An Amazon MGM Studios production is coming to Aotearoa, with Auckland announced as the primary shooting location for the star-studded project.
The Wrecking Crew will be directed by award-winning film-maker Ángel Manuel Soto and feature an impressive cast including Aquaman’s Jason Momoa, Guardians of the Galaxy’s Dave Bautista, and New Zealand’s own Temuera Morrison and Frankie Adams.
The production will carry a significant economic impact, says Tātaki Auckland Unlimited chief executive Nick Hill, with more than 1400 local cast, crew and extras expected to be employed. As well as contributing to Auckland’s $1.7 billion screen sector, the project will inject a healthy boost into local businesses, including in sectors such as accommodation, hospitality, construction and transportation.
The action-comedy will see Momoa and Bautista star as two half-brothers - one a loose-cannon cop (Momoa) and the other a disciplined Navy Seal (Bautista). After 20-odd years of bad blood, they must work together to unravel the conspiracy behind their father’s murder in Hawaii.
Speaking to the Herald, Hill says he believes the production will be the largest to come to Aotearoa’s shores since Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
“I’m thrilled. It’s setting an extremely strong pipeline for international film productions here in New Zealand,” he says. “Post-Covid and its impacts on tourism, hospitality, the film industry and local business, these opportunities and investment are a real shot in the arm.”
Filming is expected to begin around the Auckland region from October and will take at least a “couple of months”, say Hill.
It’s currently uncertain whether filming will take place in other regions across Aotearoa, with Hill stressing the project will primarily be based in Auckland’s CBD and locations outside of the city.
“The Wrecking Crew will be filmed in iconic locations around the region, transforming public spaces, roads and tunnels into cinematic backdrops,” says Hill.
“Auckland has become an A-grade destination for film-making and this project will highlight its iconic places - people want to go to the locations they see in movies, making this really valuable for Auckland tourism. It really drives the profile of the city.”
The impact of the project on local economy will be “meaningful”, Hill adds, injecting a significant boost not only into the region’s growing screen sector, but local accommodation; an industry that has struggled due to the seasonal drop in tourists. Location costs and services will also benefit local businesses such as hospitality venues, transportation providers, and construction.
“It’s really meaningful,” he says. “Auckland’s film industry is growing - it’s now valued at $1.7b and employs around 8400 people. It’s injecting money into the region, employing people, and is really valuable for the city’s profile.”
Screen Auckland, the region’s film office and a division of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, says it will provide support throughout filming by facilitating film permits and ensuring smooth operations for the production, local businesses and community organisations.
As the project will not be filmed in-studio, there may be some disruption to the public; however, Hill stresses a number of measures will be taken to minimise any disturbances, including communication with potentially affected businesses.
“We look forward to welcoming Amazon MGM Studios and the entire production to Tāmaki Makaurau, and to ensuring they have a special and memorable experience in our vibrant and thriving region.”
The imminent arrival of the project comes three years after Amazon decided to move production of future seasons of The Lord of the Rings to the United Kingdom, cutting thousands of jobs and raising concerns about the impacts on local economy and tourism. An earlier document released under the Official Information Act had warned the franchise would potentially leave New Zealand “should another destination ‘closer to home’ (for example the UK) deliver the same value proposition”, despite Aotearoa’s long-standing reputation as the “home of Middle-earth”.
The news was seen as a nightmare scenario for Aotearoa’s tourism industry, with officials at the time warning the decades of investment funnelled into The Lord of the Rings could evaporate if another country became associated with the franchise.
Meanwhile, Momoa has become something of an “ambassador” for Aotearoa, Hill says, with the action hero often speaking of his love for the country. In April, the Aquaman star shared a heartwarming tribute to New Zealand after filming wrapped for the upcoming Minecraft movie, writing on Instagram: “I love this country. Aotearoa New Zealand, you are magical. Mahalo for letting me film here.”
Momoa had been spotted at various spots across the country earlier this year, popping into Rotorua’s Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa in March and taking co-star Jack Black for dinner at Tanuki’s Cave in Auckland.
Last month, Momoa had a successful gig at Auckland venue the Tuning Fork with his band Oof Tatata, comprising Momoa himself and long-time friends Mike Hayes and Kenny Dale. The band’s merch was stocked at Ponsonby Rd vintage outlet Search and Destroy, a store Momoa called his “favourite place in Aotearoa” on Instagram.
