Rotorua local business Q&A: Aladina Harunani

Started by Aladina Harunani in 2011, the slogan of Rotorua small business apa Architects is "Imagine. It's possible."

In a nutshell, what does your business do?

We are registered architects and project managers. We are currently involved with projects in Rotorua as well as other parts of New Zealand including Christchurch, Auckland, Paeroa, Whakatane, and Turangi. We have done garages, car ports, houses, retail fit outs, churches, mosques, schools, early child care and healthcare facilities and marae developments.

What inspired you to set up your current business?

apa Architects was founded as a result of work versus resources needs for building projects in New Zealand. In the building fraternity the business is either feast or famine - meaning you either have a lot of work or none and thus we experience redundancy more frequently. After my last redundancy I was inspired by one architect company in Auckland who brought work from overseas to be designed in New Zealand.

What was the best business decision you have made?

Making my wife the main director, thus keeping me in check. Purchasing a reliable car, laptop and mobile phone all help me have a mobile office around the country.

What was your worst business mistake (if any) and what did you learn from it?

There are many small ones every day - one cannot make great decisions without making a lot of small wrong ones.

What do you see as the biggest opportunity for your business in the year ahead?

Two wealthy international funding organisations have expressed interest to invest in New Zealand and particularly Rotorua. For us there is the opportunity to collaborate internationally and locally with not just the building industry but also hospitality and retailers.

If you could do any other job for a day, what would that be?

I do admire the guts of the people who put their lives at risk firefighting to save others. I would like to someday be able to do that if I can.

How do you maintain a healthy work/life balance?

Not easy - I start early, work very flexible and long hours as my day is mixed with games and activities involving my kids and the house cat.

What's the best thing about being in business in Rotorua?

It's centrally located within North Island. Cheaper rent, cheaper travel cost within the city. Smaller travel times in between meetings. Very friendly council town planners and building consent officers.

If you were mayor of Rotorua for one day, what one change would you make?

As a mayor with an architect hat and urban design experience, I would be looking to bring the CBD closer to the lake to energise activity around the lake. I would seek out the best of timber architecture and showcase Rotorua's best crafting abilities. I would encourage retailers to have late nights with music, food and vibrancy. I would start by calling Invercargill mayor Tim Shadbolt to seek some of his energy and advice. I am impressed by what he has achieved for Invercargill.