Menu
Log in

Latest News

AmCham shares news updates from member companies - subscribe by RSS, follow our LinkedIn page or become a member to receive notifications. 
  • 19 Jul 2023 2:11 PM | Mike Hearn (Administrator)

    Indo-Pacific Economic Framework  - NZ US Council and AMCHAM NZ Perspectives

    The NZ US Council and the American Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand partner with each other in pursuit of strong and enduring ties between New Zealand and the United States.

    The NZ US Council was founded in 2001 as a non-partisan, non-Government organisation, focused on advancing New Zealand’s relationship with the United States. The Council has secured a position as a preeminent policy conduit for business, academia and others invested in NZ US connections, to engage in formal and informal policy processes.

    AMCHAM New Zealand is an active and much respected champion of companies and entrepreneurs growing the commercial linkages with the United States and building effective networks of businesspeople.

    Both organisations have been following with close interest the structure and substance of the evolving Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. The economic weight and trade potential of the participants is self-evident. Given current multilateral and geopolitical challenges impacting on our region, we welcome this initiative to reinforce a rules based policy framework.

    While the level of commitment to more traditional trade access elements of plurilateral agreements is less ambitious and less comprehensive than either of our organisations would ideally like to see, we accept that the process can establish a framework of policy architecture amongst its fourteen participating members. We would like to see this developed and expanded in due course. It remains our enduring goal to have the US reengage with CPTPP in the future. We also support and remain invested in the pillars which address important emerging trade considerations and valid sustainability and labour considerations. The excellent work that has been done on the supply chain pillar is especially valuable for New Zealand.

    US leadership in guiding the outcome associated with this pillar was greatly appreciated in New Zealand, as an active and outwards looking trading country with diverse economic interests, engaged in many different sectors and constructive partnerships with US entities.

    We are an efficient and well-respected food producer, but we are also at the forefront (in terms of innovation if not scale) of sectors such as gaming, film, aerospace, medical research, software development and sustainability technologies. We accord immense value to our partnerships with the United States in these areas.

    It is also crucial that investors in the region can have confidence that there is a manageable level of risk when exploring opportunities in new territory. We see good structure around labour, the environment, efforts to stamp out corruption and support for good governance as critically important confidence building measures.

    Although we would have liked to see more emphasis on reducing tariffs and addressing non-tariff barriers our support of IPEF remains strong and unequivocal. We look forward to making a constructive contribution to the process in any way we can.

  • 15 Jul 2023 3:05 PM | Mike Hearn (Administrator)

    AFT Pharmaceuticals (ASX: AFP, NZX: AFT) announces an extension of its global ecommerce strategy with the launch of online stores on Amazon in the US and Australia.

    The new AFT Pharmaceuticals-branded stores on the North American-facing https://www.amazon.com/AFTPharmaceuticals and the Australian facing https://www.amazon.com.au/AFTPharmaceuticals sites complement and build on AFT’s global e-commerce strategy.

    This includes a Tmall site through which AFT sells into China using the cross-border ecommerce platform https://kiwihealthbjp.tmall.hk/ , and the broad online presence we already enjoy in Australia with our own AFT Pharm website shop https://nzshop.aftpharm.com/. The Australian site also supports our extensive distribution network through pharmacies, medical practices and hospitals https://aushop.aftpharm.com/.

    AFT has been working with Sell Global, a specialist Amazon agency, to launch on Amazon USA and Australia. The project so far has included researching the market opportunity, understanding the compliance requirements for imports, setting up quality product listings and brand presence, and now advertising and promoting on Amazon.

    The US and Australian Amazon sites will initially carry AFT’s trusted portfolio of Liposomal vitamins, but additional launches of other products are planned for the Australian store in the coming months and the North American site after the initial launch is satisfactorily completed.

    The products, which will be available for US, Canadian, and Australian customers, include Vitamin C LipoSachet®, Vitamin C LipoSachet® for Kids, Vitamin D LipoSachet®, and Ferro (Iron) LipoSachet®.

    AFT Pharmaceuticals Founder and Managing Director Dr Hartley Atkinson said: “The Amazon AFT Pharmaceuticals e-commerce store aims to leverage off the existing strong awareness of Liposomal vitamins in the US. To date this interest has mainly centred around liposomal Vitamin C but AFT will also include both Vitamin D and Iron forms of liposomal vitamins.

