NZ Blinds’ Sunscreen Roller Blinds Great for Daytime Security

April 30, 2020

Source: Press Release Service – New Zealand

(PR.co.nz)

NZ Blinds’ Sunscreen roller blinds are made from specialty design PVC material that has a high resistance to UV fade damage and is made to reduce heat and light glare. This fabric is light enough to allow you to enjoy your view during the daytime but also reduce heat and UV rays. Sunscreen blinds are versatile and can be used in any room of the house, as well as in workplaces too. 

Sunscreen roller blinds are great for daytime security, especially if you are away at work all day, as potential burglars can see through the blinds to see if anyone is at home. There is another similar use for them, and that is for vacant holiday homes, as they don’t make the house look as though nobody is there.  

During the daytime you can look out your sunscreen blinds (to differing degrees) while people outside can’t see in, so your Sunscreen blinds are great for daytime privacy. However, come night time this phenomenon is reversed somewhat. People can’t see in with total clarity.

Sunscreen blinds are also vital to protect your home, as the damage and fade caused by UV light happens subtly over time, slowly affecting the equity of your property. Furniture, floors, and other material objects are often left unchecked and forgotten until it’s too late when the damage has already set and clearly visible.

Therefore, buying sunscreen blinds early is a great opportunity to invest and save on your property long-term, by preventing UV damage from even beginning to take effect on your furnishings.  

For more information on sunscreen protection for your home explore NZ Blinds’ collection of window blinds to find the perfect style of blinds for your house, while maintaining the comfort and longevity of your home, and to find out more about blind accessories, blackout blinds and aluminium venetian blinds please go to https://nzblinds.co.nz/product-category/roller-blinds/sunscreen-roller-blinds/ .

Media Release 30 April 2020.

MIL OSI

FIT NZ Releases New Colourway On Drawers

Live News

April 30, 2020

Source: Press Release Service – New Zealand

(PR.co.nz)

FIT NZ, a leading company providing kitchen and other home storage solutions, is once again spearheading innovation within their drawer system lineup.

FIT answers the call of homeowners for darker colour schemes that offer a more contemporary kitchen design; they’ve added a modern dark grey called Umbra to their Harm Ritma range of soft close drawers.

Considerable thought was given to the new colour as it had to fit seamlessly with FIT’s existing Tanova pull out kitchen bins, many of which are already available in an Umbra Grey frame and charcoal bucket colour scheme.

Additionally, the new colourway works beautifully with FIT’s German made Vauth-Sagel Planero range; premium kitchen storage units with powder-coated steel baskets, also in a modern dark grey called Lava.

These new hues reflect a strong trend towards darker componentry, perfect for homes that are abundant in natural light.

Kitchens with stand-out elements in shades of black, grey, and charcoal provide a sleek, elegant, and modern feel that will truly stand the test of time.

FIT NZ is a premier provider of kitchen storage solutions, and a distributor of products from some of the most sought-after brands in kitchen and home storage. A family owned Kiwi firm, they distribute products such as pull out kitchen bins, drawer systems, drawer organisers, cabinet lighting, and wardrobe systems. Their mission is to create highly workable spaces to enhance one’s living space and lifestyle.

To learn more, visit the FIT NZ website at https://www.fit-nz.co.nz/

Media Release 30 April 2020.

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Accounting-Plus Solutions Releases New Website

Live News

April 29, 2020

Source: Press Release Service – New Zealand

(PR.co.nz)

Small businesses looking for specialised accounting expertise, excellent business support and advice on financial growth can find tailored solutions after Accounting Plus Solutions recently launched a new website: www.accounting-plus.co.nz.

Accounting Plus Solutions owner Tony Wei understands that every business has different needs. “There’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to business so our team always goes the extra mile to understand you and your business goals so that we can provide you with the right advice.”

Three main services are covered on the website: small business accounting; property accounting; and Xero accounting.

Small Business Accounting

Accounting Plus Solutions provides hassle free accounting services that every small to medium business needs to achieve financial growth. Whether it is a start-up, non-profit, childcare centre or trade service, the right accounting advice helps to reduce stress, maximise profit and enable owners to focus on growing their business.

