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HazardCo and Acuite Partnership for Builders’ Health and Safety

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Source: Press Release Service – New Zealand

Acuite, a construction-specific reporting and analytics platform, and HazardCo, a leading health and safety management company announce they are working together to help small and medium sized building companies to get on top of their health and safety.

This strategic partnership will deliver powerful new Dashboards, powered by Acuite to HazardCo members, giving them the tools to track health and safety activity and improve safety outcomes.

With so much to keep track of on-site, Dashboards are a practical way for HazardCo members to understand what health and safety activity is taking place across their business and at each project site. Often the business owner or admin staff are based in an office or moving between multiple sites. They want to be able to see at a glance what health and safety activity is taking place, view trends over time, and discover how to improve.

David Speight, Co-Founder, and CEO of Acuite Construction Intelligence says,
“the Acuite founders are builders and we know it’s not easy. Through combining forces with HazardCo, we feel we can make a real difference by not only making sites safer but also improving the lives of builders through arming them with the knowledge to put them on the front foot of their projects”

Following the integration, HazardCo members can get real-time insights into key health and safety activities happening on their sites through Dashboards. These Dashboards help users to understand the areas that are performing well, and those in need of improvement in a simple and easy-to-understsand way.

Iain Dixon, Chief Executive Officer at HazardCo says “We are excited to be working with Acuite because they are the best in the business for reporting, analytics, and insights. Like HazardCo, they specialise in construction, they come from the industry and keep things simple. We’ve had a great response from our members already with feedback that they are loving the quick snapshot they can get from viewing their Dashboards, and being able to see at a glance what health and safety activity is happening or not happening”.

Media Release 1 November 2022.

MIL OSI

Wise Move quickly becoming one of New Zealand’s favourite Startups

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Source: Press Release Service – Business

New Zealand startup Wise Move has been on a mission to revolutionise the local moving industry – and they’re succeeding. The transport and logistics sector is one of the toughest to crack, but the innovative online platform has managed to make moving a breeze for thousands of Kiwis.

Since launching in 2017, Wise Move has processed over 150,000 successful delivery requests and more than 600,000 quotes have been submitted, making it one of the most active new online platforms in New Zealand for both clients and service providers.

People are loving the intuitive interface that effortlessly connects users to local movers- creating fairer pricing, transparency, and new opportunities for local independent carriers to thrive in a highly competitive market. What’s more, people have used Wise Move for everything from moving pets to moving boats and pianos – not just the usual furniture and household items.

To date, more than 500 movers have already gone through the extensive vetting process to join the Wise Move network of carriers, and over 100,000 users have registered to use the platform.

The Wise Move platform is designed to make it easy for clients to get quotes from multiple local moving companies, compare prices and reviews, and book their move all in one place – meaning more people than ever before are getting their moving quotes online, even those who would have once opted for a DIY move.

The result has been a more efficient, cost-effective and customer-friendly moving experience that is disrupting the status quo in New Zealand, creating new jobs and helping people get the best possible deal.

Prices have on average been up to 35% cheaper than traditional quotes, some even as much as 75%. This is because movers have been incentivised to offer better quotes by optimising routes or by filling backloads or offering shared loads.

This means that businesses have actually made more money than they traditionally would have. And, at the same time this new way of doing business is making trips more efficient and eco-friendly. It’s no wonder Wise Move is one of New Zealand’s most popular online startups at the moment.

“Wise Move saved my business. I have more clients, better exposure and I can easily optimise my routes to include backload deliveries and shared loads. At this stage, I can’t imagine working without them” – Wise Move Approved Mover.

After registering and being approved to submit quotes on Wise Move, movers immediately benefit from increased exposure and a steady stream of new clients. Carriers, no matter how big or small, benefit from the dedicated marketing and increased online presence – something many New Zealand movers never had.

In some ways, Wise Move has become the new word-of-mouth recommendation for moving companies. Every time someone leaves a review, you know it’s from a completed delivery. Those are real experiences and there is no way to fake them.

That’s also why the startup has gained a reputation as a trusted online platform in the moving industry. It has already been featured in many of the major publications such as The New Zealand Herald, Stuff.co.nz, and NewsHub.

While Wise Move was founded with the goal of making moving easier and more affordable for everyone, their achievements are a testament that the right solutions will benefit everyone.

“It’s been an incredible year for Wise Move. We’re thrilled to have helped so many people move, and we’re looking forward to continuing to grow and improve our service in the years to come.” – CEO and Founder Gedi.

