Campaign Overview

In May 2011, in honour of Mother’s Day, East Auckland’s Botany Town Centre gave mothers in the community the permission to think about themselves. By way of tribute to deserving mums, the centre turned each of the 31 days of May into Mother’s Day, and hosted a high tea for some amazing women.

Throughout the month, the centre accepted nominations for its search for Auckland’s best mums. The 10 finalists were invited to enjoy a high tea with a special guest, Nestle New Zealand’s Hottest Home Baker winner Paula Midgley. All guests were treated to a decadent Robert Harris afternoon tea, Morton Estate Mimi Methode Traditionnelle and a goodie bag filled with gifts from Nestle, Lush and Simply You Living.

The winner of the overall prize for best mum, mother of five Melany Adams, was presented with a pamper pack containing a $500 Botany Town centre gift card, an Image Oasis treatment voucher valued at $300, and a Hoyts La Premiere gift card valued at $200.

As part of the month-long the Mother’s Day celebrations, lucky mums spotted shopping at Botany Town Centre found themselves on the receiving end of random acts of kindness. More than $5,000 in gift cards was given away to reward mums and encourage them to take time out of their busy schedule and treat themselves.

Results

The Permission to Think About You campaign achieved excellent results in the media, community buzz and the strengthening of new and existing relationships.

The campaign provided good media opportunities across a number of channels, including local community, online and industry media, and social media avenues such as YouTube and Facebook.

Media releases were generated in accordance with the centre’s activities during the campaign, and achieved over $50,000 worth of public relations value for Botany Town Centre.

Prominent local newspapers Howick and Botany Times, Howick and Pakuranga Times and Eastern Courier published stories regarding the search to find the community’s best mums. The Eastern Courier article included the YouTube link to the Botany Town Centre video produced for the campaign.

There was strong online media pick-up from news sites Infonews.co.nz, Scoop.co.nz and Stuff.co.nz, and engagement on Facebook, YouTube and online event diaries. Industry publications Shopping Centre Weekly and NZ Retail also published stories about the Permission To Think About You campaign featuring overall best mum Melany Adams.

South Canterbury Finance receivers William Black and Kerryn Downey of McGrathNicol have confirmed the $44million sale of their stake within Scales Corporation.

The receivers sold their 79.7 per cent shareholding in Scales Corporation to Direct Capital Investments – another New Zealand investment company.

The completion of this transaction comes just one week following the confirmation of the sale of Helicopters New Zealand to Canadian Helicopters for $154million. Receiver Kerryn Downey says that the sale of their Scales Corporation stake is a “very positive outcome for the company, its shareholders and us as receivers”.

Click here to read the full article on nzherald.co.nz

Kerryn Downey and William Black of McGrathNicol, as receivers of the SCF Group are pleased to announce that a conditional agreement has been entered into for the sale of the business and assets of its wholly owned investment company Helicopters (N.Z.) Limited (“HNZ”), to international helicopter operator Canadian Helicopters Limited (“CHL”).

HNZ is a leading provider of helicopter services and operates in New Zealand, Australia, South East Asia and Antarctica. HNZ was founded in 1955 with one helicopter and has grown significantly, now operating a fleet of 37 helicopters.

CHL is the largest helicopter transportation services company operating in Canada and is also one of the largest in the world based on the size of its fleet. With over 35 base locations across Canada, CHL provides helicopter services to a broad range of sectors, including infrastructure maintenance, utilities, oil and gas, mining, forestry, construction and emergency medical services and provides military support. With over 60 years of experience, CHL is an industry leader in establishing safety standards and operating procedures. CHL is a public corporation trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX).

CHL was selected through a competitive sale process that commenced following HNZ’s shareholder, SCF, being placed into receivership in late August 2010. The sale price is approximately NZ$160 million. The sale is subject to a number of conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to complete in the coming months.

Kerryn Downey commented “This announcement is the culmination of a significant amount of work by the company and our advisors. This has been a very robust process and we are very pleased to have identified such a credible purchaser and achieved what we believe is a good price for the business”.

“Helicopters New Zealand has grown from a local NZ based company to an internationally respected operator involved in all aspects of helicopter operations. We welcome the opportunity to continue to maintain our high level of quality services and continue to grow and enhance our business for all stakeholders, including our clients and staff in the future with Canadian Helicopters” said HNZ’s CEO Brian McDonald.

