Business

NZ Business Connect welcomes Sim Consulting, founded by business adviser Aylwin Sim. Established in 2023, the consultancy began with a mission to help organisations improve performance by strengthening their systems, planning, and execution. As Aylwin supported a range of corporate clients, he recognised that many small and medium-sized businesses faced similar pressures but often without the tools or structure needed to manage growth effectively. This led to an expanded focus in 2024, with Sim Consulting now working closely with SMEs and family-owned companies across New Zealand to help them operate with more clarity, confidence, and control. Sim Consulting provides advisory services, business coaching, and practical implementation support. These services are delivered through structured frameworks and regular sessions designed to help owners refine their strategy once, then follow through with processes and actions that genuinely move the business forward. The consultancy works particularly with SMEs in construction and trades, manufacturing and engineering, logistics and energy, and professional services. Aylwin brings more than twenty years of experience in leadership, operations, and delivery. Having worked both inside organisations and as an external adviser, he understands the realities of running a business and avoids offering solutions that sound good on paper but fail in practice. Clients value his ability to break complex challenges into clear steps, build workable systems, and guide teams through improvement in a way that feels achievable rather than overwhelming. Sim Consulting is built on the belief that businesses should support their owners and enable a sustainable lifestyle, not consume all their energy. By helping SMEs strengthen their operations, improve decision-making, and build reliable systems, Aylwin equips them for long-term stability and growth. NZ Business Connect is pleased to welcome Aylwin Sim and Sim Consulting, a practical and forward-thinking partner for organisations ready to strengthen their foundations and move confidently into their next stage of growth. Contact Aylwin Sim https://sim.consulting aylwin@sim.consulting Contact NZ Business Connect 027 458 7724 phillip@nzbusinessconnect.co.nz

Artificial intelligence (AI) is fleetly reshaping the way associations approach sustainability. From optimising supply chains to enhancing environmental reporting, businesses are discovering that AI-driven tools not only ameliorate effectiveness but also support broader sustainability goals. As companies face mounting pressure to balance profitability with ecological responsibility, understanding how AI can unleash meaningful change is essential. Below are five insights into how AI supports sustainable practices across different sectors.  Circular Economy and Waste Reduction AI technologies are playing a vital part in accelerating circular economy models. Advanced image recognition systems can sort recyclable materials with greater precision than traditional styles,  increasing recovery rates and reducing landfill reliance. Also, AI-driven design tools are enabling product masterminds to produce goods that are easier to exercise, refurbish, or reclaim. In the food industry, algorithms can prognosticate corruption rates and optimise distribution to cut down on food waste. These inventions illustrate how AI fosters indirect business strategies where resources remain in use for as long as possible, lowering environmental strain while generating new profit openings. Smarter Supply Chains and Resource Management One of the most important advantages of AI is its capacity to optimise supply chains. Machine learning algorithms analyse patterns in raw material operations, transportation routes, and energy consumption to help businesses limit waste and emissions. For instance, predictive analytics can help retailers forecast demand more accurately, limiting overproduction and surplus supply. Logistics firms have already begun using AI-powered routing systems that cut energy consumption and delivery time. This form of optimisation not only sustains green business but also reduces operating costs, demonstrating that efficiency and environmental stewardship can go hand-in-hand. Transparent Reporting and Certification Pathways In today’s market, stakeholders anticipate translucency in sustainability efforts. AI simplifies compliance by automating data collection and generating reports aligned with environmental norms. This reduces the threat of human error while ensuring consistency across exposures. Companies aiming to formalise their sustainability journey frequently pursue certifications such as B Corp, LEED, or ISO 14001. To navigate this process effectively, many choose to hire a reputable B Corp agency to consult, ensuring that their AI-driven initiatives meet recognised benchmarks. Certification not only signals credibility but also differentiates brands in competitive diligence, helping them earn consumer trust while demonstrating measurable impact. Enhancing Energy Efficiency in Operations AI is revolutionising how associations manage energy consumption within manufacturing,  marketable spaces, and even data centres. By covering real-time operation patterns, AI systems can automatically acclimate heating, cooling, and lighting to minimise gratuitous energy expenditure. In manufacturing, predictive conservation powered by AI helps reduce downtime and extend the lifecycle of machinery, limiting the need for resource-intensive reserves. Energy companies are also integrating AI to read demand more directly, balancing renewable energy supply with grid stability. This dynamic operation ensures that businesses move toward a lower carbon footprint while maintaining dependable operations.  Consumer Engagement and Sustainable Innovation Besides functional benefits, AI can help companies capture changing guest expectations about sustainability. For example, utilising sentiment analysis tools, a hospitality or travel company can examine how guests respond to environmentally responsible proposals such as eco-friendly or local products offered, utilising this information to inform product development and marketing. Other, more individualised predictive recommendation engines encourage guests to make more responsible choices, such as offering guests a low-emission shipping option or a sustainable packaging option. Additionally, companies can utilise AI predictions of the environmental footprint of a new design before it’s in production, so they might decide whether they wish to introduce it as a responsible company. In conclusion, AI is more than a technological advancement; it is a catalyst for sustainable metamorphosis across industries. From smarter supply chains to optimised energy use, its operations extend well beyond effectiveness earnings. As businesses embrace these tools, they will be better equipped to address environmental challenges while strengthening their reputation. The future of sustainable business lies in using AI  courteously, ensuring that invention aligns with ecological responsibility and long-term value creation.