True to being a startup, Wise Move has made it its mission to not only solve the issues in the moving industry but also to do its part in saving the environment. As part of the 1% For The Planet initiative, Wise Move donates a portion of their annual sales directly to local grassroots environmental nonprofits.

Wise Move has quickly made a name for itself as the go-to platform for finding quality, affordable moving services. With strong year-on-year growth and adoption, it has an open road ahead of it.

Media Release on 26 October 2022

Media Contact
Gedi, Wise Move
support@wisemove.co.nz
https://www.wisemove.co.nz/

MIL OSI

Banked: Financial Product Information And Deals Website To Help Kiwis Make Better Choices

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Source: Press Release Service – Auckland

Banked, a new website aimed at helping New Zealanders make better financial decisions has launched.

The new website publishes thoroughly researched and unbiased guides on a range of personal finance topics including insurance, credit cards, loans, and more. Banked also presents the latest deals and promotions in one place, saving Kiwis time and helping them choose the right financial products and services for their needs.

The NZ-based website is committed to providing comprehensive and objective information that is revised and updated whenever things change. Guides and reviews explore the good and bad of each topic in a well-rounded and balanced approach.

On launch, the team at Banked explores 3 key areas of personal finance:

– Car insurance: including a comparison of all the major New Zealand car insurers, the best ways to save on cover, and how to get the best deal as a driver under 25 years old.
– Credit cards: including a comparison of the best Airpoints, interest-free, and balance transfer credit cards, as well as a comprehensive guide to credit card management.
– Loans: including how to identify the right personal, car or business loan, and what to avoid when shopping for loans, and what to do if you’re unable to keep up with loan payments.

Banked does not provide financial advice, nor does it recommend particular products or services. Instead, the website’s mission is to arm its users with all the relevant information and data they need to make the right choice for their personal circumstances.

Media Release on 26 October 2022

Media Contact
Banked Head of Publishing
hello@banked.co.nz
https://www.banked.co.nz/

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Boxfish ROV Future-Proofed with Autonomous Capability

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Source: Press Release Service

New Zealand underwater robotics company Boxfish Research today announces that their remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) are now autonomous-capable, allowing customers to future-proof their vehicle investment. The capability to upgrade the Boxfish ROV platform to perform autonomous and semi-autonomous tasks promises to deliver better data, enhanced survey repetition and increased efficiency in underwater operations.

Robotic technology, automation and artificial intelligence are playing an increasing role in subsea operations and offshore industries with the growth of autonomous systems and unattended facilities. In industrial ROV operations, there is enormous scope to utilise autonomy to perform repetitive tasks, such as submerged asset inspections across time, subsea surveys, and scientific research.

Semi-autonomous ROV navigation can increase efficiency and minimise human errors in subsea asset inspection. For example, once an ROV operator has navigated an inspection route, the vehicle could repeat the examination autonomously, allowing an onshore operator to compare ‘identical’ video and sensor data across time to identify anomalies. Alternatively, operating in fully-autonomous mode, an upgraded Boxfish ROV could be pre-programmed by scientists to explore a body of water, systematically collecting research data via attached ROV sensors.

Boxfish Research is manufacturing its ROVs with an autonomous capability to ensure its clients benefit from this developing technology. The necessary support is now in place, making upgrading a Boxfish ROV in the future to a hybrid autonomous vehicle as simple as dropping in some new hardware and installing software.

“Boxfish Research is proud to continue its tradition of cutting-edge innovation by introducing an autonomous capability to their ROV platform,” says Craig Anderson, Co-Founder of Boxfish Research. “Our robust and flexible Boxfish ROV is the optimal underwater vehicle for hybrid autonomy due to its six-degree-of-freedom of operation, a large complement of sensor options and exceptional imaging capabilities.”

Media Release 25 October 2022.

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NZ Outdoors & Freedom Party opposes Penalisation of Farmers’ Individually for Carbon Emissions

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Source: Press Release Service

NZ Outdoors and Freedom party supports all farmers and the groups speaking out against this horrendous proposal by the government

The Local Body Elections sent a clear message to Labour that the nation does not want Three Waters.

On the back of the prime minister continuing to insult rate payers by ignorantly laughing the results off, comes Labour and the Greens announcement of their new He Waka Eke Noa 94-page plan to penalise farmers’ individually for carbon emissions.

He Waka Eke Noa is a partnership between government agencies, the primary sector organisations and iwi

An upping of the pressure on farmers from the Zero Carbon Act, passed in 2019, set a domestic target of cutting greenhouse gases (except biogenic methane) to net-zero by 2050. Biogenic methane must be cut by 10 percent below 2017 levels by 2030 and to 24-47 percent below 2017 levels by 2050.