Property Accounting

Get the best advice on rental property and developments through the help of Accounting Plus Solutions. Find the best solutions to minimize property taxes, protect assets and get the best returns. The team of experienced accountants also provide trust administration services that will meet the bespoke needs of every client.

Xero Accounting

From checking cashflow and sending an invoice to tracking a customer contact, get real-time control of your business finances with the power of Xero Accounting software at your fingertips. Let Accounting Plus Solutions, a Xero Gold Partner, take your business accounts online so you can check your finances every day, on any devices from anywhere, at any time.

Go get the right advice from a small business Accountant in Auckland who really cares about your business, “At Accounting Plus Solutions you’ll be treated as our business partner, not just a client” says Tony. “Our small dedicated company is all about helping you and your company to grow and flourish, whether we work with you online, over the phone or in person, you can expect personal service, tailor-made for your unique situation.”

Accounting Plus Solutions offers services throughout the wider Auckland region and surrounding areas.

For more information on Accounting Plus Solutions and the services it provides check out: www.accounting-plus.co.nz.

Media Release 29 April 2020.

MIL OSI

Kiwi Consumers To Benefit from Increased Competition at Level 3

Live News

April 28, 2020

Source: Press Release Service

(PR.co.nz) Online retail sales have seen an immediate lift following the Prime Minister’s announcement the country would move out of Level 4 lockdown.
The move is set to benefit consumers by providing more competition in the market and reducing prices according to a local retail marketing consultant.
New figures from online mattress retailer Ecosa, show there was a noticeable jump in purchases on Friday when the Government signalled the pending change in lockdown status and again yesterday, with Tuesday confirmed as the transition date for many businesses.
Retail marketing consultant Sarah Dunn says competition in the market is essential particularly from smaller, more dynamic retailers who are able to offer a wide array of products.
“Consumers right now are shopping with only a very few large businesses, with many feeling frustrated and financially vulnerable,
“As a result, we are seeing a retail climate with more sensitised shoppers on the lookout for price gouging – which can be an additional challenge for businesses to navigate,
“When small businesses re-enter the game, they’ll reduce this tension between shoppers and retailers by increasing consumer choice, rebalancing the market and rebuilding that trust element.
“What remains to be seen is the long term impact of permanent business closures on the level of competition in the market,” she says.
Ecosa spokesperson Emma Edwards says the impact of the COVID-19 has been tough on their New Zealand registered company which although meeting the definition of an ‘essential goods provider’, was unable to trade due to the requirement for the owner to have a Realme login.
“Despite being an online-only retailer, selling products which were deemed essential such as sheets and blankets and having a warehouse distribution model that met all required hygiene and social distancing standards, our company has been closed up until now as the owner does not have a New Zealand passport – which was necessary for MBIE approval.
“This has been an incredibly frustrating time for businesses like ours during Level 4 as the site traffic has been up significantly but we haven’t been able to convert the sales due to the uncertainty around delivery times.
“The effect on this has been a reduction in consumer choice as well as a reduction in tax revenue for the economy,” she says.
Edwards says they are immensely grateful to be able to resume trading, particularly in an environment where many businesses remain closed.
She says they had an increase in web traffic of 66% and a lift in sales of almost 200% since Monday’s announcement now have hundreds of thousands of dollars in backorders which will all be shipped next week.
Dunn says it is important that businesses communicate with their client base at this time to allow customers time to plan their purchases.
“In the rush to reopen the doors it is critical that companies keep their customers updated as to when they will open and what constraints they will have on trading – it is an education process for hundreds of thousands of Kiwis that will be experiencing a new retail environment for the first time.
“This allows consumers the opportunity to work through what a transaction might look like under the Level 3 constraints and whether they need to make allowances for extra time or changes to payment options.
“In particular businesses need to look at updating their social media platforms, Google’s My Business listings and also at creating a newsletter for their database,” she says.

Media Release 28 April 2020.

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50,000 Bottles of Hand Sanitiser Donated to Kiwi Schools and Childcare Centres

Live News

April 28, 2020

Source: Press Release Service – New Zealand

(PR.co.nz) More than 50,000 bottles of hand sanitiser have been donated and are being urgently delivered to schools throughout the country, ahead of their opening on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Education has purchased 50,000 bottles of hand sanitiser at cost price from supplier NXP. The company has donated a further 50,000 bottles to ensure all New Zealand schools and child care centres have sufficient initial supplies when they reopen.

