An independent panel has approved resource consent, subject to conditions, for the Summerset retirement village in Fairy Springs, Rotorua.
Summerset Villages (Rotorua) Limited applied for resource consent under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020.
The project involves constructing and operating a retirement village that includes both independent and assisted care units.
The resource consent conditions are in the decision report on the page linked below.
The decision comes 232 working days after the application was lodged with the Environmental Protection Authority.
The Environmental Protection Authority is not involved in the decision-making. We provide procedural advice and administrative support to the panel convenor, Judge Laurie Newhook, and the expert consenting panel he appoints.
Note that this application was made under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020 and not the more recent Fast-track legislation.
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga invites West Coasters to two special events on Saturday, 15 March 2025-a chance to connect with local heritage, share stories and memories, and celebrate the region’s history.
Hokitika Government Building Drop-in Session
Date & time:Saturday, 15 March, 2:00-4:00 PM
Venue:Upstairs in the Okitiki Building (Renton’s Hardware), 21 Hamilton Street, Hokitika
Curious about the progress of theHokitika Government Buildingstrengthening and upgrade project? Drop in to view the latest plans and chat with Dr Christine Whybrew, Director Southern at Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga.
We’re also collecting stories! Dr Rosemary Baird, Senior Outreach Advisor, is looking to record short oral history interviews with people who have personal memories of working in the building. If you’re interested in sharing your experiences, please get in touch at rbaird@heritage.org.nz-spaces are limited to just 5-6 interviews, so early contact is encouraged!
Te Tai Poutini West Coast Photo Competition – Prizegiving and exhibition opening
Date & time:Saturday, 15 March, 5:00-6:30 PM
Venue:Hokitika Museum, 17 Hamilton Street, Hokitika
Renowned photographer and competition judge Stewart Nimmo will share insights and announce the winners. Following the event, enjoy an exhibition of the entries at Hokitika Museum, open for the next two weeks.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand is moving from active firefighting to monitoring the fire in Waipoua Forest, which began last Wednesday and forced the evacuation of the Waipoua settlement.
Incident Controller Denis Cooper says that after a week-long battle to contain and extinguish the 91-hectare fire, forestry contractors were dealing with the last remaining hotspots today.
“We monitored the fire last night, and will be back on the job tonight, just to make sure we’ve really got all of it,” he says.
“We’ll also have two Fire and Emergency crews there, and will check back here regularly over the next week to make sure there aren’t any flare-ups.”
Fire and Emergency attended a community meeting this morning with several other agencies, including local iwi Te Raroa, Department of Conservation and the Ministry of Social Development, to make sure the community gets the support it needs in the aftermath of the fire.
Many residents of the Waipoua settlement evacuated last Wednesday have now returned to their homes.
Northland District Manager Wipari Henwood says early indications are that the fire was caused by a rubbish fire that got out of control – however investigations are still under way.
“We’re working really closely with the community and Te Roroa to improve education around fire safety and restrictions,” he says.
“We’re developing a response plan for the community, so that if a large fire happens here again, people know what to do to keep themselves and their whānau safe.”
Outdoor fires are now completely prohibited in parts of Te Tai Tokerau – including Waipoua – due to the extremely dry conditions.
This means no outdoor fires can be lit and all fire permits are revoked.
Anyone considering lighting a fire should go tocheckitsalright.nzto check the fire restrictions for their location and for advice and guidance on lighting fires outside.
The Retirement Villages’ Residents’ Council today congratulated Minister Tama Potaka for expediting regulatory and legislative changes to the Retirement Villages Act.
The Minister wrote to the Council today, and other key stakeholders, advising that he had, “… heard your collective desire for legislative and regulatory changes to be completed more quickly.” He said, ” … additional policy resources have been allocated to the Retirement Villages Act review to speed up the review timetable by around eight months.”
It is expected that a Bill could now be introduced in this term of Parliament.
Council spokesperson, Carol Shepherd said, “this latest announcement by the Minister, shows he is listening to residents. Good for him. The Council looks forward to working with the Government and other stakeholders on improvements to benefit residents and operators.”
