Insurance

Are you prepared for the unexpected? Having comprehensive insurance cover will give you financial protection from the unpredictable aspects of life: serious health problems, medical emergencies, an inability to work, damage to your car, loss of your possessions and unexpected happenings when you are traveling.

While many people take the ‘fingers crossed’ approach when it comes to life risks, there are ways you can give your family the financial security they deserve. Not everything in life can be guaranteed, so it’s a good idea to manage whatever risks you can. The main risks are:

You suffer a serious health problem
Whether you experience a medical emergency or are diagnosed with a serious health condition, you’ll need to get quality medical treatment and give yourself time to recover from your illness or injury. Hospital care, specialist medical treatment and surgery may be required. Consider:

  • Am I happy to rely on the public health system?
  • Would I rather have immediate medical treatment at a private health practice?
  • Can I afford private health care?

Medical insurance offers protection in the event that you suffer a serious health problem and are unable to afford private health care. Health insurance cover gives you the option of medical treatment at a time and place of your choosing. Find out more about New Zealand medical insurance providers.

You’re unable to work temporarily
If you suffer from a short term illness, are diagnosed with an ongoing medical condition or have an accident, you may not be able to work for some length of time. Without your regular income, you and your family may struggle financially. Think about:

  • Who is dependent on my income?
  • How long could we rely on our savings if I was unable to work?
  • Who would support me and/or my family?

Income protection insurance can make payments in place of your income, replacing the majority of your regular income and giving you time to recuperate and return to work. Find out more about income protection insurance offered by New Zealand insurance providers.

You are permanently disabled or injured
You may suffer a critical illness or an accident which leaves you permanently unable to work. Heart attacks, strokes and cancer affect a large number of New Zealanders, and can mean you are unable to remain in the workforce. Consider:

  • What would my financial situation be if I could never work again?
  • Who would be involved in caring for me?
  • How would medical bills and regular expenses be covered?

Trauma insurance offers assistance to those who suffer from a critical illness which forces them to leave the workforce before the usual age of retirement. Permanent disablement insurance will give you financial support should you be permanently disabled and unable to continue working. Through a lump sum or regular income payment, you will be able to continue without struggling financially. Find out more about NZ insurance providers.

You are diagnosed with a terminal illness or die
If you die, your family will suffer emotionally, but they may also find themselves in financial hardship. Make sure you can offer them the financial security you would usually provide, even when you can no longer be there:

  • Who is financially dependent on me?
  • How would my dependents cope if I should die?
  • How will my funeral costs be covered?
  • What debt do I have which may be inherited by my family?

Life insurance provides financial assistance to those left behind when a loved one dies. Find out more about life insurance offered by New Zealand insurance companies.

You are unable to continue your mortgage payments
A home is the largest purchase you’re ever likely to make, so it goes without saying it’s a sizeable financial burden. If you’re unable to continue making your mortgage payments, through illness or accident, or if you should die, your family may no longer have a securely-held home. Think about:

  • If I was to die, would my family or partner be able to continue regular mortgage payments?
  • If I was unable to work, would my family or partner have enough resources to meet mortgage repayments?

Mortgage insurance allows you to have security that your home loan will not be a financial burden to your family or partner if you are unable to make payments. This type of insurance is similar to income protection and life insurance, but mortgage insurance payments are made directly to your mortgage lender. Find out more about mortgage insurance offered by NZ insurance providers.

You damage your motor vehicle (or someone else’s!)
Damage to your motor vehicle can become costly very quickly, so it’s great to get cover for accidental damage, loss or theft of your car. Motor insurance will also cover you for damage you cause to someone else’s car. Think about:

  • Could I afford to replace my car if it was badly damaged or stolen?
  • Could I afford to pay for repairs or replacement of someone else’s car if I caused damage to it?

Motor vehicle insurance is back-up protection – just remember that you’ll only be covered up to an agreed amount (the agreed value) and you’re required to take reasonable care to avoid theft or damage of your vehicle. Find out more about New Zealand car insurance.

Your personal belongings are stolen or your home is damaged
Personal insurance will protect you in the instance that your home is burgled or accidentally damaged, either by a fire or in a natural disaster (such as a flood or tsunami), or you accidentally lose personal possessions. Consider:

  • Would I be able to afford replacement of some or all my possessions?
  • What would happen if my home burnt down?
  • Do I own expensive items that would be financially difficult to replace?