It’s time we had a conversation about priorities including the relative importance of food security, our rural communities, the needs of all New Zealanders and how best to manage all toxic pollutants, instead of the current green-eyed obsession on carbon emissions.

New Zealand produces 0.17% (that’s less than 1/4) of 1% of world emissions.

The NZ Outdoors & Freedom Party is very concerned by the escalating impacts these proposals could have on our rural communities and farmers already facing barely workable rules as it is.

The current government with its globalist focus is using flawed data and assumptions to unfairly disadvantage and hobble New Zealand farmers, and put our food security, rural economy and future at risk.

The NZ Outdoors and Freedom Party has farmer and community focused solutions based on sound ecological principles which will both support New Zealand rural economy and avoid more as hoc taxes.

The backbone and prosperity of New Zealand is built on the generational work of farmers in agriculture & horticulture up and down the country. It is without doubt, the life blood of our rural communities and our biggest export earner. Providing jobs and income for workers and suppliers up and down the country and in our provincial towns.

We must not let the current government put food supplies at risk by bowing to the pressure of international influence on our policies.

The Ground Swell Group said yesterday in their short media release

“How have we come to this place when the world is in danger of running out of food?”

The NZ Outdoors and Freedom party promotes freedom from excessive government and international interference in the lives of New Zealanders
We need to understand that our prime minister has made a promise to be the first in the world to implement Agenda 2030 sustainable development goals into every key policy. Again, this proposed policy is a first in the world.

We need to recognise this is not only happening in New Zealand.
10 June 2022 the Netherland government designated €24.3 billion to finance agricultural reforms that will likely make many farmers drastically reduce their number of livestock or get rid of them altogether. The Netherland government’s proposal aims to halve nitrogen oxide and ammonia pollution in the country by 2030. According to government estimates, this could lead to the closure of about 30 percent of livestock farms in the Netherlands. The Netherlands is the second largest exporter of agricultural produce in the world after the United States.

We suggest people take that in and look at what is being proposed by our government.

Another NZ Outdoors and Freedom party policy is to encourage more self-sufficiency for New Zealand and New Zealanders.

We need to look after New Zealanders first and our policies need to be developed around the betterment of our own country and of our food security for our people. As well as maintaining our export earnings.
We certainly must support the uptake of new technology and ways to reduce emissions but not at the cost of destroying our industry and needing to import food from places where emissions are high.

We believe in a sector-led process to reduce on-farm emissions. We respect farmers’ knowledge in this and their involvement in all processes and not just via one body is vital.

Kiwi farmers are among the most carbon efficient farmers in the world so cutting back food production here, just to see the demand being met by less-efficient farmers outside of New Zealand is simply counterproductive and we need to ensure our own food security as a country.

The NZ Outdoors and Freedom Party supports reducing emissions in a fair and progressive way. Encouraging on-farm planting and carbon capture through better soil health encouraging regenerative farming practices.

Media Release 13 October 2022.

MIL OSI

New recruitment company launched to fill NZ skill shortages

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Source: Press Release Service – Business

NZ Jobs Search will match jobs in New Zealand to potential candidates overseas who have the necessary in-demand skills. They will focus on vacancies in the trade, industrial skills and healthcare sectors, all of which are facing severe labour shortages.

“New Zealand has just opened its borders to workers from around the globe. The immigration system is quite complex and there are new visas available so getting the right advice is vital for both employers and candidates,” says NZ Jobs Search founder, Darryl Montgomery.

“The team at NZ Jobs Search can handle all the details. We have more than two decades of experience in the recruitment industry, and through our partnership with New Zealand’s leading immigration law firm can provide accurate visa advice for prospective workers in the New Zealand jobs market.

“We help candidates eliminate uncertainty and risk, making a move to New Zealand smoother and less stressful, and helping employers fill their vacancies.”

The NZ Jobs Search team is not just offering listed jobs from key employers in specific industries; they also tap into the hidden job market by going to market on behalf of an offshore candidate to find an employer and job offer that matches their skills.

“We started NZ Jobs Search to leverage the huge amount of experience recruitment specialist, Debbie Rhodes and I have with employers and immigration law,” says Darryl.

“We’re looking forward to partnering with New Zealand businesses to recruit skilled migrant workers and contributing to the talent and skills in the NZ labour market.”