    “The products offer a further growth opportunity for AFT’s international business unit. The US is the world’s largest market for nutritional supplements and is growing rapidly. The North America dietary supplements market size was valued at over USD50 billion  in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6% from 2021 to 2028”
    Dr Atkinson said.

    “Building our online presence is a further element of our strategy to extend AFT’s reach around the world. It builds on the strong growth we are seeing in the Australasian business, which is being fuelled by growth from existing products and a planned 68 new product launches through until the end of FY26.

    “Our ecommerce presence enhances our brand recognitions in key markets enabling us to make our products readily accessible to consumers globally.

    “We also see further potential to expand our online presence. Notably, in China we are also working to further build and evolve our existing on-line cross border ecommerce presence through both additional products and e-commerce platforms.

    “These growth initiatives will also be supported by products emerging from our extensive research and development pipeline.” We have also expanded our operational hubs in Singapore and Malaysia to include Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. This will allow us to add selected products from our new and existing Australasian pipeline to these additional markets” Dr Atkinson said.

    Source: https://investors.aftpharm.com/


  • 13 Jul 2023 6:58 PM | Mike Hearn (Administrator)

    AmChams of Asia Pacific to Meet with Biden Administration and Congressional Leaders to Discuss Importance of Increasing Regional Economic Leadership and Engagement

    WASHINGTON, DC (JULY 13): The AmChams of Asia Pacific (“AAP”), the umbrella organization of 25 American Chambers of Commerce (“AmChams”) that promotes trade and investment between the Asia Pacific region and the United States, returns for its annual visit to Washington, DC, from July 17-20, 2023, advocating for policies which will increase both trade and investment in the region.

    “As de facto U.S. Ambassadors in a region that contains 60% of global population, AmChams and their members partner with governments and domestic stakeholders to complement the U.S. government’s efforts to advance the country’s economy and national security,” said Steven Okun, Chair of AAP and Senior Advisor, McLarty Associates.

    Trade and investment dynamics in the region are evolving significantly and quickly in response to changing geopolitical realities and rapidly fluctuating economic opportunities. With both trade and investment core to its interests, the U.S. must work constructively with our partners and lead efforts to write new rules which ensure competition on a fair playing field with robust and rigorous labor and environmental standards.

    AAP applauds the Administration’s essential efforts to maintain U.S. leadership in the region by setting new trade and investment rules, including through the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (“IPEF”).

    The IPEF, while not replacing potential membership in the CPTPP, provides an opportunity for the United States to restore its economic leadership in the region.
    Commercially meaningful, binding provisions in the IPEF will increase the business community’s support. As the U.S. does not offer market access, the incentive for a country to sign-on to the IPEF’s high standards would increase U.S. business investment and engagement.

    For U.S. businesses to increase investment beyond what they do so otherwise, a meaningful dispute settlement mechanism or another form of enforcement is key.

    The delegation’s full statement is available here: https://amchamap.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/AAP-Delegation-Statement.pdf
    Contact: Renee Yuen renee.yuen@fticonsulting.com

  • 13 Jul 2023 6:51 PM | Mike Hearn (Administrator)

    London, Washington DC, 12 July: Oritain, the global leader in forensic traceability, has raised USD $57 million in a Series C funding round led by Highland Europe, with Jacob Bernstein from Highland joining the board. The round was supported by Series B lead investor, New York’s Long Ridge. The funding will be used to develop Oritain’s technology and expand into new markets and industries.

    Oritain is the global leader in verifying the true origin of products and commodities. Luxury high-end fashion and retail companies, including Lacoste, Supima, and Primark, and food producers, such as A2 Milk and Nescafe, use Oritain to assure customers that the items they buy are genuine and produced from an ethical supply chain. Using technology developed at the University of Otago, Dunedin, the company can create a unique fingerprint from products worldwide and prove its provenance from meat to honey, milk, and fibers. 

