Our Stories: Your Community

The next chapter for Rotorua’s Pink & White Geothermal Gin

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

As with many New Zealand businesses, Rotorua's award-winning distillery Pink & White Geothermal Gin comes from humble beginnings.

Meet Rotorua’s hospitality heroes: Part 1

Monday, September 23, 2024

What separates a good restaurant or café from a great one are the teams behind the counter or in the kitchen. Hospitality staff are the keys to bringing a venue to life, and Rotorua has no shortage of hospitality heroes.

Rotorua startup Bike Matrix secures $2 million to revolutionise the global bike industry

Monday, September 9, 2024

Bike Matrix, a local tech company founded by Adam Townsend, Lyndal Bailey, and Adam Barnes, has recently secured a significant $2 million seed investment. This investment not only validates the groundbreaking nature of their technology but also brings international attention to Rotorua’s burgeoning tech scene.

Dr Stacey Tremain redefines veterinary care in Rotorua

Friday, August 16, 2024

Dr Stacey Tremain, a well-respected and much-loved veterinarian with nearly 25 years of experience, recently opened his own practice, The Pet Vet, in Rotorua. It’s a decision that reflects both his love for the community and his deep commitment to providing stress-free care for pets and their owners.

Kahu Collection brings whānau aspirations to life

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Claire Stirling-Hawkins and Rongopai Stirling-Maxwell, along with four of their tamariki, started the Stirling Collective earier this year with the vision of empowering their whānau, and turning their aspirations into reality.

Rotorua allure offers new home for renowned hypnotherapist

Monday, July 29, 2024

Renowned hypnotherapist, Richard Kellow, has set up shop in Rotorua for a better lifestyle, and to help locals achieve their goals.

The pioneering businesswoman inspiring future generations

Monday, July 22, 2024

When Ashleigh Nairn began working at BurgerFuel Fairy Springs as a 15-year-old she never thought she would still be there 10 years later. While her workplace remains the same today, her job title is a bit different now – she not only owns the business, she became the youngest Burger Fuel franchisee when she took it over in 2019 at 21.

A place where curiosity and community bloom year round

Monday, July 15, 2024

Curiosity Blooms is a testament to the dreams and determination of its founders, Rachel Beckett and Donna Bigwood, especially considering the doors opened in November 2020, a post-Covid period when many dreams were deferred. In spite of the challenges, the business took off like the happy houseplants in their storefront windows.

Rotorua rangatahi making their mark on the worksite

Monday, July 1, 2024

Korbyn Kiore and Kayden Andersen are prime examples of rangatahi thriving when given the right training, resources and support before entering the workforce. Both young men leapt at the opportunity to join a 12-week Māori Trade Training Course run by WACT Innovation Hub, knowing it would help prepare them for the workforce.

Facial eczema research and economic modelling holds promise for New Zealand’s agriculture sector

Monday, June 10, 2024

Scion is contributing its expertise in economic modelling to an ambitious and collaborative programme led by Beef + Lamb New Zealand aimed at eliminating the impact of facial eczema on New Zealand’s pastoral sector.

Seed saving gardener helping locals reclaim food security

Monday, June 3, 2024

The Eastern Field is on a mission to promote and support food security and seed sovereignty.

Māori getting to tell their own stories

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

Rotorua’s Steambox Film Collective started out as a group of friends hanging out and discussing the films and television programmes they dreamed of making. From there it was formalised and while its central membership includes Lara Northcroft, Mike Jonathan, Tihini Grant, Tim Worrall, Jo Curtis, Lea McLean, Richard Curtis and Nicola Smith, it also extends to their friends in the industry and their whānau.