Harmony Harding’s journey into the painting business is a story of passion, resilience, and significant milestones. After losing her job and apprenticeship due to the recession back in October 2023, this led her to pursue sole tradership and start her own business. This drive led her to establish Harmony Painting Services, which officially launched in June 2024, following initial groundwork that began in October 2023.
Harmony Painting Services offers a diverse range of services, including residential painting, commercial projects, repainting, and new builds. The business currently employs the traditional cut and roll method, with plans to introduce spray painting and cabinetry spraying in the near future. Harmony’s target markets include homeowners, real estate developers, commercial property managers, retirement homes, and property renovation companies.
Shaper Edge Decorating, led by business owner Luke Galloway, a seasoned professional with 16 years of experience in the painting and decorating industry across England and New Zealand. Sharper Edge Decorating officially launched in March 2024, bringing top-notch interior and exterior painting, interior plastering, and spray-painting services to the Waikato region.
Luke’s expertise lies in delivering high-quality finishes through premium products and proven techniques. Whether it’s a fresh coat of paint for a home, a comprehensive refurbishment for a real estate agent, or a specialised project for a residential developer, Sharper Edge Decorating ensures every project is completed with precision and care. By staying up-to-date with the latest products and methods, Luke provides clients with knowledgeable advice, ensuring their vision is brought to life with the best materials available.
We are excited to welcome Robyn Owen, owner of Vital Balance, a holistic beauty and massage therapy clinic, to NZ Business Connect’s network. With over 25 years of experience in massage therapy and three years as owner of Vital Balance, Robyn brings extensive knowledge of indigenous practices and a deep passion for wellness to her team.
Massage therapy has been used to help manage health conditions and enhance overall wellness for centuries. Vital Balance offers a range of specialised massages including mirimiri, oncology, pregnancy, therapeutic, functional, and detox massage therapies. These treatments are designed to support clients through stress management, illness recovery, and general wellbeing – perfect for those seeking balance and rejuvenation.
Robyn’s commitment to holistic health extends beyond massage. Her holistic skin therapy approach focuses on achieving healthy skin for males and females through internal and external adjustments, targeting skin concerns with topical treatments and gut health.
At Vital Balance, clients can also explore wellness therapies like breathwork, Reiki, and Rongoa healing, providing an immersive experience for mind, body, and soul. The clinic stands out for its emphasis on creating meaningful relationships with clients, allowing them time and space to fully benefit from their treatments.
A range of high-quality skincare products are available at the clinic from renowned brands such as Pure Fiji and Ultraceuticals, known for natural ingredients and luxurious spa-quality results. The team at Vital Balance can help select products to complement your treatments and support the maintenance of healthy, glowing skin long after your visit.
With core values of vitality, integrity, and authenticity, the team at Vital Balance continue to offer Hamilton a sanctuary for holistic wellbeing. Whether you’re seeking massage and skin therapies, alternative wellness therapies, or natural skin and body care products, Vital Balance can help. Contact Robyn Owen and discover how her clinic can support your health and beauty needs.
With over 25 years of experience in massage therapy and three years as owner of Vital Balance, Robyn Owen brings extensive knowledge of indigenous practices and a deep passion for wellness to her team.
Massage therapy has been used to help manage health conditions and enhance overall wellness for centuries. Vital Balance offers a range of specialised massages including mirimiri, oncology, pregnancy, therapeutic, functional, and detox massage therapies. These treatments are designed to support clients through stress management, illness recovery, and general wellbeing – perfect for those seeking balance and rejuvenation.
Tarun Kumar, the proud owner of Rhythm Curtains and Blinds, has been transforming homes and businesses with stylish, high-quality window furnishings since 2021. What began with installing curtains in his home soon grew into a thriving business, thanks to encouragement from his father.
Rhythm Curtains and Blinds offers a comprehensive range of window furnishings. Whether it’s a cosy residential space or a professional office environment, Tarun is dedicated to finding the perfect solution for each client. His business caters to a diverse clientele, including homeowners, renters, new builds, hotels, and offices, ensuring that everyone receives expert advice and personalised attention.
Pacific Resort Hotel Group is thrilled to announce that its properties have been honoured once again at the prestigious World Culinary Awards 2024. This renowned event celebrates the finest brands in the culinary world, and we are proud to share that our properties have achieved exceptional accolades.
Pacific Resort Hotel Group is delighted to reveal its latest honours:
Cook Islands’ Best Restaurant 2024: Rapae Bay, Pacific Resort Aitutaki
Cook Islands’ Best Hotel Restaurant 2024: Little Polynesian Restaurant, Little Polynesian
These awards underscore our ongoing commitment to excellence and the outstanding dining experiences we offer. Voted for by culinary professionals, media, and consumers worldwide, these accolades affirm our dedication to providing unforgettable culinary journeys.
