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Kenanga Group Posts All-Time-High RM1 Billion Revenue and RM155.5 million Operating Profit in FY2024

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Source: Media Outreach

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

FY2024 VS FY2023

  • Revenue at RM1.0 billion, up by 22.3%
  • Operating Profit at RM155.5 million, up by 88.7%
  • Profit Before Tax (“PBT“) at RM117.2 million, up 33.1%
  • Net Profit at RM95.8 million, up by 31.6%
  • Net Income at RM799.6 million, up by 22.6%
  • Operating Expense at RM644.0 million, up by 13.0%
  • Return on Equity at 8.75%, up by 25.8%
  • Earnings Per Share at 13.18 sen, up by 31.3%
  • Net Equity Trading Investment Income at RM55.8 million, up by 30.8%
  • Overall Market Share at 9.6%, Retail Segment Market Share at 25.3%
  • Asset Under Administration (“AUA“) at RM23.5 billion, up by 8.5%

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 February 2025 – Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (“Kenanga Group” or “The Group“), Malaysia’s leading independent investment bank, today delivered one of its strongest financial results to date for the financial year ended 31 December 2024 (“FY2024“). The Group posted an all-time high revenue of RM1.0 billion, up 22.3% year-on-year, while operating profit surged 88.7% to RM155.5 million, also its highest yet. PBT rose 33.1% to RM117.2 million, while net profit climbed 31.6% to RM95.8 million.

Datuk Chay Wai Leong, Group Managing Director, Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad

Kenanga Group’s strong results were driven by a significant revaluation gain on strategic investments through its Private Equity arm, alongside higher trading and investment income, net brokerage income, and management and performance fees. Increased contributions from associates further bolstered its bottom line, partially offset by credit loss expenses.

Reflecting this performance, the Board of Directors has declared an interim single-tier dividend of 8.00 sen per ordinary share for FY2024.

“2024 was another landmark year for Kenanga Group, delivering one of our strongest financial performances to date, despite market headwinds. This milestone underscores the resilience of our diversified business model and our disciplined approach in capitalising on growth opportunities across all our key business segments,” said Datuk Chay Wai Leong, Group Managing Director, Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad.

Kenanga Group’s Stockbroking division recorded RM363.6 million in revenue, a 17.9% increase from the previous year. PBT eased to RM15.4 million from RM16.1 million in FY2023, reflecting the impact of credit loss expense incurred during the year as opposed to a writeback in the previous year. Amid heightened market volatility and an evolving competitive landscape, the division successfully maintained its retail market share of 25.3%. The structured warrants business remained a key contributor, reinforcing the Group’s position as Malaysia’s leading issuer, with the highest market share in warrants trading volume.
Its Asset and Wealth Management division posted revenue of RM303.9 million, an increase of 14.9% year-on-year. The revenue was primarily driven from its institutional and retail segments. Despite higher overhead cost, which led to a PBT of RM47.0 million relative to RM58.7 million in 2023, the division’s AUA saw strong growth, closing at RM23.5 billion, an increase of RM1.8 billion year-on-year.
The Group’s Investment Banking division registered a jump in both revenue and PBT for FY2024, with a 10.0% increase in revenue to RM246.4 million, and an 8.4% increase in PBT to RM6.2 million. This was driven by higher investment income from treasury and fee income, buoyed by a vibrant bond market and capital market.

Kenanga Group’s Listed Derivatives business continued its growth streak, delivering yet another year of record performance. Revenue climbed 15.3% to RM27.6 million, while PBT surged 24.1% to RM7.8 million, its highest in over a decade. This sustained upward trajectory was fueled by higher trading commissions and interest income, supported by a surge in trading activity across the listed derivatives market.

“As we enter 2025, our focus remains on growing our core businesses while accelerating digital transformation. By strengthening recurring income streams, optimising cost efficiencies, and expanding product offerings, we are positioning Kenanga Group for sustainable, long-term growth,” added Datuk Chay.

“With a legacy that spans over five decades, we continue to leverage our vast experience from navigating market cycles, and create synergies across our ecosystem to drive innovation, expand market reach, and create greater value for our stakeholders,” concluded Datuk Chay.

Beyond financial performance, Kenanga Group remains committed to responsible and sustainable growth. In 2024, this commitment was reaffirmed with the Group’s continued inclusion on the FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia Index, ranking among the Top 8% of Malaysian public-listed companies.

