Local company providing strategic property advice to help rebuild New Zealand’s economy following COVID-19

July 28, 2020

Source: Press Release Service

In an effort to rebuild New Zealand’s economy following COVID-19, the Government has introduced a new law (the Bill) to Parliament, which mentions specific infrastructure projects of different sizes and in different locations around New Zealand. These projects are focused on creating new employment opportunities and boosting local economies.

TPG is nationally renowned for its expertise in providing end to end property, planning and development advice, and was not left out of the projects named in the Bill. One of these projects is the Picton Ferry Terminal upgrade. The project represents an important investment in critical infrastructure and will help to accommodate future growth in passenger numbers and freight volumes. TPG has provided strategic property advice to KiwiRail, with the intuit to support the improvement of rail services by expanding the docks and upgrading the passenger terminal.

This is not the first time TPG has supported the country in putting its economy back on track. With 13 offices nationwide, TPG has been in the market for more than 20 years and has assisted Government before in a crisis recovery situation, playing a pivotal role in the Christchurch Earthquake Recovery projects, as an example.

If you would like to know more about TPG, their project or services, visit propertygroup.co.nz, use the contact form, phone 04 470 6105, or email enquiries@propertygroup.co.nz.

About The Property Group Limited
The Property Group Limited (TPG) is New Zealand’s largest independent specialist property consultancy, with 13 offices nationwide. They are proud to offer end-to-end property, planning, and development advice to enable clients to make decisions that add value to their business. From the north to the south, TPG has a variety of experts who are dedicated to providing the full property package.

Media Release on 28 July 2020

Media Contact
Customer service, The Property Group Limited (TPG)
Email: enquiries@propertygroup.co.nz
Phone: 04 470 6105
Website: https://www.propertygroup.co.nz/
Video: https://youtu.be/yPVct5vZoAE

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Auckland-based referral agency Urban Care partners up with ACC to better serve the Kiwi community

Live News

July 28, 2020

Source: Press Release Service – New Zealand

AUCKLAND, NZ — “We all have seen and heard about the struggles of an injured person. It’s devastating to see them get through life’s most difficult obstacles. Such tragic accidents leave people injured and incapable of doing things”, says the CEO of Urban Care.

Urban Care soon realized that must help serve fellow Kiwis whose injuries prevent carrying on with daily household tasks such as cleaning and taking care of the elderly and children.

Urban Care, is a smart and easy-to-use referral agency platform that connects people looking for household services including domestic cleaning, caregiving, and babysitting. The agency is 100% Kiwi-owned and operated connecting local New Zealand residents to the consumer market.

The company recently partnered up with ACC to give assistance for those injured in their daily lives as they recover from your injuries.

Aside from helping injured people with ACC claims, the company launched the partnership to provide local Kiwis with support services, childcare, and domestic cleaning jobs. As mentioned by the owner, they are looking forward to helping both the injured and those whose jobs are greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The CEO of Urban Care shares, “Our goal is to make things simple and quick for our users. We aim to let them get the services they need at their fingertips.” Rahul Bhandari adds that booking takes only 3 simple steps: apply, contact, and book. It typically takes 24 hours to settle everything.

As a parting message, the owner of Urban Care humbly expresses, “If you are injured, get ACC’s help and let Urban Care assist you in other aspects of your life. You have our dedication to serving you.” The company is exhilarated for establishing a new partnership with a large organization in serving Kiwis. With this, they are looking into expanding their reach all throughout New Zealand⁠—Touching more lives, helping more people find jobs, and enhancing comfort in those experiencing discomfort.

For concerned individuals, you can now use your ACC claim to book a support service with Urban Care here. Included are services from professional support workers, childcare, and domestic cleaning. Urban Care will use an injured person’s claim policy to coordinate with ACC. Payment for the service will be processed by ACC using the claim.

About Urban Care
Urban Care is a smart and easy-to-use platform that connects people looking for household services with trusted and reliable experts. The mobile-enabled and website-enabled application has brought customers more close to us putting the world in a more comfort zone through innovation. The platform is easy to use, and customers can schedule a professional nanny, caregiver, and cleaner within a couple of minutes. Their valuable services are available throughout Auckland.

About ACC
ACC is a Crown entity. It’s governed by a Board that is responsible to the Minister for ACC. The company’s vision is to create a unique partnership with every New Zealander, improving their quality of life by minimizing the incidence and impact of an injury in their lives.

They cater to the health, rehabilitation, and service providers who help people who are injured, the businesses, vehicle owners, and workers who contribute to the Scheme, and any New Zealander or visitor to New Zealand who’s injured in an accident.

