It is hard to imagine a party today without somebody taking photographs.

Phones come out. People pose. Someone shouts "one more!" and another photograph is taken.

But the idea of stepping into a dedicated machine and having your photograph taken automatically is considerably older than the smartphone.

In fact, the origins of the modern photo booth go back almost a century.

The machine that changed photography

Anatol Josepho, an immigrant from Siberia, developed an automated photographic machine during the 1920s.

His Photomaton studio opened on Broadway in New York in 1926 and quickly became a sensation. Customers could pay 25 cents for a strip containing eight photographs.

The appeal was simple.

• You didn't need a professional photographer.
• You didn't need to make an appointment.
• You simply stepped inside, followed the instructions and waited for your photographs.
• According to the Smithsonian, the machines soon appeared in cities around the world.

From serious portraits to having fun

The photo booth gradually became part of popular culture.

People used booths for everything from personal photographs to romantic memories and simple entertainment. Famous figures including John Lennon, Yoko Ono and Andy Warhol became associated with photo-booth photography.

The basic attraction has remained remarkably consistent.

• Get together with someone.
• Step in front of a camera.
• Do something silly.
• Take a photograph.

Then technology changed everything

The traditional photo booth relied on mechanical and photographic processes.

Modern digital booths are very different.

Instead of simply taking a photograph, today's technology can allow guests to experiment with digital effects, virtual props and different ways of sharing their photographs.

The emphasis has shifted from simply getting a photograph to creating an experience around the photograph.

That makes the modern photo booth particularly well suited to parties and events.

The modern selfie booth

A contemporary selfie booth can be as simple as stepping in front of a camera and pressing the screen.

But then the fun begins.

Guests can use physical props supplied with the booth, while virtual props can be added directly on the screen.

A ring light helps create the bright, flattering lighting associated with modern social-media photography.

Once the photographs have been taken, guests can access them digitally through a QR code or email their favourite image to themselves.

The organiser can then receive the complete collection of photographs after the event.

From Broadway to Auckland

Almost 100 years after Josepho's invention, the fundamental idea is still surprisingly relevant.

People like taking photographs of themselves.

They like taking photographs with friends.

And, perhaps most importantly, they like having an excuse to do something a little silly.

That's why photo booths continue to work so well at weddings, birthdays, parties, corporate functions and Christmas celebrations.

Get Flashed NZ brings the modern version of that idea to events throughout Auckland.

The technology may have changed dramatically since the 1920s, but the reason people step in front of the camera hasn't changed much at all.

They want to have fun and remember it afterwards.

And sometimes the best photographs are the ones that weren't planned.

Get Flashed NZ Photo Booth Hire is available throughout the Auckland region, bringing a digital selfie-booth experience to parties, Christmas functions, corporate events and celebrations.

As the end of the year approaches, Auckland businesses are once again starting to think about Christmas parties and end-of-year celebrations.

The food is usually organised. The venue is booked. The drinks have been considered. Someone has probably been asked to put together a playlist.

But there is another question worth asking: What are people actually going to do once they arrive?

That is where a selfie booth can make a surprisingly big difference.

More than just taking photographs

A modern photo booth isn't simply a camera that takes photographs of people standing in a line.

A good selfie booth becomes an activity within the event.

Guests can step in front of the ring light, grab some props, experiment with poses and add virtual props directly on the screen. Before long, people who might otherwise have been sitting at different tables are laughing together and encouraging each other to join the next photo.

And that is particularly useful at a Christmas function.

After a busy year, colleagues are often ready to relax and have some fun. A selfie booth gives them an easy excuse to do exactly that.

The reluctant photographer may become the star

There is always someone at a party who doesn't want their photograph taken.

There is also usually someone who seems to have been waiting all year for an excuse to wear a ridiculous hat.

A combination of physical props and virtual props gives guests plenty of opportunities to make the photographs their own.

The result isn't necessarily a collection of perfectly posed photographs.

It is often much better than that.

It is a collection of photographs showing people actually having fun.

And the photographs don't disappear when the party ends

One of the advantages of a modern digital photo booth is that the experience doesn't depend on producing a physical photograph at the event.

Guests can access their images through a QR code and can also email photographs to themselves.

That means people can share their favourite images with friends or colleagues while the event is still fresh in everyone's minds.

The event organiser also receives the complete collection of photographs afterwards, providing a lasting record of the evening.

An easy addition to an Auckland Christmas function

For businesses organising an end-of-year celebration, entertainment doesn't necessarily need to be complicated.

Sometimes the best additions are the ones that guests can simply walk up to and enjoy when they feel like it.

Get Flashed NZ provides photo booth hire throughout the Auckland region, with no additional delivery charge within Auckland.

The setup is designed to be straightforward: a ring-light selfie booth, a selection of physical props and the option of adding virtual props on screen.

Guests take the photographs. They have fun with them. They can access and share them digitally.

And the organiser gets the full collection afterwards.

Make the Christmas party something people remember

The best staff Christmas parties aren't necessarily the most expensive ones.

They're the ones where people relax, laugh, talk to colleagues they don't normally work with and go home with some good memories.

A selfie booth can help create those moments without demanding that everyone participate at the same time.

It simply sits there, ready for the next group of willing volunteers.