Awards Overview:
Cook Islands’ Best Restaurant 2024:Rapae Bay, Pacific Resort Aitutaki
Rapae Bay, located within Pacific Resort Aitutaki, has been named the Cook Islands’ Best Restaurant for 2024. This accolade highlights the restaurant’s dedication to delivering an exceptional dining experience, with a creative fusion of local and international flavours set against the breath-taking backdrop of Aitutaki’s pristine lagoon. This recognition builds on Rapae Bay’s previous wins as Cook Islands’ Best Restaurant in 2023 and 2022, reflecting its sustained excellence.
Cook Islands’ Best Hotel Restaurant 2024: Little Polynesian Restaurant, Little Polynesian
Little Polynesian Restaurant at Little Polynesian Resort has been honoured as the Cook Islands’ Best Hotel Restaurant for 2024. This award celebrates the restaurant’s culinary prowess and innovative Pacific-inspired dishes, complemented by its warm Polynesian hospitality and inviting atmosphere. This recognition follows Little Polynesian Restaurant’s accolades as Cook Islands’ Best Hotel Restaurant in 2023 and 2022.
These achievements further cement Pacific Resort Hotel Group’s reputation for culinary excellence and dedication to providing extraordinary experiences for our guests.
For more information about Pacific Resort Hotel Group and our award-winning properties, please visit here.
Earthworms are essential for healthy soil. They play a huge role in nutrient cycling and boosting soil fertility. Their natural burrowing and feeding activities create channels in the soil, which improve aeration, water flow, and root growth. These changes directly impact how productive the soil is and how well crops grow. Agraforum New Zealand understands just how important earthworms are for sustainable soil health, and their products are designed to create the right conditions to support these hardworking creatures.
Earthworms consume a large amount of organic matter, breaking it down and turning it into mineral-rich nutrients. This process not only enriches the soil directly but also encourages further mineralisation by microorganisms. As Aslam et al. (1999) point out, “Earthworms consume large amounts of soil organic matter and influence the supply of plant nutrients in the soil by increasing the rate of mineralisation of crop residues.” This nutrient cycling is vital for keeping soil fertile, especially in various agricultural systems.
However, research shows that farming practices, like tillage, can affect earthworm populations and soil health. A study in New Zealand found that converting permanent pasture to plough tillage led to a significant drop in soil microbial biomass and earthworm numbers. The research highlighted that adopting no-tillage methods can protect soils from degradation, preserving both microbial nutrients and earthworm populations (Aslam et al., 1999).
Another benefit of having a thriving earthworm population is better soil aggregation. As earthworms eat soil particles and organic matter, they secrete mucus that helps bind soil particles together. This process forms stable aggregates, maintaining soil structure, reducing erosion, and optimising water retention. Strong soil structure also helps roots access water and nutrients more effectively, making crops more resilient during dry spells.
Agraforum New Zealand has products specially designed to enhance soil health and support earthworm populations. Their soil conditioners, packed with essential nutrients like calcium, help keep the soil balanced and hospitable for earthworms. By using Agraforum’s products, farmers can improve soil structure and nutrient availability, promoting more sustainable farming practices.
Keeping earthworms active in agricultural soils is possible through simple practices like reduced tillage, adding organic matter, and maintaining soil pH. By creating an environment that supports earthworms—and using soil conditioners from Agraforum New Zealand—farmers can naturally enhance soil fertility, optimise nutrient cycling, and build a resilient farming system.
Reference: Aslam, T., Choudhary, M.A., & Saggar, S. (1999). Tillage impacts on soil microbial biomass C, N, and P, earthworms and agronomy after two years of cropping following permanent pasture in New Zealand.
New Zealand’s Financial Stability: An Opportunity for Home Builders and Buyers in Maramarua
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) recently released its financial stability indicators, offering a comprehensive look at the country’s current economic health. These indicators show promising signs of market stability, particularly in the housing sector, which has a ripple effect on the broader economy.
The latest data points to a more favourable lending environment, with interest rates easing. This change is attributed to an increased focus on financial resilience, creating a pathway for potential home buyers and builders to invest in new properties. Housing market indicators reveal improved affordability, as declining interest rates reduce mortgage servicing costs. Consequently, the overall risk of financial instability in the housing market is expected to decline.
According to the RBNZ’s data from 16 September 2024, the housing market continues to play a crucial role in the economy. The availability of credit, coupled with careful monitoring of household debt levels, has helped maintain financial stability. With banks adopting a more cautious lending approach and the central bank’s intervention to moderate housing market risks, the sector remains on a steady course.