The Council had been frustrated by the lengthy time the review was taking. It had long advocated for a speedy resolution of numerous issues confronting residents of retirement villages. They include a new dispute resolution scheme, stopping deferred maintenance payments when a resident exits a village, a fairer way to deal with chattels and a set time for repayment of capital.
About the Retirement Villages’ Residents’ Council
Who does the Council represent?
The Council is a fresh independent voice to advocate on behalf of retirement village residents.
Who are the Council members?
The Council currently has 7 members who were nominated by their villages and / or residents and selected by the independent chair. They reside in various retirement villages, both large and small, throughout the country and bring significant experience to the council, many having served or are serving on the residents committees of villages.
Why was the Council formed?
The Council aims to act as an independent body representing the interests of retirement village residents.
We acknowledge the good work done by the Retirement Villages Residents Association (RVRA) in representing residents. It is the largest residents’ membership association in New Zealand. But we also note that only one in five residents belong to this association. The Council is not a membership organisation and does not compete with the RVRA. But we believe there is room for another organisation that can be an additional voice for the concerns of residents. In particular, the council aims to represent their views to policy-makers. Often those views will align with the RVRA. Sometimes they will differ.
How is the Council independent when funded by operators?
The Council is funded by the Retirement Villages Association (RVA), which represents most of the operators, developers and managers of retirement villages throughout New Zealand. However, the RVA has no say in anything that the Council does, including its views on policies or how it spends its budget. It does not attend meetings, does not receive agendas or minutes and has no influence over how the Council’s budget is applied. This independence is underpinned by the Council’s terms of reference.
Around 2,800 PSA members at Oranga Tamariki will strike from 3pm to 5pm tomorrow (Friday 7 March), as part of ongoing action against an insulting pay offer and unsafe and unmanageable workloads.
Members across the country will take part in the total withdrawal of labour, including social workers and members working in care and protection residences, youth justice residences, residential homes, and the national contact centre.
“The Government is leaving workers no choice but to strike,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, Assistant Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“The offer on the table is effectively a pay cut, and Oranga Tamariki is failing to ensure workloads are reasonably sized and well managed.”
A care and protection social worker described the stress they’re under: “The worst part is waking at 4am every morning so that your caseload can run laps around your head and the thought that something really bad could happen to a child because you didn’t have the capacity to get to them.”
“This strike is telling Oranga Tamariki, and the Government, that their failure to act is unacceptable,” said Fitzsimons. “The workers want the resources and capacity to do their best work. Oranga Tamariki must come to the table to make that happen.”
More information
This withdrawal of labour is part of ongoing actions that began on Friday 28 February and will end on Friday 18 April. They include:
– A ban on all work that is not paid work, including only working standard hours of work and taking all rest and meal breaks.
– A ban on using all work-related systems and software outside of paid work, including online case recording systems.
– A ban on working paid overtime; and a ban on working overtime for TOIL.
– A ban on working double shifts.
– A ban on being on-call and working call-back (after-hours duties).
Government changes to bowel screening eligibility will leave more Māori and Pacific people at risk of dying at a younger age from bowel cancer, New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) says.
Health Minister Simeon Brown today announced the Government is repurposing funding set aside from now scraped plans to lower bowel screen eligibility to all Māori and Pacific people over 50, to lower eligibility for all New Zealanders from 60 to 58.
NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says the move will exacerbate health inequities for Māori and Pacific people.
“The reason eligibility for Māori and Pacific people was lowered was because they have a higher proportion of bowel cancer before they reach 60 – with a shockingly rate of 21% rate compared to 10% for non-Māori and non-Pacific peoples.
“The Cancer Society has called out the Government’s use of data to back up its decision as ‘very selective’. NZNO would go a step further and call it outright dangerous to the lives of Māori and Pacific people,” Kerri Nuku says.
The Coalition Government claims to put need before race but there is a clear evidential need to screen Māori and Pacific people at an earlier age, she says.
“Bowel Cancer New Zealand has said removing the younger screening eligibility would result in 100,000 Māori and Pacific people aged 50 not getting earlier screening. These people are at greater risk of having later stage bowel cancer when they are screened eight years later.
