Fund business growth without draining your cashflow
Spare capacity sitting idle? It could be paying for your next marketing campaign while your cash stays where you need it.
Spare capacity sitting idle? It could be paying for your next marketing campaign while your cash stays where you need it.
Kiwibank’s General Manager of Business Banking Rod Morris tells NZBusiness, Kiwibank has stepped up to change the game for early-stage business founders with its new funding pathway, built to unlock opportunity and foster sustainable business growth.
Eric Clark, CEO of Manhattan Associates, believes complexity is becoming a permanent part of the operating environment. Clark discusses why that can create opportunity, what other industries can learn from retail, and how technology and AI can help businesses manage it.
Wednesday 11 November 2026 | 7:00am – 9:30am
📍 New Zealand International Convention Centre, 101 Hobson Street, Auckland
One week after the election, Ready to Rise returns for ‘After the Result’ to help Kiwi SME owners plan ahead for their next bold move, and hard-won growth. Get your tickets for this must-attend business breakfast.
Where are they now? Brolly Sheets Founder Diane Hurford on 20 years of bed-wetting, bandanas and building a business that stuck.
Looking for new suppliers? Sri Lanka Expo 2027 is bringing 750+ exporters and 2,000 international buyers together in Colombo this January.
The uncertainty isn’t going anywhere. ScotPac’s Lindsay Fisher says the businesses that grow are the ones that stop waiting for it to.
In under two years, Dani Archer went from no clients to eight schools. Now the Tauranga sole trader has taken out the top prize at The David Awards 2026.
Kiwi innovation meets smart marketing. Telescopicgoal is transforming the way football is played and trained around the world, all with a clever, adjustable aluminium goal and a creative, targeted approach to reaching customers.
Taupō’s The Cozy Corner isn’t just a café, it’s a community hub where inclusivity, wellness, and sustainability meet. With a menu that caters to every dietary need, a great team culture, and a commitment to values-driven business, owner Camilla Baker has built an eco-friendly café that sets the standard for hospitality with heart.
Keynote speaker, educator, author, recording artist and Solo Meo Award winner Julia Grace, has turned her mental health journey into inspiring talks, workshops, and performances across New Zealand and beyond. She’s also made a success of being an entrepreneur in the process.
Eric Clark, CEO of Manhattan Associates, believes complexity is becoming a permanent part of the operating environment. Clark discusses why that can create opportunity, what other industries can learn from retail, and how technology and AI can help businesses manage it.
More than 80 percent of people don't independently verify AI-generated information. As AI becomes the first place customers go for answers, that trust is creating a new challenge for New Zealand businesses.
AI is having its “peak hype” moment, but beneath the noise there is a very practical question most New Zealand business owners are asking: Will this actually help my business run better, or is it just another shiny tech distraction?
Two years after leaving corporate life, Josh Burgisser built Burgs Digital into a full-stack marketing agency. He talks to David Nothling-Demmer about the attention economy, why video isn't optional for small businesses showing up online, and convincing his own father to become a client.
Full-scale loyalty programmes are expensive, complex and slow to roll out, but a gift card programme can deliver many of the same benefits in a fraction of the time, and customers pay you upfront for the privilege.
When consumers start watching every dollar, many businesses reach for familiar tactics: Bigger discounts, louder promotions and more urgent calls to buy.
As brands compete for attention in a crowded market, Marvel Experiences is helping businesses reconnect through thoughtful, high-impact real-world moments.
As AI changes how customers research and choose brands, traditional marketing is being upended. Auckland’s The Optimisers highlights the rise of AI answers, agent-led recommendations, and the need for “machine legibility” to stay visible and relevant.
We're told the economy and the environment are locked in a trade-off. Autex's Jonathan Mountfort says that's a false choice, and shows how circular thinking is already building a healthier version of both.
Discover practical tips to build trust through authentic sustainability communication, and examples of businesses leading the way.
An Auckland-based start-up is literally growing a new form of sustainable packaging that could one day replace polystyrene.
A bold pivot to NZ wool has led Autex Acoustics to create Embrace - a regenerative, carbon-negative acoustic wall system reshaping sustainable design.
