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The Bay of Plenty is to get seven new police officers.
A total of 39 new constables have graduated from the Royal New Zealand Police College in front of the Minister of Police Poto Williams and Police Commissioner Andrew Coster.
Seven will be posted to the Bay of Plenty, two will be posted to Northland, 12 to Tāmaki Makaurau, two to Waikato, two to Eastern, four to Central, three to Wellington, one to Tasman, four to Canterbury; and two to Southern.
During the ceremony, Constable Liam Bauckham was awarded the Patron's Award for Second in Wing, as well as the Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award - and will be posted to the Bay of Plenty District.
Constable Anais Grant won the Driver Training and Road Policing Practice Award and will also be posted to the Bay.
The 39 new constables will start work on the frontline on October 11.
Freshmax takes full ownership of BerryCo brand and operations
Freshmax has announced it is buying its joint venture partner, Southern Produce, to take full ownership of BerryCo.
Since 2015, the Freshmax Group has been in a 50/50 partnership with the Bay of Plenty company and have jointly operated the New Zealand blueberries business, trading as BerryCo.
The buy-out of Southern Produce's 50 per cent stake in the business came into effect on October 1.
New Zealand's blueberry industry was poised to grow by $100 million over the next five years and Freshmax Group chief executive Murray McCallum said berryfruit was a core strategy for its business.
"The joint venture has transitioned from a start-up to a company with strong volume
growth forecast.
"Taking full ownership of it is an exciting step in expanding our footprint in this
category."
After the sale of its New Zealand domestic divisions in 2019, the Freshmax Group indicated long-term plans to ramp up its international operations and scale and a "considerable volume" of BerryCo's fruit was exported to Asia.
Freshmax NZ chief executive Andrew Common said the acquisition provides an opportunity to invest further in the berryfruit category.
Southern Produce director and chief executive Tony Ponder said BerryCo's growth in New Zealand and its performance in the export markets was something to be proud of.
"The business has evolved considerably over the last few years."
Freshmax's acquisition will not affect staffing or the structure of BerryCo, with all staff to continue in their current roles.
It coincides with the appointment of new BerryCo general manager, Alice Moore, who started with the business on October 4.
"Alice has extensive experience across the primary sector, from working alongside farmers and growers to achieve sustainable outcomes, to marketing their products globally," Common said.
Over the past five years, Moore has managed the Organic Kiwifruit portfolio at Zespri. Before that, she spent several years in various commercial and marketing primary sector roles, including work for Ballance Agri, National Foods and Summit Quinphos.
Rotorua's Lockwood Homes celebrates 70 years in business
Now in its 70th year, Rotorua's Lockwood Homes believes one of the secrets to its longevity has been a focus on local sourcing.
The company's managing director Andrew La Grouw said its capability to source its main manufacturing element, timber, has seen the business thrive.
Lockwood Homes was founded in Rotorua in 1951 by two Dutch immigrants.
The nearby pine forest plantations and timber mills were the key drivers for Lockwood to establish manufacturing in Rotorua.
"Not only have we forged an enduring relationship with local suppliers, but the advantages of local sourcing have become even more relevant during these Covid times, allowing us to increase our manufacturing capacity to meet demand."
La Grouw said from humble beginnings, the business now boasts a team of about 50 people at its head office in Rotorua and building more than 50,000 homes worldwide.
"We are extremely proud of our rich history."
Lockwood was voted New Zealand's Most Trusted Building Brand in 2013, 2014 and
2016 and runner up in 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
New kiwifruit breeding centre launches to boost innovation
Healthier, better tasting and more sustainability-focused varieties are the goals of the new 50/50 joint venture Kiwifruit Breeding Centre that opens its doors this week.
The Kiwifruit Breeding Centre has been established by Plant & Food Research and Zespri.
With about 45 staff, the centre is based in Te Puke, and operates out of Kerikeri, Motueka and Mt Albert. It will also have a presence offshore in selected kiwifruit regions.
The centre will be jointly funded by Zespri and Plant & Food Research, a New Zealand Government-owned Crown Research Institute. The organisations will share royalties from any future commercialised new varieties.
