NZBusiness Magazine

04/06/2026

Still on the fence about AI for your business? This is the event to get off it.

Join us next Thursday evening at the Icehouse for Tech that Works for Your Business, a free panel discussion on the AI tools and tech strategies actually making a difference for Kiwi SMEs.

Our speakers - Joshua Dally-Butler, Ruby Hewitt, and Heath Waugh - have hands-on experience across AI adoption, digital search, and creative technology, and they'll be sharing real stories, honest lessons, and practical takeaways you can use straight away.

📍 The Icehouse, Parnell, Auckland
🗓️ Thursday 11 June, 5–7pm
🎟️ Free, but spots are almost gone

Networking drinks to follow. Grab one of the last tickets here 👇
https://buff.ly/Tqw0MJm

03/06/2026

Know a small Kiwi business punching well above its weight, or perhaps yours is? 🥊

The David Awards are open for entries, and NZBusiness is proud to be the new Official Steward of this much-loved awards programme, now in its 18th year.

To give you a taste of what's possible, meet last year's Supreme Winner: Spacebar Design. Co-founder Anson Kong and his team have spent six years redesigning how Kiwis think about interior fit-outs, building modular, circular furniture that can be dismantled, moved, and reconfigured rather than dumped. In doing so, they've diverted more than 80 tonnes of material from landfill, and saved clients tens of thousands of dollars in the process.

As Anson put it: "Awards like this show that sustainable business isn't niche anymore, it's innovation at its best."

Entries are FREE and close 6 August 2026. Open to NZ businesses with up to 10 FTEs.

Enter here: thedavidawards.co.nz

Read Anson's story here: https://buff.ly/zzXqEiL

A special thanks to premier sponsor Voyager Internet for all they do in helping support small business.

28/05/2026

A morning to remember 🌅

The Ready to Rise Business Breakfast this morning saw a great turnout of Kiwi founders and SME owners who came together at the NZICC for honest, practical conversations about what growth actually looks like in 2026.

Massive thanks to our incredible lineup:
→ James Fuller (Hnry) on what their data is telling us about how Kiwi sole traders are really tracking.
→ Vicky Cullinane (Lemon & Beaker) on taking a New Zealand skincare brand into Korea and the US.
→ Shyr Godfrey (Forty Thieves) on building a premium nut butter empire across four export markets.
→ Andrew Fairgray (2degrees), Ana Ivanovic-Tongue (academyEX) and Dave Howden (SupaHuman) on AI, automation, and how SMEs can use the tech to tap into growth.

And the biggest thank you of all to our sponsor 2degrees for making the morning possible 💙

We'll see you again in November. In the meantime, go and rise 👊

27/05/2026

Vacuum forming specialist improves order control with manufacturing software. Acron Plastics, a New Zealand thermoforming manufacturer, had been running as a fully paper-based business before adopting MRPeasy. We sat down with Business & Sales Manager Mark Wong to see how the company uses the system to structure orders, manage purchasing and inventory, and reduce the risk of missed jobs. Read full article at https://nzbusiness.co.nz/technology/vacuum-forming-specialist-improves-order-control-with-manufacturing-software MRPeasy Manufacturing Software Acron Plastics Limited

Acron Plastics, a New Zealand thermoforming manufacturer, had been running as a fully paper-basedbusiness before adopting MRPeasy.

18/05/2026

There's just over a week to go until our Ready to Rise Business Breakfast at NZICC.

This year’s event brings together founders and business leaders actively navigating growth in today’s market, sharing practical lessons on scaling, leadership, innovation, AI, and adapting strategy in uncertain times.

Hear from:
• James Fuller – Co-founder & CEO, Hnry
• Vicky Cullinane – Co-founder, Lemon & Beaker
• Shyr Godfrey – Co-Owner & Sales & Marketing Director, Forty Thieves
• Dave Howden – Co-founder & CEO, SupaHuman
• Andrew Fairgray – Chief Business Officer, 2degrees
• Ana Ivanovic-Tongue – Chief Delivery Officer, academyEX

Topics will include:
→ Scaling into international markets
→ Building momentum during economic uncertainty
→ AI, automation & the future of business
→ Growth through agility and innovation
→ Leadership and scaling culture

If you’re an SME owner, founder, operator, or business leader looking for practical insight and valuable connection, we’d love to see you there.

