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2012Annual Report
Venture Taranaki Trust is Taranaki’s Regional Development Agency. We help the region grow.
Incorporated as a charitable trust, Venture Taranaki is a dynamic organisation which has facilitated business success from enterprise inception through to sustainable growth based on international competitiveness.
Venture Taranaki is an initiative founded by:
In addition to the New Plymouth District Council, Venture Taranaki is supported by: South Taranaki District Council, Stratford District Council, Taranaki Electricity Trust, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, the Ministry of Science and Innovation, Business Mentors New Zealand and numerous other private sector organisations.
Photo credits: Daisy Day, Jane Dove Juneau, Jonathan Kennett, Rob Tucker, Taranaki Arts Festival Trust
Venture Taranaki is certified carboNZero.
Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012
Chairman’s Comment .....................................................2
Venture Taranaki by the Numbers ................................... 3
Chief Executive’s Comment .............................................4
Achievements 2011-2012 .................................................6
July ......................................................................6
August ..................................................................8
September ........................................................... 10
October ................................................................12
November .............................................................14
December .............................................................16
January ................................................................17
February ...............................................................18
March ................................................................. 20
April ................................................................... 22
May .................................................................... 24
June ................................................................... 26
Financial Performance 2011-2012 ................................... 28
Trust Directory ............................................................ 45
Contact Information .................................................... 46
Contents
It has been another year of achievement for Venture Taranaki Trust, despite a dynamic and
challenging economic and political landscape.
The Trust’s achievements have been many and varied, ranging from specific intervention and assistance in individual businesses, as in the case of the 210 Capability Development Vouchers delivered to Taranaki businesses through the Trust, to whole industries, as has been the case in the Trust’s sustained strategic contribution of the oil and gas sector and its supply chains.
Venture Taranaki has become a critical and successful partner with the Government for the delivery of an equally diverse array of programmes and funding mechanisms in the Taranaki region. In the 2011-2012 financial year the Trust delivered $1,093,380 directly into Taranaki’s business community through R&D investment and a further $240,108 through Capability Development Vouchers. We also entered into joint ventures with both Massey University and the Department of Conservation.
All of these initiatives and work streams have and will continue to deliver public good for the people, the businesses, and the future generations of Taranaki. They are creating outcomes that give our region a competitive advantage.
Visitor numbers to the region have maintained record growth levels, bucking national trends to grow by 4.9 percent over 2011 to 1.82 million visitors. This growth owes its driver not only to the strong profile achieved by the Trust’s tourism and marketing activity and
funding major events like the Rugby World Cup 2011, but also to the positive level of business activity in the region, further evidence that Taranaki is punching above its collective weight.
But the ripples of offshore instability have certainly been felt by local businesses and the Trust’s stakeholders alike. They are the drivers of one of the largest challenges facing the Trust’s operations and the value it can continue to deliver – proposed changes to Local Government Act 2002 could change the very definition of Venture Taranaki’s activities.
While the Trust is an independent and apolitical agency, we are mandated to deliver growth for the region. This is at risk of being compromised through a reduction of the function of local government to asset management, leaving its other functions and agencies to a profit-driven marketplace. Many of our interventions provide independent strategic glue to regional investment, and are inclusive of all businesses in the region, regardless of their ability to pay.
This isn’t a call for more funding or greater resources. It is, however, a reminder that the Trust must keep its focus and momentum to remain the most effective and efficient Regional Development Agency in New Zealand. Council leadership is about creating a sustainable economic future for the region, and Taranaki should not rely on Wellington for its wellbeing.
History demonstrates that this region needs to retain control of its own destiny. Local ownership of our bank and port company reflects the merits of this approach. Increasingly central government will focus funding on interventions
into the supercity of Auckland and the rebuild of Christchurch. Our Trust needs to ensure that the Taranaki region continues to resonate on the national stage, through well-informed research and independent advice.
Beyond its legislative driver, the Trust remains vigilant to the greatest challenge facing our region – that of maintaining population growth. Significant activity has been invested throughout the year to leverage global interest in the region to attract more skilled workers to the region.
Talent is both our region’s greatest threat and biggest opportunity – capable of singlehandedly constraining or fostering innovative growth. Our efforts to attract and retain the best are being played out on the world stage, and the challenge is getting tougher. Just as Venture Taranaki has been leading recruitment missions with local businesses to offshore markets for years, we are starting to see similar forays into our own workforce, with international companies actively recruiting in Taranaki for both oil and gas and meat processing roles.
Venture Taranaki pulls its great strength from a comprehensive skills base. While the Trust maintains the not-for-profit business model under which it was established, it is governed by an extremely experienced and globally-aware private sector board. This marriage of commercial savvy and altruistic motive has served the regional economy and its businesses well, and I extend thanks to my fellow Board members for their continued stewardship of the Trust over the last year, and make particular note of the sad loss of Board member Sir Paul Reeves on 11 August 2011.
Chairman’s Comment
2 Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012
His legacy to the Trust, and the people of Taranaki, is still very much in our minds and actions.
On behalf of the Board I also offer sincere thanks to Chief Executive Stuart Trundle, his management team and the staff at Venture Taranaki. Their tireless and often thankless efforts behind the scenes of the
Taranaki economy have helped our region maintain momentum over what has been a challenging year.
Finally I wish to thank our owners and core funders the New Plymouth District Council. It is with their ongoing support that Venture Taranaki operates, and strives to create wealth for all the communities
New Plymouth District Council$2,805,000
Other$873,454
76%
24%
Venture Taranaki Annual Revenue
0
500,000
1,000,000
1,500,000
2,000,000
2,500,000
3,000,000
3,500,000
4,000,000
99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12
YEAR
$
we serve, ultimately contributing to the region’s core wellbeing and public good.
Robin Brockie Chair, Venture Taranaki Trust
2011/2012 Funding Sources
Venture Taranaki by the Numbers 2011-2012
Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012 3
An interesting debate surfaced during the year, hinged on proposals to change the Local
Government Act, under which Venture Taranaki Trust – as a Council Controlled Organisation of the New Plymouth District Council – was both established and operates.
The debate was centred on public good – the actual tangible value that is provided to a community by the entities and organisations that serve it. While public good and public service are not easy ideas to define, they are concepts that sit close to the heart of every community interaction and client intervention that Venture Taranaki has undertaken over the last year.
And there were a lot of them. Further chapters were written in the ongoing saga known as the global financial crisis and the effects on our regional economy, businesses, community and daily lives continued to play out in a multitude of ways.
Our region’s businesses have risen to the challenge, and Venture Taranaki has been right beside them, helping them with everything from regional economic intelligence to R&D funding, capability training to specific marketing guidance.
This year we delivered $1,093,380 in central government funding to local businesses through 38 research and development grants. We issued $240,108 in the form of 210 capability development vouchers to build the skills of our region’s businesspeople. We matched 59 businesses with experienced business mentors.
Looking strategically, we entered into pioneering partnerships with Massey University – which will create stronger links between the region and the institution, primarily when it comes to commercialising research – and the Department of Conservation, whose stewardship of iconic Egmont National Park has unlimited potential as both an ecological and visitor attraction.
Alongside this work is a focus on ensuring that Taranaki continues to resonate on the national agenda. The future prospects of our regional economy are inextricably linked to those of the New Zealand economy. Calls for a ‘new New Zealand’ – an export-driven innovative and productive nation – are echoed on a regional level, though in this area Taranaki is already punching above its weight.
Keeping Taranaki at the forefront of central decision making requires greater effort and promotional activity about our regional achievements, ensuring we have the population growth to claim our fair share of regional funding, and fostering a greater understanding of the strategic value that only Taranaki can provide
– whether that’s through oil and gas, dairying or as the driver of a new westward looking economy, with supply and trade
links flowing from New Zealand, through Port Taranaki, to the world.
During the year we made sure Taranaki’s strengths and concerns were communicated to the many Members of Parliament, Parliamentary Caucus Committees, senior government officials, and private sector investors who visited the region.
It is clear that we are operating in an increasingly open global marketplace, for products, services and skills. Again Venture Taranaki worked with local companies throughout the year to attract the world’s best to the region, and the Swap Sides campaign worked well alongside the international attention on New Zealand during the Rugby World Cup 2011.
While Taranaki offers one of the highest average wages in New Zealand, not far behind perennial market leaders Wellington, this year we released figures that showed as many as 100 Taranaki residents a week are departing to Australia.
The latest figures available as this report goes to press show that the number of people employed in Taranaki rose by 900 in the first nine months of the 2011-2012 financial year – almost twice the rate of increase across New Zealand as a whole.
This year we delivered $1,093,380 in central government funding to local businesses through 38 research and development grants.
Chief Executive’s Comment
4 Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012
But there is still much to be done.
Our challenges of fostering both business and population growth are clear, and as a result so is the public good that Venture Taranaki returns to this region.
Through ongoing regional support, the Trust operated on annual revenue of $3,764,737 over the 2011-2012 financial year, an increase of $104,517 from the previous year. From that, we met all of our KPIs and finished the year with equity of $316,359.
Every single dollar of that revenue was invested into activities to grow the region. This report will demonstrate the breadth of that investment and the results we have been able to achieve. The New Plymouth District Council’s $850,000 investment in major events, included in the above total, was leveraged by a factor of 17.3 – for every dollar of the fund the region received $17.30 of economic benefit.
Taranaki is swimming against the tide. Over the five years from 2006 to 2011 New Plymouth District was at the top of the national league tables for GDP growth, employment (FTE) growth and growth in the number of business units.
These are shared achievements. I acknowledge the ongoing support of our colleagues at the New Plymouth, Stratford and South Taranaki district councils, and the Taranaki Electricity Trust and TSB Community Trust.
It is also important to recognise the partners that make Taranaki House a one-stop-shop for business support and advice. The Taranaki Chamber of Commerce, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, New Zealand Transport Agency, Engineering Taranaki Consortium and
our colleagues at Parininihi Ki Waitotara help Venture Taranaki to deliver an integrated solution for regional industry and commerce. In a changing regional development landscape, their support – financial and otherwise – has provided the foundations for the new Taranaki.
I further extend my thanks to Venture Taranaki Trust’s Board members. Their setting of our strategic direction and policy framework takes full advantage of the international networks and commercial experience seated at our Board table, and this has permeated through every aspect of the Trust’s operations.
Finally I thank my executive team who are tasked with translating this direction, through their teams, to the region’s businesses. It is their collective effort that has further underscored the Trust’s ability to make a difference to the regional economy and the region’s future.
This report will give you a glimpse into the Trust’s involvement and commitment to driving the economic wealth of our region over the past year. It should also go a long way in answering any lingering question on the public good that the Trust delivers for Taranaki’s current and future generations.
Stuart Trundle Chief Executive, Venture Taranaki Trust
Alongside this work is a focus on ensuring that Taranaki continues to resonate on the national agenda.
694 Taranaki employers
registered on www.taranaki.info/jobs
900 more people
employed in Taranaki year to March 2012
274 Clients attended
startup clinics
59 Business Mentor
matches were made
210 Capability Development Vouchers issued with a total value of $240,108
38 R&D funding grants
issued worth $1,093,380
280,000 visitors to www.taranaki.info
11 major events contracted
Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012 5
AT A glANCE
July 2011
Communicating with stakeholdersThroughout the year the Trust sent out a total of 62 electronic updates to its extensive subscriber databases. These consisted of 14 Enterprise News business development newsletters, 11 visitor industry updates, 10 Taranaki Talk tourism newsletters, four each of Employer Update, Te Puna Umanga, Training Update, and Cruise Talk, three copies each of Swap Sides and Jobseeker Update and five copies of the ExporTAR exporters newsletter.
The region’s official web presence – www.taranaki.info – again demonstrated strong growth over
the 2011-2012 year. The site received a total of over 280,000 visits over the year, up 24.7 percent on the number of visits in the previous year.
While the Rugby World Cup was likely one of the drivers behind this growth, a dedicated subsection of the site was developed specifically for Cup audiences, both visitors and local businesses – there
was also strong growth in the Jobs and Business sections of the site.
Micro-sites were created around the Rugby World Cup, the December visit of the MS Volendam cruise ship and increased functionality was added to the Visit section of the site during the year. Visitor numbers were also enhanced by moves to strengthen integration with the Trust’s social media and electronic newsletters with strong rates of clickthrough from both channels to the site.
ExporTAR network
The ExporTar group were offered a range of workshops and speakers over the year, aimed at increasing
the level of exports from our region.