When you are settling into a new build or a recently renovated home, it is vital to ensure that your indoor climate is comfortable all year round. The question many homeowners ask is: Do I need a new heat pump for my new home? And perhaps more importantly: How do I choose the right one? At JSR Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, we specialise in residential heat pump installation, servicing and maintenance across the Waikato region. Why a heat pump is a smart choice A modern heat pump gives you the best of both worlds. It provides warm, cosy spaces in winter and cool relief in summer. Unlike traditional electric heaters that generate heat directly, a heat pump moves existing heat from one place to another. This helps create a far more energy efficient outcome. With New Zealand’s variable climate, particularly in the Waikato where winters can be chilly and summers humid, having a system that can both heat and cool is a very smart decision. Choosing the right size and model One of the most common mistakes homeowners make is selecting a system that is the wrong size for the space. If the unit is too small, it will not keep up. If the unit is too large, it may turn on and off too frequently, wasting energy and causing unnecessary wear. At JSR, our experienced team assesses your home’s size, insulation level, orientation, window size and layout. This ensures you receive a unit that delivers both performance and efficiency. What to look out for In summary If you are moving into a new home, installing the right heat pump is a smart investment. At JSR Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, we guide you through the process from beginning to end so that you stay warm in winter, cool in summer and comfortable throughout the year. Check out our previous article to learn more: https://www.jsr.co.nz/thinking-of-installing-a-heat-pump Get in touch with us today to schedule your service or request a quote. Contact JSR Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Today! 0800 JSR RAC Contact MediaPA 027 458 7724 phillip@mediapa.co.nz

By Cameron Coetzee Tuesday night’s successful NZ Business Connect event, sponsored by Maisey Harris & Co (MHCo) at their premises in the Hamilton CBD, provided attendees with valuable insights into the firm’s success story and its distinctive approach to empowering business owners. Founders Nathan Maisey and Peter Harris delivered an engaging presentation that explored the principles, challenges, and values underpinning their company’s remarkable growth over the past 10 years. Established with the vision of redefining the traditional accounting model, Maisey Harris & Co has become synonymous with innovation, trust, and client-focused service. Nathan and Peter shared how their journey began with a simple but powerful philosophy: to help clients gain freedom in three key areas: time, money, and mind. This framework continues to guide the firm’s strategic direction and client relationships today. “Our goal has always been to help business owners ‘pedal to the metal’ while ensuring they have balance and clarity in their personal and professional lives,” said Nathan. He highlighted that MHCo’s success lies not only in technical excellence but in the team’s ability to translate complex financial data into actionable insights that drive real outcomes. Peter expanded on this by noting that the firm’s advisory model places equal importance on strategy, communication, and long-term client partnership. “We’re not just accountants, we see ourselves as business partners. We aim to understand each client’s goals and challenges, and to provide them with the tools and advice to achieve sustainable growth,” he explained. Over the past decade, Maisey Harris & Co has grown into a multi-office firm while maintaining the approachable, people-first culture that defines its identity. Both founders credited their dedicated team as the foundation of that success. “Our people are the heartbeat of the business,” Nathan said. “We invest heavily in developing our team because their passion and expertise translate directly into the results we achieve for clients.” The NZ Business Connect event also addressed the realities of business leadership, including managing growth, adapting to economic shifts, and maintaining focus amidst uncertainty. Nathan and Peter’s candid reflections resonated strongly with attendees, many of whom are small and medium business owners facing similar challenges. Their emphasis on mindset, resilience, and purpose-driven leadership underscored MHCo’s reputation for authenticity and integrity. The NZ Business Connect network praised Maisey Harris & Co for hosting a highly engaging and insightful event. Beyond celebrating a decade of success, the occasion highlighted the firm’s commitment to supporting the Waikato business community and championing sustainable, values-based growth. As MHCo continues to evolve, its mission remains unchanged: to empower business owners to achieve financial clarity, personal freedom, and confidence in their future. Through expertise, innovation, and a genuine passion for helping others succeed, Maisey Harris & Co sets a high standard for professional service and leadership within the region. Contact Maisey Harris & Co  0800 567 506 For further information on NZ Business Connect contact Phillip Quay 0274 587724 or go to www.nzbusinessconnect.co.nz