Media Release on 28 July 2020

Media Contact
Helenea, Urban Care
Email: marketing@urbancare.co.nz
Phone: 09 242 0740
Website: https://urbancare.co.nz/

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Supercity Property Services Sustainable Measures

Live News

July 27, 2020

Source: Press Release Service – Auckland

(PR.co.nz)

Supercity Property Services, an Auckland-based maintenance company, has announced a series of measures to combat the current water crises in the city. The new approach completely eliminates the company’s reliance on potable water sources, while still offering a complete catalog of residential and commercial property maintenance services, at no extra charge.

In May, the Auckland Council put into effect water restrictions that included the use of potable water for essential cleaning services only. This has severely affected water blasting and cleaning businesses, including Supercity Property Services. “We were just emerging from the Covid-19 crisis, and it felt like we were handed a death sentence with the new restrictions,” Murray Robertson, co-owner and Director of Supercity Property Services, said. “This has affected business and profit, but we are determined to move forward. We want to be a part of the solution, and we have changed how we work to support water conservation efforts.”

Here is a list of things Supercity Property Services is doing:
• The company has bought braked trailers and 1000-liter capacity water tanks to hold non-potable water as approved by Watercare and Auckland Council.
• It will bear the expenses for water cartage; this charge won’t be passed on to the customers.
• Disinfecting and cleaning of buildings and surfaces for all essential services, schools, aged care facilities, early childhood centers, and the food and medical industry will be carried out without any disruptions.
• Customers can volunteer the use of the water or retention tanks on their property that collect rain water for the cleaning services. However, if for any reason the customer declines to allow the use of this water, Supercity Property Services will drive out with its own tanks.

“Earlier, Supercity Property Services relied on the use of potable water for its outdoor cleaning services. Now, we are working closely with customers to determine the most sustainable and practical approach while still offering top quality services,” Mr. Robertson said. Non-potable water comes from rain, rivers, or bore water that is collected, but not filtered to drink. The water is not sourced from Auckland dams and can be used for cleaning purposes. The restrictions were imposed after Auckland experienced the driest four months of the year which severely affected dam levels.

About Supercity Property Services: Supercity Property Services is a locally-owned property maintenance company. Established in 1987, the company has emerged as one of the largest maintenance providers in the Auckland region, offering a full range of services for residential and commercial property owners. With over 30 years of experience, Supercity Property Services has established itself as a trustworthy business forging long-lasting relationships and offering superior services.

Media Release 27 July 2020.

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Education Perfect announces $10,000 ‘EP Studio’ competition for teachers

Live News

July 21, 2020

Source: Press Release Service – New Zealand

Teachers are always looking for new ways to deliver their curriculum; ways that better engage students; to deliver content more effectively or with greater efficiency. Some teachers have limited resources, or have limited access to colleagues in other schools who may be teaching the same content, in different ways. EP Studio provides a platform for teachers to share their curriculum content and lesson plans – and EP wants to enable teachers and make it easier for all teachers, globally, to access this content.

By entering, schools look to win a $10,000 tech package, with teachers winning up to $1000 in vouchers.

The process for teachers to enter is:

1. Register at epforschool.com/studio-competition
2. Create a Smart Lesson on EP
3. Share the lesson through the EP platform
4. Share the lesson name on social media using #epstudio
EP Studio is one of EP’s many platforms, allowing teachers to create a wide variety of resources using EP’s intuitive authoring tools. Teachers can then share these with colleagues, no matter where they are in the world.

Hamish Arthur, a teacher at NZ’s Gisborne Boys’ High School, very quickly progressed from using content built by other teachers and EP, to creating his own when he started using EP through the lockdown period.

“We began using… pre-existing tasks and we have now moved on to creating our own content within the department and using the EP platform to deliver and monitor work for our students. We are developing a variety of mixed media, short and long answer questions to engage students.”

CEO of EP Alex Burke said the competition was a chance for teachers to share their lessons with colleagues on a global stage.

“We know that teachers are always looking for new ways to engage and inspire their students, and are always keen to find innovative ways to do it,” he said.

“EP Studio is going to give teachers the ideal forum for this exchange of ideas, and the contest is the best way to encourage participation from teachers in schools around the world.”

Both schools and teachers are set to benefit from the competition, with the entrant judged the winner having a $10,000 tech package awarded to their school, plus a $1000 voucher for the teacher.

