa industry, celebrating the people, projects, products and innovations that continue to raise standards across Australasia.

For us, this project demonstrates something we have always believed: exceptional outcomes are never the result of one company alone. There are many more behind the scenes!

This award-winning project brought together a talented team of designers, fabricators, landscapers and installers who are all part of creating something both beautiful and functional.

The flowing steel barrier was designed to complement the contours of the landscape, protect users, satisfy compliance requirements, and enhance rather than interrupt the rural outlook.

The result is a safety barrier that feels less like a fence and more like a sculptural architectural feature.

A special thank you goes to:

MH Design and Dinusha for the structural design.

Richard Neville at Neville Design Studio for the landscape design and original concept - from way back in 2020!

MacWeld Drury for the exceptional fabrication quality and craftsmanship.

Taumata Lowe from Otera Landscapes for his strength and expertise during installation!

Our own Auckland Inground Pools construction team, whose attention to detail and commitment to quality ensured the project was delivered to the standard it deserved.

In an industry where compliance is often viewed as a pain point and therefore a limitation, this project proves that safety, innovation and aesthetics can work together seamlessly.

As we now look ahead to the Australasian Awards of Excellence on 19 August, we do so with a great sense of pride. Regardless of the outcome, being recognised amongst the finest pool and spa projects from across Australasia is already a significant achievement for our team and our industry here in New Zealand.

To everyone involved, thank you.

This recognition belongs to all of you.

P: 09 294 7572

E: info@aucklandpools.co.nz

Flood Roofing Limited has been named the winner of the Northport Excellence in Business - Medium Business Award, recognising the company’s significant growth, operational improvements and investment in technology.

The award acknowledges Flood Roofing’s transformation over the past three years, during a period when the wider roofing and construction industry has faced challenging business conditions.

The judges highlighted Flood Roofing’s willingness to recognise the limitations within the business, invest in learning and make meaningful changes to the way it operates.

In their comments, the judges said they were “immensely impressed” by the changes Flood Roofing had made after identifying areas where the business could improve.

A key part of that transformation has been the development of systems and technology designed to improve internal efficiency and profitability while also creating a better experience for customers.

The technology gives customers greater involvement in the early stages of their roofing project, helping them identify their needs and develop a clearer understanding of the scope of work required.

The judges noted that these improvements had contributed to significant business growth over the past three years.

They also said:

“The judges are excited to see where the use of the learnings and technology will take this business in the future.”

For Flood Roofing, the award recognises a deliberate commitment to building a stronger business behind the scenes so customers receive a more efficient, transparent and consistent roofing experience.

“Winning this award means a great deal to our team. Over the past few years, we’ve put a lot of work into improving the way we operate and finding better ways to support our customers from the first conversation through to the completed roof. To have that progress recognised by the judges is something the whole team can be proud of.”

The company plans to continue developing its systems, technology and processes as it grows, with a focus on delivering an increasingly streamlined experience for customers without losing the personal service and practical expertise at the heart of the business.

Media enquiries:
Aron Flood
Owner
Flood Roofing Limited
0800 435 663
office@floodroofing.co.nz

https://www.floodroofing.co.nz/

Finance:.   NZ dollar remained steady to slightly easier over the week but the real concern is the cross rate with the Australian dollar.  The Brent Crude varied across the week & is currently $102.24/barrel.  

Wool:  The prices in both the crossbred and finer wools are encouraging but have eased at recent sales.

Beef, Sheep & Venison schedules: The meat schedules remain steady across all categories as the spring growth kicks in. The international demand for red meat is very strong pushing the local prices higher.  Schedules are expected to rise over the next month.

Dairy Prices   The Pulse Auction shows some upwards movement.  g/DT on 6th October should see an uplift in prices again.  Tatua has paid out $13.93 with retentions of $1.51 providing a net payment of $12.42.  A good result!!

The 2027/28 dairy season is now underway with mating or premating work being done.  Selecting the right cows for mating is the key to a high conception rate, a submission rate means nothing if they don’t hold in calf.  It is the standing cow that is ready is for mating, the riders and the mucking around cows will eventually stand and be ready!!!

Quote:    “It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it.”