And judging by how quickly one group can turn into another, it may end up being one of the busiest parts of the party.

Planning an Auckland Christmas party or end-of-year function? Get Flashed NZ Photo Booth Hire provides digital selfie booth entertainment throughout the Auckland region.

New Zealand's resource management system is undergoing significant change, creating important considerations for iwi, hapū, councils and communities involved in environmental and planning decisions.

For iwi and hapū, understanding how these reforms may affect existing participation arrangements is particularly important. Changes to the framework could influence how Māori participate in planning processes, engage with local authorities and ensure relevant Treaty settlement obligations are recognised.

A Changing Resource Management System

For decades, the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) has provided the main legislative framework for managing New Zealand's natural and physical resources.

As the Government progresses reforms to replace the RMA, councils, businesses, landowners, iwi and hapū will need to understand how the new framework affects their responsibilities and existing arrangements.

One area undergoing change is the way iwi and hapū participate in resource management processes.

What Are Mana Whakahono ā Rohe Agreements?

Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements were introduced in 2017 as a mechanism for iwi authorities and local authorities to establish formal arrangements for working together on resource management matters.

These agreements can address matters such as participation in planning processes, information sharing, consultation and how relevant Treaty of Waitangi settlement obligations are given effect.

For iwi, hapū and councils with these arrangements in place, they can provide greater clarity around how parties engage with one another on resource management issues.

However, the move to a new resource management system means the future of these agreements is changing.

What Is Changing?

Under the proposed reforms, existing and initiated Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements are not expected to automatically transfer into the replacement resource management framework.

Instead, councils will be able to negotiate new iwi participation agreements with iwi and hapū.

These proposed arrangements are expected to have a narrower scope, focusing primarily on participation in statutory planning processes and giving effect to relevant Treaty settlement redress.

For organisations currently operating under Mana Whakahono ā Rohe arrangements, this means existing processes should not simply be assumed to continue unchanged.

Why Early Engagement Matters

Changes to established participation arrangements can create uncertainty for everyone involved.

Iwi and hapū may want to begin discussions with their local council about how existing arrangements could be affected and what future participation could look like.

Similarly, councils should consider reviewing their current agreements and relationships with iwi and hapū rather than waiting until the new system is fully implemented.

Early conversations can help identify important issues, preserve productive working relationships and provide more time to prepare for future requirements.

Reviewing Existing Agreements

For iwi and hapū with an existing or initiated Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreement, reviewing the current arrangement can be a useful starting point.

Consider what aspects of the agreement have worked effectively, what commitments are particularly important and which processes may need to be addressed under a future iwi participation agreement.

This may include reviewing arrangements relating to consultation, information sharing, planning processes and Treaty settlement obligations.

Understanding these priorities can help iwi and hapū approach future discussions with councils from a more informed position.

The Importance of Specialist Legal Advice

Resource management reform involves complex interactions between environmental legislation, local government processes, Māori legal interests and Treaty settlement arrangements.

The implications can also differ significantly depending on the circumstances of an individual iwi, hapū, council or existing agreement.

Seeking specialist advice can therefore be valuable when reviewing current arrangements or preparing for changes under the new system.

For a more detailed explanation of the proposed changes, McCaw Lewis provides guidance on Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements and what iwi and hapū need to know as New Zealand transitions to the replacement resource management framework.

Preparing for the Transition

Although further detail about how the new arrangements will operate in practice is still developing, organisations do not necessarily need to wait before preparing.

Reviewing existing agreements, identifying important commitments, maintaining communication between iwi, hapū and councils, and understanding the proposed framework can all help make the transition more manageable.

For iwi and hapū in particular, being prepared can help ensure their priorities are clearly understood as new participation arrangements are developed.

As New Zealand's resource management framework evolves, staying informed and engaging early will be important for maintaining effective relationships and navigating the changes ahead.

This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Specific legal advice should be sought for individual circumstances.

Being told that your role may be made redundant can be stressful and uncertain. Questions about your income, future employment, notice period, and whether your employer has followed the correct process can quickly arise.

In New Zealand, employers can make roles redundant for genuine business reasons, but they must follow a fair and reasonable process. Understanding your rights can help you know what to expect and what steps you can take if you have concerns about how a proposed redundancy is being handled.

What Does Redundancy Mean?

Redundancy happens when an employee's position is no longer required by the employer. Importantly, it is the position that becomes redundant, not the employee.

There are many legitimate reasons why a business may consider restructuring or removing a role. These can include financial pressures, changes in demand, new technology, business restructuring, outsourcing, or changes to the way work is organised.

However, redundancy should not be used as a way to dismiss an employee because of performance concerns, a workplace disagreement, or another unrelated issue.

Your Employer Must Follow a Fair Process

Having a genuine business reason for restructuring does not mean an employer can immediately end someone's employment.

Employees affected by a proposed restructure should generally be given relevant information about the proposal and a genuine opportunity to provide feedback before a final decision is made.

Consultation is an important part of the process. Your employer should genuinely consider the feedback provided rather than treating the outcome as predetermined.

If you receive a restructuring proposal, take the time to read it carefully and understand why your position may be affected.

You Have the Right to Ask Questions

A redundancy consultation is your opportunity to seek clarification and raise concerns about the proposal.