Events included a luncheon with Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister the Hon Tim Groser, who met with the oil and gas industry on the strategic direction in this sector, ‘Cracking China’ workshops, which were offered twice to boost the knowledge, information and know-how required to export to China, and a seminar focusing on project-based opportunities in Australia’s Northern Territories. The
final event for the year was speaker David Catty from the ASEAN Combined Business Council who shared information about exporting to South East Asia including the opportunities and challenges of doing business in this area.
Strong growth on region’s website
Lunchtime briefings continueVenture Taranaki made the most of the region’s lunch hours again this year, with two programmes to inform, enlighten and educate the region’s business people.
The ‘Lunch and Learn’ series, which was presented in conjunction with CloughAmecBeca, delivered eight events aimed at demystifying aspects of the oil and gas industry through a range of leading speakers.
Following on from its launch in July 2010, Venture Taranaki’s Lunchtime Speaker Series delivered on the topical issues of skills attraction and Taranaki’s contribution to the global oil and gas and associated downstream industries.
Venture Taranaki | Tel: 06 759 5150 Email: [email protected] | www.taranaki.info
Te Puna UmangaTe Puna UmangaTe Puna UmangaTe Puna UmangaTe Puna UmangaTe Puna Umanga
Haratua 2012
Photo: Rob TuckerParinīnihi ki Waitōtara
Waitōtara ki Taipakē
VentureTARANAKITe Puna Umanga
Congratulations to Maata Wharehoka, whose Maata Tours of Parihaka received extensive media coverage last month, with a large article in Life + Leisure magazine, and a similar feature in the Taranaki Daily News.
The region also hosted US television series Catch & Cook that gathering ingredients from Eltham cheeses to native fauna to Mike’s beer and E-Macadamia nuts. The crew then teamed up with a Michelin rated chef to prepare a meal with these local ingredients. The show will reach over 80 million people worldwide - its
presenter ‘Action Aaron’ is pictured with Valda Poletti of Te Kainga Marire at right.
Congratulations to photographer James Heremaia, whose image was judged runner up for New Zealand Maori Tourism award for the best travel Image that captures the essence of Maori at the recent
TravCom awards. The category was won by James Smale, of the Horowhenua.
Measuring the return on economic developmentAs Taranaki’s Regional Development Agency, it’s difficult to put into a sentence, or even a few paragraphs, just what Venture Taranaki does.
That’s not because we’re unclear about what we do. Quite the contrary - we’re here to help the Taranaki region grow.
It is hard to define exactly what we do because we’re involved in a huge range of projects from indiviudal business to major industry level.
Venture Taranaki was incorporated as a charitable trust - a fact that surprises some people - and is owned by the New Plymouth District Council as a council controlled organisation.
As mentioned, our mandate is broad - we are here to help the Taranaki region,
its businesses, its industries, and its people, to grow.
As you’ll read in this edition of Te Puna Umanga and our other newsletters, we’re actively involved in everything from business advise, capability development funding in partnership with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, and major research and development funding with the Ministry of Science and Innovation.
We’re working with industries ranging from oil and gas to tourism, at every level from product development through to exporting.
We’re the link between national and international media and Taranaki, and manage the fund that helps our region
attract its biggest events.
So what does this mean to you?
It means that if you’re in business, or even if you’re just thinking about being in business, there is a one-stop-shop you can go to for the latest advice and assistance.
But more importantly, it means there’s an organisation working on growing our region - whether that’s helping our businesses, helping attract people to visit or come and live here, helping our industries take on the world and helping the world discover Taranaki.
If you want to find out more about how we can help you and your business, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Venture Taranaki.
In the news...
6 Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012
“People get into business because they have a passion for what they’re doing and they love their business,” Teresa says over a coffee, “As a mentor it’s great to get involved with such passionate people, who have all this energy but may need some guidance on making it work better for them.”
“I really enjoy meeting and helping these passionate people who are doing such great things.”
Teresa likes to meet with the two businesses she mentors over a coffee, keeping it relatively informal and relaxed to get ideas flowing and get to the real areas where she can help out.
“Business owners will always tell their customers that business is booming, but if there are aspects that aren’t going so well it’s hard to find someone to talk to about it. That’s where mentors can be of the greatest value and where, as a mentor,
I can help people find the tools they need to really move their business to the next level.”
Mentoring other businesses has also helped Teresa look at her own business with renewed enthusiasm and fresh ideas.
“Mentoring other businesses really helps you learn your own strengths. You walk in and see where you can help the business you’re mentoring, and then you come home all inspired and look at your own business.
“The more you learn about the successes and challenges of other businesses, the more you learn and think about what you and your business could do. I’ve found it an amazing experience from that perspective.”
Teresa first discovered mentoring as a new business owner almost a decade ago, getting a lot of “really valuable” reassurance on the financial side of her business. The unobstructed views over New Plymouth’s famed Coastal Walkway would indicate that her own mentor did a good job.
In terms of the workload, Teresa generally budgets a couple of days a month, which is predominantly spent face to face with the client, with a few emails when the client needs to bounce an idea or ask a question. The focus is on guidance, rather than doing the work for them. It’s about building capability rather than baby-sitting, as Teresa puts it.
“At the end of the day it’s like building blocks. It’s about doing what you can to make sure all Taranaki’s businesses are doing well, to make sure the region does well.”
Teresa is one of the many business mentors who contributed to the 59 mentor matches that Venture Taranaki Mentor Coordinator Kirsten Bamford has made between Taranaki businesses and business mentors over the last year.
Fun the driver for business mentor“
Case sTudY Business mentors
The bottom line is that mentoring is just a lot of fun,” says Teresa Bowe from her ‘Board Room’ – the sun-drenched deck of her home and business Belt Road Holiday Park.
Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012 7
August 2011
With much sadness the Trust farewelled Board member Sir Paul Reeves on 14 August after a short illness. Since joining the Trust in 2006,
Sir Paul made an indelible mark in the boardroom, in the Trust’s activities and in the standing and perception of the Taranaki region.
Sir Paul’s legacy is one of a long-term regional strategy that embraces all sectors of our community, and his wit, attention to detail and vitality have been missed at our board table since his departure.
Kua hinga he totara i te wao nui a Tane.
New Zealand Cycleway welcomed
The New Zealand Cycleway extended to the Taranaki region in August, with the launch of its first on-road section between Taumarunui and New Plymouth.
The route traces the Forgotten World Highway and deviates to the Tarata Saddle before joining the Mangati Walkway at Bell Block and the New Plymouth Coastal Walkway, culminating at the Wind Wand and Puke Ariki museum, library and i-Site Visitor Information Centre.
Venture Taranaki has produced a guide to the 180km route, which is best explored over 2-3 days, and facilitated a number of media reviews, both of which have contributed to a steady stream of riders choosing to explore what one international reviewer called “one of the best single day road rides that I have ever done.”
From $1.9 million in economic growth funding from New Plymouth district Council, Venture Taranaki leveraged an additional $2.5 million in direct funding for the Taranaki region.
Sir Paul Reeves 1932 – 2011
Taumarunui to WhangamomonaThe route begins in Taumarunui, an important location for New Zealand’s rail network since the pioneering era, and the hub of a number of Cycle Trail routes. Stock up on supplies – it is over 80km before you will have a chance get more.
Just out of Taumarunui Herlihy’s Bluffs showcases the area’s ancient history through 1300m thick layers of sand and mud stone, dating back 15-25 million years. 8km further on is the chance to stop for refreshments at the Lavender Farm, before reaching Nevin’s Lookout with panoramic views of the Central North Island on offer from a vantage point a short walk from the road. Please ensure the gate is shut behind you.
A 10km (each way) diversion off the Cycle Trail at the 40km mark leads to the once-prominent town of Ohura, whose museum showcases the local history. Further south, Waro Road offers another diversion to the site of the old Tatu Mine – a 6.5km diversion up the valley.
Native bush then surrounds the road as it passes through the Tangarakau Gorge. The road surface also changes to well-formed gravel for a 13km section at this point. After the Moki Road turnoff, the route passes through the single-lane 180m long 1936 Moki Tunnel – known locally as the Hobbit hole – before climbing to the Tahora Saddle. Accommodation is available here, or it is a long descent to Whangamomona.
For more info visit: www.taranaki.info/visit or www.nzcycletrail.com
TAUMARUNUI–NEW PLYMOUTH
ROUTE INCLUDES NEW PLYMOUTH’S COASTAL WALKWAY, BELL BLOCK’S MANGATI WALKWAY, BERTRAND ROAD BRIDGE, TARATA, PURANGI, MATAU & WHANGAMOMONA
For more information visit:
www.taranaki.info/visitwww.nzcycletrail.com
CYCLE TRAIL
Stratford
BEACONSFIELD RDWAIWIRI RD
DOUGLAS RD
BREWER RD
UPPER MANGAEHU RD
WHANGAMOMONA RD
RAEKOHUA RD
MOKI RD
MANGAPAPA RD
OKAU RD
WAITAANGA RD
WARO RD
Midhurst
Toko
Douglas
Strathmore
Huiakama
Makahu
Aotuhia
Whangamomona
Marco
Kohuratahi
Tahora
Tangarakau
Tatu
TokirimaAukopae
Te Maire
Taumarunui
Ohura
Kotare
Ahititi
Uruti
Mokau
WHANGANUINATIONAL
PARK
TOKIRIMA RD
Opatu
MAKURI RD
OkauOKAU RD
OHURA RD
Mangatupoto
1
2
3
45
6
7
8
9
10
11
1213
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
242829
32
33
43
4
3
3
43
43
STANLEY RD
27
26
30
31
25
3
4
To New Plymouth
To Hamilton
To Lake Taupo
To Hawera
To Te Kuiti
TasmaN sea
To New Plymouth
PLEASE NOTE
12KM OF THE FORGOTTEN WORLD HIGHWAY IS UNSEALED ROAD
THERE ARE NO PETROL STATIONS ALONG THE HIGHWAY
WHEN IN NEW ZEALAND, PLEASE DRIVE ON THE LEFT!
DRIVE TIMESTimeDistance
Stratford to:Douglas18 mins18 km
Strathmore Saddle23 mins23 km
Pohokura Saddle45 mins45 km
Whangamomona Saddle56 mins56 km
Alice King Memorial1 hr 3 mins65 km
Tahora Saddle1 hr 15 mins75 km
Moki Rd Tunnel1 hr 21 mins81 km
Nevin’s Lookout1 hr 50 mins110 km
Taumarunui2 hr 30 mins150 km
Tahora/SH43 to:Tangarakau6 mins, one way6 km
Moki Rd/ SH43 to:
Mt Damper Falls15 mins, one way15.1 km
Moki Forest8 mins, one way7.9 km
Tatu to:Tatu Coal Mine3 mins, one way2.6 km
Ahititi to:New Plymouth1 hr61 kms
Hamilton2 hr 30 mins180 kms
Taumarunui to:Te Kuiti1 hr83 km
Taupo1 hr 30 mins131 km
Stratford to:New Plymouth30 mins40 km
Hawera20 mins31 km
POINTS OF INTEREST1 Stratford2 Taranaki Pioneer Village3 Whakaahurangi Maori Trail4 Douglas Brick Kiln5 Strathmore Saddle6 Makahu Tunnel7 Matemateaonga Walk8 Aotuhia – Bridge to Somewhere9 Te Wera Arboretum10 Pohokura Saddle11 Whangamomona Saddle12 Whangamomona Village13 Alice King Memorial14 Tahora Saddle15 Tangarakau Village16 Moki Road Tunnel
17 Mt Damper Falls18 Moki Forest19 Tangarakau Gorge20 Morgan’s Grave21 Tatu Village22 Tatu Coal Mine Entrance23 Ohura Museum24 Nevin’s Lookout25 Aorangi Flour Mill26 Maraekowhai Reserve27 Papa Drive28 Aukopae Tunnel29 Aukopae River-Boat Landing30 Nukunuku Museum31 Te Maire Reserve32 Herlihy’s Bluff33 Taumarunui
* Approximate distance and drive times
1State HighwayState Highways Sealed
TownsSealed Secondary Road
Smaller TownsSealed Local Road
1Places of InterestUnsealed Road
i-SITE Visitor CentreWalking Trail
AccommodationRefreshments
Gardens/ParksRest Areas
Kiwi Cultural AttractionToilets
Natural AttractionTunnels
PetrolWalks/Trails
*Map is not to scale and not all roads are shown
KEY
FORGOTTEN WORLD HIGHWAYNew ZealaNd’s oldest touriNg route betweeN stratford aNd taumaruNui
For more information visit:
www.taranaki.infowww.visitruapehu.com
www.taranaki.infowww.visitruapehu.com
www.doc.govt.nz
STRATFORD i-SITE VISITOR CENTREProspero Place and Miranda Street, Stratford
email: [email protected]: 06 765 6708 freephone: 0800 765 6708
Visitor information, maps, souvenirs, internet facilities, accommodation, activity and transport bookings for Stratford, Taranaki and all of New Zealand.