The sanitiser supplies are part of a shipment of PPE products purchased by schools which also include gloves and face masks – helping to protect teachers, staff and children.

Joe Taylor, CEO of NXP, the country’s largest supplier of business supplies to Government and large corporates, says calls were made to all 6000 schools and childcare centres in the country to ensure orders could be taken in time for delivery ahead of Wednesday.

He says taking thousands of orders of PPE supplies, setting up online accounts and processing the orders in less than five days has been a significant logistics exercise for his customer service and warehouse team.
“Our team worked 16 hour days for the entire long weekend to make sure the deliveries were ready.

“Feedback from school principals has been extremely positive with many saying it has helped ease some of the health and safety concerns faced by staff returning to work at Level 3,” he says.

Along with the donation of hand sanitiser, Taylor says that in collaboration with MBIE the company has opened up online accounts for every school in the country – allowing them to leverage the All of Government (AoG) pricing structure and ensuring they access the lowest possible rates for PPE, kitchen, janitorial and office products over the coming months.

Media Release 28 April 2020.

MIL OSI

NZ Fashion Brand Lockdown Launch – Now That’s Bold

Live News

April 28, 2020

Source: Press Release Service – New Zealand

(PR.co.nz)

It’s not every day a new fashion brand launches in New Zealand, so when it does, it’s worth talking about. Bold Clothing is the creation of Kate Dombroski, based in Urenui, but selling to the World! The pre-launch collection, acting as a proof-of-concept, consists of statement bamboo t-shirt dresses, dri-fit singlets and 100% cotton, sequin hoodies featuring some pretty unique designs.

Attendees of this year’s WOMAD festival in New Plymouth, New Zealand experienced Bold Clothing for themselves. “We had a hugely positive response”, says Kate, “people loved the bamboo fabric, and the sequin hoodies, went down a storm”.

The official launch collection in June will focus on bamboo fabric thanks to its many amazing attributes. The sustainable bamboo plant produces some incredible fibres that maintain many of the plant’s natural benefits within the garment. Beautifully breathable and incredibly soft, hypoallergenic, thermal regulating, odour-absorbing and UV protective to SPF40. It’s a pretty amazing source plant.

So what can you expect from Bold Clothing?

Original, durable and versatile, with a style that never goes out of fashion. Our instantly recognisable details, and reversible clothing will cater to women, men and after countless requests – children as well. Targeted at the unique streetwear and casual-wear markets, the designs are eye catching and of course, bold!

In Kate’s own words, “I’ve endeavoured to produce a clothing collection that meets as many needs of people as possible. Namely, being good quality, comfortable, versatile, distinctive and affordable. I know everyone will be amazed at how soft the bamboo fabric feels, and with bamboo being a sustainable source plant, it means Bold leaves less of a carbon footprint as well”.

Look out for Bold Clothing’s new launch collection coming soon – the clothes are reversible, making them even better value. It’s like getting two garments for the price of one.

For now, take advantage of the pre-launch clothing collection at https://boldornaked.com/collections/bold-clothing

Media Release 28 April 2020.

MIL OSI

Supporting the Economic Recovery of SMEs

Live News

April 28, 2020

Source: Press Release Service – New Zealand

(PR.co.nz)

The bookkeeping industry has firmly positioned itself within the SME market as trusted advisors says the Institute of Certified New Zealand Bookkeepers (ICNZB).

Bookkeepers in New Zealand are at the forefront of small and medium businesses, supporting them at a grass roots level, ensuring their systems and processes are robust and current, supplying accurate data with which clients can make sound business decisions, and assisting businesses with their compliance obligations. This position has shown bookkeepers to be uniquely placed to facilitate the recovery of small to medium enterprises in New Zealand in the wake of the halt on trading imposed during the Alert Level 4 lockdown.

ICNZB President, Di Crawford Errington explains: “While many industries have contracted during the lock down, bookkeepers have seen a substantial increase in demand for their services. The value our bookkeeping community have shown to their clients during these troubling times has been invaluable in terms of promoting awareness of what bookkeepers can provide.”