You may want to ask why your particular role has been identified, what alternatives have been considered, whether other positions are available within the organisation, and how any selection criteria have been applied.

You can also provide information that you believe your employer should consider before making a final decision.

Keep copies of important documents and correspondence relating to the process, including the restructuring proposal, your employment agreement, emails and your written feedback.

Check Your Employment Agreement

Your employment agreement is particularly important during a redundancy process.

It may contain specific provisions covering restructuring, consultation, notice periods and redundancy compensation. Employers must also meet their obligations under New Zealand employment law.

There is no automatic statutory entitlement to redundancy compensation in every situation. Whether compensation is payable will often depend on the terms of your employment agreement or other applicable arrangements.

This makes it important to review your agreement carefully before accepting any proposed redundancy terms.

What About Redeployment?

Depending on the circumstances, an employer may need to consider whether there are suitable alternative roles available within the organisation.

If another position is available, factors such as your skills, experience, responsibilities, location, working hours and remuneration may be relevant when determining whether redeployment is appropriate.

Employees should carefully consider any alternative position offered and ask questions if the responsibilities or employment conditions are unclear.

What If You Believe the Redundancy Is Unfair?

Not every redundancy process is straightforward. You may have concerns if there appears to be no genuine business reason for removing your role, you were not properly consulted, your feedback was ignored, or the redundancy appears connected to another workplace issue.

If something does not seem right, getting advice early can be valuable. Experienced employment lawyers can review your employment agreement, the employer's proposal and the consultation process to help you understand your rights and available options.

It is also important not to delay seeking advice. Employment disputes and personal grievances can be subject to strict time limits.

Take Time to Understand Your Options

Redundancy can have a significant impact on both your career and personal life, but you do not have to make important decisions without understanding your position.

Read the documents provided by your employer carefully, review your employment agreement, participate in the consultation process and keep written records of relevant communications.

If you are uncertain about whether the process is fair or what you should do next, seeking professional employment law advice can provide clarity and help you make informed decisions about your next steps.

This article provides general information only and should not be considered legal advice. Employment situations vary, and professional advice should be sought for individual circumstances.

Thousands of Kiwi women are set to access a world-first sanitary product designed to reduce reliance on single-use plastic, with tonnes of non-biodegradable waste from disposable tampon applicators estimated to be sent to landfill in New Zealand each year. 

The move follows a five-year research and development programme involving feedback from Kiwi women.

According to a new report from the World Health Organization, around 12 billion disposable menstrual products are used each year globally, contributing to plastic waste, landfill volumes and associated carbon emissions. Over a lifetime, an individual may use approximately 10,000 menstrual products, many of which contain plastic that can take hundreds of years to break down. 

The new product, known as Tazi, is the first bendable sanitary applicator and can be reused across multiple menstrual cycles, providing an alternative to disposable plastic applicators.

Its developers say the product is designed to address a longstanding environmental challenge within the menstrual health sector, where convenience, hygiene requirements and limited innovation have contributed to continued reliance on single-use products.

The New Zealand launch follows a scientific and user testing programme where feedback from Kiwi women was used to refine the product’s design, usability and performance in real-world conditions.

Peter Price, co-founder and CEO of Tazi, says plastic waste from menstrual products has historically received less attention than other forms of single-use consumer packaging.

“Billions of menstrual products are disposed of every year, yet this is an area where the environmental impact is still rarely discussed openly.

“While consumers are increasingly being encouraged to reduce their use of plastic bags, drink bottles and disposable packaging, there have been comparatively few practical alternatives developed for sanitary applicators.

“Tazi is designed to replace the disposable applicator rather than requiring users to completely change the menstrual products they are comfortable using,” he says.

Price says the ability to reuse the applicator across many cycles will help reduce plastic consumption without compromising convenience or hygiene.

The protected insertion method also minimises direct skin contact, helping reduce the potential transfer of bacteria from the hands or beneath fingernails.

Din Redzepagic, pharmacist and COO of Zoom Pharmacy, says environmental improvements are more likely to be adopted when they also offer practical benefits for consumers.

“For sustainable products to achieve widespread use, they need to be convenient, hygienic and easy to incorporate into people’s existing routines.

“This provides consumers with a way to reduce their reliance on disposable plastic applicators while continuing to use familiar sanitary products,” he says.

The product is also intended to help address preventable hygiene risks, including rare but serious conditions such as toxic shock syndrome.

Emeritus Professor Ian Frazer, immunologist and co-developer of the HPV vaccine, says reducing unnecessary contact can support improved hygiene practices.

“Personal hygiene is a critical part of avoiding infections we would rather not have. If you can remove the need for unprotected touch, you reduce the risk of transferring organisms to or from the body.

“We all carry microorganisms on our bodies. The key is avoiding introducing the wrong ones into areas where they can cause problems, or spreading them beyond where they should be,” he says.

The product is also designed for use in environments where access to appropriate handwashing facilities may be limited, including while travelling, at festivals or in public facilities.

New Zealand was chosen as the first international market because of its position as an early adopter of menstrual health and sustainability policies.

Government initiatives have included providing free sanitary products in schools, with environmentally friendly product options available to young people.

Price says New Zealand also has one of the few markets where sanitary product use is relatively evenly divided between applicator and non-applicator products, making it well suited to testing a product designed to accommodate both preferences.

