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Guy Marriage reviews The Auckland School: 100 Years of Architecture and Planning, edited by Julia

Nov 28, 2017  - Software company Jade Logistics, supplier of the world’s number one Terminal Operating System (TOS) for mixed cargo ports, has continued to increase its global footprint by implementing its Master Terminal product at 22 sites in 2017.

“The importance of strong client ownership and committed super users cannot be stressed enough, and we have been fortunate enough to work with clients that understand and support this collaborative approach”   On the back of significant sales growth and what has been a record year for the company, Jade Logistics’ global implementation team achieved go-live at terminals across multiple geographic locations including Europe, the Americas, Australasia, and the Middle East.

This impressive result was underpinned by a substantial Australasian project in which 16 terminals went live in less than ten months, and was complemented by an eight-week implementation of a multi-purpose terminal on the eastern coast of the UAE.

Chief Executive Officer of Jade Logistics, David Lindsay said, “We are well aware of the importance of getting our clients live as soon as possible, allowing them to quickly experience the benefits of a world class Terminal Operating System.

“The implementation times achieved during 2017 are exceptional, and are delivering real value to customers in terms of lowering their total cost of ownership.”

Adding to the varied geographic locations, the terminals represent a diverse range of cargo types including pure bulk terminals, break bulk and RORO terminals, and container only terminals, one of which is handling over one million TEUs per annum.

Jade Logistics Director of Global Services, Mark Ginnever says, “The key to any successful implementation is a dedicated project team, comprising representatives from both organisations.”

“The importance of strong client ownership and committed super users cannot be stressed enough, and we have been fortunate enough to work with clients that understand and support this collaborative approach,” added Ginnever.

Master Terminal is now licenced to over 110 terminals around the world, and Jade Logistics’ growth is set to continue with strong sales forecast into 2018 and beyond.

About Jade Logistics

At Jade Logistics, we’ve developed the expertise required to solve the complex problems of managing a variety of mixed cargo. From mixed cargo ports in Ghana to railways in Europe, Jade Logistics provides the tools you need to become competitive.

Since 1993, Jade Logistics has been designing, building, and supporting innovative software for organizations in the specialist logistics industries.

Our people have extensive experience and understanding of the global logistics industry, which provides the foundation from which we build trusting, long-term relationships with our customers.

We have offices in New Zealand, Australia, USA, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia.

| A BusinessWire release  ||  November 28,  2017   |||

Nov 28, 2017  -  Oceania Aviation has achieved approval of a cargo pod system for the Bell 429, and it is looking to further expand its equipment range.  Headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand, Oceania Aviation’s Part 145 manufacturing division, Airborne Systems, has worked with a private owner to gain New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (NZCAA) approval for its Bell 429 Cargo Pod supplemental type certificate (STC).

In early 2017, engineering manager Russell Goulden was approached by a private owner who was unhappy about a recently purchased cargo basket. With the possibility of making changes to the H125 Series cargo pod for the Bell 429, Goulden knew this was a project he and his team could accomplish. Oceania Aviation’s streamlined cargo pod has a much lower drag penalty than wire mesh type of basket, and it keeps valuable property safe from the elements as well as being locked when the aircraft is parked.

Having successfully received NZCAA, TC and FAA approval for role equipment used on the H125 (AS350 and AS355) and MD500 Series helicopters, Goulden is well accustomed to the STC approval processes.

“We are always excited to increase our product range, but, more importantly, to increase operational capability of an aircraft. At the end of the day we provide operators with a solution to increase the capabilities of their aircraft which can transform into increased revenue and satisfaction,” said Goulden. “This makes our work very fulfilling. Working alongside operators to create a product that best suits their needs is exactly what we want to be doing.”

With adjustments to the current H125 Series cargo pod, Airborne Systems have created and received approval for a fully composite cargo pod designed for strength and lightness, becoming the epitome of externally mounted storage on the right side of the Bell 429 aircraft.

“We are now looking for expressions of interest to get our cargo pod approved for the Bell 407. In fact, we welcome expressions of interest to create role equipment for any helicopter type,” Goulden added.

Oceania Aviation’s cargo pods are currently utilized on AS350s and AS355s for heli-skiing, tourism, logging and utility operations in New Zealand, Canada and more recently in the United States. Having displayed the cargo pod at the annual HAC convention and trade show in Ottawa, Ontario, the reviews of the pod have been very positive.

According to Oceania Aviation, the new owner of the Bell 429 cargo pod was so impressed with the Airborne Systems working on a Bell 429 bike rack.

Goulden and his team are also in the process of achieving several modifications for the MD 902 helicopter including a seat shift kit, cargo hook mirrors, camera mounting systems and more.

| An Ociena Aviation release  ||  November 28,  2017   |||

Nov 28, 2017  - McConnell Dowell has won a contract for submarine and land-based pipelines to improve and futureproof the treatment of wastewater for three communities in Christchurch, New Zealand.  The package of work for the Governor's Bay, Diamond Harbour and Lyttelton wastewater project is for pipelines to convey untreated wastewater to the Christchurch Treatment Plant in Bromley. After treatment, wastewater will be discharged out to sea through the Christchurch Ocean Outfall, which was constructed by McConnell Dowell eight years ago.