hen you think of a real estate agency, you might picture houses, listings, open homes. But for Lodge Real Estate, it’s never been just about property. It’s about people, place, and purpose. That’s why it’s no surprise they’re stepping up as Platinum Sponsors for the Indus Waikato Diwali Mela 2025, because at their core, Lodge is in the business of community building. Lodge has called Hamilton home since 1969, growing to become one of the city’s most trusted and recognisable agencies across Residential, Lifestyle, Commercial, Property Management and Body Corporate services. Their deep local roots give them not only market insight but also a heartfelt understanding of the people, cultures, and stories that make Waikato unique. With a team of over 140 property professionals and a strong commitment to excellence, Lodge continues to play a key role in shaping Hamilton’s urban landscape and helping families find a place they can truly call home. What sets Lodge apart is their enduring sense of social purpose. They regularly back schools, sports clubs, local charities, and cultural events, believing that the true measure of a city’s health lies not just in square metres sold, but in lives uplifted. Their sponsorship portfolio includes partnerships with the WBOP Magic netball team, the Fine Homes Tour, the Deep Dive Division, and a wide range of community projects that support wellbeing, sport, and the arts. Lodge also supports initiatives such as Daffodil Day and the Memory Meadow planting project showing that their heart for Hamilton extends far beyond the housing market. Their sponsorship of Diwali is a perfect match. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is one of Hamilton’s most beloved and unifying celebrations. It brings people together across cultures, generations, and communities to celebrate hope, light, and renewal. Lodge’s support helps ensure everyone can experience it in full colour, joy, and connection. This Diwali, as Hamilton’s skies light up in celebration, Lodge Real Estate is proud to shine a light of their own, not just in property, but in partnership, inclusion, and belonging. Lodge Real Estate28 Harwood Street, Hamilton Central 07 838 0044 www.lodge.co.nz  

The 2025 Indus Waikato Diwali Mela in Hamilton will shine brighter than ever this year, thanks to Indus joining as the event’s Naming Rights Sponsor. The partnership creates a natural synergy between Indus’s mission to simplify India’s growth story and enable New Zealanders to invest seamlessly in India’s markets, alongside the cultural vibrancy of one of Aotearoa’s most anticipated celebrations, which will be held this year on Saturday, October 18 at Innes Common, Hamilton Lake. Founded in Auckland, Indus is a financial technology company designed to make investing in India simple, transparent, and accessible for all New Zealanders. Through its digital platform, users can invest in hundreds of Indian mutual funds without the need for complex paperwork or hidden costs. With only a New Zealand driver’s licence or passport, investors can begin exploring opportunities in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies within minutes. Security and trust are central to Indus’s philosophy. Client funds are safely held in New Zealand with ASB, while Indian investments are custodied through DBS Bank. The company is a registered financial services provider in New Zealand and licensed in India by the Securities and Exchange Board (SEBI), ensuring a high level of confidence and compliance. Indus also champions transparency, offering clear fees, flexibility, and peace of mind for Kiwi investors seeking to connect with India’s financial potential. For Indus, sponsoring the Waikato Diwali Mela this year goes beyond visibility. It’s a celebration of shared heritage and community spirit. Diwali’s timeless message of light triumphing over darkness aligns perfectly with the company’s mission to empower people through opportunity, education, and access. The sponsorship also allows organisers to enhance the Mela experience, from vibrant performances and local food stalls to family activities and business showcases. Indus’s support ensures the event continues to grow as a beacon of connection, diversity, and pride for the region. As Indus co-founder and chief growth officer Vivek Parashar said: “This partnership is about more than a name. Diwali is about light, hope, and growth, values that reflect exactly what Indus stands for.” With Indus leading the way, the 2025 Indus Waikato Diwali Mela promises to be a celebration of unity, culture, and community brighter than ever before. Contact Indus https://indus.nz 0800 463 871 support@indus.nz