Aotearoa’s sustainability pioneers are already reshaping our future, and now we need to back them writes Rachel Brown.
The money’s out there, but getting it has rarely felt harder. Our October/November issue looks at who’s lending, what investors want and what rising rates mean for your next move. It also celebrates The David Awards 2026 winners, who backed themselves anyway.
Wednesday 11 November 2026 | 7:00am – 9:30am
📍 New Zealand International Convention Centre, 101 Hobson Street, Auckland
One week after the election, Ready to Rise returns for ‘After the Result’ to help Kiwi SME owners plan ahead for their next bold move, and hard-won growth. Get your tickets for this must-attend business breakfast.
Inside the issue
Westpac’s chief economist Kelly Eckhold has a rate forecast few business owners will want to hear, along with advice on where to look before you borrow and the one signal that will tell you things are turning.
Every time Dani Archer hit a barrier to helping a child learn, she built a way around it. The latest result is the Supreme Award at The David Awards 2026.
The small business sector appears to be sending one resounding message to whichever political parties form the next government after the election in November: Stop with the flip-flopping. It’s stability and consistency that is important for business.
Sterling – a New Zealand software company building an AI autopilot for finance teams – has just closed a Blackbird-led $3.8 million funding round. Co-founder Nik Wakelin shares useful advice for fellow founders seeking investment, and a cautionary note to those who should never take venture money at all.
From international advertising to architectural interiors, Susannah Matheson, a Founder of Island Interiors, has built a name at the top end of New Zealand’s design scene.
Denise Bellingham launched Go Cover in 1998 after recognising a major gap in the market. Here's her story.
A bold pivot to NZ wool has led Autex Acoustics to create Embrace - a regenerative, carbon-negative acoustic wall system reshaping sustainable design.
New Zealand natural health brand Tracel is taking its wellness mission global, showcasing innovation and transparency at CIIE.
Cleanery is proving that local production can compete globally while dramatically reducing environmental impacts.
Gen Z entrepreneurship isn’t just about tech start-ups or chasing scale. For young Kiwis like Stuart Savage, it’s about creativity, culture, and community – building ventures that carry meaning, craft, and legacy.
A hygienist troubled by the volume of plastic waste in the dental sector, Laura Nixon founded Solid with her husband Adam McConnochie.
Ho Lee and Mark Callan are reinventing Korea’s iconic soju with Jagiya Soju, a carbonated RTD that sold out its first batch in weeks.
In this powerhouse episode, Lilah McDonald sits down with Brianne West, celebrated Founder of Ethique and now the brains behind Incrediballs.
The founder of Got A Gap, a brand-new online platform aimed at filling last-minute appointment gaps for small businesses, shares her vision for a helping businesses with limited marketing budgets.
Leading a multi-national company takes guts, hard work and determination but without good governance, structure, and processes there is risk for shareholders - no matter how hard you work.
From international advertising to architectural interiors, Susannah Matheson, a Founder of Island Interiors, has built a name at the top end of New Zealand’s design scene.
Kiwi entrepreneur Greg Chapman has transformed a personal passion project into one of New Zealand’s most trusted bullion businesses.
What started as a Napier bakery’s idea has grown into Lunchonline, delivering 3.3 million school lunches nationwide while supporting local food providers.
Queenstown-based Magic Memories has emerged as the leading global player in the personalised digital experience market. Founder John Wikstrom shares a snapshot from 30 years of business.
Franz Josef's West Coast Wildlife Centre has been named the West Coast's top business for 2026, winning the Development West Coast Supreme Award at the Leading Light Business Excellence Awards.
New Zealand's longest-running sustainability awards programme is calling for entries, with expanded categories and a direct pathway to a global million-pound prize.
Christchurch's Tait Communications has been named PwC Hi-Tech Company of the Year at the 2026 NZ Hi-Tech Awards, capping a record-breaking night for New Zealand's third-largest export sector.
Over 300 entries mark another milestone year for the 2026 NZ Hi-Tech Awards, with the Gala Dinner set for May in Auckland.