Under a new agreement, Zoom Pharmacy, New Zealand’s largest online prescription pharmacy, will become the first retailer to provide nationwide access to the product range.

“New Zealand consumers have played an important role in developing the product over the past five years.

“The launch will allow us to measure the potential reduction in applicator waste, understand consumer adoption and refine the model before expanding into larger international markets,” he says.

The New Zealand programme is expected to inform a broader international rollout and support the development of further reusable menstrual health solutions.

“We believe menstrual products should be part of the wider conversation around reducing single-use plastics.

“This is a category used by billions of people, so even incremental changes in product design and consumer behaviour have the potential to prevent significant volumes of plastic from entering landfill and the wider environment,” says Price.

For more information, visit mytazi.co.nz.

Your iPhone battery is draining by lunchtime. Your MacBook screen has a hairline crack spreading from the corner. Your iPad won't hold a charge overnight anymore. At some point, every Apple device owner faces the same question: who do I actually trust to fix this?

It's a harder question than it sounds. Apple hardware is tightly integrated — the battery, logic board, display, and software are all engineered to work as one system, which means a rushed or careless repair doesn't just fail to fix the problem, it can create new ones. Here's what actually separates a repair shop worth your time from one that isn't.

The technician matters more than the storefront

Anyone can hang a sign that says "Apple repairs." What matters is who's actually holding the screwdriver.

A properly trained technician has worked through structured certification covering how iPhones, MacBooks, and iPads are built internally — not just how to swap a part, but why a repair needs to be done a specific way to avoid damaging adjacent components. Apple's hardware changes with nearly every product cycle, so a technician who trained five years ago and hasn't kept up is working from an outdated playbook.

A quick way to check: ask the shop how they stay current with new device generations, and ask what happens if a technician runs into something outside standard procedure. A confident, specific answer is a good sign. A shrug isn't.

Good repairs need the right tools, not just good intentions

Diagnosing a modern Apple device by feel or guesswork isn't really possible anymore. A reliable Apple repair Auckland shop uses proper diagnostic software to isolate whether a problem is a failing battery, a software conflict, or a hardware fault — before opening the device up.

Equally important is the environment the repair happens in. Static-sensitive components can be damaged by something as simple as an ungrounded workbench. Delicate jobs — display alignment, micro-soldering, board-level repairs — require purpose-built equipment, not a kitchen-table setup. If you're ever able to see the repair area, that alone tells you a lot.

Parts quality is where corners get cut

This is the part customers notice least and regret most. A cheap, incompatible replacement screen or battery might work fine for a few weeks — then start causing touch responsiveness issues, battery drain, or software instability months down the line.

A trustworthy Apple service Auckland shop is upfront about what parts they're using and why, and stands behind the repair with some form of warranty. If a shop won't tell you what part is going into your device, that's worth asking about directly before you commit.

Just as important: a repair shouldn't be considered done the moment the device turns back on. It should go through functional testing — charging performance, connectivity, camera and display checks — before it's handed back.

You shouldn't have to decode the invoice

A repair estimate that just says "screen repair — $XXX" with no explanation isn't transparency. Before work starts, you should know:

• What's actually wrong with the device (in plain language, not jargon)
• What parts or repairs are needed to fix it
• What it will cost and how long it will take
• Whether there's a warranty on the work

If a shop can't answer these clearly upfront, that's a signal — not necessarily that they're dishonest, but that communication isn't a priority, which tends to show up elsewhere too.

The best shops look past the immediate fix

A battery replacement is a good moment to also flag that your charging port shows early wear, or that a software update is overdue. That's not upselling — it's the kind of attentiveness that prevents your next repair from being an emergency instead of a heads-up.

Preventive guidance — safe charging habits, when to worry about battery health percentage, how to avoid heat damage — is a small thing that separates a shop that wants repeat business from one that wants a single transaction.

The bottom line

None of this requires expertise on your part. It just requires asking a few direct questions: Who's doing the repair, and how are they trained? What parts are being used? What does the estimate actually include? Is there a warranty?

A repair centre that can answer all four clearly, without hedging, is one worth trusting with a device you rely on every day.

If you're in Auckland and want to see how this looks in practice, Advanced Computers walks customers through each of these steps before any repair begins.

Is Life Insurance worth it in New Zealand? It’s a question many New Zealanders ask at some point – usually triggered by a life event. A new mortgage, a growing family, or simply a bit more awareness of how quickly life can shift.

Life insurance isn’t something you use day to day, which can make it feel easy to put off. But when you step back and look at what it’s there for, the value becomes clearer. 

What is life insurance? 

At its core, life insurance is about financial protection and security.

If you pass away or are diagnosed with a terminal illness*, it provides a lump sum payment to support the people who rely on you. That money can be used for anything – paying off debt, covering living costs, or helping your family maintain some stability during a difficult time.

It’s less about “getting something back” and more about having the financial security and protection to ensure your loved ones are taken care of if you weren’t around. 

When life insurance tends to be worth it

Because life insurance is a financial safety net, life insurance becomes more relevant when people depend on you, and/or you have financial commitments. The best way to think about this is, if your loved ones were to lose you and your income – what would happen? Would they be able to continue living the same lifestyle or would they struggle to cover the household bills?