“This decision smacks of political ideology over commonsense health policy and must be reversed,” Kerri Nuku says.
iShopChangi blossoms this spring with an irresistible Spring Sale! Throughout the month of March, explore an array of new finds, from chic wardrobe must-haves to essential travel gear, all at GST-absorbed and tax-free prices. But that’s not all! Revel in the spirit of International Women’s Day by treating yourself to a selection of luxury fashion, beauty, and wellness items from women-led brands accelerating action in Singapore. Plus, take advantage of additional discounts of up to 60% with stackable sitewide promo codes — because who doesn’t love extra savings?
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 March 2025 – From now to 31 March 2025, travellers and non-travellers can step into spring with iShopChangi’s vibrant array of Spring Sale delights. Embrace the new season with exclusive deals, refreshing everything from fashion wardrobes to beauty routines and travel essentials as you discover spectacular savings on renowned brands like GUCCI, SK-II and Braun Büffel. Simultaneously celebrate your strength, your achievements, and your journey this International Women’s Day by supporting female-led brands on iShopChangi, and top off your spree with seamless gift-wrapping and rapid on-demand delivery.
Blossoms this spring with an irresistible Spring Sale!
Seize the Seasons’ Best Deals
Explore an exquisite collection spanning luxury fashion, cutting-edge beauty products, and essential travel gear, all tax-free. Spotlighting female-led brands like Dr. Ora, Scent Journer, and Bohème SG, every choice is designed to enhance your style and self-care rituals. Whether refreshing your wardrobe or upgrading your travel must-haves, find everything you need to rejuvenate in style.
Unlock incredible savings with these exclusive promo codes — your ticket to a spring shopping spree!
Spring Sale (For Non-Travellers and Travellers)
From now till 31 March 2025
Code
Description
25MAR12
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25MAR20
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methods only)
*T&Cs and product exclusions apply. Refer to https://www.ishopchangi.com/en/campaigns/march-spring-2025for full terms and conditions.
Spring-Inspired Essentials
Celebrate the season by refreshing your fragrance collection with GUCCI Women’s 2-Pc Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau De Parfum Spring Gift Set, embodying a bouquet of free-spirited joy and positive energy, now available for S$228.30. Enhance your spring with MAISON MARGIELA REPLICA Springtime in a Park EDT, where lily of the valley and jasmine mingle with joyful pear notes, now priced at S$194.
Travel Essentials for March Getaways
Gear up for your holiday travels with the Anker MagGo Ultra-Slim 10000mAh Qi2 Certified 15W Power Bank A1664, boasting the slimmest design for maximum portability and power, now at just S$99.88, after a 29% discount. Complement your journey with the stylish and durable Braun Büffel Ismael Luggage in Black, meticulously crafted from polycarbonate and lined with nylon, available for S$366.06.
Travel-Exclusive Beauty Finds and Spirits
Dive into the exquisite world of travel exclusives with the DIPTYQUE Set Mini Candles (Baies, Roses, Figuier, Ambre, Tubéreuse), a symphony of lush berries, blooming roses, fig tree, warm amber, and delicate tuberose, creating a captivating scent experience for your home, now available for S$125. Rejuvenate your skin with the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence 230ml Duo Set, SK-II’s most awarded product enriched with over 90% PITERA™ for radiant skin, priced at S$491.80.
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Essentials to Power a Women in Her Lifestyle
Celebrate International Women’s Day by empowering her with essentials that blend fashion and function. Opt for the TISSOT Chemin des Tourelles Powermatic 80 34 mm, a timeless watch crafted in the Swiss tradition, now at S$1,200. Complement her professional attire with the elegant Braun Büffel Cedore-NP Medium Top Handle Bag in Soft Grain Leather, available for S$513.04 after a 20% reduction.
Elevate her multitasking capabilities with a selection of smartwatches & wearables from top brands, perfect for staying fit and productive. Don’t miss the exclusive discount on the Samsung Galaxy Watch7 40mm Bluetooth, now as S$448, ensuring she accelerates into action with style and efficiency.
International Women’s Day Exclusive Finds to Empower Her Style
Celebrate International Women’s Day on iShopChangi with exclusive offerings from pioneering women who are reshaping beauty and fashion. Wynnie Tham, founder of Dr. Ora, has harnessed the power of nutrition in her beauty and skin supplements brand to transform skin care. Her passion for holistic beauty is encapsulated in the Dr. Ora Crystal Luxe Collagen, now available for S$85.90, designed to rejuvenate and hydrate the skin deeply.