“We are very pleased with the acquisition of HNZ”, said Don Wall, President and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Helicopters. “HNZ has excellent people and a very strong brand particularly with respect to safe operations, and will be a significant part of CHL’s growth plan as we look to the future. Like CHL, HNZ operates in challenging environments and positions itself as providing “excellence in the extremes”. We look forward to supporting the employees in New Zealand, Australia and elsewhere in the region in continuing to provide “best in class” service.”

Goldman Sachs & Partners New Zealand Limited acted as financial advisor to the receivers of the SCF Group.
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For media enquiries: Kate Alexander, Alexander Communications 09 524 4957 / 027 244 6094

30 March 2011

The Palms Shopping Centre is pleased to announce a phased reopening plan, which will see the first phase of the shopping centre open by the target completion date of 30 June 2011.

The target completion dates will roll out in the following timeframe:

• Phase One (30 June 2011) – Majority of specialty stores, Countdown
• Phase Two (mid July 2011) – Remainder of specialty stores and Kmart
• Phase Three (late July 2011) – Reading Cinemas, Arena restaurants and Contours
• Phase Four (late August 2011) – Farmers

The Palms Shopping Centre Manager Keryn Ward says, “We have worked closely with our consultants to develop a robust remedial plan which meets our stringent criteria.

“We would like to thank our retailers and the community for their encouragement and support. Like so many members of our own community, we have been working hard to get back on our feet and plan to re-open The Palms with significant fanfare and celebration!

“In the interim we would like to support the community and will be rolling out several community initiatives including a Market Day, which will be held at the Shirley Intermediate School grounds on Saturday 9 April.”

A number of The Palms retailers will hold stalls at the Market Day. This provides an opportunity for the community to enjoy some live music and entertainment such as a performance of the Haka by students from Shirley Boys’ High School. Members of the local council, library and schools will also be in attendance to speak with the community about updates relating to their services.

Details of the phased re-opening will be made available on The Palms website and Facebook page, as work continues to ready the centre to open its doors to the public.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Palms-Shopping-Centre/144755025564699

www.thepalms.co.nz

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For further information:

The Ray White Group confirms that based on further information received over the past weekend, it has made a decision to remove itself from the receivership process.

Grant Thornton was appointed as receiver of Don Ha Real Estate Limited, a Ray White franchise, on March 17.

Ray White New Zealand CEO Carey Smith says, “Our original intention was to assist in the receivership process. However, more information has since come to light, and we are now of the opinion that our involvement would not be advisable. We have full confidence that the receiver can achieve the best possible result for all parties, and we support their appointment.”

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On behalf of Ray White:

Kate Alexander
Alexander Communications
09 524 4957/027 244 6094
kate@alexandercomms.co.nz

The Ray White Group confirms that it was advised on March 17 that a receiver had been appointed to Don Ha Real Estate Limited, a Ray White franchise.

Ray White New Zealand CEO Carey Smith says the receiver, Grant Thornton, has requested Ray White’s support in the receivership process. “Grant Thornton now controls every aspect of Don Ha Real Estate, including the management of the rent roll, the sales division, financial income and expenditure, and the compliance of the agency.

“We have met with the receiver, consulted our legal advisers and assessed the broader implications of the receivership action. We have reached an agreement with the receiver that we will fully support the process.

“Ray White will be involved in the day-to-day management and operation of Don Ha Real Estate, with the intention of putting the business into a position where the assets and goodwill can be sold to a third party. It is important that we achieve the best possible outcome for the business and for the people who have been affected by the receivership.”

Mr Smith says that while the receivership means that Don Ha is no longer part of the Ray White Group, there are many others involved with the agency, including salespeople, clients and suppliers, who need and deserve support. “We believe we can play a useful role to help those affected and achieve a resolution as expeditiously as possible.”
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About Ray White Group

The Ray White Group is a family-owned business which, since its formation in Australia in 1902, has been well regarded for its impeccable level of service, experienced and dedicated staff and commitment to training and support.

The Ray White Group provides a broad range of real estate and related property services. Ray White New Zealand has 136 offices trading approximately $4.71 billion annualised property sales.   
For further information, please contact:

Kate Alexander
Alexander Communications
+64 (0)27 244 6094
kate@alexandercomms.co.nz

Anne Gibson interviewed Kerryn Downey for the Weekend Herald about some of the milestones achieved so far in the South Canterbury Finance Receivership.

You can find the link to the online version of the print story here

From the glistening sands of deserted beaches to the splendour of fine wine and dining experiences, Waiheke Island enjoys unique status and is the ideal destination for weekend escapes, conferences and business meetings.