Traditionally bookkeeping has been seen as a “work from the kitchen table” service – but in recent years the recognition from government departments, evidenced by Inland Revenue providing bookkeeper’s agent status, and the increase in bookkeeper engagement, has shown New Zealand that we have evolved from that mentality and are trusted advisors.

During the Alert Level 4 lockdown our members have reported a significant reduction in the requirement for day-to-day bookkeeping services – primarily attributed to reduced trading – and they have seen a large increase in requests for business support. With todays move to Alert Level 3, businesses in New Zealand are set to prepare to reopen and for some this is going to look like quite a different business model.

Julie Feisst-Jones, a Certified Bookkeeper member who operates JFJ Bookkeeping in Cambridge works primarily within the trade sector which, in the majority of cases, saw a 100% decrease in income. “The inability for our clients to operate saw an immediate effect on our services as there was no account activity to manage. Instead, what we have found to be our biggest value add is practical guidance in helping clients prepare for reopening requirements under Alert Level 3. This has included our initiative to prepare and sell PPE packs to our clients so they are able to provide each employee the materials they need to operate safely, and also introducing new procedures into their job management software to comply with contact tracing requirements.”

The shift from desktop software and paper-based accounting records to online accounting and job management systems is something that has been evolving quite rapidly over the past few years. While data from the first annual ICNZB Benchmark Survey is still being analysed, our initial results show that 52% of bookkeeping professionals were already managing their client’s bookkeeping through online software and the benefit of this remote model is more evident now than ever before.

Kim Hamill, Certified Bookkeeper and online bookkeeping specialist from Nimba in Ashburton, primarily supports clients in the not-for-profit and agriculture industries: “The surge in support requests from our clients has been unprecedented but this has not been for day-to-day bookkeeping functions. Our team have been fortunate to find ourselves in a position where our client’s operations were already being managed remotely and we had robust systems in place, so we have been able to continue as normal. The farming sector is not known for their online work so we have found our biggest contribution to them has been more educational to show them what technology is available, along with a lot of emotional support and verbal reassurance”.

While bookkeepers have been busy supporting their clients, ICNZB have been busy supporting our members. In the initial rush to lockdown and the constant evolution of the wage subsidy package, ICNZB found themselves in the fortunate position of being able to support their members through our well-established Government relationships.

Ms Crawford Errington further states: “As an association, our mission is to increase the professionalism of the industry and help our members become leading professionals. Part of that support has always included developing relationships with Government organisations to allow a free flow of data. During the initial lockdown announcement our members were flooded with queries about the wage subsidy and how it was going to work. We were proud to be in a position to clarify all of these questions through our well-established contacts at Inland Revenue and Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

We also recognised the impact the situation was having on our members mental wellbeing which prompted ICNZB to offer twice weekly online support meetings, and saw us connect members from across the country. The value of receiving this support from those who were experiencing the same levels of stress and uncertainty was evident by our high attendance numbers.”

As New Zealand now waits to see what the future holds for our economic outlook, one thing remains certain – bookkeepers are leading the way with efficient systems, technology and outside the box initiatives – all with the support of their professional body behind them.

Bookkeepers will be at the forefront of assisting small businesses to reopen their doors and contribute towards New Zealand’s economic recovery.

Media Release 28 April 2020.

MIL OSI

New Heating and Cooling Webinar Series Available

Live News

April 28, 2020

Source: Press Release Service

Waterware is calling on homeowners, architects, and tradespeople of any background or experience to join their live webinar series, led by industry experts. The webinars, which are split into beginner and intermediate modules, offer information on how the systems work, what solutions are available, and how to choose the best heating and cooling option for your project.

Waterware spokesperson and webinar host Lewis Hughes says the webinar series can be helpful for homeowners who aren’t sure what heating and cooling systems to install in their home, architects looking to upskill, and people who are thinking about getting into the heating trade.

“We want to make sure that people have access to the most relevant information regarding radiant central heating and cooling, but in a way that’s convenient. Online webinars tick that box.”

Each webinar is one hour long, and any questions will be answered live either throughout the Webinars or during a Q + A session at the end.

Beginner modules offer an introduction to central heating, while intermediate modules dive into functions, installation, servicing, and more. There are four webinars on offer- beginning with the concept around heating and cooling, radiator heating, underfloor heating, and Active Ceiling heating and cooling.