Hours: Monday-Friday from 8.30am-5pm. Weekends and Public Holidays from 10am-3pm.
TAUMARUNUI i-SITE VISITOR CENTRERailway Station, Hakiaha Street, Taumarunui
email: [email protected] Phone: 07 895 7494Visitor information, maps, souvenirs, internet facilities, accommodation, activity
and transport bookings for Taumarunui, Ruapehu and all of New Zealand.Hours: Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm.
Weekends and Public Holidays from 10am-4pm. Closed Christmas day.
FORGOTTEN WORLD HIGHWAY
C7 desigN/Vt0095/fwH 11-09
For more information get Venture Taranaki’s full Taumarunui to New Plymouth Cycle Trail Guide (available later this year) or the Forgotten World Highway Touring Route Guide.
ROUTE INCLUDES NEW PLYMOUTH’S COASTAL WALKWAY, BELL BLOCK’S MANGATI WALKWAY, BERTRAND RD BRIDGE, TARATA, PURANGI & WHANGAMOMONA
TAUMARUNUI–NEW PLYMOUTH
CYCLE TRAIL
Part of the New Zealand Cycle Trail network, the 180km Taumarunui to New Plymouth on-road Cycle Trail traces the Forgotten World Highway through rugged bush country, before deviating through farmland to the Taranaki Coast and fi nishing on New Plymouth’s award winning Coastal Walkway.
RUAPEHU DISTRICT COUNCIL ROB TUCKERWhangamomona to New PlymouthHeading south from Whangamomona, the Forgotten World Highway traverses the Whangamomona Saddle, which offers a number of short and not-so-short bush walk options. Turn off to follow Junction Road at the Pohokura Saddle.
There is a period of gravel road and after 15km, Junction Road becomes Tarata Road at Purangi. You will notice stoat traps along the roadside – this is Kiwi country, and the nearby East Taranaki Environment Trust operates a successful Kiwi and native bird sanctuary.
A further 16km on, turn right onto scenic Otaraoa Road, which leads through the Tarata Tunnel. From here it is largely downhill to the turnoff onto Tikorangi Road, 10km after the tunnel, for a fl at 5km run to the historic Bertrand Road Swing Bridge across the Waitara River. Watch for the speed bumps on either side of the bridge – there to slow motorists they have an unsettling impact on cyclists.
The Coastal Walkway offers an incredibly scenic route past surf beaches, seaside cafes and other amenities to the fi nish of the Cycle Trail at Puke Ariki Landing and the New Plymouth i-SITE at Puke Ariki Museum and Library.
Highlights of the Walkway include the striking Te Rewa Rewa Bridge over the Waiwhakaiho River, and the towering 45m tall Wind Wand sculpture, by late Kiwi artist Len Lye. New Plymouth is one of New Zealand’s two Walking and Cycling Model Communities.
The last major climb of the route is out of the Waitara River Valley on the western side of the bridge. From here it’s 6.5km, passing the Sentry Hill Fruit Winery to refreshments at the Lepperton Store and a further 7km to the start of the Mangati Walkway in the Bell Block industrial area.
Reaching the SeaThe Mangati Walkway passes under State Highway 3 before weaving through urban areas to link into the award winning, shared-use New Plymouth Coastal Walkway via Parklands Ave and Smeaton Road. There is a supermarket and other stores nearby.
8 Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012
Taranaki is set to be inundated with a thousand motorhomes, caravans and campers next Easter when
the 2013 New Zealand Motor Caravan Association Easter Rally comes to Taranaki.
The vehicles, from around New Zealand and even a number being shipped in from around the world for the event, will spend five days of sampling Taranaki’s many attractions.
“It’s shaping up to be a fantastic event, with everything from $3,000 vans to luxury motorhomes worth well over quarter of a million dollars,” says event organiser Basil Dodunski.
Conferences and events of this scale don’t just come to Taranaki by chance. As is often the case with the region’s successes, a lot of work was put in behind the scenes
by Venture Taranaki – in this case through the region’s Convention Bureau.
In this case the Bureau helped the regional branch of the NZMCA put together a compelling bid document, associated presentations, and a range of other material to promote the region to the national organising committee.
“Venture Taranaki were incredibly supportive, helping us to present a really professional stand at this year’s event in Tauranga, and ongoing planning and promotion as we build up to the Taranaki event next year,” Basil says.
The Taranaki stand at this year’s Easter Rally in Tauranga, manned by the Taranaki members of the NZMCA and Venture Taranaki, drew a lot of interest, and whetted the appetites for an even better event in 2013.
Over the year the Taranaki Convention Bureau helped attract dozens of other national conferences and events to the region – from the aa to the Lions Club to creative conferences to eCaNZ and more. assistance packages are provided free of charge, and tailored to the individual event, meaning they can range from developing a bid document and providing promotional material right through to helping deliver the event.
“Within the remit of getting more people to Taranaki through conferences, meetings and national organisation events, we’re able to deliver an immense amount of value,” says Venture Taranaki’s General Manager, Visitor Industry Paul stancliffe.
Case sTudY Taranaki convention bureau
Getting more conferences and events here
Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012 9
September 2011
First economic development study of State Highway 3
Venture Taranaki undertook a year-long project to deliver the first major economic development study of State Highway 3, with a particular focus on the route
north of New Plymouth. The project was undertaken to gain an analysis of the route from an economic rather than roading perspective, further helping to inform strategic policy decisions around the route.
“Our community has consistently identified State Highway 3 as a constraint to growth and connectedness. In response to that feedback we have commissioned a factual report into the economic development impacts of the route,” says Stuart Trundle.
Taranaki’s importance as the only oil and gas producing region, as well as the significant contribution that our engineering, primary, and dairy and meat processing sectors make to wealth and export development mean that the region has an important role to play in New Zealand’s economic transformation. State Highway 3 is critical to that contribution.
“We are looking to move beyond anecdotal feedback and existing traffic figures to look at the hard data around the route, providing a strategic economic analysis and a solid foundation for strategic discussions on the route.”
As part of the project, polling was conducted amongst businesses, households and amongst stakeholders in the Waikato, Taranaki and Wanganui/Manawatu regions. Venture Taranaki commissioned NZIER, in association with BECA, to assist with the analysis.
grab a cup of Taranaki
Taranaki’s burgeoning reputation as a provider of great coffee was behind a regional promotion campaign based around the humble takeaway coffee cup, launched in
September. Featuring Taranaki imagery and phrases, the cups were distributed to cafes throughout the region to extend the reach of the Taranaki brand in the buildup to and throughout the Rugby World Cup.
“The cups aim to help our cafes meet RWC 2011 visitor demand and promote the region at the same time,” says Venture Taranaki Marketing Manager Vicki Fairley.
“Taranaki’s diverse and vibrant coffee culture clearly fits the region’s ‘like no other’ stamp, so it was a logical step to link the region’s seriously good coffee directly with the regional brand,” says Vicki.
“People walk around with takeaway coffee cups, drink them in prominent locations, and read what’s on the side, giving us thousands of tiny billboards to spread the word that Taranaki is a fantastic place to visit, live and work.”
“We have had so many people comment on how great they look – they are working really well in getting the Taranaki message across. In fact they look so good that I have to make sure my coffee lives up to the image!” said Pam Webby of empire Tea Rooms.
10 Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012
When the Rugby World Cup 2011 – likely the biggest sporting event New Zealand
will ever see – descended on Taranaki, years of planning and preparation by Venture Taranaki helped ensure it left a positive legacy on the region.
A 2009 economic impact report by Venture Taranaki and the Taranaki Rugby Football Union predicted a total impact of RWC 2011 of $12.00 million, which was well and truly surpassed.
The event brought a total of $16.24 million to Taranaki, resulting in a $6.74 million boost to the region’s GDP.
Just as importantly, more than 30,595 visitors from outside the region came to Taranaki for the event’s three matches, to which over 45,000 tickets were sold.
The region received extensive praise from international visitors for its friendly locals, impressive scenery and match venue, and also gained positive feedback from the region’s business community. Venture Taranaki’s six-monthly Business Survey found that 19 percent of the region’s businesses utilised the event in their
marketing and communications, and 93.6 percent believed RWC 2011 was positive for Taranaki – well above the 89.4 percent of local businesses who saw the event as a positive initiative for New Zealand as a whole.
From the initial bid to secure matches in Taranaki to advising visiting dignitaries to showcasing more of the region than the stadium to visiting media, leveraging the event through the Swap Sides campaign to building and maintaining the region’s official RWC 2011 website, or branding the region’s entry points to welcome visitors, Venture Taranaki was very active in ensuring the tournament had a lasting impact on the region.
Taranaki’s three matches – Ireland vs. USA on 11 September, Russia vs. USA on 15 September and Wales vs. Namibia on 26 September, captured the spirit of the competition, as the quotes from visiting media below will attest. On an events, visitor and regional development level, Taranaki was able to leverage the event for both economic and broader outcomes – following the Rugby World Cup, Venture Taranaki led a number of Taranaki employers on a successful skills mission to the UK. See page 15 for one of the outcomes of that mission.
Case sTudY Rugby World Cup 2011
Taranaki delivers spectacular RWC 2011
“Thanks New Plymouth for shining like the sun and hosting local and foreign visitors with ease and grace. I loved our time here.” Petra Bagust, TVNZ Breakfast
“Glorious evening in New Plymouth and Stadium Taranaki is a little beauty. No excuses for Wales.” Huw Baines, UK Sports Journalist
“If there’s a more impressive backdrop to a rugby stadium than Mount Taranaki, I’d like to see it.” ITV Wales Sport
“Heading off toward Auckland tomorrow, sorry to leave but definitely planning to comeback someday.” Mike Owen, Ex Wales Player/Media Personality
“My first visit to New Plymouth. Will leave tomorrow with great memories of the place. Quality.” Andrew Baldock, The Independent
“Mount Taranaki at its superlative best tonight in evening sun. Worlds most scenic ground?” Brendan gallagher, Daily Telegraph
Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012 11
Perceptions of Taranaki residents were again surveyed this year, in the Taranaki Perception Survey. Respondents to the survey, which was conducted
digitally and promoted through a range of digital and media channels, were generally positive about the region and its amenities.
Overall, residents rated living in Taranaki an average of 8.24 out of a possible 10 (where a 10 is absolutely fantastic). The region was rated an average of 7.01 out of 10 for its vibrancy, 8.26 out of 10 for its lifestyle, and 7.34 for its general environment.
The standard of Taranaki’s education was rated 6.94 out of 10, while the regional infrastructure was judged an average 6.51 out of 10, and work and career opportunities in the region a less impressive 5.53 out of 10, on average.
Residents liked Taranaki’s mountain and scenery, people, coast and sea and lifestyle the best, and saw local government policy, economic impacts, job availability and roading constraints as the biggest threats to the region over the next three years.
When posed the question of where they would invest a $10 million dividend in the region, roading was the most popular investment target, followed by events and facilities, education and extending the New Plymouth Coastal Walkway.
“My family relocated in January 2012 for the lifestyle. We have not been disappointed, and my husband cannot believe the positive changes since he left the province in 2001.”
“I moved here to work on a project and knew I would love the work. I had no idea the region would feel like ‘my place’ so quickly. I love it here.”
“It’s funny how this place gets under your skin.”
Measuring the region’s perceptions
October 2011
12 Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012
Case sTudY Business startups
Turning a passion into a valuable business
Former Taranaki girl Stacey Waterson first noticed the creativity of mental health
patients while working at an Auckland care facility, and this sparked an interest in arts therapy.
“Art – and by that I mean all the different forms of art, not just drawing or painting – offers a point of difference to traditional therapy,” says Stacey, who built on a decade of experience in the mental health sector to embrace this new form of therapy.
“Arts therapy lets people communicate non-verbally. When words cannot describe experiences, people utilise the arts to tell their stories, and can find paths to healing and transformation they might otherwise miss,” Stacey says.