House and contents insurance will offer some financial assistance should you and your family have possessions stolen or your home damaged. Find out more about personal insurance offered by New Zealand insurance providers.

You have unexpected expenses while traveling outside New Zealand
Travel insurance is a must for all New Zealanders traveling overseas. It will protect you financially in the event of a medical emergency, theft of your personal belongings, accidental loss of money, cancelled bookings and flights, and other nasty surprises. Think about:

  • Will I be able to replace any lost money or personal items while I’m traveling?
  • Will I be able to afford medical care if I need it in another country?
  • Will I be able to pay again for canceled flights or bookings?

Travel will take you into the unknown, so it’s essential to have some financial protection. Make sure you purchase insurance before departing from New Zealand, as you won’t find cover easily if you fail to do so. Find out more about New Zealand travel insurance providers.

Looking for more information? Find New Zealand insurance in the NZS.com directory.


This article was kindly supplied by NZS, New Zealand Search. To learn more, click here.

How to Borrow Unsecured Monies

Want to borrow some money? Don’t have a house you own to use for collateral? Here are some do’s and dont’s to guide you.

Start with the big guns
If you need to borrow some money as an unsecured loan, your first port of call should be your own bank, where your wages go into. The reason why you should go to a major bank is because of the structure of the unsecured loan.

Payments on the loans are made up of principal and interest. So as you make payments and reduce your balance, the interest cost also reduces. Also note that you can make lump sum payments off your loan and can increase your payments to any extra amount – all without any costs.

Another reason to go to your bank is because they have your history of your wages going in. You can go to another major bank to get your loan, but be prepared and take the last three months of your bank statements with you. They may ask for more history, but this is a good starting point with them.

Follow the paper trail
Other paperwork to take along includes some payslips. If you don’t receive payslips from work, ask your employer for a letter showing that you work full time, or part time and the annual salary and how long you have worked there. Be prepared to offer up two reference names.

These two people will not be used as guarantors but only as a point of call if the bank needed to get in touch with you and could not through the normal channels. Check with the people first of course, as the bank will confirm with the contacts you’ve provided.

Depending on the reason for the unsecured loan, take any paperwork such as quotes or an agreement to purchase.

The only stupid question is the one not asked!
Don’t be afraid to ask the lender any questions. They are there because of you and are qualified to offer good basic financial advice. If it wasn’t for the customer, the lender would be out of a job. So don’t be intimidated by them. They are there to help you, not to hinder you.

Ask about the different types of unsecured loans they have to offer. Ask about how the loan works. If you don’t understand something they tell you, ask them to repeat it. Remember, lending is their expertise not yours.

If you still are not happy with how the lender is with you, feel free to leave. There are plenty of places that will be alot friendlier.

Finance companies
Thinking of going to a finance company for your unsecured loan? What you need to understand is the difference between a finance company and a bank. Some finance companies will offer you a lower interest rate for your loan.

Sound good? Check out the payment structure first. You may find that the interest over the whole term for the whole amount is paid for first, before you even start reducing your original balance you took out. OUCH!!!

Also ask about all costs that may be incurred on the loan. Is repaying early allowed? Can you make your payments higher without costing you more?

These are questions few people think to ask the lender and find out later when it is too late.

For more information about requesting a loan check out the Loans section in the NZS.com directory.


This article was kindly supplied by NZS, New Zealand Search. To learn more, click here.

A Guide To Your Cleaning Products

Household cleaning products

For a sparkling home, you will need cleaning products for:

  • Dusting: cloths, broom or vacuum attachment, furniture polish
  • Rubbish disposal: rubbish bins, bin liners, recycling bin, compost bin
  • General surface cleaning: all-purpose cleaner, kitchen cleaner, bathroom cleaner, paper towels and sponges, gloves, scrubbing brushes
  • Laundry: laundry detergent, fabric softener, stain remover
  • Specialty cleaning: oven cleaner, toilet cleaner, glass cleaner, bleach
  • Floors: broom and dustpan, vacuum cleaner, mop

Armed with all those cleaning products, a ‘spik and span’ home is now just a matter of staying on top of household cleaning. Keeping your home clean is best achieved by following a plan for daily, weekly and monthly cleaning:

  • Daily: wash and dry dishes, have a general tidy and do a load of washing if needed
  • Weekly: vacuum carpet and hard floors, dust all surfaces, thoroughly clean kitchen and bathroom (including floors), wipe down kitchen appliances and bench tops, take out rubbish and have a general tidy of bedroom and communal areas
  • Monthly: clean windows, dust hard to reach places (like ceiling fans or corners), tidy your garden or backyard, and have a more intensive clean of your kitchen and bathroom

Commercial cleaning products
While keeping your home clean and shipshape may seem like hard work, commercial cleaning requires cleaning products that are even tougher. Industrial and commercial cleaning products are used for cleaning of factories, schools, offices and retail outlets, as well as specialist facilities such as gyms, swimming pools, food preparation areas and engineering facilities. Many New Zealand cleaning product manufacturers create products for both domestic and commercial use.

