Mahurangimatters 13 June 2012 | 29

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LOCAL TRADESPROPERTY SERVICES & MAINTENANCE

‘Just one call and we’ll arrange it all.’

LTD

.

‘Just one call and we’ll arrange it all’

Contact Linda Robinsonp

e w

m09 422 9860 027 526 1146linda@localtrades.co.nz www.localtrades.co.nz

Calling all customers We’ll fi nd the right tradesperson for those

jobs around your home and property

Calling all local tradespeople Are you looking for more work? Why not join Local Trades Ltd

LOCAL LIKE YOU

SeniorNet Warkworth3 Matakana Road, Warkworth

For more information contact our course coordinator 422 3728 or visit

www.seniornetwarkworth.org.nz

Learning to use a computer?

SeniorNet Warkworth offers computer courses in both Windows based and

Apple Mac programmes.

Ideal for small business ventures

Join us and learn about Windows applications eg: Word, Excel, PowerPoint or the equivalent Apple Mac programmes.

We also offer workshop and short courses using iPad, iPhones and other hand held devices.

If you wish to improve your skills or start from the beginning, our experienced tutors are here to help you.

Most small business owners need input and advice at some stage when they encounter new challenges or tough times. Finding people willing to give advice is easy, but finding the right people to give good advice isn’t always as simple as it sounds, especially if you need to make a decision in a hurry.While there is a lot of information available on the internet, both good and bad, it is a lot easier to chat through an issue in person and get the right advice. The best way to do this is to develop a network of people that you can call on, either directly for input or to recommend people or businesses you should turn to, when you need assistance with a particular problem.

Developing networksSmall businesses often operate in isolation. Developing a network of peers and colleagues is a good way to keep in touch with new developments, and a great resource to access when you need input and advice. There are a number of options to consider and you’re not limited to only one or a few of these options.

Local business associations A good business association should be able to put you in touch with industry bodies, refer you to people who will be able to give you professional advice, and might also have information and resources to help you deal with whatever issues you are facing. Attending meetings and events is also a good way to brush up on skills, and meet and network with other business people operating in the area.

Small business networks tap into valuable pools of adviceUseful sitesFor financial or legal advice, it is probably best to meet face-to-face with your banker, accountant or lawyer, depending on the sort of advice you need. But there are a number of additional resources you can turn to for assistance. y The NZ Companies Office website www.business.govt.nz/companies is an easy one-stop-shop for registering your business online.

y The business.govt.nz website has been designed to help small and medium businesses, and contains a lot of useful information and online training.

y Inland Revenue www.ird.govt.nz has lots of advice on tax issues.

y TechNZ has a useful guide on matters such as intellectual property management, and the Intellectual Property Office website www.iponz.govt.nz/cms allows you to do a number of functions online.

y If you’re looking for a global expert to help with problems related to new product innovation, MSI’s Global Expert service www.msi.govt.nz/get-funded/build-your-business may be able to help solve the problem and get your product on the market.

y The NZ Trade and Enterprise website at www.nzte.govt.nz is a good start for potential exporters.

y ACC Online Services can be found at online.acc.co.nz and for employment or health and safety issues, have a look at the Department of Labour’s website www.dol.govt.nz.

Industry bodies Most industry sectors have some sort of organisation representing the collective interests of businesses operating in the sector; some will have more than one. They will be able to give you industry-specific advice and put you in touch with other people in your line of business for input and advice.

Using your networksOnce you’ve met or made contact with a business peer or business professional, swap business cards and keep their details on file. While you can do this manually, it would be more effective to include their details in your contacts on your computer and mobile phone, and to connect with them through other networks such as the business-focused LinkedIn or Twitter.

Consider finding a business mentorIf you’re not looking for advice on a particular problem but are more interested in long-term or ongoing advice, you should consider getting a business mentor.Mentors act as an experienced sounding board for ideas, assist with long-term strategies, assess your business from an independent but supportive point-of-view and connect you with useful people from within their business network.A mentor could be a family member, a friend, colleague or business acquaintance – or even a suitably qualified person who you’ve not met yet. Contact Business Mentors NZ at www.businessmentors.org.nz for advice.Source, business.govt.nz

| Mahurangimatters 13 June 201230

HOME-BASED BUSINESS FEATURE

domesticdynamics

Kitchens • Bathrooms • Laundries • WardroBes • officesstorage soLutions • entertainment units • BespoKe furniture

Contact Derek Letcher 09 945 0559 or 021 122 3054185 Matakana Road, Warkworth • bespokeprojects@gmail.com

• On Site or Workshop Service

• Tractors and Diesel Machinery

• Castrol Oil (Bulk)

