Business

Fresh numbers from the May 2025 Centrix Credit Indicator reveal that while some early signs of improvement are emerging in the economy, many Kiwis are still struggling to keep up with their debts — particularly long-term loans.   In April, consumer arrears sat at 12.43%, meaning around 483,000 New Zealanders were behind on at least one repayment. That’s slightly better than March, but not cause for celebration just yet.   More concerning is the number of people who are 90+ days overdue, which has jumped to 83,000, the highest since July last year.    Loansmart Managing Director Murray Greig says, “this is a clear sign that many households are still stretched thin and finding it tough to bounce back.”   Mortgage Arrears Show Slight Improvement There is a little bit of good news. Mo...

Excavat is proud to announce it has achieved SiteWise Gold certification, scoring an impressive 97% in its annual health and safety assessment conducted through Site Safe NZ’s SiteWise prequalification system excavat.co.nz. What SiteWise Gold Means Gaining SiteWise Gold status is no small feat. Companies must demonstrate top-tier health and safety practices, scoring at least 90% across rigorous criteria, to earn this recognition. Excavat’s 97% score not only highlights its commitment to safety but ranks it among New Zealand’s most trusted and reliable contractors. A Commitment to Safety Excellence Achieving this rating reflects Excavat’s deep-rooted culture of safety and operational excellence. From frontline workers to leadership, every team member plays a role in maintaining high st...

Best Western Newmarket Inn & Suites, located in Auckland’s vibrant Newmarket–Epsom precinct, offers a diverse range of 66 modern rooms across four buildings. Whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple, or with a group, there’s a room type tailored to suit your needs. Here’s a closer look at three standout options: Standard Room (1 King Bed, Kitchenette) Ideal for couples or solo travellers, the Standard Room features a plush king-size bed and a handy kitchenette complete with microwave, mini-fridge, and tea-making facilities. With air conditioning, a tiled bathroom, and free high-speed Wi-Fi, this room delivers modern comfort and excellent value. Guests consistently praise the quiet ambience and high-quality bedding. Executive Room (1 King + 1 Single Bed, Kitchenette) ...

We are pleased to welcome Paul Marlow, Residential & Commercial Mortgage Adviser at Vega Lend, to the NZ Business Connect network. Based in the Waikato, Paul is a dedicated financial adviser who supports Kiwis through every stage of their personal and commercial lending journey. With a practical, hands-on approach and a strong focus on results, Paul helps clients navigate the ever-changing property and finance landscape with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re a first-home buyer, seasoned property investor, business owner, or planning a large-scale development, Paul is committed to helping you secure the most competitive and strategic lending solutions. Paul brings a wealth of knowledge to his role, working closely with clients to structure loans effectively and assess the feasi...

When it comes to finding the perfect place to stay in Hawke’s Bay, Ace High Motor Inn stands out for its exceptional service, cleanliness, and genuine hospitality, a combination that has turned many first-time guests into loyal regulars. Tamlyn Williams recently spent over two weeks at the motel with her children and was blown away by the experience. “I can’t fault Ace High at all,” she wrote. “My kids and I absolutely love this place. The owner and reception staff are amazing to approach, and the cleaners were something I have never seen before, and I’ve stayed in many motels. They always made sure we had EVERYTHING daily. The room was absolutely spotless upon arrival.” Tamlyn’s heartfelt thanks reflect the deep appreciation many guests feel after staying here. Another frequent guest, k...

We all want the most up-to-date information to help us make informed choices for ourselves and our families. This is why today Alcohol Healthwatch have just posted the most recent evidence-based low-risk drinking guidelines on their website. New Zealand’s drinking guidelines are out of date and do not align with research showing there is no safe level of alcohol consumption, particularly for cancer risk. Information obtained by RNZ shows the alcohol industry has worked to pause a review of the official low-risk drinking guidelines for New Zealand. These guidelines have not been updated since their release in 2011. "Quality, evidence-based drinking guidelines are crucial to help people understand the risk from alcohol, and evidence shows risk is present even at low levels of alcohol con...

New Zealand’s digital agency empowers local companies with strategies for SEO, AEO, and GEO in the era of AI and zero-click searches. Auckland-based digital agency numero® has published a first-of-its-kind guide for New Zealand businesses navigating the shift to AI-powered search. The article, "SEO, AEO & GEO Explained: Get Found in AI Search (NZ Guide)," explains how to future-proof business websites in an era of zero-click search results, where AI agents like ChatGPT and Google’s AI Overviews summarise answers to search questions.   Online search is evolving beyond traditional Google results. Whilst 91.7% of Kiwis still mostly use Google, AI-powered search results offering complete answers without requiring clicks through to websites are now appearing at the top of Google. This is...

When someone in your town searches for a plumber, builder, or electrician, there’s a good chance they’re not clicking through to websites. They’re choosing directly from the map either on mobile or desktop. That’s where your Google Business Profile (GBP) comes in, and for local service businesses in New Zealand, using it properly (and consistently) is one of the easiest ways to win more work, often for free. Your GBP Is Your Digital Shopfront And Most Businesses Are Ignoring It If you’ve claimed your Google Business Profile and haven’t touched it since… you’re not alone. But Google looks at activity as a ranking factor. A well-managed profile, with regular posts, updated photos, service areas, and customer reviews is more likely to rank higher in the local map pack.That’s the 3-pack of...

Tucked away in the heart of Otumoetai, Great Spice isn’t just another Indian restaurant, it’s the result of over 20 years of culinary passion brought to life by owner and chef Khem Aryal. Together with his partner Ganga, Khem has created a welcoming space where authentic Indian flavours meet Kiwi hospitality. We sat down with Khem to learn more about his journey, his philosophy on food, and what keeps customers coming back for more. Q: What are some of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned in your 20+ years of experience? A: Authenticity and care are everything. Cooking with passion, respecting tradition, and putting the customer first has shaped everything we do. Listening to feedback and working as a team are also key. At Great Spice, we focus on creating an experience where eve...

Premium Clean New Zealand marks a decade of excellence with a recognition ceremony for outstanding team members. Premium Clean New Zealand recently celebrated its remarkable 10th anniversary with a special lunch celebration in Flat Bush, Auckland. The milestone event brought together key team members to celebrate ten years of outstanding service and honour the remarkable work of exemplary employees who have contributed to the company's continued success. The anniversary lunch provided an opportunity to celebrate Premium Clean's remarkable journey over the past decade and to honour the hard-working professionals who have contributed to the company's success, making it New Zealand's most trusted provider of cleaning services for homes and businesses. Since its inception, Premium Clean New ...