Natural cleaning products
Along with recycling and energy conservation, natural cleaning products are becoming a popular choice in Kiwi households. In natural cleaning supplies such as these, biodegradable and plant-based ingredients are used in place of harsh chemicals. Look for cleaning products that are free from phosphates, nitrilotriacetic acid, ammonia, and synthetic dyes and fragrances.

Two producers of New Zealand cleaning products are stand-out performers when it comes to being a green housekeeper: EcoStore and Next Generation both offer a wide range of natural cleaning products which are kind to the environment.

If people in your household are concerned about what you’re washing down the drain into New Zealand waterways, you may want to consider some of these great New Zealand natural cleaning products. You can even make some of your own at home:

  • Vinegar: mixing one part water with one part vinegar makes a great all-purpose cleaner which can be used in the kitchen and bathroom. Adding half a cup of vinegar to your laundry also makes for a good fabric softener!
  • Lemon juice: use lemon juice to get rid of soap scum in the bathroom and shine your brass or copper fittings. By sprinkling baking soda on a cut lemon, you can use the lemon to clean stains and hard to clean surfaces.
  • Baking soda: scrub surfaces with baking soda to get rid of stains, just as you’d use an abrasive cream cleaner. You can also use baking soda to get rid of odours in your fridge, freezer or anywhere else around your home.

 

 

 

Homestaging

For both home owners and real estate agents, home staging offers a win-win solution when preparing a house for sale. Owners no longer have to rely on their own sense of what looks good or worry about making an empty house appeal to potential buyers, and real estate agents without any style nous can leave interior and décor design to the experts. To negotiate the world of professional New Zealand home staging, remember:

Do it right the first time
Home staging is a good idea simply because the age-old adage is true: first impressions really do count. Many NZ real estate agents believe that potential buyers have made a decision within ten seconds of walking through the front door. Ensure that you make a strong impression – and that it’s a good one. As well as increasing the likely sale price of your house, home staging may also mean your property is snapped up more quickly, lowering the potential costs of re-advertising your home for sale.

Find a trustworthy professional
As in any profession, there are bound to be some cowboys out there. Find a home stager who can provide testimonials and examples of their work, so that you get a fair idea of what to expect. Ask friends, colleagues and family for referrals, or check with your real estate agent for their recommendation.

Get a quote
Make sure you ask for an estimate; this is relatively quick to calculate and most home stagers are happy to provide a quote at no cost to you. The charges for home staging services will be either hourly or a set fee for completion of the project. When calculating whether you can justify the expense of having your home professionally staged, consider the current condition of your home, the going rate for similar houses in your area and the average length of time houses take to sell in your suburb. Calculate whether the expense of the home staging service balances the expected gain in sale price for your home. Remember, you’ll soon be moving out of your house, so it may not be wise to pour too much cash into home staging.

Be aware of what is included in the home staging service
Ensure you are aware of how the home stager plans on sprucing up your beloved home. This will avoid unexpected extra costs and hint at whether you’re getting value for money. A New Zealand home stager may:

  • Remove furniture to show a room off to its best advantage and highlight feature points within the house
  • Bring additional furniture (or supply a complete set of household furniture if you are home staging an empty house)
  • Eliminate clutter by reorganising a room
  • Change the furniture layout or alter a room’s lighting to create a different atmosphere

Do your bit to help with the staging of your home
Your home stager may request that you make minor repairs or improvements to your home. Homestaging will take care of the decor, arrangement and furnishings within the house, but there is plenty of room for home improvement:

  • Make sure your house has curb appeal – a buyer must like your house from the word go, so make sure the lawns and garden are tidy, the house is freshly painted where needed, the footpath and driveway are clear, trees and shrubs are trimmed.
  • See your house with fresh eyes – imagine how a visitor will see your home. What is the first impression when coming in through the front door? Is there flow between the rooms? Does your home feel welcoming?
  • Clean your home thoroughly – wash windows, clean cobwebs away, vacuum, polish furnishings, wax floors and get rid of any odour of dampness or mildew. Fresh is the key!