Joyce Lian of Scent Journer brings her banking acumen to the world of perfumery, creating gender-neutral scents that transcend labels. Her dedication is reflected in The Blooming Jewel Eau De Parfum, a fragrance that blossoms like a spring garden, available for S$46.
Veronique Manchharam of Bohème SG infuses her love for travel into her jewellery designs, offering pieces that celebrate individuality and freedom. The Orchidea Double Earrings, inspired by Singapore’s national flower, are perfect for expressing personal style and are priced at S$252 after a 20% discount.
Elevate your spring shopping with exclusive gift-wrapping services*. Choose from a selection of elegant gift boxes to add a sophisticated touch to your presents for just S$5. And for those last-minute surprises, take advantage of rapid On-Demand Delivery—order by 5PM (Monday – Saturday) and receive your items within just 2 hours, with a reduced delivery fee of S$10 (from S$20) till the end of March.
Spring into Luck & Savings with iShopChangi
This spring, try your luck with the all-new Changi Millionaire Experiences. Spend S$50 or more on iShopChangi or use Changi Pay to double your chances of winning a bespoke luxury experience per quarter, and/or a Porsche Taycan. Plus, get access to exclusive Changi Editions premiums – the perfect way to celebrate the new season in style.
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As a non-traveller, you can cart out at tax-absorbed prices on iShopChangi and have your items delivered to you for free when you spend at least S$59 and provide a Singapore residential address for delivery. Alternatively, pick up selected products from the T2 Arrival (Public Area) iShopChangi Counter.
If you are travelling, enjoy the ultimate convenience and flexibility by shopping for your favourite items up to 30 days in advance and as close as 12 hours before your flight. Collect your order at the various Departure and Arrival Collection Centres. Alternatively, have it conveniently delivered to a local residential address for free with a minimum spend of S$59; an S$8 delivery fee applies for orders below S$59.
Co-hosted with Miramar Travel and Consulate General of Türkiye in Hong Kong, Showcasing Muslim-Friendly Hotel Services
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 March 2025 – The Mira Hong Kong, a design-led urban lifestyle retreat located in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui, has proudly hosted the first-ever Ramadan Iftar Dinner Celebration at its penthouse Ballroom on March 4, 2025.
This landmark event organized in collaboration with Miramar Travel and Consulate General of Türkiye in Hong Kong was a milestone step towards recognition of Hong Kong as a Muslim-friendly destination as it brought together nearly 200 Guests representing the local Muslim community, diplomats from the Middle East and Asia, local government officials from the tourism sector, and media to symbolically break the fast and enjoy an evening of togetherness and cultural discovery, and a variety of halal dining options. It was also an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the hotel’s Muslim-friendly facilities and services, recently distinguished with 5 crescents byCrescentRating.com, reaffirming that the award-winning urban retreat and its sister property – enchanting boutique hotel, Mira Moon – are among the best choices for Muslim travellers.
After the sunset prayer led by the Chief Imam of Hong Kong, Mufti Muhammad Arshad, and symbolic breaking of the fast with dates and lentil soup, followed by welcoming remarks from the three co-hosts: Mr Alexander Wassermann, Head of Hotels & Serviced Apartments, Miramar Group, Mr Alex Lee, General Manager of Miramar Travel, and Mr. Kerim Sercan Evcin, Consul General of Türkiye in Hong Kong, as well as the Guest of Honour, Mr. Clarence Leung, Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, HKSAR Government, all guests including 12 Consuls General from the Middle East and Asia representing Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and the Philippines enjoyed a sumptuous Halal buffet showcasing a variety of specialty dishes from Chinese to Mediterranean cuisines. The cross-cultural experience was entwined with a traditional music performance, Turkish shadow puppet theatre, and ended with interactive Turkish Bazaar serving traditional snacks enjoyed during the holy period of Ramadan including the coffee brewed in the hot sand.