During the Covid-19 Level 3 and 4 lockdowns, the webinars will be running regularly by ZOOM, and all attendees are invited to register their interest online to receive information on session times. For more information and to register, visit https://www.waterware.co.nz/webinar-series/, or phone 0800 WATERWARE or 09 273 9191. If you have missed a webinar or can’t make a scheduled session, all sessions have been recorded and will be made available on-line in due course.

About Waterware

Waterware has been a market-leading specialist in the plumbing, central heating and bathroomware sectors for the past 30 years. Waterware prides itself on its positive pre and post sales service experience, its ongoing drive for product innovation, and technical design expertise.

Partnering with internationally recognized brands, Waterware offers both component equipment and full service solutions including:

• Central Heating & Cooling: Gas, LPG, and Diesel Boilers, Heatpumps, Radiators, Radiant Active Ceiling and Underfloor Heating
• Plumbing: Temperature & Pressure Valves, Water Meters, Tanks & Cylinders, Pumps, Pipe Systems and Lubricants
• Bathroomware: Tapware, Baths, Toilets, Vanities, Mirrors, Heated Towel Rails and Lighting

We work hard to source the highest quality products to meet New Zealand market needs and trends, ensuring they meet national regulatory requirements. Our products are supported by our extensive range of spare parts, in-house Installer training and Warranty assurance programs.

The business is located in East Tamaki, Auckland and provides a nationwide service from Northland through to Invercargill.

Waterware is committed to delivering positive service outcomes for its customers across both product and solution offerings.

[embedded content]

Media Release on 28 April 2020

Media Contact
Waterware
info@waterware.co.nz
0800 WATERWARE / 09 273 9191

https://waterware-waterware.kademi.com.au/webinar-series/

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The State of Education – The impact of COVID-19 on Distance Teaching

Live News

April 28, 2020

Source: Press Release Service

Education insights firm, Pivot Professional Learning, in collaboration with Education Perfect (EP), are set to release the findings of a significant survey assessing the current learning climate from the perspective of teachers and school leaders.

Over 3500 teachers and school leaders in Australia and New Zealand responded to the 38 item survey exploring the impact of COVID-19 on education. The survey focused on technology usage and challenges, educator concerns for students, and the impact on student and teacher well-being.

The report titled ‘Educator perspectives on the impact of a rapid shift to distance and online learning’, focused on understanding overall confidence in schools’ ability to support distance teaching and learning; as well as creating insights into how to better support both teachers and students during this new era of schooling.

“We wanted to capture ‘of the moment’ feedback from those on the frontlines of educating students during COVID-19,” explains Pivot Professional Learning CEO, Amanda Bickerstaff, adding that “with over 3500 responses, we’ve now gained a wealth of data about how teaching has changed and what educators need most to meet the needs of their students.

This is an opportunity for us to come together as a community to innovate and provide better solutions for online teaching and learning.”

The report generated key insights into both teaching and technology, with the research finding:

– While technology allows the connection of both teachers and students to create meaningful educational experiences, the well-being of students, social isolation, and apprehension around loss of learning were the major concerns of teachers and school leaders

– 7 out of 10 teachers report their planning time has increased. Distance teaching has brought with it a steep learning curve, putting teachers back to being “new teachers” in terms of preparation time

– Schools are using multiple technology platforms (between 2-5) to support teaching and learning online. No platform was rated consistently highly across features and confidence in use

– Just over half of teachers and school leaders feel that they can effectively communicate with students and parents online

EP CEO, Alex Burke, emphasises that “governments have already called for more data on the impact of remote learning for teachers, students and parents. Additionally, we are seeing our teacher community being challenged to adjust to the new working conditions.

EP is used by over 1 million students across Australia and New Zealand, and we now have a unique insight into teacher sentiment and student engagement. So the survey will be invaluable to us and the broader community.”

Ultimately, the survey uncovered three key findings:

1. The Australian Teacher community are committed to shifting learning online, but would benefit from additional support The shift to distance teaching and online learning has had a significant impact on educators across Australia with the majority of respondents indicating their planning and preparation time has increased. Based on this study, it’s clear that teachers are committed to their students and have confidence in their ability to teach online. However this demand on teachers is unlikely to be sustainable over the longer term and schools and providers should consider supports to reduce planning and preparation time.

