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Otago Daily Times
6 hours ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Investment adviser aiding the community
She's a woman on a mission to help others, whether through her job as a financial adviser or via service organisation Rotary. Business editor Sally Rae talks to April Eden. Meet April Eden from Dunedin — and yes, that really is her tagline. The rhyme is on purpose and this powerhouse is hot on her own purpose, particularly helping women build confidence with money and take control of their financial futures and flying the flag for service organisation Rotary as a vehicle to do good in the world. English-born but Dunedin-proud, her road to becoming an investment adviser might not have taken a traditional trajectory but she was determined to show her daughters she could achieve something and make her mark on the world. It was when her first child was young that Mrs Eden, 33, decided she did not want to be "another statistic". Having quit secondary school at the beginning of year 12, she worked in hospitality. At 19, she became pregnant and, while "not quite a teen mum", she felt she was still not a full mum in the eyes of society. With creative flair, she had initially thought she would pursue something like graphic design but at 23 found her aptitude in accounting. When she decided to return to study, backed by her supportive partner, she did not want to commit herself, knowing that secondary school and herself did not agree with each other. So, she did a certificate of business administration at Otago Polytechnic and discovered it was very different from secondary school — "you're in charge of yourself". Having enjoyed that, she later completed a Bachelor of applied management, switching majors from marketing to accounting, at the polytechnic. Those early years were a whirlwind which included getting married, having a second child and buying and selling several houses. While studying, she was one of three New Zealand-based students selected to take part in a student workshop held as part of an entrepreneurs' summit in China in 2018, coincidentally all three coming from Otago Polytechnic. But then she could not find a job as an accountant, despite "interviews galore" all over the country. She specifically wanted to get into audit and risk, with a desire to know how businesses worked, but interviews would indirectly raise the matter of her having two children, questioning how she was going to manage the travel. Also, she was getting blank looks when she asked what the career path looked like for her three years down the track. After potentially uprooting her husband, children and life, she did not want to be uplifting them again in three years' time and she wanted to show loyalty to a company — somewhere she could "grow with them". It was when she got an interview for a private wealth assistant at Craigs Investment Partners that she was shown exactly what a 10-year career path looked like. She started there in 2018 and has worked her way up, next January marking four years as an adviser. Bubbly, colourful and a straight talker, Mrs Eden admitted she loved her job. "It sounds really corny, but no two days are the same, there's so much variety in a day." Ultimately, it was a job that was all about relationships and, with a love of people, that flowed through to her extracurricular passion which was Rotary. She did not want to be seen as "just another investment adviser". And when clients or potential clients searched her name, she did not want it to solely come up with her business profile. She wanted it to come up with all the things she was doing in the community that she was passionate about, so they could feel like they were getting to know her a little before they came to see her — "an ordinary person with a pretty cool job, that I actually do care — and I do". President of Rotary Dunedin Central and on the board of District 9999, the Rotary district which covered the South Island, she said it was unfortunate the organisation had the perception of an "old man's club". Her club was 50% female, and the average age was late 50s. "There is still such a need for Rotary, arguably now more than ever," she said. This year, a team from Ignite Consultants Otago, the student-led voluntary organisation which offered free consulting services to not-for-profit organisations, worked with Rotary Dunedin Central. The team was charged with helping make the club more accessible and appealing to young professionals and worked closely with Mrs Eden. With only one of the students knowing what Rotary was before the project, they looked at it from a "completely outside perspective" with no preconceived ideas. Being able to take their suggestions back to the club and further afield was a chance to say "this is literally what young people are saying". For the younger generation wanting to do good in the world, Rotary — which has a seat at the United Nations — could be the vehicle to allow them to do that, she said. Mrs Eden was on a mission to help bring Rotary into 2025 and beyond by breaking the stereotypes, modernising the message and ensuring the organisation continued to do good for decades to come. It was a fine line to tread as she did not want existing members, who had so much wisdom and connections, to be alienated. But she was adamant the only tradition that Rotary had was that it "does good in the community". The organisation had lots of different club structures and options. While there were still some clubs which met weekly, there were also online clubs which did their project planning online, and some clubs which dealt specifically with one cause. "It's just that balance between reminding our existing Rotarians why you joined in the first place — because you wanted to do good in the community — and then telling the next generation that 'hey, we're here and we'll help you do these good things that are important to you now'," she said. Personally, Rotary had given her purpose, friendships, professional and personal development and the chance to make a real impact. Her club was very open to change and trying new things. It had three or four key fundraising projects a year; it helped with the Dunedin Brick Show, featuring all things Lego, at the Edgar Centre and the money raised went to a youth-oriented charity — last year it was Rock Solid. It has the Rotary book sale next month and it also sells pea straw. It bought a commercial washing machine for the Night Shelter and has helped re-establish gardens and an orchard at Bradford School and has also helped the astronomical society. "We recognise that the little guy needs help too. Buying a new laptop for an organisation ... could be the difference between them paying rent on a building they're using for a month or two," she said. Mrs Eden said, when asked how she managed to balance everything, that she worked very hard and she had a fantastic support system with her husband. When it came to resilience in leadership, she was inspired by her elder daughter, who was one of two children who went missing after a bush walk in the Mavora Lakes area in Southland in July 2023. They were found by a search party the following morning. Her daughter came out of that experience braver and even went skydiving for her 13th birthday. Watching her navigate that experience, Mrs Eden said she could not "be the scared person". "Leadership is not about how to avoid the storms, it's how you navigate them and how you bring the others through with you," she said.