Mrs. Angelina Cheung, Commissioner for Tourism, Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Tourism Commission said, “I am very happy to participate in tonight’s Ramadan Iftar Dinner. I am also pleased to see the trade proactively work hand in hand with the Government to develop the Middle East and ASEAN markets and offer more suitable dining options for Muslim visitors, including high-end Chinese cuisines. As of now, more than 140 restaurants have received Halal-certification. The Government is strengthening efforts to develop markets in the Middle East and ASEAN, and encouraging various sectors of the community to enhance tourism‑support facilities with a view to attracting more high‑end visitors.”
Located just a stroll away from the Kowloon Mosque in the heart of the city’s shopping mecca, The Mira Hong Kong, is a Muslim-friendly hotel with top-notch Halal dining options including Cantonese fine dining at MICHELIN-recommended Cuisine Cuisine at The Mira, an Arabic speaking Guest Ambassador, delicious 24/7 in-room dining menu in Arabic serving Asian and Western favorites, a spacious open-air lounge Vibes hidden in the courtyard oasis-like setting, plus expansive wellness facilities at MiraSpa. Meanwhile, the fabled Chinese fairy-tale themed boutique hotel, Mira Moon – overlooking the Victoria Harbour on Hong Kong Island and located just a short stroll from the iconic Wan Chai Mosque as well as HKCEC – is fitted with necessary Muslim-friendly amenities and offers a Halal breakfast set to international travellers.
“Our luxurious urban oasis in Tsim Sha Tsui, The Mira Hong Kong, and enchanting boutique hotel in Causeway Bay, Mira Moon, accredited by the world’s leading authority on halal travel, CrescentRating, are ready to cater to the needs of discerning Muslim travellers,” shared Alexander Wassermann, Head of Hotels & Serviced Apartments, Miramar Group. “All of our employees have received extensive training on halal food and halal travel practices implemented at our hotels. Our Team looks forward to welcoming more Muslim Guests from around the world and we aim to be the preferred Chinese dining destination in Hong Kong for the local Muslim community.”
Video Gallery: The Mira Hong Kong | Mira Moon
www.themirahotel.com | www.miramoonhotel.com
Hashtag: #TheMiraHongKong
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 March 2025 – Hong Kong tertiary students are eager to seize their youth and chase bold dreams—whether it’s studying abroad on an exchange program, mastering new skills, or launching a startup to earn their first fortune. Yet, financial constraints often force many to hesitate, unwilling to burden their families, leaving them torn between dreams and reality. To ease the financial pressures of college life, uFinance, the Hong Kong student loan platform, introduces a tailored loan service for students, making borrowing simple and stress-free. Unlike traditional banks and financial institutions, uFinance prioritizes student privacy and offers a worry-free loan experience. For those struggling with tuition fees, uFinance University Student Tuition Loan comes with Hong Kong’s first-ever “Lowest Interest Rate Guarantee,” empowering students to tackle financial challenges with ease.
uFinanceSafeguards Privacy: Student Loan Records Kept Strictly Confidential
Many tertiary students worry about personal data leaks when applying for loans. uFinance understands these concerns and, with over 20,000 student loan applications processed, pledges never to disclose applicants’ details or loan records to schools or third parties. Unless under exceptional circumstances, no letters will be mailed—communication is handled entirely by phone, ensuring a discreet borrowing process and peace of mind for students.
Borrowing Made Easy:uFinanceOffers Fully Online Applications
For first-time borrowers, asking for a loan can feel daunting, and complicated procedures often deter students from pursuing their dreams. uFinance student loan breaks the mold with a fully online application process—no face-to-face meetings required. Simply fill out the online form and upload the necessary documents to kickstart your student loan application. Our customer service team will reach out via phone to handle approval and identity verification. Once approved, students can sign contracts and receive funds online, resolving financial woes quickly and conveniently.
True Low-InterestUniversity Tuition Fee Loanswith Hong Kong’s First “Lowest Interest Rate Guarantee”
When applying for Grant Loan/Non Means and other government subsidies, students often face lengthy processes, missing tuition deadlines and incurring penalties. To address this, uFinance offers an exclusive University Tuition Fee Loans that deposits funds directly into school accounts upon approval, bypassing unnecessary delays. Featuring Hong Kong’s pioneering “Lowest Interest Rate Guarantee,” this loan boasts a market-leading annual percentage rate of just 6%. Students can borrow up to $21,050 per semester, with flexible repayment terms from 6 to 48 months. After receiving government aid, borrowers can settle the balance anytime without extra fees, offering unmatched flexibility.