For many New Zealanders, they often consider life insurance when: 

They have a mortgage or other significant debt/ Bills 
Are financially supporting a partner 
Are financially supporting children 
The primary income for a household 
Want to leave a gift or financial support to family 

In these situations, the financial impact of losing an income can be significant. Life insurance helps reduce that risk.

When it might be less of a priority

Life Insurance doesn’t suit everyone, and there are times when life insurance may not be essential.

For example, you might not find value if you :

have no dependents
don’t carry significant debt 
have enough savings or assets to cover future needs 

The cost versus the benefit

One of the biggest concerns is cost. And it’s a fair one. The key is to think about what you’re protecting, rather than just the premium itself. For many people, the cost of cover is relatively small compared to the potential financial impact on their family if something unexpected happens.

It’s also important to understand the flexibility in your cover. Life can change a lot in 10+ years – so your cover amount can be adjusted over time to fit your needs (e.g., your need for life insurance may decrease if your mortgage reduces or your kids move out).

For many organisations, strategy is still treated as a fixed plan. A leadership team sets the direction, documents the priorities, and expects the wider business to follow the pathway laid out in front of them.

That approach can work when the environment is stable, predictable, and well understood. But for many organisations today, that is not the reality they are operating in.

Markets shift quickly. Customer expectations change. Technology creates new pressure. Internal teams face competing priorities. Risks that once felt distant can become immediate. In these conditions, a strategy that looks strong on paper can become outdated before it has had time to create meaningful progress.

This does not mean organisations should stop planning. It means strategy needs to become more adaptive, more connected to real conditions, and more useful in day-to-day decision-making.

The Problem With Linear Planning

Traditional strategy often assumes that the future can be understood clearly enough to create a detailed plan in advance. Leaders analyse the current situation, define objectives, set milestones, and then work through the plan step by step.

The challenge is that complex environments do not always respond in a straight line.

A small decision in one part of the organisation can create unexpected effects somewhere else. A customer behaviour shift can change what matters most. A new competitor, regulation, internal constraint, or external disruption can quickly alter the assumptions the strategy was built on.

When this happens, organisations can end up trying to force an old plan onto a new reality.

This is where strategic work needs to move beyond prediction alone. Instead of asking, “What is the perfect plan?”, leaders need to ask, “How do we keep learning as conditions change?”

Complex Problems Need a Different Response

Not every business challenge is complex. Some problems are clear and can be solved with standard processes. Others are complicated and require expertise, analysis, and technical knowledge.

Complex challenges are different. They often involve people, competing interests, changing conditions, and outcomes that cannot be fully known in advance.

Examples can include:

Entering a new market

Reshaping organisational culture

Responding to uncertain risk

Improving collaboration across teams

Leading transformation

Building innovation capability

Adapting to changing customer needs

In these situations, a single fixed answer is rarely enough. Organisations need to test, observe, learn, and adjust as they go.

Why Adaptive Strategy Matters

Adaptive strategy is not about constantly changing direction. It is about staying clear on intent while remaining responsive to what is happening in the environment.

This means leaders still need direction, priorities, and discipline. But they also need feedback loops, shared understanding, and the ability to make smaller moves that generate useful learning.

An adaptive approach can help organisations:

Recognise when assumptions are no longer holding

Make decisions closer to the reality of the work

Respond to change without losing focus

Learn through action rather than waiting for certainty

Build alignment across teams and leadership groups

This is especially important when organisations are dealing with uncertainty. Waiting for perfect information can slow progress, but acting without sense-making can create unnecessary risk.

Strategy Should Be Close to Action

One of the common weaknesses of traditional strategy is the gap between intention and action.

A strategy may clearly describe what the organisation wants to achieve, but still leave teams unsure about what to do next. When the work is disconnected from the strategy, people may keep moving, but not necessarily in the same direction.

A more useful strategy creates a stronger connection between leadership intent, team-level decisions, and practical action. It helps people understand not only the goal, but the context they are operating in and the choices they need to make.

This is where organisations often benefit from outside support. Strategy and leadership specialists such as AGLX Asia Pacific work with organisations facing complex conditions, helping leaders strengthen decision-making, shared understanding, and adaptive capacity.

Learning Beats Waiting for Certainty

In complex environments, the future cannot always be predicted with confidence. This makes learning a critical part of strategy.

Rather than committing everything to one large plan, organisations can make smaller, lower-risk moves that test assumptions. These actions should be deliberate, observable, and connected to the wider strategic intent.

The goal is not to experiment randomly. It is to learn in a disciplined way.

This can help leaders see what is gaining traction, what is creating resistance, and what needs to change before more time, budget, or energy is invested.

Building Strategic Agility

Strategic agility is the ability to keep moving with purpose while adapting to change. It gives organisations a way to stay focused without becoming rigid.

This requires more than a strategy document. It requires leaders who can read the environment, teams that understand the intent, and systems that allow information to move quickly.

For organisations wanting to strengthen this capability, approaches such as adaptive strategy can help create a more practical link between strategy, decision-making, and action.

A Better Way to Navigate Uncertainty

Traditional strategy is not useless, but it does have limits. When organisations face complex, fast-moving, or uncertain conditions, they need more than a fixed plan.

