Spring has truly arrived in the Cardrona Valley, transforming the landscape into a vibrant display of greenery, blossoms, and the hum of honeybees. It’s a special time of year for Cardrona Horse Treks and 4×4 ATVs, with the added beauty of lambing and calving season creating a unique and memorable backdrop for their tours.
Kel, the owner, captures the charm of the season: “Yes, it is certainly very ‘springy’ now! Cardrona Valley is becoming greener by the day, beautiful blossoms are out, and the honeybee hives are beginning to buzz.” This stunning natural setting enhances the experience, whether guests choose to explore the valley on horseback or by quad bike or ATV.
During the tours, care is taken around the new mothers and their babies. “Lambing and calving season has just begun here on the farm, so it’s a very special time of year. We need to be extra careful and go quietly past the new mums and babies while on tour with the horses and quad bikes. Sometimes we’ll stop a tour and wait for a mother to help her new baby to its feet to follow her safely away,” Kel explains. These peaceful moments make the tours a truly special way to witness the rhythms of farm life.
For those looking for an unforgettable spring adventure, Cardrona Horse Treks and 4×4 ATVs offers both individual and group tours, making it the perfect activity for families, friends, or even workmates. Whether you’re after the calm of a horseback trek or the thrill of a 4×4 ride, Cardrona provides an ideal setting for a spring outing.
If you’re planning a group adventure off the beaten track or simply want to enjoy the beauty of the season, Cardrona Horse Treks and 4×4 ATVs is ready to offer an experience you won’t forget. Get in touch to book your tour today!
Looking for a refreshing way to reward your hardworking team this season? Bethells Beach Cottages, nestled along the beautiful West Coast, provides the perfect setting for a corporate retreat. Whether you’re hosting a team-building getaway or simply treating your team to a well-earned break, these secluded cottages offer a peaceful space to unwind and reconnect.
Start the retreat with a morning yoga session on the beach, where the calming sound of the ocean helps your team relax. For those who enjoy the outdoors, an energising swim or surf at Bethells Beach or nearby O’Neills Beach is a great way to start the day, with local surf lifesavers ensuring safety.
The spacious grounds at Bethells Beach Cottages encourage both bonding and relaxation. Your team can enjoy lawn games such as petanque, chess, and croquet, providing a fun and laid-back atmosphere to connect in a casual setting.
When it’s time to unwind, your staff can soak in the luxurious Scandinavian hot tub, or for more privacy, hire the portable Kiwi hot tub on your deck, surrounded by beautiful gardens. It’s the perfect way to release tension while enjoying the fresh sea breeze.
According to Trude, owner of Bethells Beach Cottages, “We love seeing people leave feeling more connected, refreshed, and ready to take on new challenges. Our peaceful setting really helps guests switch off from the hustle and bustle of work life.”
For a more immersive experience, consider a digital detox during your retreat. The natural surroundings provide an ideal environment for your team to disconnect and recharge, leaving them ready to return to work with a renewed sense of focus.
With stunning views, comfortable accommodation, and a range of activities, it’s the perfect destination for corporate groups seeking both relaxation and team bonding. Reward your staff with a memorable experience at Bethells Beach Cottages. Book your group retreat today!
Artificial intelligence has rapidly transformed many sectors, and education cannot be an exception. From personalised learning experiences to the smoothening of administrative tasks, AI’s integration into modern education has been a game-changer. The following article identifies and discusses five key insights on how AI reconfigures the educational space and helps educators and students.
Personalised Learning Experiences
The most important contribution that AI has made in the realm of education is in personalised learning. The educators conventionally have tried to accommodate the learning pace and style of each student within a standard classroom setting. Today, AI-powered platforms make personalised learning pathways possible, adjusting to the needs of individual students. Most of them use data to analyse student performance, identify knowledge gaps, provide real-time feedback, and present additional resources for achieving better results. In this respect, no student will be lagging, and both learning and achievement will improve.
AI in Administrative Tasks
Aside from the classrooms, artificial intelligence has proved to be a very valuable assistant for schools and universities when it comes to administrative tasks. With AI-powered systems at their side, educational facilities have been able to automate routine tasks, such as grading and scheduling, and tracking student and staff attendance. As a result of these innovations, the administrative burden on teachers is reduced so that they can put more effort into teaching and engaging with students. AI-powered technologies can also help optimise enrollments and even identify students who are at risk so that interventions can be made in time.
Enhancing Digital Learning Resources
Artificial intelligence has transformed the speed and accessibility related to digital learning resources, providing students with tools that complement traditional education. In countries like Australia, where the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) plays a crucial role in secondary education, AI has facilitated the development of high-quality online learning materials. For VCE students, this means simulations, quizzes, and interactive multimedia to enhance learning. Students can now find excellent VCE notes online, curated through systems that ensure relevance and accuracy. The abundance of digital content ensures that learning becomes much more flexible; now, students can avail opportunities to study at their own pace and convenience.