CEO Matt Glenn said the centre will be key to the future success of New Zealand's kiwifruit industry.
Experienced agrifood and innovation sector director Michael Ahie is chair of the Kiwifruit centre board. Ahie is Chancellor of Massey University and a former chair of Plant & Food Research.
New professorial appointments to grow Māori philosophy and indigenous research capabilities
Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi (Awanuiārangi) has announced three new professorial appointments.
Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith CNZM has been appointed inaugural distinguished professor of rangahau and mātauranga capability at the wānanga.
Sir William Te Rangiua "Pou" Temara KNZM has been appointed professor of māori philosophy.
Dr Alison Green has been appointed professor in the school of indigenous graduate studies.
Awanuiārangi chief executive officer, professor Wiremu Doherty, said the wānanga felt privileged to have the three top scholars on board.
"Sir Pou is an expert in Te Reo Māori, Tikanga Māori and philosophy and a distinguished cultural authority on whaikōrero, whakapapa, and karakia – we look forward to the integral role he will play here at Awanuiārangi."
Doherty said Tuhiwai Smith will have a significant impact as the wānanga seeks to further its research capabilities.
"Professor Green has immense knowledge in how best we can use Māori and Indigenous knowledges, languages and practices to enable our tauira to introduce solutions to key issues faced by our Māori communities in Aotearoa and indigenous communities worldwide, and we look forward to her significant support and contributions in this space."
Regional collaboration secures $700,000 for Coastal Bay of Plenty events
Funding of $700,000 has been confirmed for at least 15 events in the next two years thanks to the Regional Events Fund and a new funding collaboration with other regional funding partners.
A total of $500,000 comes from the original events fund, part of the Government's Tourism Recovery Package intended to support the visitor sector by stimulating domestic travel and replacing the loss of international visitor spending because of Covid-19.
After Tāpoi Te Moananui ā Toi | Tourism Bay of Plenty approached Tauranga/Western Bay of Plenty funder - Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust - to take a collaborative approach to reviewing applications, the $500,000 expanded to $700,000 thanks to TECT contributions.
Recipients of the $700,000 include a region-wide food festival Flavours of Plenty launching in 2022, the 2022 New Zealand Stand Up Paddle Boarding Nationals, and the 2023 World Paddle Boarding Championships.
Tourism Bay of Plenty general manager Oscar Nathan said it was also continuing to support popular and successful fixtures, including Aims Games, the Tauranga Arts Festival, and the Stem Festival.
"As well as funding new events, we acknowledge the hard work and commitment shown by existing event planners.
"The cancellation of the Aims Games and the Tauranga Arts Festival is a blow for the region, but we are committed to investing in the future of these events."
Recipients also included the Classic at Ōhope, The West End Wiggle and Sun to Surf Challenge in Whakatāne and the Ōhope Local Wild Food Challenge.
Biosecurity Awards finalists named
Bay of Plenty schools, councils and businesses have been named finalists in the 2021 Biosecurity Awards.
The 24 finalists out of a record 90 entries include an iwi partnering with local and central government to eradicate wilding pines from their taonga, Ruawāhia/Mt Tarawera.
The Ruawāhia/Mt Tarawera Wilding Pine Control Project is a finalist for the Māori Award.
Lynmore Primary School in Rotorua - Lynmore Hunga Tiaki - is a finalist for the Kura Award.
The Bay of Plenty Regional Council's marine biosecurity team is a finalist for the Eagle Technology Local and Central Government Award.
Scion in Rotorua is a finalist for the Bio-Protection Aotearoa Science Award for its innovation and communication in forest biosecurity.
Judging panel chairman Dr Ed Massey said the finalists represent a diverse range of individuals, teams, businesses, government agencies, research organisations, iwi, schools and community groups.
Acting deputy director of General Biosecurity New Zealand Steve Gilbert said the awards, now in their fifth year, recognise and celebrate the country's biosecurity champions.
"These are people who are stepping up to do something to protect and preserve our environment, primary industries and way of life.