They need a way to understand context, make sense of change, test ideas, and adjust without losing direction.

The organisations that manage this well are not simply reacting to change. They are building the capability to keep learning, keep adapting, and keep making better decisions as the environment shifts around them.

For Miguel Tags, filmmaking was not always part of the plan.

After moving to New Zealand from the Philippines at 19, Miguel worked across hospitality, construction, sales, fitness and manufacturing. Each role gave him a different perspective on people, work and business, but it was filmmaking that eventually gave him a clear creative direction.

What started as a creative outlet developed into a passion for helping businesses communicate through photo and video. In 2024, Miguel launched TakeOneMediaNZ as an independent freelance videography business, working with clients across a range of industries.

After two years of growth, the business officially became a limited company in August 2026, marking the next stage of Miguel's ambition to build a leading commercial media production company in New Zealand.

Today, TakeOneMediaNZ provides commercial photo and video services for businesses across real estate, hospitality, events, podcasts and other industries. Its work includes brand films, social media content, client testimonials, real estate media, corporate and event coverage, and podcast and educational content.

NZ Business Connect Founder Phillip Quay said Miguel's journey reflects the entrepreneurial spirit of many of the businesses within the NZ Business Connect community.

“Miguel has built TakeOneMediaNZ from the ground up and has shown what can come from turning a personal passion into a business,” said Phillip.

“It's great to see him now taking the next step with the company and connecting with other business owners through NZ Business Connect. We look forward to seeing where he takes the business from here.”

For Miguel, the key difference in his approach is understanding what a client actually needs before starting a production.

“Businesses don't invest in videos just to have videos. They invest because they want to grow their brand, attract customers and create meaningful connections,” said Miguel.

“That's why I take the time to understand each client's business, challenges and goals. I want the content I create to genuinely support their growth rather than simply look good.”

The company's target clients include professional service businesses such as financial advisers, accountants, mortgage advisers and consultants, as well as health and wellness businesses, hospitality and food businesses, and organisations operating in real estate and property.

Miguel sees his role as more than simply producing a finished video. He works closely with clients to understand their brand, audience and objectives and develop content that can be used across websites, social media, advertising and other marketing channels.

His approach has helped the business generate repeat work and referrals, which Miguel considers one of his proudest achievements since starting the company.

“I believe every business has a story worth telling,” said Miguel. “My job is to help businesses communicate that story in a way that people can understand, remember and connect with.”

Looking ahead, his goal is to establish TakeOneMediaNZ as one of New Zealand's leading commercial media production companies over the next five years. He plans to build a team of talented creatives, develop long-term relationships with businesses and work on commercial productions for some of New Zealand's most respected brands.

Growing his professional network will also be an important part of that journey, with NZ Business Connect providing an opportunity to connect with business owners across different industries and explore potential collaborations.

To connect with TakeOneMediaNZ:

Instagram: @Gt4gle
Email: Takeonemedianewzealand@gmail.com

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

Good graphic design gives your business a clear and consistent presence. It helps people understand what you offer, builds confidence in your brand and makes your marketing easier to recognise.

Once you decide to invest in professional design, there is another choice to make. Do you work with a freelance graphic designer or engage a graphic design agency?

Both can produce quality work. The right option depends on the size of your project, the support you need and how much creative capacity your business requires. Understanding the differences will help you make a more informed decision.

What Does a Freelance Graphic Designer Offer?

A freelance graphic designer works independently and usually manages every part of the project themselves. This includes communication, concept development, design, revisions and file preparation.

Freelancers can be a good fit for clearly defined projects. If your business only needs a single brochure, a set of social media graphics or updates to an existing design. Working directly with one designer can make the process simple and personal.

Freelancers also tend to have lower operating costs than agencies. This can make their pricing more accessible for small businesses with limited budgets. Some freelancers specialise in a particular area, giving you access to focused experience for a specific type of project.

The key is finding someone whose availability, experience and design style align with your needs.

Where Can Freelance Support Become Limited?

A freelancer has a fixed amount of time and capacity. If they become busy, take leave or face an unexpected issue, your project may slow down. This can create challenges when you have a firm campaign date or several pieces of work moving at once.

You may also need to coordinate other suppliers separately. A designer might create the visuals but not provide copywriting, website development, illustration, print management or wider brand strategy.

This is manageable for a small standalone job. It becomes harder when a project involves multiple services, tight deadlines or ongoing creative work across different channels.

What Does a Graphic Design Agency Offer?

A graphic design agency brings together designers, strategists, project managers and other creative specialists. Instead of relying on one person, your business gains access to a broader range of skills and perspectives.

An agency can comfortably manage larger projects that involve several connected elements. A rebrand could include a new visual identity, website, business cards, signage, packaging and marketing collateral. Keeping this work with one team helps every part of the brand feel connected and offers a seamless experience for the customer.

Agencies also have more capacity to manage overlapping deadlines. Work can be planned across the team, reviewed internally and supported by established project systems. For growing New Zealand businesses, an agency can provide greater confidence when the work is commercially important.

The Difference in Creative Process

A freelancer’s process often reflects their individual way of working. Some provide a highly structured experience, while others take a more informal approach.