Given this positive outlook, now presents an ideal time for those looking to build.
Unlock Your Dream Home in Mangatangi Located in the Waikato region, Mangatangi offers a peaceful rural lifestyle with easy access to city amenities, being just an hour’s drive from Auckland. The area’s natural beauty, including rolling hills and the Mangatangi Reservoir, makes it perfect for countryside living.
Lot 1: 930 Monument Road This 8000m² section provides a private, scenic setting with one consented building site—ideal for those ready to benefit from low interest rates.
Lot 2: 10 Miller Road Spanning 1.33 hectares, this versatile property is close to local amenities and schools. Its flat terrain allows multiple building options to suit your design needs.
For those interested in building in scenic locations, these properties offer expansive sections perfect for custom homes. Landmark Homes’ reputation for quality ensures your dream home will not only benefit from the current economic climate but also provide long-term value.
Tarun Kumar, the proud owner of Rhythm Curtains and Blinds, has been transforming homes and businesses with stylish, high-quality window furnishings since 2021. What began with installing curtains in his home soon grew into a thriving business, thanks to encouragement from his father.
Rhythm Curtains and Blinds offers a comprehensive range of window furnishings. Whether it’s a cosy residential space or a professional office environment, Tarun is dedicated to finding the perfect solution for each client. His business caters to a diverse clientele, including homeowners, renters, new builds, hotels, and offices, ensuring that everyone receives expert advice and personalised attention.
What sets Rhythm Curtains and Blinds apart is the commitment to customer satisfaction. Tarun believes in offering personalised consultations to help clients select window treatments that enhance their interiors and meet practical needs such as privacy, light control, and energy efficiency. From custom designs to precise installations, every detail is handled with care to ensure the perfect fit and finish.
With a growing reputation for delivering excellent service and stylish solutions, Rhythm Curtains and Blinds is quickly becoming the go-to provider for window furnishings in Waikato.
Beyond his business venture, Tarun is deeply committed to continuous improvement and community engagement. He stays ahead of trends and innovations, using the latest tools and creative strategies to deliver exceptional results. His passion for serving the community is demonstrated by his involvement in local events and sponsorships, including the Hamilton Malayalee Badminton Club.
As Tarun continues to grow his businesses, we are confident he will be a valuable addition to our network, and we look forward to his future success.
NZ Business Connect has announced a new partnership with the Tauranga-based Graeme Dingle Foundation Western Bay of Plenty.
The new partnership demonstrated the philosophy of NZ Business Connect to social giving and encouraging its members to give back to the community.
“We are excited about our collaboration with the Graeme Dingle Foundation and it aligns with NZ Business Connect’s ethos to create meaningful contributions that support local initiatives and, in this case, foster youth development,” said NZ Business Connect CEO Phillip Quay.
NZ Business Connect CEO Phillip Quay
“Social giving is at the heart of NZ Business Connect, with the organisation committed to making a real difference by supporting causes that resonate with its values,” Quay said.
“The Graeme Dingle Foundation does a lot of incredible work in Tauranga. At NZ Business Connect, we believe in the power of community-driven impact, and this partnership enables us to contribute to the development of young people in the region,” he said.
The Graeme Dingle Foundation is renowned for its programmes aimed at empowering young New Zealanders to face life’s challenges. On the 5th of September, NZ Business Connect attended the prize giving for Otumoetai students graduating from the Graeme Dingle Foundation’s Project K, which teaches resilience and self-worth. The inspiring event showcased the students’ achievements, including a 17 day Wilderness Adventure and a community service project where they cleaned a local primary school pool, highlighting the positive impact of their hard work.
Dan Allen-Gordon
Dan Allen-Gordon, representative of the Graeme Dingle Foundation, shared his thoughts on the partnership: “What better way to nurture our future leaders, than for the leaders of the NZ Business Connect members to help with mentorships, connections, events like facing our fears through Drop for Youth and helping to fund critical programmes that help rangatahi overcome the challenges in todays world. I look forward to a long and life changing relationship for youth through NZ Business Connect.”
A particularly exciting event on the horizon is Tauranga Regional Manager Ricki Cotter’s upcoming Drop for Youth WBOP 2024, scheduled for November 24th at 3 pm. Ricki, both nervous and excited, sees this as an incredible opportunity to show his support for the work of the Graeme Dingle Foundation. To support Ricki’s jump and contribute to this worthy cause, please click here.
NZ Business Connect looks forward to deepening its engagement with the Graeme Dingle Foundation and helping to create more opportunities for Tauranga’s young people. This partnership is another step towards fostering a culture of giving and empowering future generations to thrive.
