Paengaroa honey products marketer Comvita produced a strong turnaround result of $5m after tax profit and a long awaited resumption of dividends totalling eight cents per share fully imputed for the year ended March 31. "We also reduced net borrowings from $30.3m to $11.5m from retained earnings, inventory reductions and the sale to Derma Sciences of the global rights to the Medihoney range to the professional market," says board chairman Neil Craig. Since 2005 the company has More...

The first business closure to blame Willow Street roadworks as a cause, shut down on Friday. The Copy Centre has been operating on the corner of Willow and Hamilton Streets for 13 years, until it went into voluntary liquidation this week. Vicki Pearson and The Copy Centre's closing sign. Five staff will lose their jobs. It wasn't just the Willow Street works, says manager Vicki Pearson. Earlier street works in Hamilton Street right outside the Copy Centre were also a factor. "That More...

National Bank branch managers in the Bay of Plenty are undertaking a new team building exercise that is better bonding them together and helping them to become better workers. National Bank regional manager Gavin McCormick says when personally participating in the LIFE Personal Fitness programme run by Luis Moresco and Dawn Kiddie he recognised the potential of this course as a team building exercise for his team that would deliver real benefits. See video below outlining the benefits of More...

The New Zealand Contractors' Federation is in full support of the government's decision to fast track the Tauranga Eastern Link project by using a toll of $2 for cars and $5 for trucks. Federation chief executive Jeremy Sole says allowing construction to begin early next year, seven years earlier than would otherwise be the case, would create confidence for contractors still struggling with the impact of recession. Transport Minister Steven Joyce announcing the Tauranga Eastern Link More...

The increase in the Official Cash Rate by 25 basis points as announced on Thursday morning is going to further tighten the money supply in the region’s economy says IRG BOP investment adviser Jonathon York. “Mortgages have got to be paid, that’s going to result in less being available for discretionary spending and retailers will feel the pinch again,” says Jonathan. IRG BOP investment adviser Jonathan York is anticipating a tight time for households in the coming More...

Greerton Village Community Association chairman David Mansford is in support of the proposed mall at Tauriko, saying it will likely attract new clientele to Greerton. The construction of the $100 million mall, planned to be bigger than Bayfair, is causing concern for some Greerton retailers, but David is sure there no need to worry. Greerton Village Community Association chairman David Mansford says the new shopping complex near Tauriko will not have a big impact on Greerton More...

The proposed construction of the $100 million dollar mall at Tauriko on Route K is possibly a problem for Greerton retailers. The Greerton Village Association chairman David Mansford says he doesn't believe the mall will pose a problem for the shopping area, but this will remain unknown until the mall starts. SunLive visited Greerton to find out what people shopping there felt about the new mall and if it would lead them away from the current shopping village.   "Well, didn't More...

Sport Bay of Plenty has appointed Stephen Murray as its new commercial manager. The appointment follows Marcus Reynolds' move to the position of zone general manager of rugby league. Newly appointed Sport BOP commercial manager Stephen Murray. Stephen was previously the general manager for Jennian Homes, and previous to that the general manager for Guardian Healthcare. He will be responsible for the commercial aspects of Sport Bay of Plenty but also has a strong link to the sporting More...

Wellington-based gold exploration company Glass Earth Gold Ltd is planning a major drilling programme at its Muirs Reef gold prospect south of Te Puke. Muir's Reef chief executive and president Simon Henderson expects to be in Te Puke later this month speaking with the land owners and lease holders about access for his proposed 27 hole programme. A New Zealand company is planning to drill for gold in Te Puke. He's hoping to time drilling to minimise impact on current land activity. Some of More...

A month long career information series begins in Tauranga on Monday night when Western Bay @ Work is launched. It is the third successive year for the Western Bay of Plenty economic development agency, Priority One, organised event, which is this year focused on innovation. The series includes events that are aimed at both employers and employees such as, IRD Introduction to Business seminars, CV Drop-in clinics and business open days, such as the one to be held by engineering consultancy More...