Momoa later announced on the platform that Oof Tatata will be back to play at least nine shows throughout New Zealand later this year, with the gigs slated for weekends off from filming The Wrecking Crew.
The upcoming production marks Momoa’s third in New Zealand in recent years, beginning with the Apple TV+ series Chief of War in 2023 and A Minecraft Movie, alongside Jack Black, last summer.
Frankie Adams, who has been filming the live-action version of the Disney movie Moana in Atlanta alongside fellow Kiwis Rena Owen and John Tui, told her Instagram followers she was grateful to be joining the project, while Once Were Warriors star Temuera Morrison has recently wrapped filming the swashbuckler action drama The Bluff with Priyanka Chopra and Karl Urban on the Gold Coast.
Ángel Manuel Soto, a Puerto Rican filmmaker, is best known for directing the 2023 American superhero flick Blue Beetle, the 14th film in the DC extended universe.
Earlier this year, Wednesday actress Jenna Ortega and a cast of extras were spotted being directed by New Zealand filmmaker Taika Waititi for the upcoming science-fiction film, Klara and the Sun, on High St in Auckland’s CBD. Filming had initially taken place in the Queenstown area, according to reports, while several local businesses told the Herald the filming process was smooth and disruption was minimal.
Source: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/
Technology companies are among the startups which will benefit from increases to current thresholds of exempt employee share schemes, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Revenue Minister Simon Watts say.
Tax exempt thresholds for the schemes are increasing as part of the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2024-25, Emergency Response, and Remedial Measures) Bill, which has had its first reading in Parliament.
The Bill proposes increasing the thresholds relating to exempt employee share schemes to recognise the effect of past inflation and to provide a buffer against future inflation.
“The changes adjust for inflation and lift the tax exempt thresholds of these schemes, which could boost recruitment and help early-stage companies, including startups, to succeed,” Ms Collins says.
“This is the first step towards meeting our commitment of supporting startups by looking at changes to the tax system.
“We are committed to rebuilding the economy, and this is one of the many levers we will use to achieve that.”
New Zealand’s tech sector contributed $22.56 billion to GDP in 2023, employing nearly 119,500 people in 25,500-plus businesses.
“The Bill proposes lifting the maximum value of shares offered to employees under the scheme from $5000 to $7500 a year, and raising the maximum discount an employer can provide on the market value of those shares from $2000 to $3000,” Mr Watts says.
Employee share schemes are arrangements where shares in an employer company are provided in whole or in part in return for services.
They are a tool employers use, particularly in the startup and tech sector, to align employees’ work incentives with the economic goals of their employers.
“We are also looking into aspects of the Foreign Investment Funds regime as we work to grow economic investment and productivity. Public feedback on this will be considered as the Government reviews the Tax and Social Policy Work Programme,” Mr Watts says.
Notes to Editors:
Exempt Employee Share Schemes allow employers to provide exempt benefits to employees. Strict eligibility criteria under section CW 26C of the Income Tax Act 2007 includes, among other things, the following conditions:
In recognition of the impact of inflation since the thresholds were last set, and to provide a buffer against future inflation, the proposed amendments in the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2024-25, Emergency Response, and Remedial Measures) Bill would increase:
The proposed amendment would be effective for offers of shares made under exempt employee share schemes on and after 1 April 2025.
Source: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/
Associate Minister of Finance David Seymour is encouraged by significant improvements to overseas investment decision timeframes, and the enhanced interest from investors as the Government continues to reform overseas investment.
“There were about as many foreign direct investment applications in July and August as there was across the six months prior. This is an encouraging start to the work being done to bring more investment to New Zealand and grow the economy,” says Mr Seymour.
“On 6 June 2024 I issued a new ministerial directive letter to Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) to make consent processing timeframes faster under the Overseas Investment Act. The directive letter contains an expectation that 80 per cent of consent applications will be processed in half the statutory timeframe.
“This means applicants can expect timeframes for most consent applications to be cut down to between 5 and 50 working days, depending on the application type.
“In order to have a strong growing economy New Zealand needs to be more welcoming to investment. I recognised that long waiting times for applications was creating uncertainty and impacting the attractiveness of investing in New Zealand. This affected New Zealand businesses that rely on overseas investment for capital or for liquidity.