Need Help. If at any time you just want to talk & need someone to talk to, just call - Male Support Services (Waikato) 0800-677-289,  or Rural Support Trust 0800-787-245.  Crisis TXT – HELP (4357).  A shared problem can be a problem solved!!

Jims Rant,

Much of this week’s news has been around the Over-Hang Theory and tactical voting to ensure a center-right government continues to manage the New Zealand economy.  National will most certainly attack the plan and to a lesser extent Labour will rally against it.  It is not easy to understand the exact figures because we have no idea what the voters will actually do on polling day.  But it is described as being clever, but not necessarily ethical.  I think part of the ethics comes in is because some see the game as creating an unfair advantage and we then ask the question: where is the ethics in politics anyway!!!??  National doesn’t like it because it will limit their ability to bring in list MP’s thus putting Nicola Willis and Gerry Brownlee positions at risk.  They are also concerned that the ACT & NZ First may wield too much power around the cabinet appointments and Act and NZ First might have enough to become their own minority government generated by the overhang voting and might have enough clout to seriously influence the make-up of the cabinet.  The over-hang theory has been promoted for most of the year with no serious push other than reminding the voters that the Maori Party have used the overhang theory to increase their members in the House.  So how does it work?  I have struggled to find a clear definitive statement but the simple process is as follows:   Vote for your local National candidate and that could see +/-40 electorate members elected which is 33% of the parliament and with the Party Vote for National at say 28% there is a 5% overhang, so National has 6 extra seats.  With this hypothetical result in which the governing parties’ combined party votes would ordinarily produce 58 seats against the opposition’s 62. If transfers within the governing bloc generated a six-seat National overhang, the result could become 64 against 62. Parliament would grow to 126 MPs, with 64 needed for a majority. The coalition would have crossed that line without increasing its combined party vote.  Someone has created a mathematical formula that is difficult to understand but is here for the nerds.  Mathematically, if a party's constituency wins exceed its proportional allocation , the overhang is calculated as . Compensatory or "balance" seats may be added for other parties to restore proportionality, depending on the system.  Overhangs have occurred in NZ when Te Pati Maori won more seats than their party vote share and Parliament went from 120 to 123 seats in 2023, so it is nothing new but can promote a backlash.  The voters in NZ have never before had to consider strategic voting but the need to keep Chloe Swarbrick away from any portfolios, especially finance is important.  The Treasury opened the books this week and they were better than anticipated and our country does not need to go backwards again.  Nicola Willis has not been the best Minister of Finance and Chris Luxon may not be the best Prime Minister ever but look at the alternatives!!    I like the idea of splitting the vote to ensure a strong center-right government with more influence from ACT and NZ First so they can push to dump the Net Zero and Paris stuff, leave the supermarkets to sort themselves out and get rid of the Waitangi Commission. It is interesting times and remember that the polling results can become an influencing factor on their own!!!

As Hamilton cements its place as New Zealand's fastest-growing city, NZ Business Connect founder Phillip Quay says the businesses that thrive will be the ones planning now, not reacting later.

Hamilton's population boom is no passing spike, according to Phillip Quay, founder of Hamilton-based networking organisation NZ Business Connect, who says local businesses have a rare window to position themselves ahead of a decade of sustained demand.

Hamilton has been named the country's fastest-growing city for three consecutive years, with a population of around 192,000 and university projections suggesting it could overtake Wellington by 2040.

"It's not a spike, it's a sustained trend," Mr Quay said. "It's no longer just property and construction talking about growth, it's every sector adjusting to a genuinely bigger city."

Running events across Hamilton, Waikato and Tauranga, Mr Quay said the breadth of businesses joining NZ Business Connect reflects that shift, with recent members ranging from building inspectors to dessert caterers and repair specialists.

"The opportunity for existing Hamilton businesses is that they don't have to chase this growth, it's arriving on their doorstep," he said.

A new town centre in the north

Much of that momentum is concentrated in developments such as Te Awa Lakes, which Mr Quay describes as a new town centre for Hamilton's northern gateway rather than a housing subdivision. Once complete, the development will combine a substantial number of new homes with retail, commercial and recreation space.

NZ Business Connect recently took around 50 members to Te Awa Lakes to hear directly from the development's leadership, including Richard Coventry.