Hashtag: #Kenanga

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

PM announces major upgrade to relationship with Viet Nam

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Source: New Zealand Government

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Vietnamese counterpart, His Excellency Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, have today announced the elevation of the New Zealand-Viet Nam relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. 

This upgrade was announced during the Prime Minister’s visit to Viet Nam as the two countries mark 50 years of diplomatic relations. 

Both leaders discussed opportunities to further grow and deepen the relationship between New Zealand and Viet Nam across economics, trade and investment, defence and security, education, and people-to-people connections under the new partnership. 

“Strengthening our relationship with Viet Nam is incredibly important to New Zealand’s economic future, with more opportunities for businesses at home to access this crucial market. I am delighted that Prime Minister Chinh and I today agreed to take the relationship between our countries to the next level,” Mr Luxon says.

“A Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is the highest level of partnership with Viet Nam and is a fitting way to commence our 2025 anniversary year.

“This significant upgrade in the relationship is a major milestone and demonstrates the high level of trust, ambition, and strategic alignment between our countries. Viet Nam is the rising star of Asia, and the opportunities to work together on common goals are enormous.

“Today, Prime Minister Chinh and I reflected on the flourishing relationship between New Zealand and Viet Nam, and the shared ambition to expand cooperation and to do more together across a wide range of priorities.

“The agreement also shows the priority my Government is placing on relationships with Southeast Asia – a region crucial to our plan to grow our economy, create jobs and lift incomes.” 

Prime Minister Luxon’s visit to Viet Nam continues tomorrow with a range of business and political engagements in both Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City. 

Editor’s notes:

New Zealand and Viet Nam agreed a Strategic Partnership in 2020. 

The agreement to elevate to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will place New Zealand at the top tier of Viet Nam’s international relationships. 

Over the next year, New Zealand and Viet Nam will agree a Plan of Action to outline joint initiatives under five pillars: (i) political engagement, (ii) defence, security and oceans, (iii) economics, trade and investment, (iv) climate change, science and technology; and (v) education and people to people links. 

This is Viet Nam’s 10th Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

MIL OSI

Opening remarks in meeting with China Foreign Minister

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Source: New Zealand Government

Opening remarks by New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters in meeting with China Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in Beijing on 26 February 2025:
 
Thank you, Minister, for your warm welcome tonight.   
 
It is a pleasure to return to Beijing, after our last visit in 2018. And thank you for your hospitality then, as now, and to a number of people on your side whose faces we recognise across many, many years.   
 
This reciprocates your visit to Wellington last year. Our personal connection, built over many years, enables us to exchange candid perspectives on developments in our long-standing bilateral relationship and to continue to build our mutual understanding.   
 
The New Zealand-China relationship continues to benefit, as you said, from our mutually beneficial and significant trade and economic relationship and the comprehensive, regular two-way exchanges by our people, which are again growing following the COVID-19 pandemic.   
 
Our relationship also benefits from a resilient bilateral architecture that has been built up over many years of hard work and commitment by both sides, from regular high-level political exchanges to technical dialogues covering issues from trade and agriculture, to education, science and innovation, and indeed the environment.    
 
Our long-standing connection enables our frank and comprehensive discussions on areas of disagreement, including those that stem from our different histories and different systems. Indeed, it is a sign of healthy relationships that we can and do express disagreement on important issues.   
 
For New Zealand, you will be well aware of our ambition for the Pacific region to be peaceful, prosperous, and focused on Pacific-led institutions and solutions. Our connections to the Pacific are deep, particularly in the Realm of New Zealand which includes the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau. Indeed, it’s in the name: Pacific.   
 
Alongside this, our deep and abiding support for the rules-based international order and stable security, defence, and political engagement in the Indo-Pacific region are fundamental to our interests.   
 
Turning to the global picture, we are meeting at a time of great uncertainty and strain, with the conflict in Ukraine having just entered its fourth year, and the Middle East turning to rebuild and addressing the immense humanitarian need on the ground.    
 
Our dialogue with China on bilateral, regional and international issues is more important than ever. We encourage China to use its influence, weight and role as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council to work towards resolution of global issues.    
 
We look forward to discussing these matters further with you this evening and in the following years. 
 
Thank you.

MIL OSI

SpeakIn and ICF Join Forces to Create Asia’s Largest Industry-Centric Coaching Ecosystem

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Source: Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 February 2025 – In a game-changing move for the corporate learning and development industry Asia’s fastest-growing mentoring platform SpeakIn has partnered with International Coaching Federation (ICF), the world’s foremost coaching standards organization.