“Since delegating most decision-making to LINZ and directing officials to focus on realising the benefits of overseas investment, there has been a significant improvement in processing times.
“Every consent decision received after the directive letter came into effect has been decided in under half of the statutory timeframe. Between 24 November 2021 and 14 April 2024, only 13 per cent of consent decisions were being made in half the statutory timeframe.
“There has been a large boost in foreign direct investment applications, totalling 16 across July and August, compared with 17 over the previous 6 months at an average of 2.8 per month.
“This Government is introducing a principle that we welcome investment. In order for New Zealand to retain world class public services it needs to be the preferred destination for ideas, investment, talent. This is just one way we’re achieving this; we will also be rewriting the Overseas Investment Act.
“While it is early days, I am confident that this positive trend will continue. I am also pleased to see that decisions not covered by my directive, such as variations and exemptions, are also moving faster.
“Every variation application received since the letter has also been decided in half the timeframe. Before this only 40 per cent were.
“Feedback from investors has been overwhelmingly positive, and they have welcomed the changes to make the application process more efficient, while still giving the right level of scrutiny to high-risk transactions.
“LINZ still has the full statutory timeframe to process 20 per cent of consent applications, which will allow them to manage complex and higher-risk applications.
“Reduced barriers to investment from people and businesses means greater prosperity for Kiwis. If we want world-leading businesses and public services, we need the money to pay for them. We’re making this happen.” Note to editors: The directive letter is available on the LINZ website: https://www.linz.govt.nz/our-work/overseas-investment-regulation/legislation-ministers-and-delegated-powers/new-ministerial-directives
A link to summary of decisions is here https://www.linz.govt.nz/our-work/overseas-investment-regulation/decisions
Nashville, TN/Auckland, NZ. (Aug 26, 2024) –Ranqxa fully digital small business lending platform announced today that Washington State Employees Credit Union (WSECU) headquartered in Olympia, Wash. has made an initial investment into Ranqx through their holding company, One Washington Financial. Their commitment includes an agreement to implement the Ranqx platform for a community-impacting pilot. This investment will help further the research and development work Ranqx is doing to help credit unions drive community prosperity by ensuring that small and medium sized business have access to the working capital they need to succeed.“The best way to help communities thrive is to help small and medium sized businesses thrive,“ said Seth Brickman, President of Ranqx.Brickman went on to share that research performed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau notes that, 'Small businesses are the engines of growth in our communities, driving wealth creation and upward financial mobility. When small businesses succeed, our economy is stronger, more equitable and more resilient."Brickman said, “Providing working capital to SMB’s in a digital experience with decisioning in 5 minutes instead of the typical 2 week manual process will change the way SMB’s interact with credit unions.”Credit unions are currently only receiving about eight percent of SMB lending and the majority of it is from commercial real estate loans. The ability to provide working capital loans, business credit cards and lines of credit will not only help small and medium-sized businesses thrive but will also drive depository relationships back to the credit union.”“We are excited to partner with Ranqx to help the small and medium sized businesses that make up our communities, said Scott Daukas, Principal of One Washington Financial, WSECU’s holding company. “We want to provide capital to these organizations with an easy, streamlined experience, so that members can stay focused on growing their businesses. Ranqx will help us deliver on that vision while also providing the responsible lending practices that are expected of a world-class lender.”Ranqx offers business lenders the world’s best fully digital, compliant loan origination, decisioning (using banking data, accounting data, and over 1200 API driven data points) and monitoring platform. Ranqx focuses on delivering the best customer application experience possible. Ranqx supports lenders to digitally transition your organization with all the speed, revenue growth and cost saving benefits that it delivers as you positively impact community prosperity.
Source: https://ranqx.com/
Aerospace New Zealand has today announced generous support from the Embassy of the United States will enable the organisation’s Aotearoa Aerospace Academy (AAA) to host a “Mission to Space” Camp in Ōtautahi Christchurch in November. The camp is designed to provide transformative aerospace experiences for Māori and Pasifika rangatahi.
The grant marks a significant milestone in Aerospace New Zealand’s ongoing mission to promote diversity and inclusivity within the aerospace sector.