"The businesses who benefit most won't be the ones who wait until residents move in, they'll be the ones building relationships and visibility now," Mr Quay said.

He said the significance of the current moment lies in several major projects, including Te Awa Lakes and Peacocke, landing at roughly the same time. "That compounds the effect rather than spreading it out."

Infrastructure the deciding factor

Mr Quay was frank about the risks. Access to skilled staff remains the most common concern he hears, alongside rising premises costs and competition for good sites.

Hamilton City Council has budgeted close to $4.5 billion in capital expenditure over its current long-term plan, and developments like Te Awa Lakes have required funding arrangements with central government to get roading and water infrastructure in ahead of new homes.

"It's the difference between growth that works and growth that just creates pressure," he said. "If that investment lags, all the population growth in the world won't translate into the economic growth Hamilton is capable of."

He urged businesses to start conversations now about workforce planning, systems capacity and premises strategy. "These conversations are far easier to have now, while there's still time to plan, than in eighteen months when the pressure is already on."

Keeping Hamilton's character at scale

Beyond the practical challenges, Mr Quay said a bigger city risks losing the relationship-driven way Hamilton has always done business.

"That's actually a big part of why networking matters more, not less, as a city grows," he said.

Looking five to ten years ahead, he expects a materially bigger and more diverse city, with Te Awa Lakes and Peacocke matured into full communities and Hamilton more firmly established within the Golden Triangle alongside Auckland and Tauranga.

"That's the horizon we're building NZ Business Connect around, a network that grows alongside the city rather than playing catch-up with it."

Business growth and community impact are often viewed as separate goals, but at NZ Business Connect, they go hand in hand.

While networking, referrals and professional development remain key pillars of the organisation, Social Giving has become an important part of what makes NZ Business Connect different. The programme is built on a simple belief: when businesses come together, they have the power to create positive change within the communities where they live and work.

Through its Social Giving initiative, NZ Business Connect encourages members to look beyond business success and consider how they can contribute to causes that support individuals, families and communities across New Zealand.

NZ Business Connect Founder Phillip Quay said giving back has always been part of the organisation's vision.

“NZ Business Connect was established to help businesses connect and grow, but we also wanted to create opportunities for members to make a meaningful difference in the wider community,” said Phillip.

“Social Giving allows businesses to be part of something bigger. By working together, even small contributions can have a significant impact on the lives of people who need support.”

One of the key organisations supported through the programme is Waikato Women's Refuge, which provides essential services to women and children affected by family violence. Through fundraising initiatives, awareness campaigns and community events, NZ Business Connect members have helped raise both funds and awareness for the organisation's important work.

The organisation also supports the Graeme Dingle Foundation, helping strengthen programmes that empower young New Zealanders through mentoring, life skills development and positive role modelling.

A highlight of the Social Giving programme was the NZ Business Connect Social Giving Event held in Hamilton, which brought together business leaders, community organisations and supporters for an evening focused on giving back. The event raised thousands of dollars for Waikato Women's Refuge while creating valuable conversations around the role businesses can play in supporting local communities.

For many NZ Business Connect members, Social Giving provides an opportunity to align business success with social responsibility.

Rather than being a one-off initiative, the programme is designed to create long-term partnerships with community organisations and encourage ongoing involvement from businesses across the network. Members are regularly introduced to charitable organisations, fundraising opportunities and community projects where they can contribute their time, expertise or resources.

Phillip believes businesses are uniquely positioned to create meaningful change.

“Businesses are often deeply connected to their local communities. Through Social Giving, we're creating opportunities for our members to use those connections to support causes that matter and help build stronger communities for future generations.”

As NZ Business Connect continues to expand across Hamilton, Tauranga and Auckland, Social Giving remains a core part of its mission.

The programme reflects the organisation's commitment to creating value beyond networking by fostering a business community that not only supports each other's growth but also contributes to the wellbeing of the wider community.

For members, Social Giving is more than a charitable initiative. It is an opportunity to be part of a network that believes success is measured not only by business achievements, but also by the positive impact created along the way.

Media Contact:
Phillip Quay
Founder, NZ Business Connect
027 458 7724
info@nzbusinessconnect.co.nz