This strategic alliance aims to establish Asia’s most extensive and globally recognized coaching ecosystem, catering to corporate professionals, executives, and business leaders.

With over 62,000 members across 157 countries, ICF is synonymous with excellence in coaching certification and accreditation. By integrating ICF’s globally respected coaching standards into its programs, SpeakIn will empower businesses to access curated coaching and leadership training tailored to their evolving demands.

Why This Matters for Business Leaders and Corporates
In today’s rapidly changing business environment, staying ahead requires more than just technical expertise—it demands agile leadership and actionable learning. SpeakIn, with its robust network of 27,000 plus global experts, thought leaders, and corporate coaches, has already transformed how companies build coaching competencies.

This collaboration ensures that C-suite executives, entrepreneurs, and high-potential professionals can now access top-tier, credentialed coaches through SpeakIn’s renowned FindACoach platform, which provides 1:1 coaching and virtual and in-person group speaker sessions.

Bridging the Corporate Skilling Gap
Despite three of the world’s top five economies being in Asia, the majority of corporate skilling frameworks are designed basis western toolkit. SpeakIn’s mission is to bridge this gap by offering world-class, regionally tailored coaching and mentoring solutions specific to Asian context.

Over 1.5 million professionals across eight countries have already leveraged the SpeakIn advantage. Now, this ICF-backed initiative will further solidify its position as the go-to corporate skilling partner for global enterprises.

Key Focus Areas of the SpeakIn-ICF Partnership

  • Global Recognition for Coaches: Elevating coaching as a profession by providing certified, high-quality training and global exposure.
  • Human-Tech Synergy: Seamlessly integrating human interaction with cutting-edge technology to make elite coaching accessible worldwide.
  • Corporate Integration: Partnering with 1,000+ leading enterprises to embed ICF-certified programs into internal coaching ecosystems.
  • Thought Leadership Expansion: Leveraging platforms like Asia Dialogues to set industry benchmarks and drive global discussions on leadership excellence.
  • Help organisations build self-sustaining and scalable coaching cultures.

What This Means for the Future of Executive Learning
“With the rise of AI, absolute digitization, and evolving corporate dynamics, coaching has become the cornerstone of sustainable professional growth. Our partnership with ICF positions SpeakIn at the forefront of this revolution in Asia and beyond,” said Deepshikha Kumar, Founder of SpeakIn.

“This collaboration is not just about certification; it’s about creating a lasting impact in corporate learning. By leveraging our extensive network and expertise, we are enabling professionals to reach their highest potential with globally recognized coaching,” added Praveen Kumar, Co-founder of SpeakIn.

“Quality and Standards are what makes coaching powerful and empowering. Excellence and integrity are at the heart of each coaching engagement. Any entity promoting and providing coaching must adhere to the highest standards in the field – to protect its clients and to deliver lasting results. This partnership will enable many organizations to engage with a trusted partner for transformation and thriving” said Magdalena Nowicka Mook, ICF’s CEO.

A disruptor in the enterprise-learning platform space, SpeakIn empowers its users to access the highest quality coaches and mentors in a flexible manner. Big names such as former KPMG CEO Richard Rekhy, bestselling author Mimi Nicklin, TEDx speaker Friska Wirya and other celebrated experts like former Softbank India MD, Manoj Kohli and Dr. Timothy Low, former CEO of Gleneagles Hospitals, Singapore, have shared their expertise with professionals seeking insightful learning.

https://www.speakin.co/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/speakin
https://x.com/speakin_global
https://www.facebook.com/Yourspeakin
https://www.instagram.com/speakin_official

Hashtag: #SpeakIn #partnership #ICF

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

OPPO Ads Connect 2025 Southeast Asia Salon: Unlocking New Marketing Growth and Drafting a Business Blueprint

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Source: Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 February 2025 – On February 20, the “Exploring New Growth” OPPO Ads Connect 2025 Southeast Asia Salon was successfully held in Singapore alongside the launch of OPPO Ads’ new Device+ Marketing Solution. This is OPPO Ads’ first platform-level event abroad, showcasing its strategic capabilities, creative accomplishments, market insights, and marketing product solutions. Attended by marketers, service providers, developers, industry practitioners, and other stakeholders, the salon promoted industry development and innovation. Expert speakers sparked discussion of leading-edge market development opportunities and helped to foster commercial growth.