Second prize is a $5000 tech package, plus $500 voucher, and a $2500 tech package and $250 voucher for the third placed entrant.

The winning entrants will be decided by EP staff, based on the responses from other teachers on social media, student usage and engagement, and lesson quality.

With multiple entries welcomed from participating teachers, this gives educators the chance to share their expertise in creating enriching learning experiences for students.

The competition closes 18 September, with winners announced shortly after.

Media Release on 21 July 2020

Media Contact
Annie de Merindol, Education Perfect
Email: annie.demerindol@thebigsmoke.com.au
Phone: +61 414 757 390
Website: https://epforschool.com/en/

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Graphic Monk Creates Digital Human Double

Live News

July 21, 2020

Source: Press Release Service

(PR.co.nz) Graphic Monk had the opportunity to work with Heidi Renata, Chief Energy Officer INNOV8HQ – Dunedin to create a Digital Double Digital Human in her likeness.

This was an experimental project to help showcase the advancement in emerging technologies with machine learning and AI to create a fully animation ready virtual human from just one photograph.

Digi-Heidi is still very much a work-in-progress project to possibly integrate with business systems and processes. There are a multitude of directions and digital careers for Digi-Heidi’s future.

The project goes to showcase the possibilities available today in Dunedin via Graphic Monk to assist brands create digital humans for network effects and social marketing.

AI is no longer limited just to research projects but instead is a valuable technology toolkit to help accelerate labor-intensive tasks and in turn, give better time management and control back to artists to concentrate on the creation process.

Digital humans are now able to be created with quicker iterations and agile processes by using neural networks, machine learning to help with face swapping, image denoising, character locomotion using real-time motion performance capture, facial animation, gesture blend shapes and texture creations.

Creating real-time digital humans requires more than just creative expression, but rather a need to solve complex problems like replicating and data streaming motions and facial gestures of the performer directly onto the digital human character, rendering the character to ensure it looks realistic and most importantly to ensure that the digital human’s body moves like the real person as well as the facial gestures are replicated to match those of the performer driving the digital humans. All these nuances form parts of delivering a high-fidelity digital human that others can relate to and believe to be real.

These digital humans can be used as actors for virtual productions for film, media, and broadcasting, for game development, AR, VR, MR applications, health & wellbeing, tourism, education, interactive storytelling and more.

Digi-Heidi is an experimental work-in-progress based on Heidi Renata (CEO-Innov8HQ, Dunedin) as a personalised digital double, created using a single image through AI-Machine Learning workflow.
(2020 © Graphic Monk)
Jeasy Sehgal, Founder of Graphic Monk, has been involved with the CGI, Film, Game, Advertising and Media industry for over two decades and has had the opportunity to learn and work alongside some talented people and emerging technologies.

Throughout our professional practice, we have had the benefit of using emerging technologies to test and incorporate into our workflow pipelines.

We are currently working with EDT (emerging & disruptive technologies) like AI (Artificial Intelligence) & Machine Learning, enabling us to design, iterate, deploy a realistic digital human character in record times while maintaining a close realism of the digital human’s skin textures, blemishes, iris reflections for the eyes and more.

Founded in 2017, Graphic Monk is a production company born out of the work of Jeasy Sehgal. Graphic Monk, along with its subsidiary; DynaKinetix moved from Auckland to Dunedin in 2019 to establish a hub and to create opportunities for the creative talent in the South Island.

Graphic Monk specialize in film production, film editing, 3D asset development, digital humans, animation, mobile motion capture, game design and more.

Media Release 21 July 2020.

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GoodbyePores Remover

Live News

July 20, 2020

Source: Press Release Service

(PR.co.nz)

A New Zealand owned company called ‘GoodbyePores’ is growing rapidly and establishing it’s place as the leading blackhead remover product in New Zealand & Australia!

The sole focus of GoodbyePores is it’s only product called the ‘GoodbyePores Remover’ which is a vacuum-like machine that can extract blackheads, clogged pores, dead skin and much more.

“It’s because we only manufacture a single type of product that we can put all our minds, energy and effort in to this single idea that we have that’s why we can achieve what we achieved in such short period of time!”- Olivia (GoodbyePores, Representative)

Due to the success GoodbyePores has has achieved in such short notice it’s having a sale of 60% off going on and according to their representative you can also get another 10% off on top of that by using the discount code on their website.A New Zealand owned company called ‘GoodbyePores’ is growing rapidly and establishing it’s place as the leading blackhead remover product in New Zealand & Australia!

