Latest news with #Tauranga-based
Newsroom
4 days ago
- Business
- Newsroom
‘We get an AI pitch a day – it's unlikely we'd fund another company'
The co-founder of New Zealand's longest-running venture capital company says it receives a deluge of artificial intelligence pitches – and while the technology is worth backing, another investment would be 'hard to justify'. Carl Jones is managing partner of deep-tech investor WNT Ventures, a Tauranga-based organisation that launched in 2014 and is active across New Zealand and Australia. In May the capital organisation announced its fourth fund, its largest to date, which is aiming to invest $35 to $40 million by the end of the year.
NZ Herald
13-06-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
New laundry pod opens for Tauranga's homeless
A permanent laundry pod has opened in central Tauranga, offering those experiencing homelessness and hardship a place to wash clothes, have a shower, and connect with others, all free of charge. Orange Sky Aotearoa, a not-for-profit organisation known for its distinctive orange vans, has partnered with Tauranga-based charity Under the
NZ Herald
08-06-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
On The Up: Tauranga businesses The Conqueror, Clarity Distilling Company, Pure Mama make waves overseas
The Conqueror is a fitness app that motivates people to stay active through virtual challenges tied to real-world locations, offering unique medals mailed to participants upon completion of a challenge. A fitness motivation app company in Mount Maunganui has beaten giant global brands to nab an international award in Las Vegas. It's among small Tauranga-based companies making waves on the world stage recently, including a skincare brand's deal with Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop, and a gin distillery eyeing a
NZ Herald
07-06-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Katikati orchard project nurturing fruit trees, people and connections
A Tauranga-based construction leadership team got their hands dirty last month to help Grow On Katikati tend to a fruit tree orchard, which will one day see children able to pick seasonal fruit to eat on their way to or from school. Seven of Colliers' Project Leader team, who usually
NZ Herald
04-06-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Prolific Tauranga shoplifter jailed on 37 convictions
A 45-year-old woman was arrested in February and charged with offending dating to September 2024. She appeared in Tauranga District Court on May 21 and was sentenced to two years' imprisonment. 'This was the result of meticulous and painstaking work by the officer in the Tauranga Retail Crime Unit,' said Chambers. 'The exceptional work of the officer has meant a serial shoplifter has been held to account for her actions.' He said it highlighted the importance of monitoring and following up on what might initially seem like low-level offending. 'We know how devastating this type of offending is for our retail community, and holding people to account for shoplifting and retail theft remains a priority for NZ Police.' Police Commissioner Richard Chambers. Photo / Dean Purcell The Tauranga-based Retail Crime Unit is a fulltime team comprising a sergeant and five constables put together in 2023 after more than 5000 offences were reported to police the previous year. It was the brainchild of Senior Sergeant Scott Merritt, who still oversees the unit. 'The Retail Crime Unit focus is on a group of recidivist offenders committing a disproportionate amount of these reported offences and causing the most harm to Western Bay of Plenty businesses,' he told the Bay of Plenty Times in 2023. The team made more than 200 arrests and laid more than 1200 charges in their first six months, earning praise from retailers. The retail crime unit earned praise from retailers in Tauranga's CBD. Photo / NZME In recent weeks, police faced criticism after RNZ revealed a directive sent to staff in March setting national value thresholds for investigating theft and fraud files, such as $500 for shoplifting. After backlash, including concern it could impact the work of initiatives like Tauranga's retail crime unit, Chambers canned the 'confusing and unhelpful' directive. He highlighted Tauranga's unit as an example of successful approaches to retail crime. 'The convictions in this case were a result of not only outstanding investigative work, but also of the great rapport that the officer has built with local retailers,' said Chambers. He said districts had leeway to decide how their resources were best used, and what their priorities needed to be. 'However, the case does highlight just how effective the dedicated retail crime unit in Tauranga can be. 'It provides a good model for other districts to consider when deciding how to tackle retail crime.' RNZ reported last week police were reviewing cases that may have been impacted by the directive. Retail NZ estimates that retail crime costs New Zealand retailers $2.6 billion each year, and about 40% of incidents are not reported to police.