Student Loan Information Platform– Preparing Students for Social Challenges
In addition to relieving students of financial burdens during their studies, uFinance hopes that students can obtain more helpful information for their life planning on the platform, such as internship job vacancies, living encyclopedias, and financial information. uFinance believes that the few years of undergraduate life have a significant impact on the future development of students. Therefore, it hopes that students can equip themselves well before entering society to meet future challenges. Also, uFinance will also cooperate with different businesses to provide students with exclusive discounts, so the tertiary students can develop financial management habits during their studies.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 March 2025 – MooneyBird, a real estate technology company focusing on property marketing and AI applications, has officially introduced Hong Kong’s first Cantonese-focused AI Voice Concierge tailored for the real estate industry. Developed in partnership with AIVOICE, a startup nurtured by the HKUST Entrepreneurship Center, this innovative solution combines Cantonese voice technology with AI agent features. By speaking Cantonese, users can instantly access up-to-date property listings, empowering real estate agents to deliver more seamless and human-centric digital interactions.
The AI Voice Concierge enables consumers to instantly access the latest real estate listings via Cantonese voice-based interaction.
Ensuring Digital Inclusion and a Barrier-Free Property Search Experience As Hong Kong citizens fully embrace property search habits online, real estate agents often struggle to respond to a high volume of customer inquiries, risking potential buyer loss if they fail to respond promptly. Meanwhile, to fulfill social responsibilities, many agencies have begun integrating barrier-free elements into their websites, ensuring all user segments can access property information equally.
The AI Voice Concierge allows agents to interact with customers more naturally while instantly managing tasks such as property purchase inquiries, rental queries, and listings. It delivers personalized recommendations, mortgage calculations, analyses estate and neighborhood advantage, and information about nearby transportation or facility, all via voice-based interactions that transcend traditional text-based limitations.
Empowering Real Estate Agent for Professional Customer Support The AI Voice Concierge leverages a multimodal AI model developed by AIVOICE. By integrating Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR), Text-To-Speech (TTS), and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), it seamlessly processes Cantonese or mixed Chinese-English queries. Additionally, the solution connects to MooneyBird’s industry-specific database and large language models to generate more specialized, human-like responses.
At its core, the system employs an Agentic AI infrastructure to support multi-turn, context-aware conversations. By learning user data and predictive analytics, it delivers highly precise property suggestions based on past interactions, helping agents effectively target potential buyers.
Accelerating Customer Interactions by 30% with Voice AI Century 21 Property Agency (Pak Shek Kok) in Tai Po has implemented the AI Voice Concierge into its website to streamline its customer service. According to the branch manager, client engagement rates have increased by 30% within three months, enabling more precise outreach to potential buyers and boosting sales opportunities. For more information, please visit: https://c21psk.com.hk/
Furthermore, based on practical needs, the AI Voice Concierge can integrate seamlessly with CRM systems and can incorporate AI voice-cloning technology. Agents only need to record around one minute of audio to create a custom AI voice model that delivers personal responses, enhancing brand image and reinforcing customer relationships.
Pioneering Smart Property Technology, Redefining the User Experience Eddie Lee, Founder of Synergy Marketing Technology and CEO of MooneyBird, shared, “The AI Voice Concierge helps agents quickly identify potential clients. Once customers obtain initial property insights, they can engage in deeper discussions with agents, fostering mutual trust. We’re excited to see the real estate sector advancing into a new era of smart solutions, and we believe this technology will empower agents to reach broader audiences while strengthening their brand equity.”
AIVOICE was founded by students from HKUST. Wilson Wong, Co-founder of AIVOICE, said, “As Cantonese voice-over tools are in short supply, we developed our own AI technology to capture nuances like tone, diction, and accent. After 20,000 hours of Cantonese voice-data training, our model achieves a 95% accuracy rate. Through the AI Voice Concierge, we aim to showcase the adaptability of Cantonese AI and expand its use across multiple industries.”
Looking ahead, Lee added, “We plan to roll out the AI Voice Concierge to more than 50 real estate agencies and are currently exploring additional collaborations with developers. We are also working on interactive virtual avatars and other innovations to continuously enhance the digital property experience.”