“This can be especially useful in dealing with trauma, which is not always stored in one place in the body, and can’t always be put into a verbal narrative.”
With a Master’s degree in arts therapy and professional registration with the Australian and New Zealand Arts Therapy Association under her belt, Stacey returned to Taranaki, which she felt offered the opportunity to turn her passion into a profession.
While researching how to set up her business, Stacey came across the Venture Taranaki website – www.taranaki.info – and discovered the free Business Start-up Clinics that VT offers.
“I booked a clinic and thought I’d go along and see what Venture Taranaki had to say,” says Stacey.
“I’m glad I did!”
Her meeting with Start-up Advisor Sharon Albrechtsen helped Stacey plan all the necessary steps towards getting her business off the ground and growing sustainably and steadily.
“It was really good to get a big picture overview of what I needed to do and what my next steps were. Sharon was really approachable, could relate well to my business idea, and shared my enthusiasm for it.”
“My advice to anyone else looking to start a business based on their passion and skills is to give it a go. And go and talk to Venture Taranaki.”
This year, 89 Business start-up clinics were held in New Plymouth, stratford or Hawera, reaching a total of 274 clients, up from 203 in the previous financial year. start-up clients like stacey can access confidential one-on-one time with a start-up advisor, and access business planning advice and information on all aspects of starting and successfully running a small to medium sized enterprise.
Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012 13
November 2011
Taranaki’s pioneering partnership with AA Tourism was again behind the 2012 Taranaki Visitor
Guide – a 68-page publication of which 200,000 copies were distributed to 5,000 outlets across New Zealand and Australia.
The publication was supported by over 90 of the region’s visitor industry businesses, with additional information looking at what’s on offer for visitors to Taranaki.
“The partnership, the first of its kind, is responsible for the unification of the distinct Venture Taranaki and AA regional visitor guides. As a result we’ve been able to achieve lower costs and greater clarity for our region’s visitor industry businesses, and more useful content for our visitors.” Visitor Industry General Manager Paul Stancliffe says.
“Plus the region has gained access to a substantially larger distribution network at a negligible cost.”
CarboNZeroVenture Taranaki remains the only Regional Development Agency to have achieved CarboNZero certification, and this year the Trust continued to lead by example in monitoring and responding to its carbon footprint.
Partnership with AA delivered 2012 Visitor guides
Over the year the region’s official social media presence TaranakiNZ on Facebook and @Taranaki_NZ on Twitter, continued to grow rapidly. The number of followers to the Facebook account grew 19 percent, from 19,643 to 23,420, while the number of Twitter followers grew from 1512 to 2502 over the year – a 65 percent gain.
The channels provided a very effective mechanism for sharing content created within the region – landscape images featuring Mount Taranaki were the most popular content streams, being shared with networks well beyond those of the Trust – as well as polling local and expat communities and promoting specific events and businesses within the region.
A further Venture_Taranaki Facebook profile, which was established as a business-to-business communications channel with Taranaki’s business community, also grew strongly over the year, up 339% from 78 followers at the start of the year to 265 at the close.
Qualmark accreditationVenture Taranaki again assisted Taranaki businesses to gain Qualmark accreditation – the industry standard rating system for visitor industry operators. As at June 2012 a total of 48 local businesses held Qualmark accreditation – up from just one business in 2004. A growing number of Taranaki businesses are also broadening their Qualmark accreditation to gain an additional Qualmark Enviro rating, demonstrating their business’s commitment to sustainability.
Taranaki’s growing social reach
14 Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012
One visitor to the London event was Stuart Heighway. While Stuart wasn’t particularly looking to move to Taranaki, or New Zealand, he was certainly no stranger to working round the world, having grown up in the Middle East and worked in Canada and China.
While Stuart’s background in aerospace engineering and telecommunications may initially seem an odd fit with the Taranaki economy, an hour-long conversation with ITL founder and director Kim Gilkison at the expo has resulted in a shift to New Plymouth to join the rapidly growing team at ITL.
“I was looking for a change, and New Zealand was loosely on the list,” says Stuart, who despite a brief visit to New Zealand wasn’t aware Taranaki existed, but is now a convert.
“The outdoors, the coast, the central location to the rest of the North Island and the rural feel ticked all the boxes. The lifestyle here is really good. I’ve had to get
a snowboard and a mountain bike, and there’s so much else to do, from hiking, fishing, rugby and so much more.”
“I’ve got so much time here – living in London and working on the South Coast I was commuting an hour each way. Here it’s a 10-minute walk along the coastal walkway to work.”
Stuart loves his work with ITL, and looks set to stay in the region, with plans to go for residency, and his girlfriend recently joining him here.
“I really can’t think of any negatives – my friends and family have all booked their holidays to Taranaki, so I haven’t even had a chance to miss them.”
driven by the need to attract skilled workers and grow the region’s population, Venture Taranaki has also developed a range of resources to help people make the move to the region, from the comprehensive Lifestyle Toolkit to the enhanced Live + Work section of the Taranaki.info website.
Case sTudY skills attraction
Attracting the world’s best to Taranaki
Venture Taranaki continues to work alongside the region’s companies to attract skilled
workers from around the world. A successful example was the region’s presence at the Opportunities New Zealand migration expos in the UK during November.
Venture Taranaki worked with five local companies to attend the events, in London, Aberdeen and Manchester, and present a stand aimed at educating and enticing discussion on the job and lifestyle opportunities in Taranaki.
“I really can’t think of any negatives…”
Recent convert to Taranaki, ITL project manager Stuart Heighway
Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012 15
December 2011/ January 2012
Welcome to Breakwater Bay
Venture Taranaki got behind a number of visitor-focused businesses at Taranaki’s newest
destination to create the Breakwater Bay marketing alliance at Port Taranaki.
The aim of the project was to develop a high-profile destination, where people could access retail, dining, activity and leisure activities at the end of the New Plymouth Coastal Walkway.
Recognising the visitor potential of the concept, Venture Taranaki has been behind the project from the start, working with the business owners and local design company Cause and Effect to develop a distinctive brand.
“Developing Breakwater Bay will help us highlight and promote this unique collection of attractions to both locals and visitors, and adds yet another great attraction to the region’s portfolio,” says Venture Taranaki’s Visitor Industry Manager Paul Stancliffe.
When the Holland America Line cruise ship MS Volendam steamed into Port
Taranaki at 6.30am on 27 December, the region was ready and waiting. From the moment the ship’s 1400 passengers and 615 crew members disembarked, they were given a great insight into Taranaki’s legendary hospitality and friendliness.
Well before the ship’s arrival, Venture Taranaki was working with the region’s retail, hospitality and visitor industries to ensure the visit was a success. A special website set up for the passengers gained fantastic support from the business community, featuring 19 visitor activities,
23 hospitality businesses and a staggering 43 retailers, all of whom were open for business, despite the proximity to Christmas.
Venture Taranaki also produced a ‘z-flyer’ publication to give visitors event, attraction and map information, and a full page ad was placed in the Taranaki Daily News.
The cruise sector is the fastest-growing of New Zealand’s tourism sectors, increasing 250 percent over the last five years, with huge potential for future growth. It is a sector that has potential benefits for Taranaki, and it was fantastic to see the region mobilise to deliver a fantastic experience to the MS Volendam.
MS Volendam welcomed
Partnership to GROW TaranakiThe partnership between Venture Taranaki and Work and Income New Zealand continued throughout the year until December, with the GROW Taranaki campaign. Designed to assist Taranaki businesses take on staff and reduce unemployment, the campaign raised the profile of Work and Income’s free recruitment services and the wage and job training subsidies available. A number of successful case studies were highlighted, including that of Align Tiling, whose owner Josh Robinson had this to say about the experience with the campaign and the Work and Income services:
“The subsidy from Work and Income is a huge advantage – the whole package with the subsidy and service has worked. Young Josh is still going really well. I would not hesitate to take on another young person in future and I am currently thinking about this because we have work booked well in to next year.”
16 Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012
The Lifestyle The Taranaki lifestyle has become the stuff of legend. The region is known as the energy province of New Zealand, as much for the rich mineral resources underneath it as the energised landscape and welcoming locals who reside there.
At its heart – both geographically and spiritually – stands Mount Taranaki, a natural playground and proud regional icon. While nestled on the coast, the progressive capital city of the region – New Plymouth, was judged New Zealand’s Top Town by influential North & South magazine.
In Taranaki it’s easy to achieve an enviable lifestyle, without having to compromise your career. The region’s dynamic surf, masses of parks and gardens, iconic walkways, major events calendar and mountain playground make it a great place to live.
Add to that the minimal traffic, high employment and clean air and water, and you’ll soon see why this safe and stimulating community is the perfect place to call home – whether you’re seeking a better lifestyle, starting a family, or simply looking for a change. www.taranaki.info/liveandwork
New Plymouth, the city by the sea, was voted the most liveable and sustainable community in
the world at the 2008 UN-backed Liveable Communities awards.
About Taranaki
The RegionIf you are looking for Taranaki on a map of New Zealand, you’ll see it’s the bump on the west coast of the North Island. Located halfway between the main centres of Auckland and Wellington, the region is characterised by the 2518m Mount Taranaki, in Egmont National Park.
www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/taranaki
Beyond New Plymouth there are smaller towns and villages all around Mount Taranaki with lifestyle blocks and farms in-between. This means you can choose between city, small town or rural life, and pick whether to live by the sea or further inland.
The DistrictsTaranaki is home to 107,500 people, most of whom live in the coastal city of New Plymouth. The region is split into three districts: New Plymouth to the north with a population of about 70,000, www.newplymouthnz.com; Stratford in central Taranaki servicing about
9,000 people www.stratford.govt.nz; and South Taranaki www.southtaranaki.com, including the main centre of Hawera, with a population of 26,000. The Taranaki Regional Council covers the entire region, providing services and information on the environment, resource consents, public transport, and civil defence. www.trc.govt.nz
The region is characterised by the 2518m, Mount Taranaki, in Egmont National Park.
Every day people take the opportunity to cycle, walk, run and skate on New Plymouth’s multi-award-winning walkway beside the Tasman Sea.
New Plymouth
Waitara
Urenui
Mokau
Oakura
Okato
Cape Egmont
Opunake
Eltham
HaweraManaia
Patea
Waverley
Stratford
Inglewood
SH3
SH3
SH3
Mount Taranaki
N
Taranaki, New Zealand
www.taranaki.info 3
Ab
out Taranaki
Every day people take the opportunity to cycle, walk, run and skate on New Plymouth’s multi-award-winning walkway beside the Tasman Sea.
Every day people take the Every day people take the opportunity to cycle, walk, run and skate on New Plymouth’s multi-award-winning walkway beside the Tasman Sea.
lifestyle toolkit2
Encouraging more to swap sides to Taranaki
Venture Taranaki’s Swap Sides campaign stepped up a level this year to leverage both the high level of awareness around the Rugby World Cup and the ongoing allure of the region’s
legendary lifestyle to attract even more new residents from around New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Perhaps the most visible aspect of the campaign was the series of billboards seen when leaving the region by road. At strategic locations on the northern and southern edges of the region, billboards have been erected stating “You’re about to leave Taranaki” followed 100m later by “Why?” and a further 100m later with “We’d love you to stay! www.swapsides.co.nz.”
The campaign also took out high-profile billboards in Auckland’s CBD and en route to Auckland Airport, giving extensive exposure to the brand, as well as locally on Devon Street New Plymouth, with core messages changed to coincide with the region’s major events, which was further supported with advertising in a range of domestic and international online and print channels.
Swap Sides is the flagship campaign in the Trust’s work to attract the skilled labour needed to meet the region’s business growth and ultimately help Taranaki reach its population target of 135,000 residents by 2035 – the number needed to ensure it retains its current share of population-based funding.
At the other end of the live-work process, the Trust updated and enhanced its comprehensive Lifestyle Toolkit during the year, which was published in both print and digital formats. The Toolkit includes just about everything someone contemplating a shift to Taranaki might need – from real estate information to guidance on the region’s industries, and immigration signposting right through to a glimpse into the region’s legendary lifestyle.
Case sTudY swap sides campaign
The Lifestyle The Lifestyle The Taranaki lifestyle has become the stuff of legend. The region is known as the energy province of New Zealand, as much for the rich mineral resources underneath it as the energised landscape and welcoming locals who reside there.
At its heart – both geographically and spiritually – stands Mount Taranaki, a natural playground and proud regional icon. While nestled on the coast, the progressive capital city of the region – New Plymouth, was judged New Zealand’s Top Town by influential North & South magazine.