AI as a Learning Assistant
AI-driven virtual assistants are becoming an integral part of learning. Such systems can engage in a range of activities with students, such as answering questions, explaining concepts, and even recommending extra study materials. AI-powered assistants, such as chatbots and virtual tutors, can provide student support outside of what human teachers can offer. At times when students need it, these can function at hours of the night or during periods of absence. Such continuous presence and support will be most welcome for students in under-resourced or remote areas, where teacher access might be at a premium.
Bridging Gaps in Global Education
Artificial intelligence is serving as a key to making education more accessible for students around the world. AI-enabled platforms are in a position to translate educational content into various languages, thus breaking the barriers of languages. Secondly, AI can also develop adaptive learning systems to achieve the objective of providing inclusive access to educational materials for differently-abled students. AI can be used in developing regions to close the digital divide, creating low-cost, scalable educational solutions – often delivered via mobile platforms. This democratisation of education allows more students worldwide to gain access to high-quality learning resources, improving educational equity and outcomes.
In conclusion, the presence of AI in contemporary education has been transformative. In the years to come, as AI continues to evolve both in capability and capacity, it will be increasingly instrumental in addressing the imbalances within education and ensuring a better quality for all concerned. By leveraging AI, educators and students alike would finally have a future in which learning would be more efficient, more equitable, and more engaging.
We are excited to introduce Diana McIntyre, one of the newest member of NZ Business Connect’s network and an experienced insurance specialist committed to creating better futures for individuals and businesses alike. With a strong belief that while nobody really wants insurance, we all need it, Diana is here to find the coverage that works best for your unique situation.
Working with Rapson, Loans, Finance & Insurance, a trusted name in financial and insurance services, Diana is based in Tauranga and serves clients across the region. Diana is proud to work alongside an organisation that truly understands the importance of comprehensive insurance coverage.
Diana’s extensive expertise covers a range of personal and business insurance options, including life insurance, mortgage protection, income protection, and health insurance. She also specialises in more specific coverages like trauma cover, total permanent disability (TPD) insurance, and key person cover for businesses. Diana simplifies the complexities of insurance, offering guidance in an easy-to-understand manner and ensuring you know exactly what you’re getting.
Having faced vulnerable times, Diana knows how overwhelming life’s uncertainties can be. Her personal experiences and professional knowledge allow her to identify blind spots you might not even know exist. Whether you’re a business owner or an individual, Diana’s straightforward, results-driven approach ensures you’re fully prepared for life’s unexpected turns.
With a mission to provide honest, transparent, and relatable advice, know that if the time comes for you to make a claim, Diana will guide you every step of the way. Don’t wait until it’s too late to protect your most vulnerable assets – whether it’s your health, income, or business. Contact Diana McIntyre today for expert insurance advice and peace of mind.
Contact Diana McIntyre at Rapson, Loans, Finance & Insurance
Leading Hamilton Soil Scientist Dr Gordon Rajendram: Nutrients and Minerals in Spring Grass and How Pasture and Soil Testing Can Optimise Horse and Stock Health
One of New Zealand’s leading soil scientists Dr Gordon Rajendram emphasises the importance of understanding the nutrient balance in spring grass and the impact it can have on the health of horses and stock. Spring brings a surge in pasture growth, creating a nutrient-rich food source for grazing animals. However, this rapid growth often results in an imbalance of key nutrients, which can negatively affect animal health. Dr Rajendram’s solution is to carry out thorough pasture and soil tests to ensure the correct products are applied to the land, decreasing inefficiencies and maximising the benefits of spring grass.
Spring grass is typically high in carbohydrates, particularly sugars and fructans, which provide quick energy to horses and stock. While beneficial, Dr Rajendram warns that excessive sugar intake can lead to problems like laminitis in horses and metabolic disorders in livestock. Additionally, the grass is often rich in minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and potassium, which support bone strength and muscle function. However, the high potassium content can interfere with the absorption of magnesium, a crucial mineral for preventing conditions like grass tetany in cattle.
One of the key concerns Dr Rajendram identifies is the deficiency of magnesium in spring pastures, which can lead to health issues like muscle tremors, stiffness, and poor performance in both horses and stock. To counter this, he recommends pasture and soil testing as a vital step to understanding the specific nutrient composition of the pasture. Pasture and soil tests allow for targeted application of the right products, ensuring magnesium and other essential minerals are present in appropriate amounts.
Dr Gordon Rajendram explains that by conducting sasture and soil tests and applying the correct fertilisers, farmers and horse owners can optimise the nutrient profile of their pasture. This proactive approach ensures that grazing animals receive balanced nutrition, reducing the risk of health issues and enhancing overall wellbeing during the spring months.
Cruising offers a unique way to travel, blending the excitement of discovering new places with the luxury of world-class amenities. Champion Travel, under the expert guidance of Maxwell Burns, provides an array of cruise options to suit every traveller’s dream, from river cruises that glide through Europe’s most scenic regions to ocean voyages exploring remote shores.