The sole focus of GoodbyePores is it’s only product called the ‘GoodbyePores Remover’ which is a vacuum-like machine that can extract blackheads, clogged pores, dead skin and much more.

Media Release 20 July 2020.

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Emergency Q – New Mobile Directory

Live News

July 20, 2020

Source: Press Release Service

(PR.co.nz)

Emergency Q, the mobile health hospital wait time app, now also offers a free, up-to-the minute directory of COVID-19 information to assist Kiwis in navigating vital health, employment and family support services. This includes information on COVID-19 itself, such as what to do if you have symptoms, plus a ‘click to call’ function to reach mental health support, alcohol and drug counselling, whanau ora services and employment advice.

The app is free and available nationwide to anyone with a smartphone through the AppStore and GooglePlay.

The COVID-19 enhancement to Emergency Q was developed with support from MBIE’s COVID-19 Innovation Acceleration fund and is designed so its content can be updated quickly without any additional coding, ensuring that users have the latest official information as it comes to hand.

“The pandemic has been hugely stressful, and many people want to use a range of health and social services to help them get through. Our new directory makes accessing those services fast and easy, so if you have an employment related question for example, you’ll find organisations who can help. Likewise, if you are feeling like your anxiety levels are through the roof and need to talk to someone, at the touch of a button we can put you through to a mental health service,” says Morris Pita, Chief Executive and founder of Emergency Q.

The COVID-19 directory enhances Emergency Q’s app, which reduces overcrowding in hospital Emergency Departments by re-directing non-emergency cases, like sprained ankles and earache, into primary care.

Launched in 2017, Emergency Q has already been used by more than 38,000 patients in six New Zealand hospitals, reducing Emergency Department overcrowding by between 500 and 700 patients per month, per hospital. Developed by Healthcare Applications Limited, the app was named Most Innovative Technology Solution for the Public Good at the 2018 New Zealand High Tech Awards and is a finalist in this year’s Awards in three categories; Hi-Tech Start-up Company of the Year; Most Innovative Hi-Tech Service of the Year; and Maori Hi-Tech Company of the Year.

For more information, go to www.emergencyq.com

Media Release 20 July 2020.

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Contactless Payment

Live News

July 20, 2020

Source: Press Release Service – Business

(PR.co.nz) The global pandemic has posed many challenges for New Zealand retailers who have had to adapt to a new way of doing business. Many shoppers have reduced their spending to essential items-only, like food and medicine, presenting an opportunity to be capitalised on for retailers who sell these items.

Overnight COVID-19 disrupted the payment behaviour of consumers…

Shoppers predominantly look for fast, convenient and safe service – how they can get in and out of stores as fast as possible, and with as little contact with others as possible.

The biggest trend we’ve seen is the adoption of contactless payment, especially tap and go. In fact, 75% of Kiwis claim they find contactless payment more convenient than other payment methods. COVID-19 has only increased the uptake of contactless given the risk of the virus spreading through surfaces. Now, retailers that DON’T offer tap and go risk losing shoppers to retailers that do.

“Now more than ever, payment has become a critical part of the shopper experience, and offering a FAST, CONVENIENT and SAFE payment experience is part of the consumer decision-making process when deciding where to shop,” said Dave Spicer, CEO of Activata Ltd.

“As a result of the global pandemic, we’ve seen hundreds of convenience stores take on contactless payment so as to provide a safe, fast, contactless, and increasingly local retail engagement with their customers.”

Not only have these retailers found their shop foot traffic has increased, but they are attracting NEW shopper types who RETURN time and again, simply by improving the convenience of shopping at their store.

“Typically, shoppers choose convenience stores over supermarkets when they are doing small ‘top up’ shops of essential items, and want to be in and out of the store as fast and as conveniently as possible,” said Nilesh Kumar Shah, owner of Quick Bites Convenience Store in Central Auckland.

“What we’ve found since introducing tap and go is that we’re able to serve more customers faster, giving them a more convenient shopping experience, and making them more likely to return.”

The big advantage of contactless payment methods like tap and go is fast moving queues, increasing the number of customers served, especially at peak times and with less resource, resulting in increased revenues for these stores.

“Based on what we’ve seen over the last three to four-months, it’s fair to say
contactless payment is no longer a nice-to-have but a necessity to meet shopper needs. While COVID-19 accelerated this, contactless payment is here to stay and failing to adapt is a missed opportunity for retailers to capitalise upon,” Spicer summarised.

If you’ve been putting off getting contactless payment in your store, the best time to act was yesterday—today this is essential.