New Zealand’s boldest innovators and sustainability leaders have been celebrated at the 2025 Sustainable Business Awards.
Looking for new suppliers? Sri Lanka Expo 2027 is bringing 750+ exporters and 2,000 international buyers together in Colombo this January.
Growing past a handful of staff brings more customers, more systems and more revenue. New research suggests it also makes a business a bigger cyber target.
Many tradies and salon owners already spend money on marketing. The harder question is which of that spend actually brings in paying customers, and Thryv says its new platform can
Spare capacity sitting idle? It could be paying for your next marketing campaign while your cash stays where you need it.
The uncertainty isn’t going anywhere. ScotPac’s Lindsay Fisher says the businesses that grow are the ones that stop waiting for it to.
Kiwibank’s General Manager of Business Banking Rod Morris tells NZBusiness, Kiwibank has stepped up to change the game for early-stage business founders with its new funding pathway, built to unlock opportunity and foster sustainable business growth.
AI is having its “peak hype” moment, but beneath the noise there is a very practical question most New Zealand business owners are asking: Will this actually help my business run better, or is it just another shiny tech distraction?
After a punishing economic cycle Kiwi businesses are emerging into something of a stabilisation period. Cautiously optimistic, past the worst, but with operating costs still biting and reinvestment held back. Why the next six months will define the recovery, and what business owners need to be doing in that period.
New Zealand’s productivity gap with countries like Finland isn’t about effort, it’s about clarity. Elliot Royce argues that as businesses grow, complexity quietly crowds out a shared understanding of what actually creates value, turning productivity into a symptom rather than the real problem.
More than 80 percent of people don’t independently verify AI-generated information. As AI becomes the first place customers go for answers, that trust is creating a new challenge for New Zealand businesses.
We’re told the economy and the environment are locked in a trade-off. Autex’s Jonathan Mountfort says that’s a false choice, and shows how circular thinking is already building a healthier version of both.
Setting a big, bold goal feels like strategy. It isn’t. Ryan Sproull explains why picturing success can actually work against you, and what to do instead.
After burnout and a corporate career, Nikki Taylor started her own business at 44, and discovered that midlife isn’t a crisis, but a chance for clarity, on what kind of work, and life, actually fits.
As SMEs navigate tight margins and rapid change, investing in leadership development is proving to be one of the most reliable drivers of productivity, capability, and long-term growth. EMA’s Nick Sheppard explains how to measure the real return on training, and why upskilling is no longer optional.
The world-class Waikato MBA is designed for aspiring and seasoned managers who are ready to excel in senior leadership roles.
Leadership training comes in all shapes and sizes but the University of Canterbury’s MBA programme has doubled down on leadership training.
Why good governance goes a long way in developing SME directors in a rapidly changing business environment.
The thriving Māori economy and workforce are shaping New Zealand’s future, with professional development, leadership, and Māori values driving transformative opportunities across industries.
As SMEs navigate tight margins and rapid change, investing in leadership development is proving to be one of the most reliable drivers of productivity, capability, and long-term growth. EMA’s Nick Sheppard explains how to measure the real return on training, and why upskilling is no longer optional.
The world-class Waikato MBA is designed for aspiring and seasoned managers who are ready to excel in senior leadership roles.
Leadership training comes in all shapes and sizes but the University of Canterbury’s MBA programme has doubled down on leadership training.
Why good governance goes a long way in developing SME directors in a rapidly changing business environment.
The thriving Māori economy and workforce are shaping New Zealand’s future, with professional development, leadership, and Māori values driving transformative opportunities across industries.
New data from Employment Hero shows New Zealand's small and medium business sector continuing to add headcount in May, even as wage growth stalled completely on an annual basis, highlighting a labour market where businesses are growing cautiously rather than competing hard for talent on pay.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant concept or a futuristic experiment, it’s here, reshaping the way businesses operate and hire talent.
Stratalign Managing Director Matthew Prestige on how the company is leading the charge on smarter and safer lifting technology as it eyes international growth.
James Stevenson, MD at Grada Recruitment talks navigating economic uncertainty, internal business culture, and what job seekers and businesses need to know for the year ahead.