    Building trust in a fragmented market

    Fraud and counterfeiting, exacerbated by increasingly fragmented global supply chains, cost the global economy over $500 billion annually, while environmental issues such as deforestation are increasingly top of investor and customer concerns, which can damage brand reputations built up over decades. Oritain provides data-driven insights to help producers and manufacturers to monitor and adapt their supply chain to safeguard and improve transparency and certainty for their clients worldwide.

    Unlike traditional traceability methods, which can be removed or tampered with, Oritain’s technology combines cutting-edge forensic science with world-leading data to analyze the intrinsic properties of a product to verify its origin. The company’s global labs can create an Origin Fingerprint of a particular product by analyzing trace elements that are affected by environmental factors such as soil composition, climate, altitude, and precipitation. Once an Origin Fingerprint has been identified, it can never be tampered with or destroyed. 

    These fingerprints are fed into industry-leading data banks of products monitoring complex global supply chains such as palm oil, coffee, cocoa, cotton, vanilla, and soy and used as benchmarks to audit products at any point in the supply chain. Companies rely on this data to prove the authenticity and quality of their products, reducing risk and fraud. 

    The need for Oritain’s service is underlined through a client retention rate of over 100% and compound annual growth of 90% year on year over the past six years. With many of the world’s leading brands and trusted food designations as clients, Oritain intends to be the world’s most trusted company for verifying the origin of products and raw materials to create traceable supply chains worldwide. 

    Supporting the Future of ESG

    As well as providing tools to verify the legitimacy and provenance of a product, Oritain partners with companies to comply with ESG criteria, something investors increasingly demand. In addition, countries are creating new transparency and reporting regulations as part of Sustainable Development Goals across the globe encompassing deforestation, forced labor, and product fraud. Companies that can prove the authenticity, quality, and sustainability of their products and the supply chain will gain a competitive advantage by demonstrating to customers and investors that they meet high ethical standards. 

    BNP Paribas Exane acted as advisers on the transaction.

    Grant Cochrane, Global CEO at Oritain, said: “Over the past 15 years, Oritain has pioneered groundbreaking forensic and data science to become the world’s most trusted verification partner to leading global brands and institutions, providing them with the insights they need to make the critical decisions on their supply chains. Our relentless focus on data, science, and process integrity has enabled us to become long-term partners with our clients to ensure the integrity of their supply chains, which is increasingly difficult to achieve in globalized and complex markets. We’re delighted to announce this new funding round, led by Highland Europe, to support our expansion plans as we reach new markets and industries.” 

    Jacob Bernstein at Highland Europe said: “Oritain’s forensic science can take a commodity sample and tell you precisely where in the world it comes from. Does this cocoa come from a deforested national park? Is this cotton from where my supplier says it is? Is this coffee truly Brazilian, as the label says? This groundbreaking technology is a dream solution for sourcing and sustainability leaders at the world’s largest brands who can finally get to grips with the authenticity of their supply chains. We are immensely proud to partner with the Oritain team to revolutionize origin verification.”

    Source: https://oritain.com/

  • 07 Jul 2023 10:29 AM | Mike Hearn (Administrator)

    DoorDash has landed in New Zealand’s biggest city, giving those who don’t want to brave the weather another option when ordering food to their door.

    A year after launching in Wellington and Christchurch, DoorDash goes live in Auckland today - with more than 1300 eateries already signed up and 3000 “dashers” ready to deliver.

    DoorDash’s general manager of New Zealand, Australia and Canada, Rebecca Burrows, said the company was intentionally starting big in Auckland.

    “It is a big launch for us and we are excited about it,” Burrows said.

    “We made the decision to launch North, East, South and West as well as Auckland’s CBD all at once.”

    Burrows said the delivery service, which was founded in San Francisco, had been well received in Wellington and Christchurch, and the company had noticed uniquely New Zealand habits.

    “New Zealanders really love supporting their local smaller businesses,” Burrows said.

    “The bigger fast food places always do well but we noticed some of the smaller local businesses were among the most popular.”

    Burrows said the platform was designed for ease of use and showcased a range of eateries to new customers.

    “It is a great way for people to get their favourite food but it also allows them to see what new places are out there.

    The app remembered past orders and other preferences which made it easier for customers to find what they were looking for.