The island’s largest and most well-equipped venue, the Waiheke Island Resort, has been given a new lease of life with a new management team, providing the destination with a timely uplift in service and appearance.

The new team is a group of highly qualified professionals, all locals with deep knowledge of the area and an abiding passion both for the island and the resort.

“This well-known and sought-after destination has attracted some great talent,” Waiheke Island Resort Conference Director Nique van Selm says. “We are very fortunate to have assembled a group of accomplished managers who are among the best in their respective fields and share the vision we have for this venue.”

Nique van Selm, originally from South Africa, has lived on the island for eight years and has more than 20 years’ experience in the publishing and event management industries. Nique is joined by Tanya Charman, Waiheke Island Resort Sales Director, who has lived on Waiheke for 30 years and has a wealth of experience across the hospitality and marketing industry.

Assistant General Manager Chris Samuels also has a long association with the property. Chris is the backbone of the business, heading the accounts department and overseeing operations.

The Dunes (also part of The Waiheke Group, which owns and operates Waiheke Island Resort) is the island’s glamorous destination for special events and weddings. The unique venue boasts open views and access to the golden sands of Onetangi Beach, and has a hidden gem in the form of Executive Chef Uges Chand.

“We ‘imported’ Uges from the UK to head up the catering for our resort. He is a true asset to our team and we are privileged to have this highly skilled chef here,” Nique van Selm says. Uges originally spent eight years at Waiheke Island Resort before heading off to new ventures abroad and later running his own restaurant in New Zealand.

Uges is supported by Food and Beverage Director Kahn Denton, who has spent most of his life on the island. Kahn has extensive industry knowledge and experience through New Zealand and offshore career ventures, managing various bars such as Cats Tango, Harbourmasters and Kingfish Lodge in Whangaroa.

An event at Waiheke Island Resort or The Dunes is a world-class experience. The resort is equipped to cater for all types of events, from standard conferences to themed and extravagant events, and the team has the contacts and experience to make them a success.

To complement the new team, the resort’s 51 villas and five-bedroom lodge have undergone refurbishment, reinventing the accommodation experience and constituting a substantial investment in the local hospitality industry. Situated in a prime location, the resort’s rooms boast magnificent views of the Hauraki Gulf and are accompanied by a tennis court, restaurant and day spa for guests.

Friendly Waiheke service is ingrained through the resort, with front of house managed by Veronica Lewis, who is originally from Hawaii and has been with the resort for 11 years. As first point of contact for guests, the resort’s receptionist, Verina Potgieter, has a wealth of experience, from publishing to photo journalism, and is skilled at showcasing the offering.

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Mark Lowndes of Lowndes Associates speaks with Corin Dann on NZI Business

A commercial lawyer says clients have become more discerning as the impact of the global financial crisis hits the sector and the growth of social media frees up information.

Mark Lowndes from Lowndes Associates represented New Zealand at the recent Multilaw conference in South America and says while the feeling in New Zealand is that we are emerging from the crisis, American and English lawyers still felt like they were well in the middle of the recession.

Lowndes told NZI Business that commercial law firms in most countries have had a drop off in revenue and have had to trim costs and look at their business model.

In boom years people get a bit careless with costs, Lowndes says and he believes more flexibility is needed with the way legal services are delivered.

Lowndes says while the traditional hourly rate charging model is convenient and easy to understand, it doesn’t necessarily align itself to value. As clients become more demanding, Lowndes says lawyers need to stay close to them and really understand what they are looking for.

Younger managers and lawyers have different expectations around work-life balance and the formality of the way service is delivered, says Lowndes.

And he says clients tend to turn up well informed. Lowndes says lawyers need to be collaborating with them as business people, not just information providers. He says clients aren’t  prepared to pay large fees for routine transactions.

“The days of doing standard transactions and delivering standard information and making a good living out of that are gone.”

Bayfair Shopping Centre’s $15 million refurbishment is well under way with local construction firm Marra Construction’s 30-plus team working on site each day. 

Tauranga MP Simon Bridges was on site at Bayfair Shopping Centre to view the progress of the refurbishment.  Looking forward to seeing the work being done at Bayfair, Mr Bridges donned a hardhat and hi-visi-vest during his visit to the centre where sunlive.co.nz caught a glimpse behind the scenes of development.

Bayfair Shopping Centre Manager Andrew Wadsworth says “it is a tremendous refurbishment and the timing is ideal as we approach Bayfair’s 25^th anniversary. It will add more shops to the retail mix and give the front of the centre a more contemporary look – which will be great for retailers and customers alike.”