“A key part of building a globally recognised aerospace nation is identifying the high-value skills of the future, promoting industry diversity, and establishing strong pathways into Aotearoa’s most exciting aerospace companies.
The U.S. Embassy in New Zealand is excited to support the ‘Mission to Space’ Camp through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. The program will provide insights into aerospace pathways and connections between New Zealand and the United States, bringing this knowledge back to students and schools around Aotearoa. This contribution underscores a commitment to advancing aerospace education and promoting diversity by providing underrepresented students and educators with valuable opportunities in the field”
— Victoria Harman, Operations Manager at Aerospace New Zealand
About the Camps
The “Mission to Space” Camp aims to inspire and equip students from underrepresented communities with the skills and experiences needed to pursue careers in aerospace. The camp will offer a range of engaging activities, including workshops on robotics and rocketry, site visits to leading aerospace organisations, facilitated networking and mentorship connections and hands-on experiences designed to ignite curiosity and ambition among participants.
The camp is designed for 18 Māori and Pasifika rangatahi, as well as nine educators. Advisors are being consulted to identify eligible schools and candidates. Flights and accommodation will be covered for those students who travel from outside Ōtautahi Christchurch.
About Aotearoa Aerospace Academy
Since its inception in 2023, the Aotearoa Aerospace Academy has been dedicated to nurturing the next generation of aerospace professionals. The AAA has successfully delivered over 13 aerospace pathways events, providing students and educators with essential resources to explore the industry.
About Aerospace New Zealand
Aerospace New Zealand is dedicated to advancing the nation's aerospace capabilities across aviation, space flight, manufacturing, and education. With a vision to establish New Zealand as a prominent space-faring nation, Aerospace New Zealand collaborates with individuals and organisations to drive economic growth and innovation within the aerospace sector.
Source: https://www.aerospace.org.nz/
New Zealand-founded property software company Re-Leased has announced an oversubscribed US$12.5m raise led by Movac, with participation from Icehouse Ventures and existing investors. The raise will enable Re-Leased to boost the use of AI within its software (which it has built out with the launch of its AI-tool Credia) and give early investors liquidity. The capital will also assist in funding its continued expansion in the UK and US.
Re-Leased repositioned during the Covid pandemic to achieve ‘break even’ by focusing on capital efficiency, and has since maintained strong growth rates and unit economics which has attracted high investor interest in a challenging global investment market.
“Our vision is to help our customers run a better real estate business. The global real estate industry is facing significant headwinds and a cyclical downturn, and in this challenging environment we’re seeing more property professionals recognise that automation and AI gives them a distinct advantage in the market,” explains Tom Wallace, Founder of Re-Leased.
Over the past 12 months, Re-Leased has focussed on capital and operating efficiency and investment into its product. This strategy has paid off to the tune of 1,400 customers with 350,000 tenants and a rent roll of US$7.5 billion as well as high investor interest.
Movac’s General Partner Jason Graham says “Re-Leased is not a 'nice-to-have' but the core operating system of their customers. As a result, it has been embedded across some of the largest real estate companies globally and is perfectly positioned to leverage its AI technology into real value for its customers.”
Re-Leased has focused its use of AI on a very niche set of challenges that are specific to commercial real estate.
“In real estate there are endless tasks that are necessary, yet low value and repetitive - so the opportunity for AI innovation is huge. We want to enable our customers to get back to what they love: building relationships and engaging in creative, value-add work,” says Wallace.
Launched in June, Credia (the AI-powered ‘brain’ of Re-Leased) acts on a user's behalf to supercharge productivity. For example, Re-Leased has integrated AI with email to read maintenance requests from tenants and take actions such as sending out requests for quotes, creating work orders and writing emails.
“Repetitive jobs that previously took 5-6 minutes now take 30 seconds. Credia acts as the best intern you’ve ever had," explains Wallace, adding “It’s AI - but not just ‘for the sake of it’.” Wallace says he sees this as just the beginning of Re-Leased’s journey with AI and is working on an AI 'Agent' which promises end-to-end automation of entire business functions such as compliance and data extraction which he believes will "Completely transform the industry as we know it and the experience of the people who work in it."
Aside from liquidity and product investment, the capital will also be put to work to grow the go-to-market team in the UK and US. Re-Leased has achieved a step-change in users through large partnerships that include a soon-to-be announced seven figure enterprise deal in the UK with a publicly listed real estate business.