    A range of local favourites already signed up include Pizza Club, Chicking, Sumthin Dumplin, Daily Bread, Duck Island, Tiger Burger and Wise Boys.

    DoorDash also included McDonald’s, KFC, Tank Juice and Hell Pizza.

    Convenience stores and cafes were also included.

    Mitchell Baker, the director spokesperson for vegan burger company Wise Boys, said they were “stoked to be part of DoorDash’s highly anticipated launch” into Auckland.

    “By joining forces with DoorDash, we can get our delicious vegan burgers into the hands of even more people, furthering our mission to promote animal- and planet-friendly food options,” Baker said.

    Suresh Kodali, the director of Pizza Club, was excited to work with DoorDash in Auckland.

    “We had a super smooth experience onboarding with DoorDash and we look forward to having a successful synergy growing our business,” he said.

    DoorDash will be available across the Auckland region from the North Shore, across to Central, West Auckland and East Auckland, and south to Drury.

    Opening specials included 50 per cent off the first two orders for new customers and free delivery for the first month.

    Burrows said staff at the 1200 Auckland eateries and delivery staff had been fully trained and would receive additional support for opening week.

    Source: NZ Herald

  • 17 Jun 2023 10:07 AM | Mike Hearn (Administrator)

    The Line of Authentic Mexican Rolled Chips Packed With Heat and Flavour Has Quickly Become a Favourite Snack Brand in the U.S.

    SAN DIEGO, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Chipoys – an authentic rolled tortilla chip packed with bold flavours and fun in every bite – announced today that it has expanded into retail in Australia and New Zealand. La Fiesta Confectionary will serve as the exclusive master distributor, with Aztec Mexican Products distributing the product. The snack brand, which launched in Fall 2021 in the United States, and has since expanded into Europe, is quickly growing in popularity, calling for a more extensive roll out to other countries.

    The American brand dedicates itself to providing customers with high-quality ingredients in the unique rolled tortilla shape for added crunch. In the standard 56.7 and 113.4-gram bags, the snack has 140-160 calories, two grams of protein, with no trans-fat or cholesterol. Even more, Chipoys is proud to be free from artificial flavours, colours, and preservatives, already meeting the higher regulations needed regarding dyes and colouring in Australia and New Zealand.

    "We are excited to bring Chipoys to a new audience worldwide!" emphasises Erick Kozin, Co-Founder of Chipoys. "After a successful launch in the United States and Europe, it is a priority to establish our brand as a worldwide household name and go-to snack for consumers around the world. We look forward to continuing our expansion and growing the popularity while offering customers more product options."

    All four flavours are included in the expansion – Original, Spicy Ranch, Chile Lemon, and Fire Red Hot – with new flavours currently in development that are set to continue to challenge the snack industry.

    Adds Haich Sleiman and John Christodoulou of La Fiesta/Aztec Mexican Products, "Chipoys has quickly become a fan favourite in the competitive United States and United Kingdom snack markets." He continues, "And after trying the line of flavours, we knew that this would satisfy the consumer craving in Australia and New Zealand for bold, new products. We look forward working together as Chipoys continues to innovate."

    Retailers are encouraged to contact sales@lafiesta.com.au for orders and additional details.

    For more information about Chipoys, including all their flavours, visit their website at https://chipoys.com/.

    About Chipoys

    Chipoys is more than just a chip, it's a lifestyle! Our mission is to create an authentic rolled tortilla chip packed with bold flavours and fun in every bite. We are dedicated to preserving traditional Mexican flavours, while constantly evolving to bring you new and exciting tastes! See more about Chipoys including all its flavours at www.chipoys.com/. Follow us @eatchipoys.

    Source:

  • 03 Jun 2023 4:37 PM | Mike Hearn (Administrator)

    Cordis Auckland has won yet another prestigious accolade for its exceptional events, conference and banquet facilities.

    If you are looking for a superb venue with bespoke cuisine and service to hold your next Meeting, Incentives, Conference and Event, then look no further than the luxurious, award-winning Cordis Auckland.

    The dynamic and innovative 640-room hotel has just won the 2023 award for Best MICE Hotel in New Zealand, as voted by Australia’s Spice Magazine readers in the latest Spice News Hot 100 Hotels & Venues list.