An important link between OPPO Ads and partners, Connect provides a new platform that aggregates multiple ecosystems. The salon event marks the first public engagement of OPPO Ads in the Southeast Asian market and is an important part of its globalization strategy. During the event, Head of OPPO Ads Overseas Sales and Operations Tim Chen, Product Director of OPPO Ads Kevin Wu, and AM Director of OPPO Ads Gavin Zou shared their perspectives on the long-term commercial capability building and innovative marketing solutions of OPPO Ads, and empowering advertisers in user acquisition, efficiency improvement, and long-term operations with a one-stop solution.

Enhancing the Terminal OS Ecosystem and Unlocking New Market Vitality

Tim Chen stated that in addition to solidifying its foothold in the Southeast Asian market, OPPO has continued to roll out significant advancements through its robust product matrix, channel strengths, and user influence. The Find X8 series has doubled its sales compared to its predecessor. Furthermore, OPPO’s international shipments continue to surge, securing the top spot in Southeast Asian markets in 2024. These achievements underscore OPPO’s strong market position and sway in Southeast Asia.

At the same time, OPPO Ads is becoming the preferred platform for international advertisers aiming to expand due to its unique commercial marketing value for three reasons:

  • First, with its competitive pricing, OPPO Ads uses more proactive scenarios to help advertisers reach a large number of users more efficiently and maximize the advertising value.
  • Second, advertisers can easily transition from reach to conversion, enhancing user value throughout the life cycle, and greatly boosting user engagement and retention by utilizing OPPO’s robust OS ecosystem.
  • Finally, OPPO Ads offers a range of marketing solutions for advertisers in different industries and with different needs. These span pre-load cooperation and targeted delivery, as well as light-touch scenarios and deep engagements, satisfying the unique needs of advertisers and significantly increasing delivery efficiency and effectiveness.

OPPO Ads has dramatically expanded commercial use cases and traffic supply as the business has grown. In 2024, OPPO Ads’ request volume increased by 300% with the introduction of new commercial applications such as PUSH, global search listing, Shelf card, and local video Feeds, with 140 million monthly active users on Southeast Asia’s OS. In 2025, OPPO Ads will see significant advancements and growth in terms of shipment and traffic, as well as commercialization capabilities. The vast active user base provides a broad space for advertising placement and brings more marketing opportunities to advertisers.

Unlocking The “Retention” Code Through Product Iteration and Upgrade Hard Power

At the commercial product level, Kevin Wu introduced that OPPO Ads is leveraging cutting-edge technologies and innovation to iterate and update product capabilities across three key dimensions:

  1. Marketing Platform Capability Upgrade: OPPO Ads has comprehensively upgraded its marketing platform to include new features like splash screens, enabling advertisers to engage users across all scenarios and manage all types of promotions. During the mid-investment phase, the platform supports RTA (Real-Time API) optimization and utilizes multiple bidding strategies to help ensure backend conversion costs, effectively increasing backend ROI by over 10%. In the post-advertising phase, enhanced attribution capabilities and OS data monitoring cater to advertisers’ needs for effect attribution, making marketing results quantifiable.
  2. Programmatic Ad Efficiency Improvements: OPPO Ads has intensified efforts to boost the effectiveness of programmatic ads, facilitating DSP (demand-side platform) participation and optimizing advertising features across the board, greatly increasing exposure, winning bids, and engagement. It also allows DSP access to all traffic, leading to more than a 200% increase in request volume.
  3. PUSH Marketing Solution: OPPO Ads has explored the diverse applications of system scenarios and built a variety of commercial capabilities based on PUSH capabilities. Through capability upgrades such as “sticky on the top” and empowerment of style rights, the click-through rate and backend effects were greatly improved.

Along with offering advertisers more effective marketing options to improve target user reach, these iterations have helped OPPO’s business expand in terms of technology and innovation.

Device+: A Solution for One-Stop User Management

During the event, Gavin Zou unveiled the Device+ Marketing Solution, designed to help advertisers efficiently acquire large numbers of high-quality users, conduct user operations on the OPPO platform, and expand business boundaries. Based on OPPO’s massive mobile Internet ecosystem, Device+ offers global clients a one-stop user management service through preload, advertising, and ecosystem cooperation. It covers new user acquisition, user activity improvement, and user conversion, among other things, to meet clients’ user operation needs at various stages.