A professional design agency will usually have a defined process for discovery, research, concept development, feedback and final delivery. This structure helps the creative team understand your audience and business goals before design begins.

Internal collaboration is another important difference. Agency designers can review concepts together, challenge ideas and identify issues before work reaches the client. This does not automatically make every agency concept stronger, but it creates more opportunities for considered creative decisions.

Comparing Graphic Design Costs

A freelance designer will often have a lower hourly rate or project fee. For a small one off task with a clear scope, this can offer good value.

A graphic design agency generally costs more because the fee covers a wider team, project management, quality control and specialist support. The comparison should focus on what is included rather than the final number alone.

A cheaper quote may not include strategy, additional file formats, print coordination or support after delivery. Ask each provider for a clear scope showing the deliverables, revision rounds, timeframe, usage rights and final files. This gives you a more accurate basis for comparing proposals.

Which Option Is Right for Your Business?

Choose a freelancer when the project is small, well defined and suited to one person’s skill set. This can work well when you already have established brand guidelines and know exactly what needs to be produced.

Choose a graphic design agency when the project has several moving parts, requires different creative skills or plays an important role in the future of your business. An agency is also useful when you need a reliable design partner who can learn your brand and support ongoing campaigns.

Do not make the decision on price alone. Review the quality of previous work, communication style, process, commercial understanding and ability to deliver what your business actually needs.

Work With White Rabbit

White Rabbit provides graphic design services for businesses across Auckland and New Zealand. Our team takes the time to understand your identity, audience and competitive environment before developing the creative direction.

From individual print projects to complete brand rollouts, we create design that looks professional and serves a clear business purpose. Talk to White Rabbit about your next graphic design project and find out how our team can help bring it together.

When an iPhone, iPad, or MacBook develops a problem, most people do the same thing: search online for answers. Unfortunately, the internet is full of conflicting advice. Some recommendations are helpful, while others can lead to unnecessary repairs, wasted money, or even additional damage.

At Advanced Computers, Apple devices arrive at the workshop every day with many of the same problems—and many of the same misconceptions. After years of repairing Macs, MacBooks, iPhones, and iPads, the technicians say the biggest challenge is often correcting common myths before the repair even begins.

Here are seven misconceptions they regularly hear from customers and what actually happens in the workshop.

Myth 1: "My battery drains quickly, so I definitely need a new battery."

Poor battery life is one of the most common complaints from Apple users, but according to Advanced Computers, it isn't always caused by a worn-out battery.

Technicians frequently diagnose devices where excessive battery drain is actually caused by software issues, charging faults, overheating, background processes, or failing hardware elsewhere in the device. Replacing the battery without confirming the underlying cause may improve the symptoms temporarily—or not at all.

"A battery replacement should solve a battery problem," the technicians explain. "If it doesn't, that usually means the battery wasn't the real issue in the first place."

This is why Advanced Computers begins with diagnosis rather than immediately recommending replacement parts. Identifying the actual fault helps customers avoid paying for repairs they may not need.

Myth 2: "A cracked screen is only a cosmetic problem."

Many customers continue using a cracked screen because the display still works and the touch function appears normal.

However, Advanced Computers says this is one of the situations where delaying repairs can sometimes make things worse.

In the workshop, technicians regularly inspect devices where a small crack has gradually spread after weeks or months of normal use. Once the protective glass has been compromised, dust, moisture, and additional impacts can affect components beneath the surface.

Not every cracked screen becomes a major repair, but leaving damaged glass exposed increases the risk that what starts as a relatively straightforward screen replacement becomes a more complex job.

Myth 3: "All replacement parts are basically the same."

Price comparisons often lead consumers to believe that every repair provider installs identical replacement parts.

According to Advanced Computers, that simply isn't the case.

Replacement screens, batteries, and other components can differ significantly in quality, performance, durability, and compatibility. Depending on the repair, genuine Apple parts may be available. In other situations, carefully selected high-quality OEM parts may be appropriate, subject to customer approval.

The technicians recommend asking every repair provider exactly what type of replacement parts will be installed before authorising the repair.

Understanding what you're paying for is just as important as comparing prices.

Myth 4: "Putting my phone in rice will fix water damage."

Few repair myths have lasted longer than the suggestion that rice can rescue a water-damaged phone.

According to the technicians at Advanced Computers, devices affected by liquid often continue to corrode internally long after they have dried externally.

Rice may absorb a small amount of surface moisture, but it cannot remove liquid trapped beneath shielding, connectors, or integrated circuits.

One pattern the workshop sees repeatedly is customers waiting several days after water exposure because they believed the device was "dry enough." By the time it arrives for inspection, corrosion has already begun affecting internal components.

The sooner a liquid-damaged device is professionally assessed, the greater the opportunity to reduce long-term damage.

Myth 5: "Independent repair shops can't provide professional Apple repairs."

Some consumers assume that quality Apple repairs are only available through official retail channels.

Advanced Computers says this misconception has become less accurate as the independent repair industry has evolved.

Professional repair businesses invest in specialised diagnostic equipment, precision repair tools, ongoing technical training, and documented repair procedures designed specifically for modern Apple devices.

Rather than judging a repair provider by its branding alone, the technicians recommend asking practical questions:

• How will the fault be diagnosed?
• What replacement parts will be used?
• What warranty is included?
• What experience do the technicians have with Apple products?