Installation of the two (5km and 1.8km) weighted HDPE marine pipelines will involve prefabrication of pipe strings onshore before joining and bottom-pulling the pipelines out to the required location. A backhoe dredger and divers will then be employed to excavate the trench, lower the pipeline and backfill.

Work on site will begin in February 2018 and the project is scheduled for completion by Christmas 2018.

| A ConstructionIndex release  ||  November 28, 2017   |||

Nov 28, 2017  -  New Zealand FinTech startups need to be braver and take advantage of rapid innovation and change happening in Asia, says a Kiwi-Asian business and technology trade expert working to attract Asian FinTech startups to take part in version 2.0 of Kiwibank’s FinTech Accelerator, run in partnership by Kiwibank and Creative HQ.  Darshan Shetty, of Auckland and Beijing-based Xing Cheng Xing (Rising Star), says Kiwi startups can learn much from what’s happening in FinTech markets in China, India and Vietnam.

Many Kiwi ventures are too focused on breaking into the United States and European markets, Shetty says.

“Of course, we need to focus on the US and Europe markets, but innovation and change is happening a lot more – and lot faster – in Asia than the US and Europe.

“China is way ahead of the game, especially with WeChat and Alipay leading the charge. India and Vietnam are not far behind but are catching up fast.”

The onus was on Kiwi FinTech startups to be much more agile in putting ideas into practical application – and to take a few risks.

“Compared with Asian startups, Kiwi startups tend to move much slower. Having a clear idea of things is crucial, but there can be a tendency to overthink things, rather than taking action.

“We need to start taking a few more risks as a startup ecosystem and be braver in working closely with Asian markets.”

New Zealand’s reputation in Asia was as a primary producer. That reputation needed to be diversified into FinTech and innovation.

“On the whole, no one knows much about New Zealand when it comes to tech innovation,” Shetty says. “We’ve always positioned ourselves as a country that makes meat, milk and manuka honey and, of course, the Lord of the Rings movies. These are maybe the only topics we ever talk about (in Asia). But New Zealand is much, much more, it just seems we’ve forgotten and ignore the innovation success of Kiwis.”

Shetty says blockchain, cryptocurrency and app-based FinTech innovation was exploding in Asia and were areas Kiwi startups would be well advised to focus on.

“Another area would be to simplify ways to get smaller investments into the New Zealand marketplace from investors who actually want to invest here, rather than just coming here as immigrants. Stock market apps are another growth opportunity in Asia in the automation of market prediction and advice.”

The inaugural Kiwibank FinTech Accelerator resulted in the successful launch of startups including Sharesies, Accounting Pod and Tapi with support, funding and expertise to build, develop and expand their products in New Zealand and world markets.

That success had encouraged Kiwibank and accelerator partners Creative HQ and Callaghan Innovation to launch version 2.0 of the programme, which will be run by Creative HQ’s Lightning Lab accelerator.

Kiwibank’s Peter Fletcher-Dobson says focus of the new accelerator is on helping Kiwi FinTech startups develop a “global first” approach.

“FinTech’s a $1 trillion global industry, with investment increasing every year. As a country with talented people and a good regulatory environment, we can be at the heart of development.

“By having overseas ventures involved, we can expose Kiwi startups to the thinking and technology being applied internationally. The global networking potential alone will be invaluable.”

James Hartley, Manager of Financial Markets Policy at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, agreed that New Zealand was well-placed to be a leader in FinTech innovation.

“We’ve got some of the most modern and supportive financial markets legislation in the world. On top of that, the World Bank ranks New Zealand as the easiest country in the world in which to both do business and start a business. We’re also the least corrupt country in the world and sit high in financial literacy and innovation rankings.

“Because we’re a small country, we can co-ordinate and act quickly when responding to change. Our policymakers and our Financial Markets Authority are engaging with the FinTech sector and taking an agile approach to innovation. We know larger countries struggle to provide the level of access and openness we have here.”

Applications for the Kiwibank FinTech Accelerator 2.0 close at midnight on December 3. More information can be found at https://nzfintech.kiwi/programme.

| An NZFinTech release  ||  November 28, 2017   |||

Nov 28, 2017  -  The Science for Technological Innovation National Science Challenge Board has provided $2m in funding for a two-year interdisciplinary research programme to examine how next-generation robots can work with humans in a safe and flexible manner.

The Science for Technological Innovation National Science Challenge Board has provided $2m in funding for a two-year interdisciplinary research programme to examine how next-generation robots can work with humans in a safe and flexible manner.

Researchers will focus on developing robots to work in small-scale manufacturing and unforgiving outdoor environments. The board said such technology could become a global specialty of New Zealand robotics businesses, with great export opportunities and long-term solutions for the country’s economic needs.”

Robotics experts from Lincoln Agritech and Scion along with researchers and PhD students from the universities of Auckland, Canterbury, Massey, Otago, Victoria and Waikato will take part in the programme.