09 423 7282 • 021 998 048dieseltracks@xtra.co.nz

No Job Too Big or Too Small

• Full Range of Tractor Parts New and Used

• Bare-co and Vapormatic Parts• 2nd Hand Tractors

We are your IT department

in Snells Beach, Warkworth

and the Rodney district.Phone 09 425 4351

Email bdjkrolston@xtra.co.nzwww.youritservices.co.nz

LaceEXCLUSIVE DESIGNER WEAR

Phone (09) 420 4405 or 021 132 2766

Donelle ScottDESIGNER

Available at The Red Barn Antiques & Collectables

We Buy, Sell, Restore • Open 10am-5pmIf barn is closed phone for an appointment

190 Matakana Road • 1km from Warkworth

Phone 09 425 8960 Mobile 0274 731 318Margaret Hetherington

The Red Barn Antiques & Collectables

Te Arai author Jacquie McRae is continuing to impress the international book world.Her first novel The Scent of Apples, published by Huia Books, has won a gold medal in the 2012 Independent Publisher Book Awards (the IPPYs) in New York.This follows the book’s selection, in March, by the International Youth Library in Munich for White Ravens 2012 as an outstanding international book for children and young adults.Jacquie says receiving the award was a real honour.“The awards are broken up into regions and New Zealand is grouped with Australia so to receive gold was fantastic,” she says.“The award will also give me, as a first time author, a much better profile with mainstream book sellers who tend to stock mainly books by well-known authors.”Jacquie is currently working on an adult novel, which tells the story of an unconventional doctor who prescribes books, not medicine, to his patients. “I’d like to think it will be finished by the end of the year, but I’m not sure that this will be the case. I have a starting point and one of the best things about writing is that you never know where you may end up.”Jacquie recently returned from the Sydney Writers Festival and says she found it heartening that so many of

Book giveawayMahurangi Matters has a signed copy of The Scent of Apples to give away. Just write your name and daytime phone number on the back of an envelope and post to: Scent of Apples Competition, Mahurangi Matters PO Box 701 Warkworth. Competition closes on June 29. Alternatively, enter by sending us a private message marked ‘The Scent of Apples’ on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/mahurangimatters).

Author on scent of a winner

the authors spoke about letting the book evolve rather than knowing everything at the start.“I work from home in Te Arai and have a room away from the house where I write. By nature I’m not very disciplined so I have to pretend I’m off to work and leave the house, otherwise I get distracted by all the jobs I should be doing. “I love what I do and would encourage anyone who has an urge to write to try it.”Jacquie (Tainui) was a finalist in the Pikihuia Awards for Māori Writers in 2009 and was one of six authors selected in 2010 for Te Papa Tupu, a mentoring programme for Māori writers.

Jacquie McRae

Mahurangimatters 13 June 2012 | 31

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domesticdynamics

Refi ts & Modifi cations - Painting - Engine Installations - Marine Plumbing - Insurance Work

Live a little on the wild sideDesigned for the mature traveller

Tasha & Karoma Kimani phone 431 5444 • mobile 021 431 544email info@africantouch.net • www.africantouch.net

EAST AFRICA SAFARI

• 7 seats left for September 2012

• 8 seats left for June 2013

SOUTHERN AFRICA SAFARI

• 10 seats left for April 2013

AFRICA SAFARI

Karoma and Tasha Kimani may have a home office in Mangawhai but their business is largely in Africa, where they regularly lead group safaris in territory they know well.The couple met in Africa where both were guides, came to live in New Zealand in 2003 and started a Mangawhai backpackers before getting married and setting up their own business, The African Touch, in 2005. The safaris began after interest in visiting Africa from her parents and their friends prompted a couple of information evenings that quickly filled two tours.“We sold them the idea, so then we had to import a vehicle from the UK and deck it out and get everything organised,” Tasha says.As Tasha is a Kiwi and Karoma’s Kenyan, their clients get “the best of both worlds”, says Tasha.They started with Karoma’s home territory of East Africa, including Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, where he’s been a guide for the past 17 years, but later added a South African option for those wanting to see more, and so far have hosted a total of more than 500 people. The tours are suitable for all ages but have attracted mainly mature travellers, aged 40 plus, and as old as 85. Though largely camping based, a crew of four handle the work of setting up camp, cooking and cleaning.The couple have juggled the growing

business, with a growing family and now have three children, aged five, three and 10 months.Maintaining family time has been a challenge and where possible, all have travelled on the safaris together, with their oldest child Tembo taking part from just seven months old. In 2010 the whole family lived in Kenya for a year while they ran five safaris and Tasha says they will go for a whole year again next year for the last time, as Tembo has now started school. Meanwhile, Karoma is heading off by himself to run safaris for more than four months, while they’re also in the throes of building a new house in Mangawhai. Karoma says he’s happy for the children to have the security, education and opportunities that New Zealand has to offer, but he still enjoys sharing the positive side of Africa that he loves. Unique experiences offered on safari include visiting his mother, who is proud of his achievements and welcomes the opportunity to share her cooking and culture.People are often initially concerned about safety, wildlife, poverty and disease, but soon get over their fears when they arrive, he says.“It helps to see Africa through the eyes of a local, rather than what a foreigner thinks about the local people. I’m able to interact with people in their own language, and share views and opinions based on local knowledge.”

The Kimani family, from left, Tembo, Zuri , Tasha, Shaka and Karoma.

Couple combines cultures through African safaris

HORSE RIDING WARKWORTH

42 Kaipara Flats Road Phone 09 425 8517 Email: horseriding@xtra.co.nz www.come.to/horseriding

• Quiet horses & ponies• Farm & Forest treks • Birthday rides

• Lessons available • Social or family groups• English study tour groups

• Holiday & weekend riding camps• People with disabilities welcome• On the doorstep of Sheepworld,

Matakana & Goat Island

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL1 hour $40 • 2 hours $75

No eftpos or credit cards • Gift vouchers available