“Re-Leased is proud to have led the way for cloud technology in commercial real estate and we are excited and determined to be the leaders of the AI era. Having turned industry challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation, we remain focused on delivering tangible value to our customers and investors by developing software that creates better real estate businesses,” concludes Wallace.
ENDS
About Re-Leased
Re-Leased exists to help its customers run a better real estate business. The commercial-first property management platform empowers customers to thrive in a digital-first world by integrating the intelligence and capabilities of Credia AI with their property, tenant, lease and accounts information—all in one place. With offices in Auckland, Dallas, London, Melbourne and Napier, Re-Leased's technology manages over 350,000 leases globally. Source: https://www.re-leased.com/
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Invisible Urban Charging (IUC), a leading provider of charging-as-a-service solutions, today announced a strategic partnership with Hudson Valley Parking Trust (HVPT), the recent acquirer of ICON Parking, to deploy a network of 5,000 electric vehicle (EV) chargers across New York City. This groundbreaking collaboration marks a significant step towards accelerating the city’s transition to a sustainable future.
IUC’s innovative charging-as-a-service model, combined with HVPT’s extensive parking footprint, will create a robust EV charging infrastructure that meets the surging demand from New York City’s rapidly growing EV population. The partnership leverages HVPT’s recent acquisition of ICON Parking, the largest parking operator in Manhattan, providing easy access to a network of charging locations.
New York State has witnessed a staggering 660% surge in EV ownership over the past five years, underscoring the rapid shift towards electric mobility. To achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, New York City aims to convert 400,000 traditional vehicles to EVs.
“This partnership is a game-changer for New York City,” said Nigel Broomhall, CEO of IUC, which he co-founded with Jake Bezzant. “Even with the premium placed on space in New York City, building out a robust EV charging infrastructure is critical to meet a growing demand from increasing EV ownership in the city.”
Jerry Skillett, Chairman and CEO of HVPT, added, "Our collaboration with IUC on deploying 5,000 EV chargers is a massive step towards providing the service that New Yorkers want and sets ICON Parking apart from all others. This deployment further enhances the proven relationship we have with Jake and the team at IUC, the global leaders in the EV space."
The deployment of 5,000 EV chargers aligns with New York City’s ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 and supports the state’s rapid growth in EV adoption. IUC’s proven track record in delivering high-density charging solutions, coupled with HVPT’s extensive parking assets, positions this partnership as a catalyst for EV adoption in the city.
IUC’s partnership with global real estate leaders JLL and CBRE further strengthens its position as a leading provider of EV charging infrastructure. With a shared vision of a sustainable future, these strategic alliances enable IUC to accelerate its nationwide expansion and achieve its goal of deploying one million EV chargers within the next five years.
About Hudson Valley Parking Trust
Hudson Valley Parking Trust ("HVPT") is a global parking operations and investment platform founded and led by Jerry Skillett and a team of parking veterans and vertical experts that provides parking operations and proprietary parking technology and EV charging solutions to owners and managers of parking assets. With over 130 combined years of experience in the parking industry, HVPT has worked with the most successful companies in the sector and currently manages and owns an extensive portfolio of parking assets.
About Invisible Urban Charging
Invisible Urban Charging was founded in 2019 as a complete “electric vehicle charging solution as a service” provider, working with major property owners across the globe to drive the electrification of transportation and make a positive impact. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, IUC is an end-to-end EV solution to deploy high volumes of EV chargers to customer sites for a flat monthly fee. For more information, please visit our website at www.iucharging.com.
Source: https://www.businesswire.com/
New Zealand will be among the first regions to receive Amazon's new internet service.
Amazon has won consent to lease New Zealand land in support of “Project Kuiper”, the company’s new satellite internet service.
Subsidiary Amazon Kuiper NZ, registered in late 2021, is leading the local operations of Amazon’s plan to launch a constellation of satellites and provide broadband to customers.
New Zealand will be among the first regions to receive the service, Amazon head of public policy Alasdair Grant told a Rural Connectivity Symposium in May.
That’s because company’s launches begin at the outer edges of the map and work inwards, putting NZ in the frame for early service, Farmers Weekly reported.