Scoop
a day ago
- Business
- Scoop
Hushtec Delivers Advanced Noise Control Solutions For New Zealand Industry
Hushtec, a New Zealand-based manufacturer with over five decades of experience in noise mitigation, is providing advanced solutions for noise management across construction, mining, demolition, and infrastructure sectors. The company's range of construction site noise barriers and portable mining noise walls is designed to help organisations meet regulatory requirements and maintain safer, quieter environments. Hushtec's offering includes portable mining noise walls that are engineered for rapid deployment and high performance in demanding environments. These barriers are tested to achieve up to 35dB of noise reduction and are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. The modular design allows for quick installation and relocation, with panels available in standard or fully customisable sizes, colours, and branding options. The company's solutions are used in a range of applications including construction sites, demolition projects, industrial facilities, and transportation corridors. Hushtec's noise barriers are constructed to withstand harsh weather conditions and frequent handling, making them suitable for repeat use on multiple projects. The barriers also contribute to dust and debris control, supporting health and safety compliance on worksites. Hushtec's products are manufactured at its New Zealand facility, providing end-to-end service from design and development through to production. The company's experience allows it to offer both off-the-shelf and bespoke solutions for clients with specific project requirements. All products are supported by documentation to assist with noise impact assessments and regulatory compliance. Hushtec's noise control solutions are trusted by leading contractors, project managers, and acoustic consultants throughout New Zealand and internationally. The company continues to focus on innovation and reliability in the delivery of noise reduction systems for commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects.
The Market Online
a day ago
- Business
- The Market Online
Aurora Cannabis clears the air and denies MedLeaf acquisition news
Aurora Cannabis (TSX:ACB) issued a firm denial of recent misinformation circulating online regarding alleged acquisitions and strategic partnerships The company became aware of an article posted on a news website falsely claiming that Aurora had agreed to acquire New Zealand-based MedLeaf Therapeutics A second article incorrectly reported that Aurora had signed a partnership with MediPharm (TSX:LABS) distribute medical cannabis in Germany and other European Union markets Aurora Cannabis stock (TSX:ACB) last traded at C$6.40 Top Canadian global medical cannabis company Aurora Cannabis (TSX:ACB) has issued a firm denial of recent misinformation circulating online regarding alleged acquisitions and strategic partnerships. The company became aware of an article posted on a news website falsely claiming that Aurora had agreed to acquire New Zealand-based MedLeaf Therapeutics. Aurora categorically stated that it has not entered into any such agreement, has had no discussions with MedLeaf Therapeutics regarding a business combination, and has not released or filed any information suggesting such a transaction. Further compounding the issue, a second article published on June 18, 2025, by incorrectly reported that Aurora had signed a partnership with MediPharm (TSX:LABS) to distribute medical cannabis in Germany and other European Union markets (oof, that's awkward). Aurora has also denied this claim, stating unequivocally that no such agreement or discussions have taken place. Both articles, which claims were generated 'with the support of AI' and reviewed by an editor, have prompted Aurora to launch an internal investigation into the origin and dissemination of the misinformation. Aurora emphasized that it is not in possession of any material non-public information and reaffirmed its commitment to transparency. The company assured the market that any material corporate developments will be communicated directly and appropriately. The company urged investors to rely solely on official announcements and regulatory filings for accurate and up-to-date information. Aurora is a global cannabis company serving both the medical and consumer markets across Canada, Europe, Australia and South America. Its brand portfolio includes Drift, San Rafael '71, Daily Special, Tasty's, Being, Greybeard, MedReleaf, CanniMed, Aurora, Whistler Medical Marijuana Co., Pedanios, IndiMed and CraftPlant. Aurora Cannabis stock (TSX:ACB) last traded at C$6.40 and has risen 4.75 per cent since the year began, but has fallen 15.12 per cent since this time last year. Join the discussion: Find out what everybody's saying about this cannabis stock's expansion in Germany on the Aurora Cannabis Inc. Bullboard and check out Stockhouse's stock forums and message boards. The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. For full disclaimer information, please click here.