"Their mahi is fundamental in keeping our biosecurity system strong, and in every corner of the country they are putting in the hard yards to ensure we continue to have a world-leading biosecurity system."
Award winners will be announced in Wellington in February 2022.
The Ministerial award recognising contribution to biosecurity over many years and the Supreme Award winner will also be announced in February.
Whakatāne Mill's new owners announce positive progress, reports a full order book
The Whakatāne Mill has made "swift" progress under its new ownership in the past three months.
New owners Power Paperboard Limited say the mill has received "substantial" positive interest from domestic and international customers and has reported its order book is full well into 2022.
Executive chairman of Whakatānae Mill Limited, Ian Halliday, said the mill was performing strongly and exceeding internal projections.
"We have made significant process improvements and cost savings, with the mill well on its way to becoming internationally competitive."
PPL's acquisition of the mill has enabled more than 170 people to retain their jobs.
The PPL Board was also reviewing several capital projects, which were expected to be announced at the end of the year.
Hell raising $66,666 for 14 national food rescue organisations
Kiwi pizza chain Hell Pizza is on a mission to raise $66,666 for 14 food rescue organisations around the country responding to increased demand during the Delta outbreak.
The Hub in Te Puke, Good Neighbour in Tauranga, Rotorua Whakaora and Halo in Taupō are taking part in the pay-it-forward campaign.
As part of the initiative, Hell plans to match every gift voucher bought dollar-for-dollar to donate to a nearby food rescue group.
Hell Pizza chief executive Ben Cumming said the business was inspired to help the food rescue network after hearing what they did.
"With the additional stress Covid-19 has placed on them, we wanted to raise funds to support their work and educate NZ on the issues our communities also face."
Uber Eats reveals latest top 10 restaurants in Tauranga
Food delivery app Uber Eats has released its newest list of the top 10 local restaurants in Tauranga since July.
The top 10 are RE Burger Tauranga, The Fat Brother, Youngs Kitchen, Waihi Pizza, Saigon 60s Vietnamese Cuisine, Bayview Roasts And Fish 'n' Chips, Thai Kitchen Dine In & Take away, Melting Pot, Katsubi and Turkish To Go.
Bay shoppers' September shopping spree
Bay of Plenty shoppers spent $239.1 million last month, according to payment transactions through Worldline (previously Paymark).
Spending was down 7 per cent compared to 2020 but 5.8 per cent up on pre-Covid levels during the same month in 2019.
Tourism accepted as NCEA subject
The future of Aotearoa New Zealand's tourism industry is looking brighter with confirmation tourism has been accepted as a new NCEA Achievement Standard subject from 2023.
The Tourism Industry Aotearoa said the Ministry of Education has decided to include tourism as one of the new Achievement Standard subjects available for learners across the New Zealand Curriculum Levels 2 and 3.
TIA chief executive Chris Roberts said it had long advocated for tourism to be taught in this context to educate learners on the "deeper complexities" of the industry and help attract more people to the career choice.
Roberts said the industry will recover despite being deeply affected by the pandemic.
Tourism employers nationwide will need more skilled people and including it in NCEA at schools will help raise the status of tourism and "properly educate our future workforce".
TIA supported the Tourism Teachers Association NZ in their campaign to get Tourism included as an Achievement Standard subject.
Tourism Teachers Association chairperson Julie McDougall said it had been a "perfect triangle of communication and support" between secondary tourism teachers, tertiary tourism educators and the industry.
New Tokoroa Impact Hub aims to nurture South Waikato entrepreneurs
A new Impact Hub has opened in Tokoroa to help nurture budding entrepreneurs in South Waikato, including Putāruru, Tīrau and Arapuni.
The two-storey Tokoroa Impact Hub on Swanston St will offer flexible co-working options, meeting and workshop rooms.
Impact Hub director and South Waikato development lead Nanise Ginnen said a digital space in the hub to open this year will provide digital capability building opportunities for businesses.
"This is an excellent opportunity to focus on building digital competency, entrepreneurial skills and developing linkages between regional tech companies and budding young talent from South Waikato."
Jetstar's first planes to Sydney and Gold Coast have taken off from Hamilton this week.