“Starting from 56 degrees north and south we work inwards in five different phases, and this means countries in the 39 degree to 56 degree range will be first to receive global coverage,” Grant said.
The July decision by the Overseas Investment Office said Amazon would install and operate telecommunications equipment on the leased land to provide broadband services locally.
The consent was granted after Amazon met both the required investment test and a non-residential use test, which ensures residential land was only used for necessary business purposes.
Project Kuiper will compete with Elon Musk’s Starlink by offering internet services from a network of over 3000 low Earth orbit satellites.
After launching prototype satellites last year, further launches are expected by the end of 2024 with commercial services arriving in 2025. Source: https://www.reseller.co.nz/
Joint Statement from Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Bede Corry and Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell on the occasion of the New Zealand–United States Strategic Dialogue in Auckland, NZ.
New Zealand Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Bede Corry and United States Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell met in Auckland, New Zealand for the New Zealand-United States Strategic Dialogue. The annual Strategic Dialogue is an opportunity to celebrate and deepen the long-standing and historic partnership between New Zealand and the United States. This meeting underscored the deep commitment of both countries to shared values and to working ever more closely together to support them, in an increasingly complex Indo-Pacific environment.
Referring to the Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters, in April 2024, the Strategic Dialogue highlighted the importance to both countries of investing in the bilateral relationship and proud tradition of partnership. As part of that investment, the two committed to maintaining the close and trusted security partnership, enhancing defence collaboration, and growing the trade and economic relationship. This commitment was further emphasized during President Biden’s recent meeting with Prime Minister Luxon in Washington on the margins of the NATO Summit, where both leaders reiterated the importance of a strong and resilient partnership in the face of global challenges.
Secretary Corry and Deputy Secretary Campbell noted that they were meeting at a time when global challenges are compelling New Zealand and the United States to strengthen cooperation in support of shared values and interests, including championing the rule of law, democracy, human rights, trade and investment, and strong people-to-people connections.
Secretary Corry and Deputy Secretary Campbell launched the New Zealand-United States Dialogue on Critical and Emerging Technologies. This will facilitate links between New Zealand and United States technology sectors, explore new avenues for research cooperation, and focus on opportunities to address regulatory and legal issues pertaining to the technology partnership between the two countries. The launch of this new strand of the relationship will enhance economic connections and build prosperity, including through technology and innovation, and is a fitting means to celebrate the 150th anniversary of when American scientists visited New Zealand for the first time to observe the transit of Venus.
The United States and New Zealand committed to pursue focused collaboration on the need to advance safe, secure, trustworthy, and responsible AI innovation; safe and secure biotechnologies; and quantum computing. They reaffirmed that the digital economy and information and communication technologies act as an essential enabler of these critical and emerging technologies.
Secretary Corry and Deputy Secretary Campbell also welcomed the April 2024 convening of the first-ever United States-New Zealand Space Dialogue, which demonstrated the robust and growing cooperation between the United States and New Zealand in outer space and look forward to exploring further opportunities to strengthen bilateral collaboration.
The Strategic Dialogue focused on developments in the Pacific, the Indo-Pacific strategic environment, the Middle East, Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine, and regional economic issues. Secretary Corry and Deputy Secretary Campbell expressed grave concern about dangerous, destabilising, and provocative actions in the South China Sea, including by Chinese vessels towards Philippines vessels. They emphasized the need for upholding principles of international law, including freedom of navigation and peaceful resolution of disputes. They also underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues.
Both nations highlighted the necessity for increased interoperability with like-minded countries to address common challenges. In this context, the United States also expressed its strong support for the close and cooperative relationship between Australia and New Zealand, recognizing its importance for regional stability and prosperity.
The two countries’ deep ties with the Pacific Islands were underscored, as well as their commitment to continuing to do more together in and with the Pacific to support Pacific priorities, the centrality of the Pacific Islands Forum, and the Pacific Islands Forum’s 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. The United States and New Zealand resolved to cooperate in the Pacific on issues ranging from maritime cooperation to economic prosperity and infrastructure. This commitment reflects our shared vision for a resilient and thriving Pacific community.