Recruiting firm: AI can be used to aggregate large sets of data, to support people to be able to be more human-led.
Where are they now? Brolly Sheets Founder Diane Hurford on 20 years of bed-wetting, bandanas and building a business that stuck.
After 13 years of growth, Heart Saver’s Helen and Mike Mander are scaling new heights in 2025 - expanding into training, mental health support, and Australia.
Since equity crowdfunding was given the green light in New Zealand in 2013, PledgeMe’s ‘chief bubble blower’ Anna Guenther has been one of the country’s strongest advocates for the highly successful business fundraising platform.
Wendy Thompson is a highly successful entrepreneur and business owner with ambitious goals and an enviable track record for building brands across the globe.
Where are they now? Brolly Sheets Founder Diane Hurford on 20 years of bed-wetting, bandanas and building a business that stuck.
Leading a multi-national company takes guts, hard work and determination but without good governance, structure, and processes there is risk for shareholders – no matter how hard you work.
New Zealand’s leaders are shrinking their own ambitions in isolation. Revved Co-founder Rochelle Moffitt wants to put them in a room together instead.
Eric Clark, CEO of Manhattan Associates, believes complexity is becoming a permanent part of the operating environment. Clark discusses why that can create opportunity, what other industries can learn from
Discover practical tips to build trust through authentic sustainability communication, and examples of businesses leading the way.
Two years after leaving corporate life, Josh Burgisser built Burgs Digital into a full-stack marketing agency. He talks to David Nothling-Demmer about the attention economy, why video isn’t optional for small businesses showing up online, and convincing his own father to become a client.
Customer loyalty programmes are not just for retail and hospitality. Here’s why your service or trade businesses should consider it.
As more Kiwi businesses gear up for expansion, KiwiSpan is delivering future-ready commercial builds that go far beyond basic sheds.
CEO Mark Callander shares how 2degrees is supporting SMEs around New Zealand with reliable, cost-effective telco services.
Coalition loyalty schemes promise scale and savings, but in reality they erode brand identity, dilute data advantages and lock retailers into costly, restrictive models.
Spare capacity sitting idle? It could be paying for your next marketing campaign while your cash stays where you need it.
Kiwibank’s General Manager of Business Banking Rod Morris tells NZBusiness, Kiwibank has stepped up to change the game for early-stage business founders with its new funding pathway, built to unlock opportunity and foster sustainable business growth.
Eric Clark, CEO of Manhattan Associates, believes complexity is becoming a permanent part of the operating environment. Clark discusses why that can create opportunity, what other industries can learn from retail, and how technology and AI can help businesses manage it.
Wednesday 11 November 2026 | 7:00am – 9:30am
📍 New Zealand International Convention Centre, 101 Hobson Street, Auckland
One week after the election, Ready to Rise returns for ‘After the Result’ to help Kiwi SME owners plan ahead for their next bold move, and hard-won growth. Get your tickets for this must-attend business breakfast.
Where are they now? Brolly Sheets Founder Diane Hurford on 20 years of bed-wetting, bandanas and building a business that stuck.
Looking for new suppliers? Sri Lanka Expo 2027 is bringing 750+ exporters and 2,000 international buyers together in Colombo this January.
Spare capacity sitting idle? It could be paying for your next marketing campaign while your cash stays where you need it.
The uncertainty isn’t going anywhere. ScotPac’s Lindsay Fisher says the businesses that grow are the ones that stop waiting for it to.
In under two years, Dani Archer went from no clients to eight schools. Now the Tauranga sole trader has taken out the top prize at The David Awards 2026.
Growing past a handful of staff brings more customers, more systems and more revenue. New research suggests it also makes a business a bigger cyber target.
Many tradies and salon owners already spend money on marketing. The harder question is which of that spend actually brings in paying customers, and Thryv says its new platform can answer it.
Franz Josef’s West Coast Wildlife Centre has been named the West Coast’s top business for 2026, winning the Development West Coast Supreme Award at the Leading Light Business Excellence Awards.