Once your home is sparkling and freshly prepared, you may not want to leave, but one thing is certain: potential buyers will be wooed by the tidy, uncluttered, stylish surroundings they encounter on walking into your home. With a bit of luck, your home stager will clinch a quick and financially satisfying deal in the sale of your home.

 

Health Insurance

Why get health insurance in New Zealand?

The public health system in New Zealand is the first point of call for any emergency or acute treatment; that is, when you suffer a critical or life threatening injury. If you present to a hospital with such a condition in New Zealand you will be treated immediately. However, for other health issues, even very serious ones like cancer treatment or heart surgery, to use the public health system may mean months or even years on a waiting list. Waiting lists for non urgent surgery are the number one reason many New Zealanders (over 1.3 million) have chosen to take out a New Zealand healthcare insurance plan. Other reasons include the ability to choose a time and a place for your treatment, and of course the peace of mind that comes with knowing your private health care bills will be covered.

What does NZ health insurance have to offer?

Health insurance will cover the costs of private health care for non urgent procedures. It removes the nasty choice of either waiting on a list for elective treatment, or paying for private health care, which can be prohibitively expensive. There are two main types of health insurance policies available in NZ; let’s take a look at them now:

  • Comprehensive care policies: this type of health insurance policy covers all surgical and hospital costs, as well as regular medical bills such as doctors visits, prescriptions, physiotherapy appointments and dentist visits. A comprehensive policy will be relatively expensive but will mean in most cases all your bills are covered, giving you certainty and peace of mind.
  • Major medical policies: this type of NZ health insurance policy covers all health problems that require hospitalisation. Ensure any health insurance policy that you take out has this cover as a minimum. Also check the fine print to see if non-surgical hospitalisation is covered, as some policies do not cover this area adequately. A major medical policy will generally not cover diagnostics and specialist expenses before and after treatment (check to see whether the policy can be upgraded to include this). Regular medical bills will not be insured under a major medical policy.

Other things to think about when considering health insurance in New Zealand

A pre-existing medical condition will affect the terms of your health insurance cover in New Zealand. There are three ways in which an insurer will treat this; they will either not cover that condition under your policy, cover that condition only after a set time period has elapsed (usually a few years), or increase your premiums to cover the condition. Make sure when taking out a health insurance policy that full disclosure is made to the insurer; otherwise, you may not be covered under the contract.

Cost of New Zealand health insurance

The costs of a health insurance policy will be calculated by the insurer, according to your perceived level of risk. Factors that will increase this risk, and therefore raise your premiums, include age (premiums go up as age increases), pre-existing medical conditions, whether you smoke or not, and many other factors. Many health insurance premiums are based on age bands, eg. 30 – 40, so your premium will stay relatively stable as you move up within this age bracket.

Premiums vary widely, so it pays to:

  • Get health insurance quotes from several NZ health insurance providers.
  • Save on health insurance cost by increasing the excess on your policy (excess being the amount of the claim you have to pay personally when any claim is made). The higher the excess, the lower your health insurance premiums will be.
  • Purchase private health insurance in New Zealand while young and healthy. It may not seem necessary at the time, however this will much more sensible in the long term. If you wait until you develop a medical condition or become sick, you will find the overall cost to be a great deal higher.

 

Getting the Perfect Gift

Gift

Most of us head to the nearest shopping mall when buying gifts, but what if there was another solution? How many times do you feel you’ve really nailed the perfect gift? Take a moment to think about the next gift you buy. Whether you’re shopping for a birthday, Christmas, wedding or a present for another special occasion, there are many alternatives to mainstream New Zealand gifts. Here are our top ten ideas to bring some imagination to your gift-buying:

1. Give a donation

Sometimes all you really want for Christmas is ‘peace and goodwill for the world.’ Really. If this sounds like someone you know, try giving the gift of a donation to a worthwhile charity. The SPCA is a great idea for a lover of animals; Oxfam or Save the Children for someone who cares about humanitarian issues; or Greenpeace for a real greenie. Give a personal card letting your recipient know what their gift is – this isn’t for everyone, but is a top New Zealand gift idea for anyone who cares about the world.

