Mahurangi Matters, Online businesses, 1 June, 2016

onlinefeature14 Mahurangimatters June 1, 2016

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onlinebusiness FEATURE

Rod Cheeseman

As the Mahurangi area is predicted to grow dramatically, could new high-tech industries provide jobs for the future population? That’s the plan behind Massey University and Auckland Tourism and Economic Development’s, Grow North initiative. The concept aims to facilitate and encourage innovative business and tech start-ups outside Auckland’s central business district and in the Rodney area. The plan is still in the consultation phase but aims to provide the right facilities, communication, and expertise to encourage high-tech economic development throughout the area. The think-tank behind the scheme believes that can be achieved through building technical hubs for office space, as well as online initiatives.Senior lecturer at Massey’s School of Management Dr Rebecca Gill says the initiative will expand northwards over the next 10 years.“It would be really exciting to have a creative Grow North hub in Orewa, and that will affect other areas in the north indirectly. I would like to see Grow North go farther, even to Wellsford or all the way up into Northland, but that’s a long term vision.”Local businesses are already aware of the benefits of locating in the Mahurangi area. Paul Russell is the chief executive of Matakana-based business, Global Design and Production. Paul’s business turns ideas into user-friendly products – he’s currently producing flat-packed, polystyrene-free, reusable, cool boxes for the food industry. Mr Russell employs

Could Warkworth be the next Silicon Valley?

Local businessman Paul Russell is mixing business with lifestyle.

five staff and believes the lifestyle of the region is attracting a highly skilled workforce, well suited to the tech industry.“There are not many businesses like ours for people to work for up here,” Paul says. “If I advertise for staff I get very high calibre applicants. They aren’t expecting Auckland pay rates because they want to have an awesome lifestyle instead of sitting in traffic. It’s a win-win.”

But, does he think Mahurangi has a future as a tech-hub?“It’s a great idea for new businesses, when they are trying to get going and learn. We have found our own way of using technology to help our business. We’re planning on expanding with an office in Albany. We will set up one wall in each office as a screen and live stream to each other. Basically combining the offices in a virtual space despite the physical distance.” The initiative believes that by encouraging business hubs throughout the region, Auckland’s commuter traffic will improve as people work closer to home.Others in the tech industry are less optimistic and believe infrastructure needs a serious revamp before Mahurangi can capitalise on becoming a hub for online business.Mike Hargreaves from Meshninety, a software solutions consultancy, is looking to move to the area to join his family. However he says he can’t base his business in Mahurangi because ultra fast broadband isn’t available. “Ultimately, fibre is essential,” Mike says. “You can operate on VDSL, but the fibre roll out won’t reach most of the area for years. Fibre solves the face-to-face problem through proper video conferencing solutions.”Despite the lack of fibre, the idea of a shared office is appealing to Mike, who has been involved in three internet start-up companies.“The tech-hub scenario would work in that you could cheaply hire office space and share modern office facilities. Having access to a decent conference room, audio-visual equipment, and networking with others increases your productivity,” Mike says.

onlinefeature 15MahurangimattersJune 1, 2016

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FEATURE

Former banker and cricket coach Patrick Cole is aiming to smash the coffee capsule market for six with his Warkworth-based business, Simply Coffee. Patrick was working in a high-pressure role in global banking, based in London’s financial district, but was shaken by the 9/11 terrorist attacks and decided to return to New Zealand with his wife Louise. “It made me realise there was more to life than money and I wanted to come back home,” he says.After a spell with a New Zealand bank, Patrick finally landed his dream job and became the manager and assistant coach of the Auckland Aces cricket team.During his tenure, Patrick went to the champion’s league a record three times, facing the world’s top one-day sides, and he counts a number of household cricketing greats as friends – Andre Adams lives down the road. After moving to Warkworth from Takapuna two years ago, spending more time in the local area became a priority. He retired from the game last year, after managing Northern Districts.Patrick was using coffee grounds in the garden and was horrified at the cost of coffee capsules on the environment and on his wallet.

INTRODUCING

Patrick Cole

Simply Coffee

“I wanted to sell to my neighbours and I wanted to do it in good conscience without this toxic landfill issue,” he says.He decided to work with an Australian company that produces high-end Nespresso compatible coffee capsules under the Coffee Capsules 2 U brand. All of the components of CC2U’s coffee capsules can be recycled, and he offers a return-and-recycle option anywhere in the country for the product. The packaging is reusable and recyclable, and CC2U capsules are roughly half the price of other brands. Patrick prefers to deliver coffee to locals personally and offers a recycling drop off point in Warkworth.

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Mahurangi Matters, Online businesses, 1 June, 2016

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