Activata has over 15-years experience providing personalised payment experiences for retailers across New Zealand. Activata experts design exceptional payment experiences, and assists with every step of the payment process from shopper experience, queue busting and contactless payment, to eftpos terminals and equipment, and much more.

Contact Activata on 0800 960 00 or visit the website activata.co.nz.

Media Release 20 July 2020.

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The Property Group Limited (TPG) supports the government’s major investment in safe drinking water

Live News

July 20, 2020

Source: Press Release Service – New Zealand

The investment will make a difference to communities across the country. TPG’s Local Government Lead Rebecca Mackenzie says the $761 million investment and announcement of the next stage of the Three Waters Reform Programme is a real step forward in addressing our three water infrastructure problems and identifying solutions for the delivery of these services to communities.

At TPG, we work with our local government clients to support the successful delivery of three water projects through our integrated property, planning and development services. Some of our recent projects include assisting Hastings District Council to secure the key property aspects required to support a new booster pump station in Havelock North and associated infrastructure, in addition to supporting the upgrade of existing and construction of new water treatment facilities in small communities around the district.

“It is exciting to see local and central government partnering to address New Zealand’s three water infrastructure challenges and design the shape of the service delivery reform.”

“Through our integrated property and planning service offering, our team across the country is working hard with our local government clients on projects that will improve the safety, resilience, capacity and flexibility of three water infrastructure. We welcome the funding announcement at a time when COVID-19 has put even greater pressure on our local government clients.” – says Rebecca Mackenzie.

If you would like to know more about TPG, their project or services, visit propertygroup.co.nz, use the contact form, phone 04 470 6105, or email enquiries@propertygroup.co.nz.

Media Release on 20 July 2020

Media Contact
Customer service, The Property Group (TPG)
Email: enquiries@propertygroup.co.nz
Phone: 04 470 6105
Website: https://www.propertygroup.co.nz/
Video: https://youtu.be/yPVct5vZoAE

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New book says people have changed their behaviour, therefore stimulus will no longer work

Live News

July 20, 2020

Source: Press Release Service – New Zealand

Described by the Financial Times as a “radical thinker”, the investment manager David Kauders has warned that attempts to stimulate the global economy out of the coronavirus-related recession will do little to alleviate the situation.

Coronavirus has brought an extremely deep recession to the world, which New Zealand cannot escape despite its success in containing the pandemic. The immediate concerns of people are survival: family, health, jobs, a roof over one’s head and food on the table.

Kauders says that despite vows by many governments to “do whatever it takes” to get the economy back on track after the global pandemic, their actions are hampered by something that nobody seems to have taken into account: TOTAL debt. People are now frightened that unemployment could bring serious problems for household finances; businesses are concerned they will never be able to repay new borrowing.

His sombre projection is based on a revolutionary new financial concept he has developed, known as the ‘Financial System Limit’, which provides a more comprehensive understanding of the health of national, and global, economies. This and related concepts are explained in his new book, The Financial System Limit.

The financial system limit can be defined as the proportion of a nation’s economic output spent on interest on debt, above which that debt can no longer be repaid in full. Unlike the traditional focus on government borrowing, the financial system limit is the first theory to consider ALL forms of debt: corporate, banking and personal debt (such as in overdrafts, bank loans, mortgages and credit card debt).

Kauders believes these conditions had already been reached before the pandemic struck. About one-fifth of world economic output was spent on interest – a statistic that Kauders says “nobody previously seemed to be aware of”.

Given this, any attempts to stimulate the economy out of crisis, including encouraging the public to ‘spend, spend, spend’, will fail. In the latter case, this is because consumer borrowing costs remain high while incomes are falling. Rather than splash their cash on restaurants and other luxuries, people will instead concentrate on saving more, borrowing less and paying off existing debts. In societies driven by consumption of goods and services, these are all actions that reduce, not stimulate, economic activity.

The Financial System Limit ISBN 9781907230776 will be published by Sparkling Books as an e-book on 27th July, price NZD 9.95. The book is non-technical, intended for all to read. More information at www.sparklingbooks.com/limit.html

About the author
David Kauders FRSA was educated at Latymer Upper School, Jesus College Cambridge and Cranfield School of Management. He is an investment manager and also contributes occasional articles to the UK financial press.

To contact the author: e-mail info@kauders.ch
Contact the publisher via website www.sparklingbooks.com

Media Release on 20 July 2020

Media Contact
Anna Alessi, Sparkling Books Limited
Email: admin@sparklingbooks.com
Phone: +442032912471
Website: https://sparklingbooks.com

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