    Home to some of New Zealand and Australia’s biggest conferences, business meetings and gala dinners, including the annual Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards, Managing Director Franz Mascarenhas and his dedicated colleagues are both delighted and humbled to receive the recognition.

    “It is always a great honour and we always feel humbled to receive an award, especially when our esteemed guests have kindly voted for us,” says Mr Mascarenhas. “We pride ourselves on delivering an exceptional heartfelt experience for every event we host and we are delighted to have been awarded for this.”

    The secret to Cordis Auckland’s success lies in its flexible event spaces with 18 venues to choose from, live conferencing facilities and advanced technology, all complemented by personalised Events Executives and a dedicated on-site audio-visual team.

    From the Boardroom to The Great Room, Cordis Auckland has a space to suit everyone whether it’s a meeting for 12 or a lavish gala dinner for 800. Executive Chef Volker Marecek and his talented team of multicultural chefs also deliver fully customisable menus of mouth-watering dishes with perfect pairings of fine wines, beers and other beverages, making Cordis Auckland the perfect place to wow every guest with a memorable event. 

    About Cordis Auckland
    Cordis Auckland is part of a collection of 5 star timeless hotels by Langham Hospitality Group. The hotel is surrounded by a vibrant neighbourhood in the heart of Auckland at Symonds Street. The hotel has 640 rooms and suites, an exclusive Club Lounge, the largest curated locally commissioned art collection, state-of-the-art meeting spaces, a fitness studio, swimming pool and the award-winning Chuan Spa. Perfect for gatherings, Cordis Auckland features the city’s favourite, Eight restaurant, a unique interactive dining experience with eight specialist kitchens, each dedicated to a different cuisine hosted by an expert chef, the Chandelier Lounge which serves High Tea by Cordis with TWG, and Cordis Auckland’s newest destination bar, Our Land is Alive, offering the best of New Zealand made food and beverage. Cordis Auckland has been an EarthCheck accredited hotel since 2006, receiving Master Status in 2022.

    www.cordishotels.com/auckland

  • 02 Jun 2023 4:43 PM | Mike Hearn (Administrator)

    Kiwi pharmacy website and ecommerce platform Storbie has inked a deal with the largest US independent pharmacy management software system PioneerRx (a RedSail Technologies LLC company) as their preferred website and ecommerce solution for their thousands of pharmacy clients.

    Storbie powers hundreds of community pharmacy websites across Australia and New Zealand. Their oversubscribed raise late 2021 was set to fund expansion beyond Australasian shores and with their entry into the US they’re achieving just that.

    Storbie’s mission is to advance and empower community commerce and this deal is set to transform the digital landscape for pharmacies and their communities across the USA. Storbie CEO Shane Bartle says “Storbie’s trajectory is exciting and entering the United States market with PioneerRx is massive for us. The support of an international partner like PioneerRx demonstrates how much they believe in the impact we can have in one of the largest markets in the world.”

    Storbie makes it easy for pharmacies to promote their services and sell their retail offering online as well as in-store. Storbie connects relevant parts of the pharmacy’s supply chain to streamline and automate product data, marketing campaigns and customer engagement. Jeff Key, PioneerRx President, shares “Storbie is best in class. We’ve evaluated software options globally to support our vision to champion community pharmacies across digital and physical channels and Storbie brings it all together like nothing we’ve seen anywhere else in the world.”

    Kiwi Venture Capital firm Alt Ventures led Storbie’s raise in 2021 and Managing Partner Chris Jagger is delighted with the most recent progress. “Storbie is going from strength to strength. They’re focused on making it easy for pharmacies and veterinary practices to compete online and ensure they can continue to provide access to healthcare for their communities. Their product backs it up ten-fold.”

    Storbie has a big year ahead, bedding in this new partnership and signing their first pharmacy customers beyond Australia and New Zealand, while continuing to champion the success of their customers closer to home.

    Read more about Storbie and PioneerRx below.

    About Storbie

    Storbie is a specialist website and ecommerce platform for independent pharmacies. They make it easy for pharmacies to extend their brick-and-mortar customer experience online including being able to be found locally, promote their services, and sell their retail offering.