📍 NZICC, Auckland
📅 May 28, 2026 - 7am-9:30am
🎟 Tickets still available here: https://buff.ly/qsrjqRQ

14/05/2026

AI isn’t just a tech trend anymore, it’s changing how real work gets done inside businesses.

Dave Howden of SupaHuman explains why many businesses are asking the wrong question about AI. It’s not just about choosing tools or platforms, it’s about rethinking workflows, roles, and how teams operate when AI can already read, write, summarise and support decision-making.

Dave will be sharing more at our Ready to Rise Business Breakfast on 28 May at the NZICC alongside other leading voices on AI, growth, and business strategy.

If you’re still treating AI as “something to look into later,” this is the conversation you need to be in.

Read the article here: https://buff.ly/Sz11v0y

Get your tickets to the event here: https://buff.ly/qsrjqRQ

05/05/2026

Growth in 2026 looks different.

Join NZBusiness at the Ready to Rise Business Breakfast on May 28 at NZICC for a practical, insight-led morning exploring what it actually takes to build momentum in today’s market.

Hear directly from founders and business leaders who are scaling, innovating, and navigating growth in real time, including:

- James Fuller, Co-founder & CEO of Hnry
- Vicky Cullinane, Co-founder of Lemon & Beaker
- Dave Howden, Co-founder & CEO of SupaHuman
- Andrew Fairgray, Chief Business Officer at 2degrees

Expect honest conversations, practical insights, and valuable connections with fellow SME owners, operators, and decision-makers.

📍 NZICC, Auckland
📅 May 28, 2026
🎟 Tickets available now

Get your tickets: https://buff.ly/UNXnF7b

31/03/2026

A great evening at the Icehouse for our Driving Growth for Your Business panel, proudly sponsored by ScotPac Business Finance.

Thanks to our fantastic speakers Lindsay Fisher (ScotPac), Kelly Eckhold (Westpac New Zealand), Ilse Wolfe (Wolfe Property Coaching) and Ben Liebert (SyncHub) for sharing valuable insights on growing sustainably, managing cashflow, and navigating today’s economic environment.

And thanks to everyone who came along and made it such an engaging session 🙌

30/03/2026

The March 2026 issue of NZBusiness is here!

This quarter's theme is growth and cashflow, two words that sum up what's on every Kiwi business owner's mind right now.

Our cover story follows Tim Barnett of Ocean Speared, who lobbied to legalise commercial spearfishing in Aotearoa and has now landed a seafood supply contract with the NZICC. It's one of those stories you have to read.

Inside, we hear from Katherine Rich (BusinessNZ) on why business confidence is a strategic asset in 2026, David Whalley (KPMG) on cashflow survival strategies, Matt Slattery (essano) on cracking the US market, and the founders of StretchSense, AgriSea, Opyn and Toi Tī on scaling with intention.

📖 Read it free here: https://buff.ly/kWCGbue

Tag a business owner who'd love this one 👇

12/03/2026

Ready to grow your business — without putting pressure on your cashflow?

Join NZBusiness at the Icehouse on March 26 for Driving Growth for Your Business, a practical panel discussion proudly sponsored by ScotPac.

Our expert panel includes Lindsay Fisher (ScotPac), Kelly Eckhold (Westpac New Zealand), Ilse Wolfe (Wolfe Property Coaching) and Ben Liebert (SyncHub).

Together they’ll discuss:
✔ Growing sustainably in an improving economy
✔ Managing working capital during expansion
✔ Reducing financial risk
✔ Accessing funding opportunities for SMEs

Come along, connect with fellow business owners and gain practical insights you can apply to your business.

🎟 Register for your free ticket today: https://buff.ly/EjtwtYC