  1. Device+ preload cooperation: OPPO Ads can reach 24 million new device users in Southeast Asia annually through preload and PAI services. The services streamline the registration process, offer a special quick open feature for notifications, and increase the activation rates by over 20% by detecting the activation status of preload apps on the device side and promptly engaging with users.
  2. Device+ APP distribution: For users who have not installed the application, OPPO can flexibly reach them through effect advertising, and based on the system’s unique ADD download capability, we improve download and installation efficiency, as well as overall user acquisition efficiency by more than 30%.
  3. Device+ massive touchpoints: With the help of system-level data insights and user churn warning models, OPPO can activate each potential user promptly, reducing user churn rate by 10%, and optimizing network and application performance through LinkBoost and HyperBoost to improve user experience.
  4. Device+ pre-positioning: User conversion is one of the important indicators that advertisers care about in long-term management. Using OPPO’s unique system scenarios, users can use services without opening apps, such as search listing, shelf cards, and OPUSH, which attracts users as soon as they see them, improving user retention, transaction conversion rate, and click-through rates.

Future Outlook: Collaborating for Long-Term Success

The OPPO Ads Connect 2025 Southeast Asia Salon marks a significant step for OPPO Ads in the Southeast Asian market and serves as a vibrant platform for industry exchanges. During the roundtable, Jenny Wang, OPPO Ads Sales Director of Southeast Asia Area, Nita Wang, OPPO Ads Sales Director, and guests from leading companies such as Agoda, AIDC, DTI and AppsFlyer exchanged insights on Southeast Asian industry trends and marketing needs. They identified key challenges, strategized effective solutions, and discussed leveraging OPPO’s comprehensive advertising solutions to enhance user acquisition and user engagement.

This event demonstrates OPPO Ads’ innovative marketing value, outstanding OS system capabilities, and diversified solutions in commercial marketing, providing advertisers with more comprehensive support and more boundless business opportunities. Whether it is the development of emerging markets or the deep cultivation of mature markets, OPPO Ads is helping clients grow their businesses.

Looking ahead, OPPO Ads will continue to enhance its commercial capabilities and collaborate with ecosystem partners to explore new cooperative opportunities and promote ongoing industry growth and prosperity.

For more information, please follow the official OPPO Ads accounts on Facebook and Linkedin.

Hashtag: #OPPOAds

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

First Responders – Waipoua River Fire

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Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

This afternoon Fire and Emergency was alerted to a vegetation fire at Waipoua River in the Kaipara region of Northland.
The fire has grown to 70 hectares with a 4 kilometre perimeter and is expected to grow.
We have multiple ground crews and 7 helicopters fighting the fire. 3 additional helicopters will be arriving tomorrow from as far away as Taupo.
Police are assisting with evacuating dwellings in the Waipoua River Road area. Structures are at risk but no structures have been lost.
This is likely to be a long duration event.
Fire and Emergency will continue attacking the fire until nightfall and will remain on site for observation overnight.
Helicopters and ground crews will ramp up activities at first light tomorrow and truck movement can be expected on the roads.

MIL OSI

Roman Blinds Direct Unveils New Website for Smarter, Faster, and Personalised Shopping Experience

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Source: Press Release Service – New Zealand

Roman Blinds Enhances Customer Experience With Quick Quotes, Customisation, and Effortless Ordering

Roman Blinds Direct, a leading blind supplier with a strong hold over the industry for the last 20 years, launched its brand-new website on 24 February 2025. The website is a sign of the commitment of the company towards its customers so that they can enjoy a streamlined shopping experience by providing a fully customisable selection of blinds and curtains. There’s an option for every customer.

The brand-new website offers customers the best blinds shopping experience while providing high-quality fabrics and smart integration in their products. Customers don’t need to wait even for a few seconds to get their quote once they have selected their preferred fabric, colour, and measurement options.

Key Features of the New Website

The main motivation behind the new website was user convenience and an intuitive shopping experience. Some of the standout features include:

Instant Quotes with a Few Clicks: Unlike traditional online blind stores, with Roman Blinds Direct, you can receive a quote for your customised selection in just a few simple steps. Once you have selected the desired fabric, colour, measurements, fitting type, lining options, and cord side, you will get a quote immediately. If you are satisfied with your selection and the quote, you can place your order and expect a delivery right at your doorstep.