As two countries with a deep and enduring stake in an open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, New Zealand and the United States are committed to upholding the conditions that have enabled the region to thrive and to working with other like-minded regional partners and frameworks, such as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF). Recognizing the increasing connectivity between Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security and stability, Secretary Corry and Deputy Secretary Campbell welcomed the deepening coordination among NATO and Indo-Pacific Partners. Secretary Corry welcomed the United States’ proposal announced at NATO for the Foreign Ministers of New Zealand, Australia, Japan and Republic of Korea to meet with United States Secretary of State Blinken later in 2024. They also discussed the AUKUS trilateral partnership and affirmed it was an initiative which would enhance regional security and stability. They acknowledged New Zealand’s interest in exploring potential collaboration on advanced capability projects under AUKUS Pillar II.
Secretary Corry and Deputy Secretary of State Campbell looked forward to the next United States-New Zealand Foreign Ministers’ meeting, as committed to by Secretary of State Blinken and Deputy Prime Minister Peters in Washington DC in April 2024. They expressed their enthusiasm for continuing to build on the strong foundation of friendship and collaboration that defines the New Zealand-United States relationship. Source: https://www.mfat.govt.nz/
A Pāpāmoa skincare business that started in a garage has launched its products in America - a “monumental” stepping stone towards becoming the number-one premium pregnancy skincare brand in the world, its founder says.
Pure Mama - co-owned by sisters Lara Henderson and Yasmin Shepherd - will debut this year at four major American retailers, including the “infamous” Erewhon, described by Henderson as the “celebrity supermarket of LA”.
Celebrities including Hailey and Justin Bieber, Jake Gyllenhaal, Demi Lovato, Hilary Duff, Miley Cyrus and Cara Delevingne have been spotted at the upscale supermarket chain.
Pure Mama’s launch in America comes after it partnered with Mecca - the largest beauty retailer in Australasia - in July 2023.
In January, American socialite Kourtney Kardashian shared two of its products on her website, leading to website traffic going “through the roof” and “amazing” sales numbers.
Pure Mama launches in ‘the celebrity supermarket of LA’
Henderson told the Bay of Plenty Times the company wanted to work with “premium prestigious retailers” that would represent Pure Mama “the way that we want our brand to show up”.
On August 26, it launched in Erewhon across all 10 of its stores in California’s most affluent areas.
“Whether it’s ready-made food or on-shelf or skincare ... [Erewhon] really hand-pick the best of the best, so it’s an incredible privilege to be in there.”
In the following months, the brand would be available online through Nordstrom and Macy’s - “two premium, large-scale department stores” - and Revolve, an online retailer “in the premium beauty/fashion” space.
The mother of two said launching in America would be “monumental” regarding achieving the company’s ambition of being the number-one premium pregnancy skincare brand in the world.
“I think New Zealand and Australia are incredible markets, but the US is just a beast and has the potential to really catapult our brand.
“It’s just such a huge stepping stone for us.”
Launching in America could lead to “the very big opportunity for growth if our brand really lands”, she said.
She will travel to Los Angeles for a launch event on September 18.
Where to next?
The launch took almost 18 months of preparation, including setting up a US company, hiring a team in the US, getting FDA approval, new product development, filing its trademark, scaling up production, and looking at logistics around packaging and fulfilment.
She also went to America in June and visited midwives, obstetricians and retailers, and ran focus groups.
Henderson said the pregnancy and post-partum skincare industry was a $30 billion industry worldwide.
She said the company would be “very much focused on the US” for the next three to five years - a country with a population of 330 million people.
“It’s going to be a challenge in itself.”
Henderson said the company was in the process of securing its trademark in Europe and China. There were plans to move into those markets in five to 10 years.
How it started
Henderson founded the company in 2019 - the same year she was pregnant with her first child.
It took more than two years to develop the concept, brand and product and to undertake market research before it launched online in May 2021.
Her husband renovated their garage to be a warehouse and storeroom, and she launched her business from their Pāpāmoa home.
She worked from home for 18 months before moving into a commercial space in Pāpāmoa.
Henderson is now part of a team of six and employs a part-time team in America.
She has previously said Pure Mama’s “signature” product was a belly oil to help “support and nourish your skin” from the second trimester.
Additional products include a magnesium body rub, nipple butter and a “bump” scrub, typically used in the shower.
Source: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times Megan Wilson is a health and general news reporter for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has been a journalist since 2021.