In Taranaki it’s easy to achieve an enviable lifestyle, without having to compromise your career. The region’s dynamic surf, masses of parks and gardens, iconic walkways, major events calendar and mountain playground make it a great place to live.
Add to that the minimal traffic, high employment and clean air and water, and you’ll soon see why this safe and stimulating community is the perfect place to call home – whether you’re seeking a better lifestyle, starting a family, or simply looking for a change. www.taranaki.info/liveandwork
the world at the 2008 UN-backed Liveable Communities awards.
About Taranaki
Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012 17
February 2012
Attracting and enabling major events
Venture Taranaki, continues to support a range of events through its administration of
the New Plymouth District Council’s Major Events Fund. Events continue to be a cost effective way of raising the profile of the region and positioning it as a vibrant and exciting place to visit or live. They also provide an immediate return by bringing visitor dollars into the region and boosting the local economy. Over the past few years the fund has delivered an economic return of approximately $17.3 per dollar spent. Some of the events which Venture Taranaki supported this year are:
• Powerco Taranaki Garden Spectacular, 2011
• AmeriCARna
• Rugby World Cup 2011
• Taranaki Steelformers Round the Mountain Relay 2011
• Tropfest 2012
• Yarrows Taranaki Cycle Challenge, 2012
• New Zealand Surf Festival, incorporating the Women’s ASP Dream Tour, 2012-08-31
• 20/20 Cricket, 2011
Coming up in 2013
• All Blacks vs. France test match, 2013.
• National Brass Band Contest, 2013
Initial discussions were also held around hosting matches for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, and bids were submitted for the region to host matches of the FIFA Under 20 World Cup 2015.
A further bid to secure the 2012/2013 Long Distance Triathlon National Championships was unsuccessful, with the current location (Tauranga) being retained, though the bid has raised the possibility of having different locations in alternate years with New Plymouth a candidate.
18 Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012
Showcasing Taranaki to 120 million
Taranaki was seen by an audience of over 120 million viewers after US television show Catch
and Cook TV visited the region in February. The show, which broadcasts internationally via the Food Channel, pits the host Aaron Carotta against a shopping list of unique local ingredients, as created by a star chef.
Aaron arrived in the region by paddleboard and was met by Michelin trained chef and food author Peter Blakeway with a list of ingredients to source from around the region.
Aaron and his film crew then traversed Taranaki, acquiring macadamia nuts from eMacadamia, stout beer from mike’s brewery, blue cheese from Eltham’s Fonterra cheese shop, and native garnishes and herbs from Te Kainga Marire.
In each case Aaron met the people behind the products, and shared with his many viewers the region’s stories, scenery and
hospitality, culminating in a gourmet meal prepared by Blakeway at the stunning clifftop St Georges By The Sea property near Okato.
But this was just one of the region’s many stories in the global media. From extensive coverage of the region’s hosting of three Rugby World Cup 2011 matches to a familiarisation by national tourism and travel writers, Venture Taranaki has been active behind the scenes in getting our stories, attractions, businesses and people the profile they deserve.
Increased public interest in oil and gas, the region’s surf, walkways and gardens, and our spectacular major events make up the bulk of media enquiries received by Venture Taranaki, with the full range of regional events and attractions, as well as business intelligence and the Trust’s own reports and publications being the central theme of outgoing communications to media.
Case sTudY Media
Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012 19
March 2012
A comprehensive publication showcasing New Zealand’s oil and gas industry capabilities
was developed and launched by Venture Taranaki in March, building on the December 2010 Wealth Beneath Our Feet report, which defined the full economic impact of the oil and gas industry to New Zealand’s economy: $2.5 billion to national GDP and employing 7,700 FTEs.
The World Within Our Reach: the New Zealand Oil and Gas Industry Capabilities Directory sits alongside the EnergyStream
website, and pulls together and celebrates the exceptionally talented companies that comprise the multi-disciplined supply chain behind the oil and gas industry.
The publication was a central document to the region’s presence at the APPEA event in May, and has been well utilised in promoting the immense capabilities resident in Taranaki’s business to the rest of New Zealand and the skills of both Taranaki and New Zealand to the world, building awareness of the region as a significant contributor of innovation to the oil and gas sector.
locals polled on favourite eateries
Venture Taranaki is frequently asked by media and visitors for dining and drinking recommendations, so in February the successful campaign to determine
Taranaki’s Must Do Experiences was replicated, asking locals to nominate and vote for their favourite restaurants, cafes, bars and takeaways.
In a strong reflection of the growth of Taranaki’s hospitality and dining sector, 132 Taranaki businesses were nominated across all four categories. Voting was conducted using an application on the regional Facebook page, with a corresponding media and communications campaign to build awareness.
The most popular businesses were spread right around the mountain, with the top ten in each category listed on the Taranaki.info website in March.
The World Within Our Reach
VENTURE TARANAKI TARANAKI’S REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
9 ROBE STREET, PO BOX 670,
NEW PLYMOUTH 4340, NEW ZEALAND
TEL: +64 6 759 5150.
EMAIL: [email protected]
WEBSITE: WWW.TARANAKI.INFO
WWW.ENERGYSTREAM.CO.NZ
ENERGYSTREAM IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
THE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR
NEW ZEALAND’S FOREMOST ENERGY PROVINCE.
A Showcase of New Zealand’s Extensive Oil and Gas Industry CapabilitiesProduced by Venture Taranaki Trust with support from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
2012/13
THE WORLD WITHIN OUR REACH‘ENERGISING OUR FUTURE’
Venture Taranaki at WOMADVenture Taranaki approached the iconic WOMAD festival differently this year, establishing a regional presence in the event’s global village to link more than 14,000 ticket purchasers with attraction and lifestyle information, linking the Swap Sides and visitor information workstreams.
The stand proved successful, with a high rate of traffic and interest from both out of region visitors and locals, and a very strong uptake of our suite of visitor and lifestyle publications.
20 Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012
Helping visitors discover Taranaki
In recent years Taranaki has stamped its mark on the tourism map, with growing numbers of both domestic and international visitors choosing to come to the region.
To ensure these visitors experience the best of the region, Venture Taranaki has expanded and enhanced its range of visitor industry collateral and its distribution.
This year 126,000 individual items of collateral were distributed directly to visitors, conference delegates, and the travel trade.
The largest of these was the Taranaki Souvenir Handbook, an A4 magazine style publication that spanned the region’s visitor attractions, businesses, lifestyle and more. While primarily developed for distribution to visitors around RWC 2011, it has been a popular overview of the region for conference delegates as well.
Again this year Venture Taranaki partnered with AA Tourism to co-produce the region’s official Visitor Guide, which gives unprecedented distribution channels through the AA. The publication is a cost effective solution for the Trust, whereby we provide editorial and photo content, and gains solid advertising support from the region’s visitor industry.
The Trust also worked with Allen Boreham Communications to produce an Inflight Magazine, which reached an audience of 450,000 air travellers on Air New Zealand Link flights around the country, again with the support of Taranaki’s visitor industry operators.
Taranaki, A Walker’s Guide again proved very popular, and was updated and reprinted in its fourth edition. This series of guidebooks was expanded this year with the addition of Taranaki’s Museums and Art Galleries, which features 29 public and private collections ranging from big to small from right across the region and Taranaki’s Parks and Gardens which profiles 21 of our public parks as well as private gardens of national and international significance.
The fold-out guides to the Surf Highway 45 and Forgotten World Highway touring routes were reprinted during the year, a testament to the popularity of the routes.
Venture Taranaki was also behind pocket sized, fold-out Z-Flyers for both the September Rugby World Cup 2011 matches and the December visit by the cruise ship MS Volendam. These contained helpful information on events, attractions and the region to encourage visitors to make the most of their time here.
But the most popular of the Trust’s publications was Taranaki’s Must Do Experiences – the fold-out guide to the region’s top 50 activities and attractions, as voted by the locals. Almost 25,000 copies were distributed over the year – 70 a day.
Case sTudY Visitor collateral
Your souvenir handbook to this legendarY region
April 2012
NZTE joins Taranaki House In April New Zealand Trade and Enterprise re-established a formal presence, expanding the already extensive array of business services available under the Taranaki House roof. Nick Fleming returned to the region as the Regional Manager for the Taranaki and Manawatu/Wanganui regions, working closely with a number of export companies in the wider region.
Getting more information about the oil and gas industry out into the public arena was the driver behind a series of videos developed by Venture
Taranaki and posted to YouTube in April, with support from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.
Developed as tools to promote and demystify the industry to the broader community, the series of eight videos presents key players in the industry, and across its broader supply chain, in a series of behind the scenes stories looking at issues relevant to the industry and its future growth.
While the brands of the exploration and production companies are well known, and the sector’s profile is often dominated by environmental impacts and sizable budgets, there are very few insights into how the industry actually operates, or the people behind it. This video series is about humanising the industry, telling its history, sharing its perspective and giving it a tool to communicate with the public in a contemporary and sharable format.”
The videos are available online at www.energystream.co.nz
Oil and Gas videos
“Why Venture Taranaki makes this a great town for innovators to live in!Having successfully prototyped my first tangible invention with FRST funding, I decided that it would be a good idea to go and let the good folks at Venture Taranaki see the “fruits” of their support. Expecting to maybe get a half hour of their time, both Zara Ryan and Michelle Jordan gave me two full hours of their attention and advice, which was insightful, professional, and perhaps most important to me, personable and enjoyable!
Zara is now advising me on the process to get the next level of dollar-for-dollar funding ($60k and over) and I have a feeling that I have a very good shot at getting it due to the preparations that I undertook to apply for the ANZ Flying Start Competition, which Venture Taranaki also participated in.
Having been a provider of services on three MSI/FRST funded projects, and now being an applicant myself, I can say with confidence that the process is very good from both perspectives.
Well done Venture Taranaki and MSI, you are really making this a great place for this innovator to live, and I hope to return the investment and then some to our lovely region and country.”
Matt sagen, inventor of the Roundabeat and Venture Taranaki client.
22 Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012
Delivering the latest regional intelligence
Throughout the year Venture Taranaki presented a wide array of regional intelligence, covering
everything from visitor numbers to migratory trends.
The Taranaki Business Survey was again conducted in November and May and adds to the body of data that Venture Taranaki has developed since the first survey in late 1999 to present a comprehensive view of the region’s economic confidence and business perception.
The survey reaches 1,000 Taranaki businesses across all industries and right around the mountain, and asks a series of benchmarking questions as well as
special topics relevant to that edition – in December the survey polled the impact of the Rugby World Cup 2011 and the May survey gauged business response to the Government’s Budget.
Taranaki Trends was published both in October 2011 and April 2012, providing a comprehensive collection of recent data and statistics, assembled from a range of sources.
Everything from Gross Domestic Product to consumer and employment confidence and property sales to migration trends are brought together in Trends, which is then distributed by email, in hard copy and through the taranaki.info website to
a sizable audience, both in and beyond the region.
In addition to the above publications, the Trust also released Visitor Statistics on a monthly basis, providing relevant and usable planning and review data to the visitor industry.
Specific targeted perception surveys were also undertaken with visitors to the region for the Rugby World Cup 2011 in September and amongst local residents in June, offering a valuable dataset for broader reports, such as the economic impact report into RWC 2011 in the region.
Case sTudY Regional intelligence
The Oil and Gas Specialist Technologies Cluster, established and facilitated by Venture Taranaki, had another strong year, with four new members joining the cluster bringing the total to 25. Venture Taranaki worked with the group to redevelop its marketing collateral, including stand
design, brochures, a promotional video, website, banners, advertising and even shirts. Armed with this new brand and collateral, the group was successfully and strongly represented at the ENEX 2011, New Zealand Petroleum Club, APPEA, TCI Conference and other industry events.
Oil and Gas Specialist Technologies Cluster
A multi-disciplined group of new ZeAlAnd compAnies providing A dynAmic rAnge of
technicAl And speciAlist support to the oil And gAs And energy sectors.
find out whAt we cAn do for you At:
www.oilandgas.co.nz
Rob
Tuck
er
Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012 23
May 2012
The annual Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) conference
and exhibition is the largest oil and gas event in Australasia, and a critical event at which to showcase Taranaki’s oil and gas innovation.