2. Give a native tree

For personal and corporate gifts, a great alternative is the gifting of a New Zealand native tree. Not only ideal for birthdays, anniversaries or wedding gifts, a tree is also a meaningful gift after the arrival of a baby or for any other special life event. Kowhai, Pohutukawa and Totara all make good presents and offer your recipient a gift that may last a century or more! Those with an affinity for nature will love this growing gift. There are a number of New Zealand gift sites specialised in giving this green gift.

3. Give a real gift

Real gifts are all the rage with those who want to stop the march of consumerism and make a difference. A number of high profile charities offer these gifts. Like donations, they allow your gift dollars to go towards those in need. Real gifts, though, specify where your money has gone. You could give anything from a mango plantation to a vegetable garden, a goat or a pig, fishing equipment, a safe water supply, a vaccination or a year’s education for a child. How much you give is limited only by your budget, and shopping is easily done online with a minimum of hassle. Give a New Zealand gift that will have a real impact on the world.

4. Give a star

For a truly unique gift, why not gift a piece of the night sky? Through the Australasian branch of the International Star Registry, you can give the gift of a star to your loved one (although no one can ever really own a star). Now you really can pluck a star from the sky for the special person in your life, making the ultimate romantic gesture. Gifting a star is the perfect idea for space buffs and true romantics. To prove it, they’ll even send you a framed certificate of registration, showing the star name and co-ordinates where your loved one’s star twinkles.

5. Give a wildlife encounter

An ideal gift for the do-er in your life – you know, the one who loves to get out there amongst it all. There are numerous wildlife tours and activities on offer, from horse treks at Hanmer Springs to swimming with the dolphins, whale watching at Kaikoura or kayaking on Lake Okarito. Take your pick of New Zealand wildlife tours for a gift with a thrill.

6. Give fair trade chocolate

Vote with your wallet and make your dollars count by buying fair trade chocolate for your loved ones. In the season of over-indulgence and gastronomic feast, spare a thought for those less fortunate. Fair trade is a means when commodities are traded, the payoffs will be just for all concerned. It aims to be sustainable and treat all producers fairly. For this yummy (non-exploitative) treat and other fair trade gifts, visit Trade Aid – their selection of fair trade chocolate is made in Belgium using only ethically-sourced cocoa and sugar.

7. Give a poem

Yes, this requires some skill, but for those with wordy wisdom, writing a poem for your loved one can be a touching gift. Write it out with care and include a handmade card for bonus points. Alternatively, place a copy of your poem inside an anthology of poems – it will be a lovely surprise with a personal touch! A must for all romantics and perfect for that added extra on Valentines Day. Get some ideas from New Zealand poets.

8. Cook up a gift

For the foodies out there (well, most of us really), a special meal is always a winner. It isn’t just the food itself, it’s the preparation of a meal just for you. Include the usual touches – flowers, candles, mood lighting – but for an added extra, take your special someone to a place that has meaning for you. Where did you meet? Where was your favourite holiday spent? A great idea for an anniversary or birthday gift with a difference.

9. Give a personalised voucher

We often forget that time itself can be a gift – vouchers offering your time can be an ideal gift that keeps on giving! Match your voucher with your recipient’s needs or likes. You could offer babysitting on a monthly basis; a weekly outing; massages every week for a year; a romantic weekend away; or breakfast in bed every Sunday. This is sure to be a gift to remember!

10. Adopt an animal

For those with a love of animals, why not give a real one? An ‘adopt an animal’ scheme, like the ones on offer at Wellington Zoo, Auckland Zoo or Christchurch’s Orana Park, could be the perfect present for someone on your gift list. Your financial donation will help keep endangered species breeding programmes running and contribute to maintenance of the animal’s surroundings. Take your pick from a lion, kiwi, cheetah, panda, zebra or monkey! Find your local New Zealand wildlife park and check out their adoption or donation programmes.

Looking for more information? Find comprehensive information on New Zealand gifts in the NZS.com directory.


This article was kindly supplied by NZS, New Zealand Search. To learn more, click here.

Franchise Information

Business franchises in New Zealand have only become well established relatively recently, as Kiwis begin to reap the benefits of the franchising business model. Read on for information on New Zealand franchises.

What is a franchise?

A franchise is a business operated by the franchisee under license from a franchisor. This licence is purchased and gives the franchisee the right to use trademarks, giving them access to the proven business methods and expertise of the franchisor. In return for ongoing support and advice, royalties and fees (usually a percentage of profits) are paid to the franchisor. The key idea is that the risk inherent in buying a business is minimised with a franchise, as you are buying a proven and successful commercial concept.