    Storbie makes it possible for even the smallest pharmacy to have and maintain a comprehensive online presence by connecting with key industry organisations and software solutions to streamline and automate product data, marketing campaigns and customer engagement.

    www.storbie.com

    About PioneerRx

    PioneerRx Pharmacy Software has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by independent pharmacies. We recognize the shift towards a clinical, patient-centered future in pharmacy practice. That's why PioneerRx is designed to equip pharmacies with the tools and capabilities they need to thrive in this evolving landscape. By actively listening to our users and implementing their suggestions, we ensure that our software stays ahead of the curve and paves the way for leading industry trends. With PioneerRx, pharmacies can streamline their operations, enhance clinical services, and strengthen patient relationships. When you choose PioneerRx, you're joining a community of forward-thinking pharmacy professionals who are dedicated to making a difference.

    Learn why PioneerRx is the most installed software among independent pharmacies at www.PioneerRx.com.

  • 31 May 2023 9:49 AM | Mike Hearn (Administrator)
    Future scientists from Ōtara are heading to Nasa for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study space exploration and STEM at the US Space and Rocket Center in Alabama.

    The 2023 Advance Space Camp – Expedition 49 opens in August and the cohort of 16 rangatahi are thrilled for the opportunity, organised by local charity Community Builders NZ Trust (CBNZ) through the Ōtara Youth Hub.

    “These guys are really excited. They turn up to every hui we need to have, and their whānau are backing them. We’re super proud of them coming from 274 to Nasa. It’s a huge accomplishment,” says CBNZ chief executive Terangi Parima.

    The cadets will engage in all areas of STEM over in a seven-day camp sharing dorms, eating, and socialising with other young people from around the globe.

    Daily sessions will be interactive, promoting STEM learning as well as team building, leadership, problem-solving and confidence. Trainees experience a variety of astronaut training exercises, engineering challenges and team-building activities all culminating in an extended-duration simulated space mission.

    After the expedition, the group has three days to explore Alabama before returning home to Aotearoa with a kete full of knowledge to steer them into the next step of their STEM journey.

    Tangaroa College student Danielle Tupuanai Viliamu, 16, has her trip sponsored by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples. Proud of her heritage, she says if she could travel to space and place one item on the moon, it would be her Samoan flag.

    “In school we haven’t learned much about space so I’m really excited to see the physics and science about rocket ship operations and the biology of space. I haven’t decided on a future career yet so I’m hoping this will help to expand my mind and find my career path

    Benjamin Goldsmark, 15, is of Niuean, Samoan and Māori descent. He attends Green Bay Highs Shool in west Auckland, but spends his weekends in Ōtara with his dad, step-mum and younger brother.

    He has always been a major sci-fi fan: “It’s my dream to work with Nasa. I’d love to build rockets that could go out further into the galaxy to explore and learn more about space.”

    Ben is one of three cadets sponsored with $1000 each from Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi O Ngāpuhi.

    His dad Lewis and step-mum Deborah saw the call out for cadets and after a meeting with his mum, submitted an application knowing he would be stoked with the opportunity.

    Their families have been in Ōtara for generations and Deborah is a passionate community advocate.

    “For us this is a dream come true. To have this opportunity, something that could have been considered a pipe dream, is just overwhelming. We’ve got a whole bunch of rangatahi, the largest cohort in New Zealand,” says Deborah.

    She says their whānau is privileged for the opportunity that will develop future engineers, scientists and mathemeticians from Ōtara.

    “We’re not just at the bottom and considered a deprived community. We are a community that is thriving.”

    Environmental engineer Nadeen Papali’i was a mathematics teacher at Tangaroa College in 2020 when she put together a group of students for the same expedition, but the Covid-19 pandemic closed international borders.

    Forced to stay on home soil, the cohort ventured across the country to explore STEM in Te Waipounamu (South Island).

    She took the journey herself the year before in 2019 and has now teamed up with CBNZ to support this year’s cohort.

    “For Ōtara Youth Hub to pick up the baton, extend the opportunity to more rangatahi across Ōtara, has re-birthed that dream. It’s an opportunity for rangatahi to be exposed to a rich learning context and experience, that provides another way to learn or understand STEM.