This year the event moved to Adelaide, where Venture Taranaki worked alongside a number of government entities and local businesses to ensure that Taranaki – home to New Zealand’s oil and gas industry – had a strong presence within the New Zealand Pavillion. The event is a great opportunity for our companies to connect with the world’s major oil and
gas players, and as a result those Taranaki companies that attended have already seen direct benefits.
APPEA leadership
Taking Taranaki to TRENZTaranaki returned to TRENZ – New Zealand’s biggest international tourism event – in May, with a regional presence spearheaded by Venture Taranaki. TRENZ 2012 showcased the best of the Taranaki region to dozens of key international tourism industry representatives, with particularly high interest in the Forgotten World Highway touring route and the addition of an official cycle route – the Taumarunui to New Plymouth Cycle Trail. Education tourism was also popular, as were enquiries about eco-tourism.
To support the region’s presence, the Taranaki Trade Planner was updated with the latest on Taranaki’s events, attractions, accommodation and activity operators.
Regional briefings and submissionsDuring the year Venture Taranaki prepared briefings for many Parliamentary visitors to the region, including Deputy Prime Minister Bill English, Minister of Economic Development and Science and Innovation Stephen Joyce, Foreign Affairs Minister Tim Groser, and then Energy Minister Hekia Parata, Labour Leader David Shearer and further regional visits by caucus committees and other Members of Parliament.
The Trust also made submissions on the region’s Civil Defence Emergency Management Plan and the Long Term Plans of all of Taranaki’s three district councils.
Tourism speed datingThe concept of speed dating was extended to Taranaki’s tourism sector in April when Venture Taranaki hosted the first Tourism Speed Dating event. With an aim of growing product knowledge, cross-selling and networking, the event was well attended and was fun and informative.
Operators were encouraged to think about their first impressions, strengthen connections and open the doors for more meaningful relationships down the track, such as promotional or package partnerships.
24 Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012
Case sTudY Capability development vouchers
They say the best businesses are based on passion, and that’s certainly the case for New Plymouth’s Trevor Bremner who devised a means to marry his love of
playing the cornet with a wife who worked night shifts.
The solution was the sshhmute – an invention incorporating a brass end cap and the lining of an old suitcase – which when inserted into the end of Trevor’s cornet enabled pitch and airflow to be maintained while dramatically reducing the volume – a first in the world of mutes.
“It’s been called the marriage saver,” notes Trevor’s wife and business manager Betty of the resulting product, now made from plastic and rapidly making inroads into practice rooms and concert stages the world over.
After three and a half years fine tuning the prototype, the sshhmute is in full production and in daily use by some of the world’s leading brass musicians, and a growing number of aspiring players and students around the world.
Production is almost entirely sourced within Taranaki, centred on a warehouse in suburban New Plymouth. Just one small aspect is sent out of the region, though Trevor is looking to get the necessary machinery to do this in house, reducing the production time by several weeks.
The sshhmute’s Taranaki links don’t stop there – the distinctive black and yellow colouring of some models is reminiscent of Taranaki for good reason.
“We based the initial colours on Taranaki’s colours. It’s amazing to attend major concerts and see a sshhmute being used on stage. They’re very distinctive,” says Trevor.
Though initially conceived as a practice aid, the sshhmute has been so successful in a concert environment that Trevor is now developing a new Gold Series specifically for on-stage use.
The range has also grown to fit eight different brass instruments,
with another in development. All mutes are selling strongly in a range of international markets, fuelled by glowing endorsements from many of the world’s greatest players. As well as developing new models, they are constantly endeavouring to improve their products and production methods.
And growth has been swift – at the 2012 Musikmesse expo in Frankfurt Germany, the sshhmute stood out amongst the 1500 exhibitors, resulting in further connections with leading players and just as importantly, direct sales.
Despite a shared passion for music, which has rubbed off on the Bremner’s four sons – two are percussionists, one is a trombone player and the fourth a trumpet player – the biggest challenge in turning their invention into a global success was getting the business skills to back up their considerable musical skills.
“Through Venture Taranaki I’ve had access to training for marketing, exporting and many other aspects of business that have helped Bremner Music run successfully,” Betty says.
A recent initiative has been utilising the Capability Development Voucher scheme, through Venture Taranaki, to part-fund working with Mohamed Abouelkheir of A3 Lean to introduce lean manufacturing techniques into the business.
“Working with Mohamed has been amazing, and made a real difference to our stock management, reduced our production times, and even encouraged us to bring in a staff member. It’s made us really think through our whole production process.”
“Venture Taranaki has helped us on so many levels,” says Betty.
“Anyone who gets into business and doesn’t go and see Venture Taranaki is just mad.”
This year Venture Taranaki has issued 210 Capability development Vouchers worth over $240,000 for Taranaki businesses to access a wide range of training, workshops, courses and coaching.
Helping translate passion into success
Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012 25
June 2012
Client Satisfaction Survey
Once again the Trust conducted an extensive survey of those who had utilised our services
through the year – from business start-ups through to high-growth exporters.
The most valuable services provided by the Trust, as ranked by our clients, were training and workshops, funding and grant access and support, and support to existing businesses, with business start-up
support and marketing assistance tied for fourth place.
Overall, 91.1 percent of respondents were satisfied with Venture Taranaki’s services, with 51 percent very satisfied – the highest ranking.
That figure was even higher when it came to rating satisfaction with Venture Taranaki’s staff – 67.7 percent were very satisfied, and a total of 94.8 percent were satisfied overall.
A total of 93.2 percent of respondents determined it likely or highly likely
that they would use Venture Taranaki’s services again.
Feedback was particularly appreciative of the Trust’s staff and their currency, professionalism, helpfulness and communication.
“I have found everybody I have dealt with to be helpful, enthusiastic, capable and dedicated to Taranaki.”
“The whole experience with staff at Venture Taranaki was excellent – professional, efficient and highly pertinent to my needs.”
Taranaki businesses will be able to tap into world-class expertise to help them grow, with the signing of an innovative agreement between Venture Taranaki and
Massey University in June. The partnership will expand the research, teaching and alumni connections between Massey and the region’s business sector and wider communities, and is the first partnership of its kind.
Taranaki has shared a long and successful relationship with Massey when it comes to individual training and learning needs,
and this partnership raises the bar to connect businesses with the University across specific industries, research areas and skills. Businesses will benefit from a greater ability to take innovations to commercialisation and the region will benefit from having a high profile and successful university represented here.
A key outcome of the partnership will be a newly appointed Massey staff member in Taranaki who will manage and develop joint initiatives between the university and the region’s businesses.
Region’s partnership with Massey University good for growth
Massey University Vice Chancellor Steve Maharey with Venture Taranaki Chief Executive Stuart Trundle.
26 Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012
Case sTudY R&d Grants
There’s a sign on the wall in Dick Sybrandy’s rural South Taranaki home that reads “Some people
want it to happen. Some people wish it would happen. Others make it happen.”
If a quick glance around Dick’s home, self-built over the last decade around a former church, with uninterrupted views of Mount Taranaki, gives you a suspicion that he falls into the ‘make it happen’ category. His company – Auroa Helicopters – will confirm it.
Years ago the engineer was looking to get a helicopter, but was unimpressed with what was available on the market. He thought he could build a better small 2-seater helicopter, so he did.
An intensive research phase followed, both in terms of what the market wanted – Dick consulted with some of New Zealand’s most experienced pilots to find out what worked, what didn’t and what they’d put in their dream helicopter, much of which he has incorporated – and working through the necessary technical requirements for Civil Aviation Authority certification.
Several years of development, testing, certification and a fair dose of “bloody mindedness” has resulted in the Auroa – a
Taking innovation to a global marketturbine powered composite helicopter that is lighter weight, delivers higher performance and is easier to service than its competitors.
The Auroa is created using parts from 15 manufacturers around New Zealand. Many of the parts have been designed by Dick, and every part is traceable.
It takes a month to build each helicopter, but they’re gaining a lot of interest. Dick recently took a full-sized mockup of the Auroa to Airventure 2012, the world’s largest aviation event in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
“When we went to Oshkosh we would have been happy to get five good leads,” Dick says. He came home with 70.
“Building the company, it has been critical to establish a dealer, service and support network. Things move slowly in the aviation industry, and without these aspects being in place first, the company wouldn’t last very long.”
“All the way Venture Taranaki has been excellent. I’ve worked with them from start up right through to facilitating support from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.”
The development of a unique Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) unit,
normally the preserve of the upper end of the helicopter market, was made possible with the help of a R&D Funding Grant from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, also facilitated by Venture Taranaki. Unsurprisingly, the unit attracted as much attention in Oshkosh as the helicopters.
“We had interest from some of the biggest names in aviation, who had a room of people working on similar units. Ours took two people less than year to make, and we introduced new functions like downloading the last 100 hours of engine data, which has huge benefits for maintenance and training.” Dick says.
“In New Zealand it’s possible to get from concept to market in 2-3 years, versus 5-7 years in the US. That gives us a great advantage when it comes to being able to get our innovations into market.”
From a backyard shed in rural Taranaki to the world, Auroa Helicopters is definitely on the up.
Venture Taranaki facilitated a total of $1,093,380 across 38 Research and development Grants into Taranaki businesses this year, helping our region’s innovations reach their markets.
Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012 27
ContentsVenture Taranaki Trust Annual Report For the year ended 30 June 2012
Audit Report .............................................................. 29
Trustees’ Review ........................................................ 30
Statement of Financial Position ..................................... 31
Statement of Comprehensive Income .............................32
Statement of Changes in Equity .....................................33
Statement of Cash Flows ..............................................34
Notes to the Financial Statements .................................35
Statement of Service Performance ................................ 44
Trust Directory ........................................................... 45
Financial Performance 2011-2012
28 Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012
Independent Auditor’s Report
To the readers of Venture Taranaki Trust’s financial statements and statement of service performance for the year ended 30 June 2012
The AuditorGeneral is the auditor of Venture Taranaki Trust (the Trust). The AuditorGeneral has appointed me, David Walker, using the staff and resources of Audit New Zealand, to carry out the audit of the financial statements and statement of service performance of the Trust on her behalf.
We have audited:
• the financial statements of the Trust on pages 30 to 43, that comprise the statement of financial position as at 30 June 2012, the statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity and statement of cash flows for the year ended on that date and the notes to the financial statements that include accounting policies and other explanatory information; and
• the statement of service performance of the Trust on page 44.
Opinion
In our opinion:
• the financial statements of the Trust on pages 30 to 43:
º comply with generally accepted accounting practice in New Zealand; and
º fairly reflect the Trust’s:
- financial position as at 30 June 2012; and
- financial performance and cash flows for the year ended on that date; and
• the statement of service performance of the Trust on pages on page 44:
º complies with generally accepted accounting practice in New Zealand; and
º fairly reflects the Trust’s service performance achievements measured against the performance targets adopted for the year ended 30 June 2012.
Our audit was completed on 4 September 2012. This is the date at which our opinion is expressed.
The basis of our opinion is explained below. In addition, we outline the responsibilities of the
Board of Trustees and our responsibilities, and we explain our independence.
Basis of opinion
We carried out our audit in accordance with the AuditorGeneral’s Auditing Standards, which incorporate the International Standards on Auditing (New Zealand). Those standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and carry out our audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and statement of service performance are free from material misstatement.
Material misstatements are differences or omissions of amounts and disclosures that would affect a reader’s overall understanding of the financial statements and statement of service performance. If we had found material misstatements that were not corrected, we would have referred to them in our opinion.
An audit involves carrying out procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and statement of service performance. The procedures selected depend on our judgement, including our assessment of risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and statement of service performance, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments; we consider internal control relevant to the preparation of the Trust’s financial statements and statement of service performance that fairly reflect the matters to which they relate. We consider internal control in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Trust’s internal control.
An audit also involves evaluating:
• the appropriateness of accounting policies used and whether they have been consistently applied;
• the reasonableness of the significant accounting estimates and judgements made by the Board of Trustees;
• the adequacy of all disclosures in the financial statements and statement of service performance; and
• the overall presentation of the financial statements and statement of service performance.
We did not examine every transaction, nor do we guarantee complete accuracy of
the financial statements and statement of service performance. We have obtained all the information and explanations we have required and we believe we have obtained sufficient and appropriate audit evidence to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Responsibilities of the Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is responsible for preparing financial statements and a statement of service performance that:
• comply with generally accepted accounting practice in New Zealand;
• fairly reflect the Trust’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows; and
• fairly reflect its service performance achievements.
The Board of Trustees is also responsible for such internal control as it determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements and a statement of service performance that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
The board’s responsibilities arise from the Local Government Act 2002 and the Trust Deed.