2. There is a need for a comprehensive distance learning approach that goes beyond “learning” Educators understand that the shift to schooling online impacts more than just learning outcomes – it also impacts social needs, communication and engagement. When designing and implementing new resources for distance teaching, it’s important that we take a comprehensive approach to providing recommendations, new solutions and professional learning for all facets of the student experience.

3. There is no“one-size fits all” technology for shifting schools online Most schools are using several technologies and platforms to deliver online teaching. Teachers identified strengths and weaknesses with all providers. This means there is no single student and teacher experience of ‘online learning’. A future analysis of the impact of distance learning should consider the influence of using different technology and providers.

The report will be released later this week with a webinar detailing further results and key findings. You can register your interest here: Insightsfor.education

The 38-item survey was open from April 9-April 13th and received responses from all states in Australia and regions in New Zealand. Respondents from all year levels, domains, and types of schools are represented in the results.

As a leading EdTech platform, EP have been able to use their primary technology to support engagement of students in online learning, provide effective assessment during the learning online process; while also supporting the collection and analysis of student feedback.

Education Perfect

Pivot Professional Learning (Pivot) is an educational insights company dedicated to enhancing teaching effectiveness by harnessing the power of the student voice as a driver of evidence-based improvement. Our tools and systems are supported by international research and data from over 65,000 Australian classrooms.

Welcome

Media Release on 28 April 2020

Media Contact
Annie de Merindol, The Big Smoke
Email: annie.demerindol@thebigsmoke.com.au
Phone: +61 414 757 390
Website: https://epforlearning.com/

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Skin N Tonic Releases New Website

Live News

April 17, 2020

Source: Press Release Service – New Zealand

(PR.co.nz) Locals of West Auckland searching for beauty and massage therapists now have a new place to visit. Skin N Tonic recently launched a website with all their beauty therapy solutions. The website address is www.skintonic.co.nz.

With dozens of beauty salons in West Auckland, Niam Pala, owner of Skin N Tonic understands the needs of locals searching for treatments that suit them. “Everyone goes through consultation first to know which treatment is the best option.”

The website focuses on seven main areas: facial treatments; eye treatments; nail treatments; massage; spa packages; waxing & electrolysis; and spray tanning.

Facial Treatments

From the classic refreshing facial to anti-ageing facial treatment, Skin N Tonic has a range of treatments both available for men and women. Experience professional skin care tailored to your skin through a full consultation and how to maintain your rejuvenated skin with the aftercare programme.

Eye Treatments

Achieve the perfect eyelash and eyebrow treatment to suit your face. At Skin N Tonic, professionals will keep your brows tidy and perfectly shaped. If the brows are thinning, they can be tinted to give the impression of fuller brows.

Nail Treatments

Give your finger and toenails the ultimate treatment they deserve. Skin N Tonic offers a quick file & polish service and mani & pedi combos using only high-quality products to give your hands and feet a new look to match the occasion or look you are after.

Massage

Massage is the answer to your muscle tensions, niggling sports injury or from stress. Skin N Tonic has massage therapists to help in easing away your troubles. From Swedish massage, deep tissue massage to hot stone massage, these massage treatments can help reduce stress levels and help you relax.

Packages

Pamper yourself with Spa Packages from Skin N Tonic. Enjoy a body massage followed by a facial treatment or a facial with eyelash and eyebrow tinting. The spa packages can be given as a gift and you can also purchase gift vouchers from $50-$200.

Waxing & Electrolysis

Skin N Tonic offers waxing, threading and electrolysis for both men and women who want to get rid of unwanted body hair. If you are not sure which is best for you, your Beauty Therapist can help to pick the effective and safe treatment for you.

Spray Tanning

Using a 100% certified organic tanning solution, Skin N Tonic will leave you golden instead of orange whether you opt for a half body or full body tan. Achieve that naturally tanned skin through their spray tanning services.

“People have a hundred things to do during the day and I want their visit to Skin N Tonic to be an oasis in that busyness. Coming to our salon is an investment really, not just in the way you look but in your mental health as you take time to experience the ultimate in relaxation.” says Nilam Pala.

Skin N Tonic provides services across West Auckland

For more information on the beauty services provided by Skin N Tonic, go to: www.skintonic.co.nz.

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