Kiwibank’s General Manager of Business Banking Rod Morris tells NZBusiness, Kiwibank has stepped up to change the game for early-stage business founders with its new funding pathway, built to unlock opportunity and foster sustainable business growth.
Finalists are in, and with entries up nearly 50 percent on two years ago, The David Awards judges have never had a harder job.
Eric Clark, CEO of Manhattan Associates, believes complexity is becoming a permanent part of the operating environment. Clark discusses why that can create opportunity, what other industries can learn from retail, and how technology and AI can help businesses manage it.
Two years after leaving corporate life, Josh Burgisser built Burgs Digital into a full-stack marketing agency. He talks to David Nothling-Demmer about the attention economy, why video isn’t optional for small businesses showing up online, and convincing his own father to become a client.
Kiwi innovation meets smart marketing. Telescopicgoal is transforming the way football is played and trained around the world, all with a clever, adjustable aluminium goal and a creative, targeted approach to reaching customers.
More than 60 exhibitors, 75 speakers, leading franchise brands and 1,600 attendees are expected at Due Drop Events Centre this September.
Where are they now? Brolly Sheets Founder Diane Hurford on 20 years of bed-wetting, bandanas and building a business that stuck.
Some of New Zealand’s most influential science, business and policy figures will gather in Auckland next week to grapple with a question that has dogged the country for decades: How does New Zealand turn its ideas into lasting prosperity?
Leading a multi-national company takes guts, hard work and determination but without good governance, structure, and processes there is risk for shareholders – no matter how hard you work.
New Zealand’s leaders are shrinking their own ambitions in isolation. Revved Co-founder Rochelle Moffitt wants to put them in a room together instead.
Taupō’s The Cozy Corner isn’t just a café, it’s a community hub where inclusivity, wellness, and sustainability meet. With a menu that caters to every dietary need, a great team culture, and a commitment to values-driven business, owner Camilla Baker has built an eco-friendly café that sets the standard for hospitality with heart.
New Zealand small businesses are facing one of the biggest shifts in customer discovery since the rise of Google Search, as AI-powered tools change how consumers find, compare and choose who to hire.
More than 80 percent of people don’t independently verify AI-generated information. As AI becomes the first place customers go for answers, that trust is creating a new challenge for New Zealand businesses.
We’re told the economy and the environment are locked in a trade-off. Autex’s Jonathan Mountfort says that’s a false choice, and shows how circular thinking is already building a healthier version of both.
New Zealand research into scientist-entrepreneurs has identified an “IP paradox”: Intellectual property is seen as essential to start-up success, yet often experienced as a costly, complex barrier. Here’s what the findings mean for founders, investors and the wider SME community.
AI is having its “peak hype” moment, but beneath the noise there is a very practical question most New Zealand business owners are asking: Will this actually help my business run better, or is it just another shiny tech distraction?
Most of the AI conversation right now is about what the technology will eventually do for everyone. Not much of it covers what you should actually start doing, this week, to make sure your business can use any of it. Let’s change that.
Keynote speaker, educator, author, recording artist and Solo Meo Award winner Julia Grace, has turned her mental health journey into inspiring talks, workshops, and performances across New Zealand and beyond. She’s also made a success of being an entrepreneur in the process.
Setting a big, bold goal feels like strategy. It isn’t. Ryan Sproull explains why picturing success can actually work against you, and what to do instead.
After a punishing economic cycle Kiwi businesses are emerging into something of a stabilisation period. Cautiously optimistic, past the worst, but with operating costs still biting and reinvestment held back. Why the next six months will define the recovery, and what business owners need to be doing in that period.
New data from Employment Hero shows New Zealand’s small and medium business sector continuing to add headcount in May, even as wage growth stalled completely on an annual basis, highlighting a labour market where businesses are growing cautiously rather than competing hard for talent on pay.
Turning a dreaded parenting challenge into a science-powered solution, ISpy Nits is making head lice detection accurate, stigma-free, and even fun for kids, and in the process earning Kate Ricketts a well-deserved David Award.
After burnout and a corporate career, Nikki Taylor started her own business at 44, and discovered that midlife isn’t a crisis, but a chance for clarity, on what kind of work, and life, actually fits.
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