Full-Customisation Options: With the new website, you do not need to settle for anything less, as customers have the flexibility to design their blinds exactly how they want.

Measurement: Enter the desired width and height.

Fitting Type: Choose between inside or outside fit.

Lining Options: Standard, thermal, blockout, or no lining.

Cord Placement: Left-hand side, right-hand side, or motorised control.

Motorisation for Effortless Control: Customers can also opt for a motorised feature for a smart experience. They get to select a rechargeable battery or a 240V power supply and their preferred remote controller for easy operation.

Enhancing Customer Experience
The revamped website is not only made to enhance the purchasing process but also to ensure a smooth customisation of blinds and curtains to satisfy the customers. Roman Blinds Direct remains committed to providing only high-quality products and services to customers through a website that is easy to use and informative.

“With the instant quotes, detailed customisation options, and a streamlined ordering process, our customers get an absolutely seamless and hassle-free blinds shopping experience from start to finish,” says Bernie Dalzel, Owner of Roman Blinds Direct.

About Roman Blinds Direct
Roman Blinds Direct is known for its high-quality, customisable, and motorised blinds for the last 2 decades. The company ensures that your homes and offices are functional while not compromising on style. With a strong, dedicated team to meet the requirements of its customers, Roman Blinds continues to improve its services.

For more information on stylish and functional blinds and curtains, visit their website.

[embedded content]

Media Release on 26 February 2025

Media Contact
Bernie Dalzel, Roman Blinds Direct
Email: bernie@romanblindsdirect.co.nz
Phone: 07 847 8829
Website: https://romanblindsdirect.co.nz/
Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5fzarvcl4A

MIL OSI

Name release: Te Kamo death

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Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police are now releasing the name of a boy who died in Te Kamo on Sunday.

He was three-year-old Reign Puriri.

The young boy died tragically at a Church Road address after an incident with a moving vehicle in a driveway.

“Our thoughts are with Reign’s whānau at this very difficult time as they prepare for his tangi,” Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer says.

“The whānau need time to grieve after losing their boy, and they have asked Police to convey their need for privacy at this time.”

Police are continuing with enquiries into what occurred on Sunday afternoon.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

MIL OSI

Energy – ELECTRIFY QUEENSTOWN: POWERING INNOVATION, COST SAVINGS AND DECARBONISATION

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Source: Electrify Queenstown

Wednesday 26 February 2025 (Queenstown, New Zealand) — Queenstown businesses and households are invited to explore practical ways to save money, become more energy efficient, and decarbonise with the return of Electrify Queenstown in May.

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, Destination Queenstown, with support from Queenstown Business Chamber of Commerce, will present a three-day programme designed to innovate and inspire change in the Queenstown Lakes.

With principal sponsor Aurora Energy onboard for the second year, Electrify Queenstown promises to deliver an electric experience for the Queenstown community.

Mat Woods, Destination Queenstown Chief Executive, says this year’s expanded programme caters to tourism operators, business owners, homeowners and anyone curious about making the switch to enable fully electric heating, cooking and transport.

“Electrify Queenstown will share ideas and innovations to support businesses and households to electrify, save money and decarbonise. We’re excited about the win-win potential of electrification in supporting a vibrant, growing economy while protecting the environment for future generations,” he said.

The opening day on Monday 26 May will take stage at Skyline Queenstown, a trailblazer in tourism innovation and electrification.

Queenstown Lakes District Mayor, Glyn Lewers, will open with a welcome address followed by keynote speaker Saul Griffith — globally acclaimed author and entrepreneur sharing insights on why we must electrify and switch to renewable technology. An inspirational line up of speakers includes industry experts, policy makers and innovators who will present both the challenges and the vast potential of electrification from an economic, environmental and social perspective.

Sharon Fifield, Queenstown Business Chamber Chief Executive, said, “It’s important, in what has recently been a tough economic climate, that any changes made in your business don’t sacrifice your bottom line. We’re thrilled to have experts joining Electrify Queenstown to share the benefits and opportunities that come with electrifying a business including cost savings, improved productivity, and emissions reductions.”

On the second day, a full programme at the Queenstown Events Centre will spark conversations about the opportunities for businesses and households with electrification, and innovations in electric transport. A tradeshow exhibition will display new technology, low rate loans and exclusive deals, plus the opportunity to join interactive workshops led by experts in electrification and renewable energy. The community evening session from 6pm will focus on the energy transition, how to electrify your home and the role of electrification in community resilience.