Viking Cruises
For travellers who enjoy a slower pace and cultural immersion, river cruises are an ideal option. These cruises allow passengers to navigate famous rivers such as the Danube or Rhine, stopping at charming towns and historic cities along the way. The experience of stepping off the ship into local markets, exploring centuries-old architecture, and enjoying local cuisine gives river cruises a perfect balance of comfort and adventure. Passengers can enjoy breathtaking views while experiencing some of the world’s most culturally rich destinations.
For those seeking a grander scale of exploration, ocean cruises offer the chance to visit multiple countries or islands in one journey. Whether sailing through the Mediterranean, exploring the Caribbean, or venturing through the Pacific, ocean cruises offer a diverse itinerary filled with adventures. Onboard, travellers can enjoy world-class entertainment, dining, and spa treatments, ensuring their time at sea is as luxurious as their time ashore.
Closer to home, Champion Travel also offers fantastic cruise options for those who prefer exploring New Zealand’s stunning coastline or the neighbouring Pacific islands. These cruises are perfect for discovering hidden coves, beautiful beaches, and vibrant coastal towns, all within the comfort of a luxurious ship.
Maxwell Burns at Champion Travel ensures each cruise experience is tailored to the traveller’s desires. With Champion Travel’s expertise, you can be assured that your cruise will be a seamless, memorable journey from start to finish, tailored to exceed your expectations. Contact them today to explore your options!
In today’s fast-moving digital times, AI is restructuring industries and how companies operate and make decisions on strategy and competitive advantage. It not only enhances operational effectiveness but also gives companies that employ AI technology a competitive advantage in their markets. From website development to customer service, AI is reshaping core business functions from innovation to smarter decision-making. This article looks at five key areas in which AI is having a profound impact.
SEO and Online Visibility
SEO has become increasingly complex in recent years as search engines like Google continue to update their algorithms. AI is now at the forefront of helping businesses stay ahead when it comes to online visibility. AI-powered SEO tools analyse large amounts of data and detect patterns in data to provide actionable insights that power content generation and keyword optimisation. This would help enterprises make necessary adjustments in their digital marketing efforts to improve their organic search rankings. By optimising for search intent, AI is ensuring that businesses are better positioned to be visible in front of their target audience for more traffic and conversions. Companies that implement AI in their SEO strategies manage to keep an online presence, important for long-term growth.
Enhancing Customer Experience
Customer experience is among the most crucial components in driving business success. AI is likely to play an extremely integral role in this regard. With the use of chatbots, virtual assistants, and AI-driven customer service platforms, companies can now provide 24/7 support, personalised responses, and faster resolution of issues. Companies can also use predictive analytics to understand how customers will behave and make personalised offerings of products and services through AI algorithms that analyse customer interactions. Such predictive analytics also helps in anticipating customer needs, enhancing satisfaction, and engendering loyalty over a longer period. Moreover, AI amped up data-driven decisions, making sure customer engagement strategies are right on target with real-time feedback and preferences.
AI in Website Development
AI holds the greatest promise for changing website development by making digital platform creation and optimisation easier. It is no longer about how a website can be created, wherein one has to delve into coding or hire an army of full-stack developers. The present times call for AI-powered tools and platforms that render responsive, user-friendly websites with less human intervention. Leading companies such as Cartizz provide website development solutions that integrate personalisation features, automate updates, and enhance user experience. The benefits of these technologies are not only saving time and resources but also offering highly customised and scalable websites to meet changing consumer tastes and preferences.
Automating Supply Chains
From predicting the supply and demand of a product to automating the logistics and managing inventories, AI is catching its speeding momentum in supply chain management. AI algorithms anticipate the cycles of low or high supply and demand by basing predictions on historical data and market trends, after which companies adjust the inventory accordingly to avoid wastage. AI-driven automation allows for streamlining of distribution channels and decreased delay through the intelligence needed to identify bottlenecks before they cause hindrance. Such efficiency leads to cost savings and pleased customers who are assured of quick and sure product delivery. Businesses that take such steps to integrate AI into the supply chain can now be better positioned to handle the problems brought about by today’s commerce.
AI-Driven Marketing and Personalisation
Marketing is fast-moving along in its strategies, considering the integration of AI, which helps an organisation plan more personalised and hence successful campaigns. AI tools analyse consumer behaviour, preferences, and interactions across various platforms, thus helping marketers reach their consumers at the most opportune moment. This level of personalisation increases engagement, builds customer loyalty, and enhances conversion rates. AI also enables companies to automate basic marketing tasks, including email campaigns, social media publishing, and ad optimisation, which would otherwise occupy marketers’ time, leaving them to think creatively. With each passing day, as AI technology evolves, it will contribute immensely to enabling businesses to fine-tune their marketing strategy and outperform their competitors.
In conclusion, AI is no doubt conquering the business world in many aspects. From developing customer care to supply chain automation, AI-driven solutions help companies function more efficiently and effectively. The adoption of AI has stopped being an option and has turned into a point of compulsion for organisations that want to thrive in today’s competitive environment.
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.
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.