    “It will engage students into discussions about STEM, not just of what we could do, but whether we should do. It is also an opportunity to take our community with us,” says Papali’i.

    Ōtara Youth Hub administrator Nevaeh Tawhi-Marsters, 18, is among the 16 space cadets.

    She is running for a spot on the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board in June’s byelection, sparked by the resignation of community advocate Swanie Nelson.

    Tawhi-Marsters says she is standing to engage other rangatahi in local politics and give them a say at the decision making table.

    Each cadet has been tasked with raising $5000 toward their expedition, half of that amount being the starting rate for entry to the space camp.

    Parima is grateful for the support received so far from Spark Foundation, Ministry of Pacific Peoples, and Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi O Ngāpuhi, but more financial aid is needed.

    A Givealittle page has been set up to help reach their total goal of $80,000.

    She says: “Three are fully sponsored so now we’re looking for support for our other 13 awesome rangatahi. That’s our biggest need at the moment.”

    Follow their journey to Nasa: https://www.facebook.com/OYH274

    - This report was produced under the Public Interest Journalism initiative, funded by NZ on Air
    Source: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/


  • 29 May 2023 1:29 PM | Mike Hearn (Administrator)

    The Hotel Britomart is delighted to announce it has been recognised by Tripadvisor as a 2023 Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best award winner for New Zealand, ranking first out of more than 3000 hotels in New Zealand.

    The awards honour travellers' favourite destinations, hotels, restaurants, things to do, and beyond, based on the reviews and opinions collected from travellers and diners around the world on Tripadvisor over a 12-month period. Best of the Best award winners are among the top 1% of listings on Tripadvisor, distinguishing them as travellers’ favourites for 2023.

    “We are thrilled to have been named as the #1 hotel in Aotearoa, New Zealand, in the 2023 Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Awards,” says Clinton Farley, general manager of The Hotel Britomart.

    “Our dedicated team at The Hotel Britomart is delighted by this recognition, which reflects our unwavering commitment to establishing a one-of-a-kind hotel brand in the vibrant heart of Britomart, downtown Auckland. As an integral part of the Britomart neighbourhood, known for its restored heritage architecture, leading New Zealand fashion retailers, world-class eateries and business community, The Hotel Britomart goes beyond the conventional concept of a hotel and embodies a vibrant community where guests can immerse themselves in next-level five-star sustainable experiences that are distinct to New Zealand. This accolade confirms that our efforts to create unique and exceptional experiences for our guests are being enthusiastically received, and further strengthens our commitment to delivering true New Zealand hospitality at its best.”

    “Congratulations to the 2023 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best winners,” said John Boris, Chief Marketing Officer at Tripadvisor. “The travel resurgence we’ve seen throughout the past year has even further heightened the competition. Ranking among the Best of the Best demonstrates that you have provided exemplary experiences to those who matter most: your guests. With changing expectations, continued labour shortages, and rising costs, this is no easy feat, and I am continually impressed with the hospitality industry’s resilience and ability to adapt. Cheers to another successful year!”

    Learn more about The Hotel Britomart and see all the hotel’s reviews here: https://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/Hotel_Review-g255106-d21121760-Reviews-The_Hotel_Britomart-Auckland_Central_North_Island.html

    About The Hotel Britomart

    Smart, soulful and contemporary, The Hotel Britomart welcomes guests to the best of downtown waterfront Auckland and is New Zealand’s first 5 Green Star hotel.

    The Hotel Britomart offers 99 beautifully serene timber-lined rooms and 5 luxurious Landing suites each with stunning views of the Waitemata Harbour, urban cityscapes or heritage laneways.

    The hotel features New Zealand art, natural materials and custom joinery, with a sustainable seafood-focussed restaurant kingi (and private dining room kingi Private) located in the historic laneway on the ground level, open daily serving guests from breakfast until late each evening.

    The historic warehouses of the Britomart neighbourhood house some of the country’s best restaurants, bars and cafes, while plant-lined pedestrian streets and laneways are full of incredible shopping. The Hotel Britomart is just a few steps away from Auckland’s beautiful waterfront, the ferry terminal and central business district.




   © American Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand Inc  •  Site by HighlandCreative.com.au