The project will be coordinated by Lincoln Agritech group manager in precision agriculture, Dr Armin Werner, Will Browne, associate professor at Victoria University of Wellington, and associate professor Johan Potgieter of Massey University. They will work with an industry advisory group that will include robot manufacturers, food and manufacturing industries, Māori businesses and government funding agencies.

The board said the programme would lay the groundwork for follow-up projects over the next few years that would focus on making New Zealand a competitive country for the production and use of robots in small-scale, flexible manufacturing businesses and challenging environments such as those found in agriculture and forestry.

Dr Werner said the programme would advance the science required for a new generation of industrial robotic solutions. "These robots can provide enormous benefits to the primary and manufacturing sectors,” he said.

“Both industries require fast adaptation to different products and markets, and constant responsiveness to changing outdoor environments. The robots can assist with complex tasks such as pruning tree or vine crops, safely felling trees on steep slopes or assembling small batches of appliances on demand."

To develop the technology, researchers will investigate how sensors and artificial intelligence can allow robots to perceive and understand their surroundings, flexibly handle new situations through learning or training by humans or other robots, and work in challenging environments.

Werner said that, throughout the project the robots would work collaboratively with humans and behave safely around both people and animals.

"The robots will be adaptable and create new solutions for the often small-scale and highly flexible production environment in New Zealand and many other comparable regions in the world,” he said. “The targeted innovation represents a major shift from the notion of isolated robots solving single tasks."

The technology is expected to help New Zealand’s industries thrive globally and create an international hub for innovative robotics development.

| A Computerworld release  ||  November 28,  2017   |||

Nov 28, 2017 - Alliance Group is investing almost $800,000 in a new blood processing room at its Mataura plant in Southland to help meet the growing demand from the pharmaceutical industry.

The new facility at the plant will collect and process adult bovine blood into serum for blood products, which are used in the development of vaccines, cancer treatments, and drugs to treat neurodegenerative, haematological and endocrine disorders.

Demand from the pharmaceutical industry for New Zealand blood products has increased significantly due to the country’s disease-free status and world-leading agricultural systems.

David Surveyor, chief executive of Alliance Group, said blood products can create value for the co-operative’s shareholders.

“Our strategy is maximising revenue, diversifying our products and strengthening our market channels.

“This investment is another example of how we are developing opportunities to capture more market value for our shareholders.”

| An Alliance release  ||  November 28, 2017  |||

Nov 28, 2017  - ProductPromo - Emergency services in New Zealand can now tap into some of the world’s best signalling devices, light bars, warning and mass notification systems. That’s because NARVA has been appointed as the exclusive distributor of Federal Signal products for NZ

Federal Signal is extremely well regarded worldwide as a brand of choice for emergency services applications, with the bulk of the range designed and manufactured in the United States.NARVA NZ National Sales Manager, Tim Paterson, says the new partnership increases NARVA’s ability to target opportunities within the ‘red and blue’ Police, Fire, Ambulance Services and related markets, by offering a wider range of high quality products.

“NARVA has a strong existing range of emergency service lighting but now has a well-established, full range of red and blue products to realise the potential in New Zealand,” says Mr Paterson.“The addition of the Federal Signal product line-up provides us with access to a wide selection of market-leading products that enjoy a premium standing amongst emergency service bodies. With these new products on hand, NARVA is now in a much stronger position to take advantage of the opportunities as well as to provide a quality support network to our emergency service customers.”

Federal Signal is best known for its powerful police vehicle-mounted lightbars, along with siren and speaker systems that produce clear, sharp sound to boost safety on the road. It recently added body cameras to this line-up.

There are also lightbars and sirens specifically designed for ambulances and fire appliances, plus a range of warning lights and signalling devices for civil contracting and local authority vehicles.Mr Paterson says the wider availability of Federal Signal products in New Zealand, coupled with backing from NARVA, will greatly assist the brand achieve strong penetration into the local market.

“With NARVA on board there’s the strong stability and industry know-how to properly promote the Federal Signal brand, allowing it to meet its full potential here.”

| A NARVA release  ||  November 28, 2017   |||

Nov 28, 2017 -TBWA Group division Eleven PR has been appointed to launch the iconic Krispy Kreme doughnut brand in New Zealand.  The expected opening of Krispy Kreme’s retail and manufacturing plant in Manukau is due in early 2018 and construction of its retail store and manufacturing facility is already underway.

Sydney-based Krispy Kreme chief executive Andrew McGuigan says he is excited by the venture and the company’s entry into New Zealand. “It’s a fantastic brand and one that has been around for 80 years.

“Krispy Kreme will be one of the many Transtasman brands we manage with Eleven PR Australia.”

“It’s an icon that’s already strong globally and we believe there’s huge opportunity for Krispy Kreme to become a Kiwi favourite.”

Eleven MD Angelina Farry said, ‘We are excited to be working with the Krispy Kreme team to bring this iconic brand to New Zealand. It’s a unique brand built on both community and fun.

“Krispy Kreme will be one of the many Transtasman brands we manage with Eleven PR Australia.

“More and more we are finding marketing teams with brands based in both Australia and NZ benefit from the streamlined, Disruption Live approach our model provides.”

| A krispy creme release  ||  November 28,  2017   |||