The third and final day will involve immersive electric experiences, sharing the very best in tourism innovation and technology, from local operators and global leaders.

Lines company Aurora Energy is proud to once again be the principal sponsor of the Electrify Queenstown event.

Richard Fletcher, Aurora Energy Chief Executive, said, “The growth of this event from one day to three days highlights the increasing demand and interest in electrification within our region. Aurora Energy is committed to ensuring that our network is ready to enable the future electricity and technology choices of consumers.

“In supporting events such as these we hope we can play a part helping local businesses and communities be informed about the benefits of electricity, whether it is supplied from the national grid or generated and stored locally. We look forward to meeting with those attending, and discussing how we can work together towards a sustainable, efficient, and resilient future.” Richard said.

Electrify Queenstown will take place over three days from 26 – 28 May 2025. Registrations are open for individual sessions, a day pass, or for the full three-day event.  

For more information visit: electrifyqueenstown.co.nz

Electrify Queenstown programme summary

Monday 26 May 2025: Setting the stage for electrification (Skyline Queenstown)
Tuesday 27 May 2025: Electrification in action (Queenstown Events Centre)
Wednesday 28 May 2025: Electric experiences (Details coming soon)

MIL OSI

Introducing Phoenix Dancong Tea: Now Available at Dofo Tea

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Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 February 2025 – Dofo Tea is thrilled to announce the launch of its premium Phoenix Dancong tea, a rare and exquisite tea variety that captures the essence of China’s rich tea heritage. Sourced from the high-altitude Phoenix Mountain in Chaozhou, Guangdong, this tea represents the perfect fusion of tradition, craftsmanship, and natural flavor.

Known as the “noble of tea” and celebrated for its aromatic complexity, Phoenix Dancong tea has been a hallmark of Chinese tea culture for centuries. With this launch, Dofo Tea invites tea enthusiasts worldwide to experience the unparalleled charm of this ancient tea variety at Dofo Tea.

Upholding the traditions of tea culture and exquisite handcrafted techniques, Dofo Tea’s official website (https://dofotea.com/) offers high-quality Chinese tea leaves, tea ware, and a wealth of tea culture content—highlighting the distinctive flavor of Phoenix Dancong tea and the time-honored art of Chaozhou Gongfu tea.

Phoenix Dancong Tea: A Fusion of Quality and Heritage

Dofo Tea’s signature Phoenix Dancong tea is grown at 1,400 meters on Phoenix Mountain in Chaozhou, preserving centuries-old natural flavors. Celebrated since the late Southern Song Dynasty for its rich aroma and unique taste, each handpicked leaf is processed using time-honored methods that reflect a blend of family legacy and artisanal craftsmanship.

In 2024, a landmark study—”Phoenix Tea: A New Species of Guangdong Tea Plants,” published in China Tea (Vol. 46, Issue 12, 2024)—confirmed, after extensive research on Phoenix Mountain, that Phoenix Dancong tea is an independent new species.

Today, Dofo Tea’s website not only offers these premium teas for purchase but also provides in-depth insights into their history and flavor, catering to the diverse palates of tea enthusiasts.

Chaozhou Gongfu Tea: Slowing Down Life to Savor the Classics

As a representative of traditional Chinese tea culture, Chaozhou Gongfu tea has been inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. More than just a tea ceremony, Chaozhou Gongfu tea offers a spiritual experience and a form of cultural art—a way to slow down and cleanse the mind amid the pace of modern life.

At Dofo Tea, customers can find not only a curated selection of Phoenix Dancong tea but also tea ware that reflects the essence of Chaozhou Gongfu tea culture. Whether it’s elegant tea cups or traditional teapots and charcoal stoves, Dofo Tea provides a one-stop shopping experience that enables every tea lover to fully immerse themselves in the art of Chaozhou Gongfu tea.

Dofo Tea’s Mission: Global Dissemination of Chinese Tea Culture

Since its inception, Dofo Tea has steadfastly balanced traditional handcrafted production with the modern propagation of tea culture. Through its official website, the brand showcases the allure of Chaozhou Gongfu tea to tea enthusiasts worldwide. In addition to engaging tea lovers online, Dofo Tea organizes live tea art courses, tea garden tours, and other complementary activities—promoting an ancient tea culture that is not only about tea but also a lifestyle rooted in Phoenix Mountain, symbolizing health, elegance, and tranquility.

Hashtag: #DofoTea

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.