Responsibilities of the Auditor
We are responsible for expressing an independent opinion on the financial statements and statement of service performance and reporting that opinion to you based on our audit. Our responsibility arises from section 15 of the Public Audit Act 2001, the Trust Deed and section 69 of the Local Government Act 2002.
Independence
When carrying out the audit we followed the independence requirements of the AuditorGeneral, which incorporate the independence requirements of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Other than the audit, we have no relationship with or interests in the Trust.
David WalkerAudit New Zealand On behalf of the AuditorGeneral Auckland, New Zealand
Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012 29
Venture Taranaki Trust Trustees’ Review For the year ended 30 June 2012
The Board of Trustees present their Annual Report including financial statements and statement of service performance of the Trust for the year ended 30 June 2012.
The business of the Trust is facilitating economic development in Taranaki. The nature of the Trust’s business has not changed during the year under review.
For and on behalf of the Trustees
Robin Brockie Chairman
30 Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012
Venture Taranaki Trust Statement of Financial Position As at 30 June 2012
NOTES 2012 $ 2011 $
Assets
Current Assets
Cash & cash equivalents 421,455 336,649
Trade and other receivables 42,944 128,592
Other current assets 29,955 79,550
GST receivable 45,520 146,204
Total Current Assets 539,874 690,995
Non Current Assets
Intangibles 3 64,584 69,260
Property, plant & equipment 4 236,864 229,710
Total Non Current Assets 301,448 298,970
Total Assets 841,322 989,965
Liabilities
Current Liabilities
Trade and other payables 355,196 518,319
Funds held on behalf 33,610 5,536
Employee benefit liabilities 9 85,715 75,910
Deferred grant 41,442 81,750
Total Current Liabilities 515,963 681,515
Non Current Liabilities
Contractual commitments 7 9,000 -
Equity
Trust equity 316,359 308,450
Total Liabilities & Equity 841,322 989,965
These financial statements were authorised for issue by the Trustees on 4 September 2012.
by
________________________Chairman ________________________Trustee
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.
Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012 31
Venture Taranaki Trust Statement of Comprehensive Income For the year ended 30 June 2012
NOTES 2012 $ 2011 $
Income
Grant revenue 2 3,685,321 3,559,123
Other revenue 46,034 50,615
Interest income 33,382 40,482
Gain on disposal of assets - 10,000
Total 3,764,737 3,660,220
Expenses
Audit fee 2011 24,140 23,070
Audit fee 2010 over provision - (2,342)
Amortisation 3 43,189 20,809
Depreciation 4 67,564 59,678
Marketing 600,185 755,384
Professional fees and grants 1,205,927 1,144,930
Rental and operating lease expenses 138,095 131,584
Personnel costs 1,184,026 1,112,824
Trustees fees 65,726 75,166
Loss on disposal of assets 104 -
Other operating expenses 427,872 339,079
Total 3,756,828 3,660,182
Net profit (loss) before tax 7,909 38
Taxation 5 - -
Net profit (loss) after taxation 7,909 38
Other comprehensive income - -
Total comprehensive income 7,909 38
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.
32 Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012
Venture Taranaki Trust Statement of Changes in Equity For the year ended 30 June 2012
Retained Earnings $ Total Equity $
Balance as at 1 July 2010 308,412 308,412
Net loss for the year
Other comprehensive income
38
-
38
-
Balance at 30 June 2011 308,450 308,450
Balance as at 1 July 2011 308,450 308,450
Net profit for the year
Other comprehensive income
7,909
-
7,909
-
Balance at 30 June 2012 316,359 316,359
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.
Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012 33
Venture Taranaki Trust Statement of Cash Flows For the year ended 30 June 2012
NOTES 2012 $ 2011 $
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Cash was provided from:
Interest 35,879 40,487
Grants and other income 3,771,570 3,615,473
Total 3,807,449 3,655,960
Cash was applied to:
Operating expenses (3,706,089) (3,491,107)
Net GST movement 12 96,781 (31,573)
Total (3,609,308) (3,522,680)
Net cash from operating activities 13 198,141 133,280
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Cash was provided from:
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment - 10,000
Total - 10,000
Cash was applied to:
Purchase of intangibles (38,514) (75,050)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (74,821) (64,640)
Total (113,335) (139,690)
Net cash from investing activities (113,335) (129,690)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net cash from financing activities - -
Net increase (decrease) in cash held 84,806 3,590
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 336,649 333,059
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 421,455 336,649
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.
34 Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012
Venture Taranaki Trust Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 30 June 2012
1. Statement of Accounting Policies
Reporting Entity
Venture Taranaki Trust is a wholly owned subsidiary of New Plymouth District Council and is a Council Controlled Organisation as defined in Part 1 Section 6 of the Local Government Act 2002, and a Charitable Trust incorporated in New Zealand under a Trust Deed dated 27 May 1998 and is domiciled in New Zealand. The Trust commenced operations on 1 July 1998.
The financial statements of the Trust are for the year ended 30 June 2012. The financial statements were authorised by the Board for issue on the date they were signed.
Basis of Preparation
The financial statements are a general purpose report which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting practice in New Zealand as required by clause 7.1 (4) of the Trust Deed. The financial statements comply with New Zealand equivalents to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and other applicable financial reporting standards as appropriate to public benefit entities that qualify and apply differential reporting exemptions. The primary objective of the Trust is facilitating economic development in Taranaki, rather than making a financial return. Accordingly, the Trust has designated itself a public benefit entity for the purposes of New Zealand Equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards (NZ IFRS).
The Trust is a qualifying entity within the Framework of Differential Reporting. The Trust qualifies on the basis that it is not publically accountable, it has total income of less than $20 million and it has total assets of less than $10 million. The Trust has taken advantage of all differential reporting concessions available to it except for NZ IAS 7; Statement of Cash Flows, with which it has fully complied.
The accounting policies set out below have been applied consistently to all periods presented in these financial statements.
Currency
The financial statements are presented in New Zealand dollars and all values are rounded to the nearest dollar. The functional currency of the Trust is New Zealand dollars.
Measurement Base
The accounting principles recognised as appropriate for the measurement and reporting of financial performance and financial position on a historical cost basis are followed by the Trust.
Specific Accounting Policies
The following specific accounting policies which materially affect the measurement of financial performance and financial position have been applied.
• Cash Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and deposits held at call with banks and other short term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.
• Receivables Trade and other receivables are initially measured at fair value and subsequently at fair value less any provision for impairment. The provision for impairment has been calculated based on expected losses for the Trust’s pool of debtors. Expected losses have been determined on an analysis of the Trust’s losses in previous periods and review of specific debtors.
• Payables Trade and other payables are stated at cost. Trade and other payables are non-interest bearing and are normally settled on 30 day terms, therefore the carrying value of trade and other payables approximates their fair value.
• Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses.
AdditionsThe cost of an item of property, plant, and equipment is recognised as an asset only when it is probable that service potential associated with the item will flow to the Trust and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. In most instances, an item of property, plant, and equipment is initially recognised at its cost. Where an asset is acquired at no cost, or for a nominal cost, it is recognised at its fair value when control over the asset is obtained.
DisposalsGains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the disposal proceeds with the carrying amount of the asset. Gains and losses on disposals are presented net in the surplus or deficit.
Subsequent costsCosts incurred subsequent to initial acquisition are capitalised only when it is probable that service potential associated with the item will flow to the Trust and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. The costs of day-to-day servicing of property, plant, and equipment are recognised as an expense as they are incurred.
Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012 35
DepreciationDepreciation is provided on a straight line basis at rates calculated to allocate the assets cost less estimated residual value, over the estimated useful life of the asset.Major depreciation periods are:- Leasehold alterations 10 years- Fixtures and fittings 10 years- Office equipment 3-5 years- Motor vehicles 3 years- Other fixed assets 3-4 years
The residual value and useful life of an asset are reviewed, and adjusted if applicable, at each financial year end.
• Statement of Cash FlowsCash means cash balances on hand, held in bank accounts, demand deposits and other highly liquid investments in which the Trust invests as part of its day-to-day cash management.Operating activities include cash received from all income and records the cash payment made for the supply of goods and services.Investing activities are those activities relating to the acquisition and disposal of non-current assets.Financing activities comprise the change in equity and debt capital structure of the Trust.
• Government GrantsGrants received from the New Plymouth District Council are the primary source of funding to the Trust and are restricted for the purposes of the Trust meeting its objectives as specified in the Trust’s trust deed. The Trust also receives other government assistance for specific purposes, and these grants usually contain restrictions on their use.Council, government, and non-government grants are recognised as revenue when they become receivable unless there is an obligation to return the funds if conditions of the grant are not met. If there is such an obligation, the grants are initially recorded as grants received in advance and recognised as revenue when conditions of the grant are satisfied.
• Interest incomeInterest income is recognised using the effective interest method.
• LeasesOperating lease payments, where the lessors effectively retain substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of the leased items, are recognised as an expense. They are included in the determination of the operating surplus in equal instalments over the lease term.
• Goods and Services Tax (GST)All items in the financial statements are presented exclusive of goods and service tax (GST), except for receivables and payables, which are presented on a GST inclusive basis. Where GST is not recoverable as input tax, then it is recognised as part of the related asset or expense.The net amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the IRD is included as part of receivables or payables in the statement of financial position.The net GST paid to, or received from the IRD, including the GST relating to investing and financing activities, is classified as a net operating cash flow in the statement of cash flows.Commitments and contingencies are disclosed exclusive of GST.
• IntangiblesSoftware acquisitionAcquired computer software licenses are capitalised on the basis of the costs incurred to acquire and bring to use the specific software.Staff training costs are recognised as an expense when incurred.Costs associated with maintaining computer software are recognised as an expense when incurred.Costs associated with development and improvements of the Venture Taranaki and Energy Stream websites are recognised as an asset when incurred as the websites generate future economic benefits.
AmortisationComputer software licenses are amortised on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful life of two and a half years.Amortisation begins when the asset is available for use and ceases at the date when the asset is disposed of.The amortisation charge for each year is recognised in surplus or deficit.
• Impairment of property, plant, and equipment and intangible assetsProperty, plant, and equipment and intangible assets are reviewed for indicators of impairment as at each balance date. When there is an indicator of impairment, the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value in use.Value in use is depreciated replacement cost for an asset where the service potential of the asset is not primarily dependent on the asset’s ability to generate net cash inflows and where the Trust would, if deprived of the asset,
Venture Taranaki Trust Notes to the Financial Statements continued For the year ended 30 June 2012
1. Statement of Accounting Policies continued
36 Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012
Venture Taranaki Trust Notes to the Financial Statements continued For the year ended 30 June 2012
replace its remaining service potential.If an asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount, the asset is impaired and the carrying amount is written down to the recoverable amount. The impairment loss is recognised in the surplus or deficit.
• Employee entitlementsShort-term employee entitlementsEmployee benefits that are due to be settled within 12 months after the end of the period in which the employee renders the related service are measured at nominal values based on accrued entitlements at current rates of pay.These include salaries and wages accrued up to balance date, annual leave earned to but not yet taken at balance date, and sick leave.A liability for sick leave is recognised to the extent that absences in the coming year are expected to be greater than the sick leave entitlements earned in the coming year. The amount is calculated based on the unused sick leave entitlement that can be carried forward at balance date, to the extent that it will be used by staff to cover those future absences.
Long-term entitlementsEmployee benefits that are due to be settled beyond 12 months after the end of period in which the employee renders the related service, such as long service leave and retirement gratuities, have been calculated on an actuarial basis. The calculations are based on:
•likelyfutureentitlementsaccruingtostaff,basedonyears of service, years to entitlement, the likelihood that staff will reach the point of entitlement, and contractual entitlement information; and
•thepresentvalueoftheestimatedfuturecashflows.
Expected future payments are discounted using market yields on government bonds at balance date with terms to maturity that match, as closely as possible, the estimated future cash outflows for entitlements. The inflation factor is based on the expected long-term increase in remuneration for employees.
Presentation of employee entitlementsSick leave, annual leave, and vested long service leave are classified as a current liability. Non-vested long service leave and retirement gratuities expected to be settled within 12 months of balance date are classified as a current liability. All other employee entitlements are classified as a non-current liability.
• ProvisionsThe Trust recognises a provision for future expenditure of uncertain amount or timing when there is a present obligation (either legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that expenditures will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. Provisions are not recognised for future operating losses.Provisions are measured at the present value of the expenditure expected to be required to settle the obligation using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the obligation. The increase in the provision due to the passage of time is recognised in “finance costs”.