What kind of New Zealand franchises are available?

Franchises in New Zealand have experienced phenomenal growth over recent years. Franchise businesses are operating in many sectors of the New Zealand economy. Some of these businesses (McDonalds, The Body Shop, Subway) are licensed from huge overseas corporations; however others (Green Acres, Hire a Hubby, Fastway Couriers, Burgerfuel) were founded and are based in New Zealand. So well have Kiwis taken to new franchises, that our country has the highest number of franchise systems per capita in the world.

How does a franchise in New Zealand work?

At its core, franchising is a method of distributing an established business system to new territories. A crucial document is the franchise operations manual which is an extremely detailed document of the franchisors proven commercial systems and success. This manual will specify exactly how the business should be operated. In addition, a comprehensive franchise agreement is drawn up. This agreement covers:

  • The franchisee’s rights to use the system and the brand.
  • Where the business can be operated (territory), over what time period, and if the license is exclusive or otherwise.
  • What fees are payable to the franchisor, which may include marketing and advertising fees, as well as a percentage of profits.
  • Conditions on the property in which the business is operated from (upgrades may be compulsory from time to time and certain standards must be adhered to).
  • Products or services for sale will be restricted (for instance, a McDonald’s franchisee would not be allowed to sell alcohol), and in some cases products may be required to be purchased from the franchisor.
  • Clauses on whether the agreement can be sold on or transferred, rights of renewal, and key details on how the franchisor can terminate the agreement if conditions are not met, or they feel their intellectual property and goodwill are being damaged by the actions of an unruly franchisee.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of owning an NZ franchise?

A franchise for sale in New Zealand might seem like a risk free way to run your own business, but remember, as with any business, there are advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a quick overview:

Advantages may be…

  • Ease of start up: because of the proven franchise system, a lot of work is done for you by the franchisor. Assistance is available with selecting a site, negotiating with suppliers, and brand recognition is instant as opposed to having to be built from nothing.
  • Training and marketing help: the franchisor will assist with training, minimising teething problems, and marketing will often be done on a nationwide basis, giving you one less thing to think about as you concentrate on making your franchise business a success.

Disadvantages may be…

  • Control: for a franchisee, it can prove difficult having no overall control of the running of your business. The system must be followed and any changes must be approved by the franchisor. This could be extremely stifling for a budding entrepreneur!
  • Disagreements: can and often do occur between franchisor and franchisee. These can be difficult to resolve amicably.
  • Costs: franchises in New Zealand can be expensive. As well as the initial costs and ongoing slice of profits going to the franchisor, compulsory ongoing upgrades, maintenance and supplier contracts will often prove costly.

Before entering into an agreement to purchase an NZ franchise, it is prudent to seek comprehensive professional advice. If the franchisor is a member of the Franchise Association of New Zealand they will be bound by certain rules and guidelines, and a mediation service for dispute resolution is available. Best of luck enjoying the fruits of a proven, successful, franchise system in New Zealand!

Looking for more information? Find New Zealand franchises in the NZS.com directory.


This article was kindly supplied by NZS, New Zealand Search. To learn more, click here.

Energy Efficient Lighting

With the cost of living and operating a business on the increase, many New Zealanders are looking to ways to reduce their expenditure in order to improve their profitability and remove the rising dread of opening the monthly bank statement.

One method of lowering costs is through reducing the amount that you spend on services such as power and gas. When it comes to reducing power consumption, one of the first places people look is reducing heating costs and improving insulation.

While this is a great place to start, there’s another area that is often over-looked.

Saving Money through Lighting

If you operate a retail store or large office, chances are that you’ll have a large number of bulbs that provide your lighting. With so many bulbs, the effect on your power bill of a slightly inefficient bulb choice is multiplied by the number of bulbs you have and so can result in you paying far more per year for your power.

Another way that your lighting may be costing your business much more than it should is through the use of bulbs with short life spans. Many cheaper bulbs expire quickly and need to be frequently replaced, costing your business further time and money. Bulbs that have expired and aren’t immediately replaced can also have a negative impact on the overall look of your retail store.

Better Bulbs for Better Lighting

When it comes to lighting, it’s important to understand that there is actually an extensive range of light bulbs on the market and one light bulb can be very different to another. Lighting technology is always evolving. New light bulbs are becoming more efficient while producing the same or more light for longer life spans.