Media Release on 23 August 2022

Media Contact
Darryl Montgomery, NZ Jobs Search
Email: darryl@nzjobssearch.com
Phone: 021 331 124 
Website: https://www.nzjobssearch.com/

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World First Honey Bee Research Project

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Source: Press Release Service

Honey on New Zealand shelves is just that – Honey; no one truly knows which nectars were taken up by the bees to make each batch. We would like to change that. Just like coffee has gone from tins of boring instant to the vast array of choices we have on the supermarket shelves today, we would like to open consumers eyes to the all the amazing different floral origin stories that can come from our delicious New Zealand honey.

The aim of this project is to develop a testing method that will allow beekeepers and marketers to know the percentage of nectar that make up each batch of honey. This will lead to origin stories about the distinct native plants that contributed to the honey and the geographic location, many of which are unique only to New Zealand. “This is a world first” says Dr Mark Goodwin. “It may even change the way the world classifies honey”.

The trial is hoping to begin this spring and we are currently organizing funding but we need to hear from beekeepers, citizens, groups, schools and anyone else interested – both young and old, who would be keen to help us collect bees off flowers.

We believe this project will revolutionize the honey industry – and we need your help.

Media Release 20 August 2022.

MIL OSI

Kiwi Cleaners Earn More Than Some University Graduates

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Source: Press Release Service – New Zealand

A job in the cleaning industry is often ideal for those seeking extra income, a career change, or even starting their own business. But, unfortunately, there’s a shortage of cleaning professionals.

The company believes that the role of the cleaner is becoming more important as people become busier, having no time for house cleaning. And these people are looking for quality cleaning service at a comparable price point.

Most of the cleaning jobs aren’t labour extensive; they require sweeping floors, mopping, vacuuming, dusting, and clearing trash. And it pays off well!

Premium Clean experienced how lucrative a cleaning job is in New Zealand. House cleaners employed by the company are earning more than university graduates with an estimated worth of $85,000 a year before tax.

Companies like Premium Clean would expect all the positions to be filled with this high salary.

That is not the case, however.

“We are offering between $32 to $49, but we are still trying to cope with the demands due to the lack of available cleaners,” says Alisha Dsouza, Recruitment Manager of Premium Clean, a leading cleaning company in New Zealand.

With this hourly rate offered to cleaners, they can earn as much as $85,000 per year before taxes. That is about as much as what engineering, architecture, or business professionals are making. However, New Zealand’s largest domestic cleaning company still lacks cleaners to cover the demand.

“We are experiencing a shortage of workers,” which has caused an issue because we can barely cover the demand, she adds.

She has received many applications, but almost 70% of the applicants are not responding to calls. That is despite Premium Clean’s competitive offer to cleaners nationwide.

Up to this point, she is also baffled as to why the positions are not filled. The company has tried all the platforms and has even streamlined the application process for people to apply easily.

Premium Clean has implemented an easy-use online application portal and a simple-to-follow screening process where interviews and onboarding are done virtually or online. However, you must prepare all required documents for quick police and reference verification checks.

Successful applicants undergo online workshops and training and leverage the company’s app to track and monitor available cleaning jobs.

We talked to one of Premium Clean’s top cleaners to learn more about the job.

“One of the reasons why I love working with Premium Clean is it’s flexible, and it helped me to earn extra money for my family.. one of the reasons why I like it is I can juggle it around with my other jobs as well it’s very flexible, the app is really easy to use”, Paia of Premium Clean.

According to a senior cleaning staff member we interviewed, many people may look down on their job, but cleaning is a great profession. “But I am incredibly happy with my job. I can choose the time and the type of work too,” she mentioned.

Premium Clean is looking for reliable domestic cleaners who take pride in their work and are excited to work with a team. The company offers competitive wages, excellent staff support, flexible hours, and choose your location.

Please visit our website or email us if interested in applying or learning more about the open positions. https://www.premiumclean.co.nz/work-with-us/

Media Release 30 July 2022.

MIL OSI

First Nurse Practitioner owner in general practice network

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Source: Press Release Service

Tamah Clapham is the first Nurse Practitioner (NP) in New Zealand’s largest general practice network to take a shareholding in one of the practices. In May Dr Shomel Gauznabi, Dr Richard Chen and Tamah became partner owners in The Doctors Middlemore.

Nurse Practitioners in general practice ownership isn’t common but it may be a growing trend and solution for creating more sustainable primary care.

NP Clapham had plenty of role models to aspire to during her NP internship with her Massey University Professor, Prof. Karen Hoare part owner in the Greenstone Family practice (Manurewa) alongside Goodfellow Lead and Auckland University Professor Bruce Arroll.