• TaxationTax expense is calculated using the taxes payable method. As a result, no allowance is made for deferred tax. Tax expense includes the current tax liability and adjustments to prior year tax liabilities.
• Changes in Accounting PoliciesThere have been no changes in accounting policies. All policies are consistent with the prior period.
Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012 37
Venture Taranaki Trust Notes to the Financial Statements continued For the year ended 30 June 2012
2. Grant Revenue
2012 $ 2011 $
New Plymouth District Council 2,805,000 2,779,000
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise 251,202 357,679
Other 629,119 422,444
Total 3,685,321 3,559,123
3. Intangibles
2012 $ 2011 $
Software Cost
Balance at 1 July 103,994 28,945
Additions 38,513 75,049
Balance at 30 June 142,507 103,994
Accumulated amortisation and impairment losses
Balance at 1 July 34,734 13,925
Amortisation 43,189 20,809
Balance at 30 June 77,923 34,734
Carrying amounts
As at 1 July 69,260 15,020
As at 30 June 64,584 69,260
4. Property, Plant and Equipment
CostLeasehold
alterations $Fixtures
& fittings $Office
equipment $Other Fixed
assets $Motor
vehicles $ Total $
Balance at 1 July 2010 105,611 64,306 257,636 50,833 89,345 567,731
Additions 25,149 2,857 8,797 1,275 26,563 64,641
Disposals - - (11,960) - (22,211) (34,171)
Balance at 30 June 2011 130,760 67,163 254,473 52,108 93,697 598,201
Balance at 1 July 2011 130,760 67,163 254,473 52,108 93,697 598,201
Additions - 1,889 13,590 1,197 58,181 74,857
Disposals - (330) (92,062) (28,063) - (120,455)
Balance at 30 June 2012 130,760 68,722 176,001 25,242 151,878 552,603
There are no restrictions over the title of the Trust’s intangible assets; nor are any intangible assets pledged as security for liabilities.
38 Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012
4. Property, Plant and Equipment continued
Accumulated depreciationLeasehold
alterations $Fixtures
& fittings $Office
equipment $Other Fixed
assets $Motor
vehicles $ Total $
Balance at 1 July 2010 26,321 58,444 169,079 30,366 58,773 342,983
Depreciation expense 10,103 1,241 27,368 3,252 17,714 59,678
Disposals - - (11,959) - (22,211) (34,170)
Balance at 30 June 2011 36,424 59,685 184,488 33,618 54,276 368,491
Balance at 1 July 2011 36,424 59,685 184,488 33,618 54,276 368,491
Depreciation expense 11,352 1,517 32,440 3,250 19,005 67,564
Disposals - (330) (92,062) (27,924) - (120,316)
Balance at 30 June 2012 47,776 60,872 124,866 8,944 73,281 315,739
Carrying amounts
At 1 July 2010 79,290 5,862 88,557 20,467 30,572 224,748
At 30 June & 1 July 2011 94,336 7,478 69,985 18,490 39,421 229,710
At 30 June 2012 82,984 7,850 51,135 16,298 78,597 236,864
There are no restrictions over the title of the Trust’s property, plant, and equipment; nor is any pledged as security for liabilities.
5. Taxation
2012 $ 2011 $
Net profit/(loss) before tax 7,909 38
Tax at 33% 2,610 11
Plus (less) tax effect of:
Non taxable income (6,398) -
Non deductible expenditure - 9,053
Unrecognised tax losses 3,788 (9,066)
Taxable expense - -
Current tax - -
Exemption from Income Tax under section CW40 of the Income Tax Act 2007 has been declined by IRD. The Trust has asked IRD to review their decision.
Unused tax losses of $72,719 (2011: $61,240) are available to carry forward and offset against future taxable income.
Exemption from Fringe Benefit Tax under section CX25 of the Income Tax Act 2007 is being pursued. Donee status has been declined. The Trust has asked IRD to review their decision. Fringe Benefit Tax has been fully provided for in the 2012 financial statements for $56,347 (2011: $38,207) pending a determination.
Venture Taranaki Trust Notes to the Financial Statements continued For the year ended 30 June 2012
Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012 39
Venture Taranaki Trust Notes to the Financial Statements continued For the year ended 30 June 2012
6. Operating Lease Commitments
Lease commitments under non-cancellable operating leases excluding GST are:
2012 $ 2011 $
Not later than one year 116,529 113,822
Later than one year and not later than five years 19,422 132,792
Later than five years - -
Total 135,951 246,614
The total non-cancellable operating lease relates to the lease of part of an office building. The lease expires 31 August 2019, with options to vacate the premises 31 August 2013 or 31 August 2016.
7. Non Current LiabilitiesContractual commitments beyond one year have been reclassified from current liabilities to non current liabilities. (2011 : Nil)
8. Related Party TransactionsDuring the normal course of business the Trust purchased and supplied goods and services from and to the following related parties:
2012 $ 2011 $
Aotea Services Limited. Stuart Trundle, Director.
Services provided to 1,489 2,421
Amounts receivable from 35 -
Auckland University of Technology. Stuart Trundle is Institute of Public Policy Advisory Board Member.
Services provided by 1,511 3,671
Bishop’s Action Foundation – Stuart Trundle, Trustee.
Services provided by 275 1,441
Devon Hotel & Conference Centre. Peter Tennent, Director and holds a beneficial interest.
Services provided by 11,000 7,181
Economic Development Association of New Zealand. Stuart Trundle, Deputy Chairman.
Services provided by 15,457 17,720
Engineering Taranaki Incorporated. Stuart Trundle, Member.
Services provided to 15,700 18,095
Services provided by 9,860 444
Amounts receivable from 1,258 1,567
Amounts owing to 2,300 -
40 Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012
Venture Taranaki Trust Notes to the Financial Statements continued For the year ended 30 June 2012
8. Related Party Transactions continued
2012 $ 2011 $
Gama Associates Limited. Gavin Faull has a beneficial interest.
Services provided by 11,000 11,034
Amounts owing to 1,054 -
New Plymouth City Band Incorporated. Devon Hotel & Conference Centre has a loyalty agreement. Peter Tennent has beneficial interest in Devon Hotel & Conference Centre.
Services provided by 6,000 -
New Plymouth District Council. The Trust is a Council Controlled Organisation.
Services provided to 2,805,000 2,787,663
Services provided by 582,252 527,623
Amounts receivable from - 3,450
Painter Pete. Michelle Jordan holds a beneficial interest.
Services provided to 35 -
Services provided by 366 2,206
Port Taranaki Limited. Roy Weaver, Chief Executive.
Services provided to 3,065 4,849
Services provided by 11,667 11,000
Amounts receivable from - -
Regional Tourism Organisations of New Zealand. Paul Stancliffe, Trustee.
Services provided by 4,795 4,965
Sport Taranaki Trust. Peter Tennent, Trustee.
Services provided by 3,000 -
Staples Rodway Taranaki Limited. Robin Brockie, Director and holds a beneficial interest.
Services provided by 18,276 52,564
Amounts owing to - 5,249
Taranaki Arts Community Trust. Robin Brockie, Trustee.
Services provided by - 5,000
Taranaki Cricket Association Inc. Devon Hotel & Conference Centre has a loyalty agreement. Peter Tennent has beneficial interest in Devon Hotel & Conference Centre.
Services provided by 2,467 -
All transactions were carried out on normal commercial terms. No provision has been required, nor any expense recognised, for impairment of receivables from related parties (2011: $Nil).
Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012 41
Venture Taranaki Trust Notes to the Financial Statements continued For the year ended 30 June 2012
9. Employee Entitlements
2012 $ 2011 $
Balance at beginning of period 75,910 71,225
Additional provision made 74,305 69,117
Amount utilised (64,500) (64,432)
Balance at end of period 85,715 75,910
Current
Annual leave 85,715 75,910
Non-current - -
Total 85,715 75,910
Employee entitlements relate to employee benefits such as accrued annual leave. The provision is affected by a number of estimates, including the timing of benefits taken. All employee entitlement is expected to be consumed during the following financial year.
10. Contingencies
Contingent Liabilities
The Trust has no contingent liabilities at balance date (2011: Nil).
Contingent Assets
The Trust has no contingent assets at balance date (2011: Nil).
11. Post Balance Sheet Date EventsThere have been no significant events post balance date.
12. Cash Flow The net GST component of operating activities reflects the net GST paid and received with the Inland Revenue Department. The net GST component has been presented on a net basis, as the gross amounts do not provide meaningful information for financial statement purposes.
42 Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012
Venture Taranaki Trust Notes to the Financial Statements continued For the year ended 30 June 2012
13. Reconciliation of Net Profit/(Loss) with Net Cash Flow from Operating Activities
2012 $ 2011 $
Net profit/(loss) after tax 7,909 38
Add (less) non-cash items:
Add depreciation 67,564 59,678
Add amortisation 43,189 20,809
Net (profit) loss on disposal 104 (10,000)
Total 118,766 70,525
Movements in working capital:
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable 135,243 (99,815)
Increase (decrease) in payables (166,357) 205,366
Decrease (increase) GST receivable 100,684 (59,409)
Increase (decrease) employee benefits 9,805 16,613
Total 198,141 133,280
14. Key Management PersonnelKey management personnel includes the Trustees, the chief executive and senior management. The compensation includes salaries and other benefits of $573,499 (2011: $609,533).
15. Capital ManagementThe Trust’s capital is its equity, which comprises Trust capital and retained surpluses. Equity is represented by net assets. The Trust deed requires the Board of Trustees to manage its revenues, expenses, assets, liabilities, investments, and general financial dealings prudently. The Trust’s equity is largely managed as a by-product of managing revenues, expenses, assets, liabilities, investments, and general financial dealings. The objective of managing the Trust’s equity is to ensure that the Trust effectively achieves its objectives and purpose, whilst remaining a going concern.
16. Categories of Financial InstrumentsThe carrying amounts of financial instruments in each of the NZ IAS 39 categories are as follows:
2012 $ 2011 $
Loans and receivables
Cash and cash equivalents 421,455 336,649
Trade and other receivables 42,944 128,592
Total 464,399 465,241
Financial liabilities at amortised cost
Trade and other payables 355,196 518,319
Total 355,196 518,319
Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012 43
Performance Targets and Measurements 2011/2012 Outcomes
1. Facilitate $500,000 investment into the regional economy subject to central government policy. (Source: Govt and other Agencies)
1. Achieved $1,093,380
2. Support one social, environmental and/or sustainable business initiative p.a. (Source: Business Plan)
2. Achieved A Memorandum of Understanding has been entered into with Department of Conservation to support the Departments environmental objectives.
3. Support one project with high impact potential aligned with government’s growth agenda. (Source: Business Plan)
3. Achieved Oil & Gas sector studies and sector web portal
4. Maintain connections across www.taranaki.info and social media channels. (Source: Google analytics and Face book statistics)
4. Achieved Total visits grew 31,012 or 24.2% on previous year
5. Attract or retain five major events meeting NPDC criteria (>100 points) based on $850k (Inc RWC) event fund
5. Achieved a. Powerco Taranaki Garden Spectacular b. New Plymouth City Brass Band c. All Blacks vs France Test match d. WOMAD e. NZ Surf Festival
6. Exceed Statistics NZ forecast for Taranaki arrivals. (Source: CAM)
6. Achieved Forecast 2.1% Actual 3.1%
7. Grow number of people employed year on year (Source: Statistics NZ)
7. Achieved 2011: 56,300 employed 2012: 57,200 employed
8. Maintain a regional economic intelligence unit. (3,A,B,C) (Source: Publish Taranaki Trends and business surveys bi-annually)
8. Achieved Two Taranaki Trends published
Statement of Service Performance
For the year ended 30 June 2012
44 Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012
Venture Taranaki Trust Directory For the year ended 30 June 2012
Nature of Business Facilitating economic development in Taranaki
Business Office 9 Robe Street New Plymouth
Trustees Robin Brockie (Chairman) Gavin Faull Sir Paul Reeves (Retired 14th August 2011) Peter Tennent Roy Weaver Paul Winter
Auditors Audit New Zealand Auckland On behalf of the Auditor General
Accountants Staples Rodway Taranaki Limited New Plymouth
Bankers TSB Bank New Plymouth
Solicitors Govett Quilliam New Plymouth
Venture Taranaki Annual Report 2012 45
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