Your safest bet is to avoid multi-purpose stores that may include bulbs in their product range and talk to a specialist lighting shop that really knows their stuff.

Are more expensive bulbs really more expensive?

When looking at light bulbs, the price can vary quite substantially for what looks to be a similar bulb for the same light socket. The knee-jerk reaction is to choose the cheaper bulb, especially if you are operating a retail store and have a large number of bulbs to replace. However, you really need to look at your costs in the long term.

Let’s say two different bulbs fit the same socket but one is $5 and the other is $7. You may automatically be drawn to the cheaper bulb, particularly if you’re thinking ‘Hmm, I need to buy ten of these’. However, the bigger picture is that the cheaper bulb is likely to last you a much shorter span of time than the more expensive bulb and so will need replacing much sooner. Let’s say the cheap bulb lasts for 6 months and yet the more expensive bulb lasts for 10. At the end of 5 years, you’ll have spent $50 on the cheaper bulbs and only $42 on the more expensive bulbs. A saving of $8. Now multiply that saving by the number of bulbs in your store or office and the savings start to pile up.

Choosing the Right Bulb

Not everyone can be a bulb expert and you may not have time to worry about which bulbs to buy to suit your store and your budget. The good news is that if you’re serious about saving money on your interior lighting needs, there are lighting specialists out there with staff that know exactly what they’re talking about! A good lighting store will be able to present you with a number of options for your bulbs and will be able to explain exactly why one would be better than another and how long you can expect your bulbs to last.

Take some time to relay your exact requirements to a lighting professional and they should be able to provide you will a full solution for your retail lighting needs.

Employment Agencies

Employment agencies in New Zealand provide a service matching job seekers to job vacancies. Also known as recruitment agencies, these organisations provide employers with candidates for jobs, offering complementary screening, selection, interview and headhunting services. In this article we take a look at what recruitment agencies do and what types of New Zealand employment agencies there are, covering several different specialised fields.

What do employment agencies in New Zealand do?

NZ employment agencies perform a variety of tasks concerned with, at a basic level, getting people into jobs. They generally offer a two way service, that is, for both employers and job seekers. We’ll look at employers first.

Employer services

An employment agency provides employers with a range of job services including:

  • Advertising vacancies on behalf of clients using various channels, such as newspapers or professional publications; graduate recruitment programmes; online job boards and websites; and sometimes even through radio advertising.
  • Building up a relationship with the employer through meetings, email communication and phone conversations, in order to understand what kind of staff are required and discuss how to find them.
  • Screening and selecting job candidates; potential candidates will be filtered and whittled down by certain agreed criteria in order to only interview the most appropriate candidates for a job.
  • Interviewing potential employees; conducting comprehensive job interviews of applicants on behalf of the employer, including phone interviews and face to face meetings.
  • Checking references and communicating with a candidate’s referees to assess suitability for a position.
  • Testing potential employees; including psychometric personality testing to determine traits that show suitability, or otherwise, for a position.

Job candidate services

New Zealand recruitment agencies also aid those looking for jobs in New Zealand by:

  • Taking them through available New Zealand jobs and giving employment information and job application advice.
  • Advising candidates on New Zealand job market activity in their areas of interest, providing guidance, information and career management services.
  • Giving them the opportunity to apply for jobs that are taken straight by New Zealand businesses to recruitment agencies; that is, jobs that would not be advertised otherwise.
  • Providing guidance in the job seeking process by helping candidates create an effective CV’s and going over interview preparation strategy.
  • Summarising a candidate’s strengths, experience and suitability for a position; this will, in turn, be presented to the employer.

Headhunting

Some New Zealand employment agencies engage in headhunting practices. Headhunting occurs where recruiters actively seek out employees working at other workplaces; it is normally used where standard recruitment efforts have failed to find a suitable candidate. Techniques used in headhunting include: purchasing lists and company databases of prospects, networking, cold calling and extensive use of online candidate records. Some New Zealand companies need to make special efforts to protect in-demand employees from being headhunted and employed by competitors.

Temporary or permanent employment

Employment agencies in New Zealand are usually classified as providing permanent or temporary jobs, or a mixture of the two. Temporary recruitment agencies specialise in fulfilling employer client’s needs by placing staff into short-term positions. These may be across a large range of industries. However, many temporary jobs end up becoming permanent, especially if the candidate does a good job! A good example of a well known and successful temporary recruitment agency is Student Job Search, which places thousands of New Zealand students into short-term work every year and helps them minimise their student loans. Permanent recruitment agencies place candidates into permanent job roles.