Cision Canada
a day ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Aurora Cannabis Advises of Second False Article from Investing.com
NASDAQ| TSX: ACB EDMONTON, AB, June 19, 2025 /CNW/ - Aurora Cannabis Inc. (the "Company" or "Aurora") (NASDAQ: ACB) (TSX: ACB), a leading Canada-based global medical cannabis company, has become aware of a second instance of misinformation posted on news website, On June 18, 2025, Aurora advised the market that an article posted on incorrectly stated that Aurora had agreed to acquire New Zealand-based MedLeaf Therapeutics. Later in the day on June 18, 2025, a second article was posted on that incorrectly states that Aurora has entered into a strategic partnership with MediPharm GmbH for distribution of medical cannabis in Germany and other EU markets. The Company categorically denies both articles. Aurora has not entered into any such agreements, has had no discussions with MedLeaf Therapeutics or MediPharm GmbH with respect to any business combination transaction or strategic partnership, and has not made any statements or filed any information pertaining to any such transactions. The erroneous articles posted on state that they were generated "with the support of AI" and reviewed by an editor. The Company is launching an investigation into the genesis of these articles. In the meantime, Aurora confirms that it is not in possession of material non-public information and advises investors that should not be considered a credible source of information regarding the Company. Any information regarding material corporate transactions will be announced directly by the Company to the market as soon as it is appropriate to do so. About Aurora Cannabis Aurora is opening the world to cannabis, serving both the medical and consumer markets across Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Aurora is a pioneer in global cannabis, dedicated to helping people improve their lives. The Company's adult-use brand portfolio includes Drift, San Rafael '71, Daily Special, Tasty's, Being and Greybeard. Medical cannabis brands include MedReleaf, CanniMed, Aurora and Whistler Medical Marijuana Co., as well as international brands, Pedanios, Bidiol, IndiMed and CraftPlant. Aurora also has a controlling interest in Bevo Farms Ltd., North America's leading supplier of propagated agricultural plants. Driven by science and innovation, and with a focus on high-quality cannabis products, Aurora's brands continue to break through as industry leaders in the medical, wellness and adult recreational markets wherever they are launched. Learn more at and follow us on X and LinkedIn. Aurora's common shares trade on the NASDAQ and TSX under the symbol "ACB". Forward Looking Information This news release includes statements containing certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law (" forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These forward-looking statements are only predictions. Forward looking information or statements contained in this news release have been developed based on assumptions management considers to be reasonable. Material factors or assumptions involved in developing forward-looking statements include, without limitation, publicly available information from governmental sources as well as from market research and industry analysis and on assumptions based on data and knowledge of this industry which the Company believes to be reasonable. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances could cause actual events, results, level of activity, performance, prospects, opportunities or achievements to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, the magnitude and duration of potential new or increased tariffs imposed on goods imported from Canada into the United States; the ability to retain key personnel, the ability to continue investing in infrastructure to support growth, the ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms, the continued quality of our products, customer experience and retention, the development of third party government and non-government consumer sales channels, management's estimates of consumer demand in Canada and in jurisdictions where the Company exports, expectations of future results and expenses, the ability to expand and maintain distribution capabilities, the impact of competition, the general impact of financial market conditions, the yield from cannabis growing operations, product demand, changes in prices of required commodities, competition, and the possibility for changes in laws, rules, and regulations in the industry, epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises and other risks, uncertainties and factors set out under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form dated June 17, 2025 (the "AIF") and filed with Canadian securities regulators available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at and filed with and available on the SEC's website at The Company cautions that the list of risks, uncertainties and other factors described in the AIF is not exhaustive and other factors could also adversely affect its results. Readers are urged to consider the risks, uncertainties and assumptions carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities law. SOURCE Aurora Cannabis Inc.
The Mainichi
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Mainichi
Rugby: New Zealand star Savea to rejoin Japan's Kobe Steelers
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- New Zealand loose forward Ardie Savea will rejoin the Kobe Steelers for the 2025-2026 Japan Rugby League One season, the club announced Tuesday. Savea, who was World Rugby's Player of the Year in 2023, played for the Steelers in the 2023-2024 campaign before departing to join New Zealand-based Super Rugby outfit Moana Pasifika. "I can't wait to reconnect with all the staff and players and help the team achieve its goals," Savea said in a statement from the club. The 31-year-old has been capped 94 times by the All Blacks and scored 28 test tries. Kobe finished third in the 2024-2025 League One season via the playoffs after placing fifth in the standings.