The answers often reveal far more about repair quality than whether the business is independent or manufacturer-affiliated.

Myth 6: "If someone tells me to replace the device, repair isn't worth considering."

Advanced Computers says this is one of the most expensive assumptions consumers make.

Every week, devices arrive at the workshop after owners have already started shopping for replacements because they believed the repair would be uneconomical.

Following diagnosis, many of those devices turn out to require repairs such as battery replacement, charging port replacement, keyboard repair, cooling system servicing, or other component-level work that allows the device to continue operating reliably.

Not every Apple device should be repaired. Sometimes replacement genuinely represents better value.

The important point, according to the technicians, is making that decision after diagnosis rather than before it.

Myth 7: "Every repair shop has the same level of experience."

Modern Apple devices are increasingly sophisticated. Successful repairs require more than replacing a damaged component.

Advanced Computers says one of the biggest differences between repair providers is the diagnostic process that happens before any repair begins.

Their technicians follow structured diagnostic procedures to identify the root cause of a fault before recommending replacement parts. This reduces unnecessary repairs, helps customers understand exactly what has failed, and improves the likelihood of a successful outcome.

"Changing parts until something works isn't a diagnostic process," the technicians say. "Understanding why something failed is what leads to an effective repair."

What Advanced Computers Recommends Asking Before Any Apple Repair

Whether choosing Advanced Computers or another repair provider, the technicians believe every customer should ask a few simple questions before approving any work.

• Has the device been properly diagnosed?
• What type of replacement parts will be used?
• Are genuine Apple parts available for my repair?
• What warranty applies to the repair?
• How will the fault be confirmed before parts are replaced?
• How much experience do the technicians have repairing Apple devices?

These questions encourage transparency and help consumers compare repair providers on more than price alone.

Experience Makes Better Repair Decisions

Many Apple repair myths persist because they contain a small element of truth. A battery may genuinely need replacing. Rice might appear to dry out a phone. A cracked screen might continue working for months.

The difficulty is that every repair is different.

According to the technicians at Advanced Computers, the best repair decisions are based on diagnosis rather than assumptions. Years of hands-on experience have shown the team that many faults are more straightforward than customers expect, while others require closer investigation before the right solution becomes clear.

For consumers, choosing a repair provider who explains the diagnosis, discusses the available repair options, and is transparent about replacement parts can make the process far less stressful—and often more cost-effective in the long run.

About Advanced Computers

Advanced Computers has been repairing Apple computers and other electronic devices for New Zealand customers since 1998. Its technicians repair MacBooks, iMacs, Mac minis, iPhones, iPads, Windows laptops, desktop computers, and a wide range of electronic devices. Every repair begins with diagnosis so customers understand the cause of the problem before any work is carried out, and repairs are completed using genuine Apple parts where available and appropriate, or high-quality OEM components with the customer's approval. See their Apple repair page for more details and information.

Hawera-based earthmoving and civil construction contractor Excavat has achieved SiteWise Gold certification after receiving an impressive score of 97% in its annual health and safety assessment.

SiteWise evaluates and grades the health and safety systems of contractors throughout New Zealand. Businesses must score at least 90% in the assessment to receive Gold status, placing Excavat comfortably above the required standard.

The achievement independently verifies that Excavat has robust health and safety systems in place across its operations. The company’s Gold grading is also published in the SiteWise database, helping principals and main contractors identify Excavat as a safety-focused contractor during procurement and tendering.

A Consistent Approach to Workplace Safety

Excavat’s 97% assessment result reflects the work the company has undertaken to develop, implement and maintain its safety procedures.

The SiteWise assessment considers multiple aspects of health and safety management, including written policies, operational procedures, onsite implementation and processes for continuous improvement.

Excavat also works with large corporate clients that operate their own safety permitting systems. The company sees these requirements as opportunities to learn from established industry practices and continue strengthening its own approach.

One of the tools supporting Excavat’s safety culture is its Job Safety Analysis document. The team completes this document every day for every project, regardless of the project’s size or scope.

At the beginning of each day, team members identify the work that needs to be completed, assess the associated risks and document the measures that will be used to eliminate or minimise those risks.

This same process is followed across smaller excavation jobs and complex civil earthworks, helping ensure that safety remains part of everyday project planning and decision-making.

Benefits for Excavat’s Clients

Working with a SiteWise Gold-certified contractor provides several practical benefits for clients.

Excavat’s independently assessed safety systems can help reduce the potential for workplace incidents and the project delays that may follow. Its verified credentials may also make safety checks during tendering and project approval more efficient.

For businesses, developers, government organisations and principal contractors, the certification provides additional confidence that Excavat has established systems for managing health and safety risks.

Continuing to Improve

Although the SiteWise Gold certification marks an important achievement, Excavat views its 97% score as a foundation for further improvement.

The company plans to continue reviewing and refining its systems, with the goal of protecting its team, its clients and everyone involved in its projects.

Excavat has also acknowledged the contribution of its staff, whose daily commitment to safe working practices helped make the result possible.

More information about the achievement is available in Excavat’s original announcement, Excavat Achieves SiteWise Gold Certification.

To learn more about the company’s earthworks, civil construction and excavation services, visit the Excavat website.