Industry specific recruitment agencies

Many recruitment agencies in New Zealand operate in a particular industry niche or area of expertise. For example, an agency may specialise in healthcare, hospitality, design, accounting, advertising or IT recruitment. Another example is an agency working with high level executive appointments only, regardless of industry. Industry specific recruitment agencies will generally have an extensive network of contacts and relationships with the employers in their chosen field, making them a sensible choice for many job seekers. In addition, many specialist recruiters will work to attract overseas candidates, providing them with the tools and guidance to immigrate and gain the necessary work visas, as well as helping them settle in to their new home once they arrive.

Recruitment agencies are a growth industry, as many employers see the value in outsourcing some portion or in some cases all of their staffing function to a professional consultancy. However, over recent times the market in New Zealand has been consolidated as large international recruitment companies take over smaller local ones. This is a trend that will likely continue, as global recruitment firms attempt to generate massive employer and candidate databases, which are interchangeable between countries.

 

 

DNA Testing

DNA testing is a relatively new technology, however it is beginning to have useful applications both in New Zealand and worldwide, including DNA and paternity testing to determine the father of a child.

What is a DNA test?

DNA testing is a technique used to distinguish between different individuals of a species by comparing samples of their DNA. Most humans have the vast majority of their genetic material in common; however there are specific markers that can be compared and analysed to establish distinctions. It is a rather scientific process that has been refined and these days New Zealand DNA testing can be done for a reasonable cost.

What is DNA testing used for in NZ?

A DNA test in New Zealand can be used to establish several things. DNA tests are used in forensic science, to match a suspect to samples of DNA, for example blood, saliva, semen or hair. Human remains can be identified, and organ donors matched, by the use of DNA testing in New Zealand. DNA testing has applications in the study of animal populations and some plant life. New Zealand DNA tests are also employed to determine the gender of an unborn child (this can be done from six weeks), verify whether extended families are related and authenticate ancestral genealogy. The latter is known as ‘genetic genealogy’, and is popular in New Zealand amongst those who wish to know more about where their ancestors came from, the origins of their surname and their ethnic background.

Paternity testing in NZ

A paternity test in New Zealand is undertaken to prove paternity, which is whether a man is the biological father of another individual. Paternity tests in NZ are becoming increasingly common as males become more aware of the problem of ‘misattributed paternity’, and seek to clarify their legal rights and duties surrounding paternity.

‘Misattributed paternity’ occurs when a male believe he is the biological father of a child, when in fact he is not. This is far more common than one may think; studies both in New Zealand and abroad have suggested that as many as 1 in 10 children have not been sired by the man who thinks he is their biological father. The numbers make for staggering reading; 400,000 adults and children in New Zealand possibly believe the wrong man is their genetic father.

The issue here for many NZ men is not only peace of mind, but also the matter of child support payments. There have been recent cases where men have paid child support for up to 18 years, only to discover through a paternity test that they were in fact not required to do so and have been compensated. Conservative estimates state that hundreds of millions of misdirected child support payments have and are currently being paid out in New Zealand.

Paternity testing kits

NZ paternity testing kits are available from several companies. They are increasingly in demand as New Zealanders become aware of the extent of misattributed paternity. Prices range from around $400, going up to over $1000. A court approved NZ paternity test will generally be more expensive. Using these kits involves taking a simple swab, normally from the inside of the mouth, and sending the kit back to the laboratory for analysis. Statistically these DNA testing kits are almost 100% accurate. The best places to look for paternity testing kits in NZ is to go online, with several websites offering a comprehensive service. Do your research on the companies before purchasing however, as some are better and more accurate than others.

Legal controversy

The problem for many fathers in NZ wishing to prove or disprove their parentage using DNA testing is that the court system has no power to order such a test without the consent of the mother. If the mother does not consent, the father may challenge this in court but it will be drawn out and expensive, and only a small number of cases have been won in this way. There is robust debate amongst lawmakers and politicians on the subject of paternity testing in NZ, with many wanting to ‘level the playing field’ and give courts the power to order a DNA test without a mother’s consent. Opposition to a change centres on compulsory DNA testing as invasive and a breach of civil rights. It will be interesting to see how this develops; with such an emotive issue as parentage, no doubt any changes will be hotly contested.


This article was kindly supplied by NZS, New Zealand Search. To learn more, click here.

« First...1020...2930313233...Last »