“I also had a colleague in my intern cohort from the South Island who had banded together with other nurses and bought the practice from a retiring GP. Another two colleagues have recently started their own NP led practice in East Auckland. Additionally, there is the health connections NP owned and led youth service here in Auckland.”

NP Clapham believes that nurses and NP ownership models have immense potential to add value in primary care and that it was a good strategic decision to join with Green Cross Health and The Doctors Middlemore. Ownership offered the opportunity for longevity as a practitioner, for leadership, and to positively make an impact through that partnership.
“I would encourage other NP’s if presented with the opportunity to take up the challenge and become an owner/partner as I do believe achieving better outcomes for patients is also about good business and that these two things are synergistic. When we put good patient care at the centre of what we do the retention and satisfaction and culture that is built around this will create an excellent and sustainable business or primary care practice, fit for the future.

“I know for many registered nurses this is still not an area of strength, but there is a lot they can bring to primary care as business partners rather than as employees.”

The other new owners Dr Richard Chen and Dr Shomel Gauznabi have similar motivations and a lot to contribute to the practice and partnership.
Dr Chen who also leads the urgent care services comments, “Essentially, everywhere I’ve been in healthcare, I’ve seen the same old dynamics with patients, employees, and businesses. Patients need good quality healthcare; always. In our deprived system, demand is endless. Medical businesses with limited resources struggle daily to meet demand. Nurses and Doctors get caught in the middle pushing themselves to burnout and major job dissatisfaction.

He believes the challenge is, to try a different model, something sustainable first, then scalable. And he believes that employees are a great place for businesses to start looking for solutions.

“Part of sustainability is integrating our employees and the business into one. An employee who is competent and responsible enough should have a chance to become a shareholder. We all believe that here. And aligning the incentives for business profit (or loss…) to good patient outcomes. That is really the rabbit hole for me…” Dr Gauznabi reflects back to early on in his career, “I had identified a strong desire to work in primary care to help shape our local communities which led me to pursue a vocation in General Practice and Urgent Care. Being positioned to advocate and impact patients in an underserved community has been a goal for me and having a share at The Doctors Middlemore helps me both achieve this and reflect my personal values.”

Wayne Woolrich, GM Medical at Green Cross Health says, “Along with our existing partners we are delighted to welcome these new partners as part of our succession planning for The Doctors Middlemore. From a Green Cross perspective having our first NP partner / owner is an important milestone for other NPs in our network and I hope it inspires others to come forward when these opportunities present.”

The current shareholders are Dr Alan Tee, Dr Mark Young, Dr Huta Tangaroa and Lita Hall, Dr Chaoning (Richard) Chen, Dr Shomel Gauznabi, NP Tamah Clapham, and Green Cross Health.

Editorial notes:
Green Cross Health: listed entity and owner of the following brands or entities
The Doctors: over 1,400 employees; 55 practices; 339,000 enrolled patients
Life Pharmacy, Unichem Pharmacy: 351 pharmacies: 1.8 million loyalty members
Access Community Health: over 3,000 support workers; 3.6 million home visits annually

Media Release on 27 July 2022

Media Contact

Rachell Jones, Green Cross Health
rachell.jones@greencrosshealth.co.nz
0272232267
www.thedoctors.co.nz
www.greencrosshealth.co.nz

MIL OSI

Online Gardening Curriculum for Early Childhood

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Source: Press Release Service – New Zealand

A new online gardening curriculum – Gardening with Tamariki Online has been created to support the early childhood sector to embed gardening into their curriculum on a regular basis by Anita Croft from Growing Kiwi Gardeners.

Involving children in gardening is more than learning how to sow a seed or plant a seedling. It is a holistic learning experience where children can learn maths, science, literacy, social skills, leadership skills and emotional competence.

Based on the successful hands-on gardening curriculum that Anita has been running in early childhood centres in Christchurch for four years, this one-year curriculum includes eight modules of gardening information, videos and learning experiences for teachers to use with children to build a sustainable and productive garden.

But this is not all…The curriculum includes a monthly webinar for all participants, providing support and in-depth information about what you could be doing in the garden during the month as well as an online community to share ideas and ask questions.

Anita said that “With this programme teachers can be confident in their gardening with children with support every step of the way. The value in the programme is in the monthly webinars and online community where teachers can ask specific questions and build relationships with other teachers interested in gardening with tamariki.”

Media Release 26 July 2022.

MIL OSI