New Zealand company helps young people start investing

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17 April 2025

New Zealand company helps young people start investing

A new Wellington-based company called Sharesies is helping young Kiwi’s to begin their investment journey. The company is also known for its excellent workplace culture and environment. The company offers its 28 staff flexible and remote working opportunities and uses a number of modern tools to help them stay connected, even when they aren’t all in the office together.

The company has shown how small organisations in New Zealand can get the best from their employees by making flexibility an integral part of their culture. The flexible and remote work culture is part of every employees contract from the time of their initial induction – the specific flexible working arrangements are determined by the needs of the individual employee. Remote work opportunities give employees a chance to focus on the things that are important to them outside of the workplace. The company also invests into team building exercises and a social clubs as well as monthly lunches to ensure that team members feel connected and build strong relationships with each other.

Another important feature of Sharesies’ work culture is the focus on mental health. The company offers and employee assistance programme and has a number of mental health professional on site to ensure the mental health of employees is well looked after. Every employee also gets two days of ‘wellness leave’ to help them look after their mental health needs. The company’s wellness initiatives are having a measurable and positive impact on the work environment with the company noticing reduced absenteeism and improved staff satisfaction. Employees have spoken positively about the company, acknowledging that it is a fun and social environment and saying that they feel safe and comfortable to discuss mental health in the workplace or comfortable and supported even in times of stress.

How to start a business in NZ

By

Sophie Henley

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17 April 2025

Considering starting or buying a business in New Zealand? According to a study, New Zealand is one of the easiest places in the world to do business; the country is also one of the easiest places in the world to start up a new business.

It is worth noting that there are a few restrictions on starting a business in New Zealand but it usually only takes a few hours online to get a business started.

Businesses in New Zealand use three main structures; sole trader, partnership and limited liability, you should consider which structure best fits your needs. You should also think about what competitors on the market are doing before you start up a business and check local authority rules to ensure that your type of business is allowed in your area and to understand any restrictions or limitations that may impact on your business. Once you have researched and investigated the market surrounding your business, the structure you’re going to choose and what rules apply to your business you should set up the company tax number for your business and seek out help from professionals such as a lawyer, accountant and a bank to ensure that your business is properly set up. You should also ensure that you have a bank account set up from business purposes.

Prior to making any decisions about logos, stationary, signage or other materials for your business you should also check that the name you want is available and not protected then you should choose and register your business name. Setting up the structure for a business in New Zealand is simple and inexpensive, but ensuring you follow the right steps is essential and could save you a lot of time and hassle later on.

Will New Zealand become a cashless society?

By

Amber Mobsby

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17 April 2025

Will New Zealand become a cashless society

Otago University in New Zealand stated that they would be attempting to become a cashless campus and many organisations and businesses feel the same way. Physical money is becoming a thing of the past and with the recent push for contactless payments after COVID-19 more and more establishments want nothing to do with it.

The Reserve Bank of NZ is the sole manufacturer and supplier of banknotes and coins in New Zealand. Imagine the bank being a wholesale distributor to the smaller trading banks that also withdraws damaged or unusable tender to ensure the quality of cash in the economy.

The RBNZ is also in control of the official cash rate which is sued to control inflation of the country. This rate is what other banks pay the reserve bank in addition to a small margin when they need to borrow money (this is the baseline for interest rates in New Zealand). A recent survey in 2017 found that 96 percent of adults in New Zealand used cash. It is also estimated that cash in circulation during the peak COVID-19 period increased by $1 billion. So are we really heading down the track of becoming a cashless society?

The Reserve Bank put out another survey last year to find the future of cash. It found that New Zealand is a long way from becoming a cashless society as of the 3,000 people surveyed – approximately 90 percent still prefer to use cash to pay for items. 75 percent of the sample size also stated that they recall using cash to pay for goods in the week before the survey was conducted. That same percentage also said that they had some sort of cash in their wallet or purse. And six percent of the sample size had only used cash once within the week leading up to the survey.

3 lifestyle tips for staying happy during the pandemic

By

Jamie Stein

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17 April 2025

3 lifestyle tips for staying happy during the pandemic

In Australia, social distancing requirements and commercial restrictions have been eased quite substantially over the past few weeks. As life returns to some semblance of normality, there are still many regions across the world in stringent lockdown. For those people, life can be incredibly difficult, especially if the virus is threatening those you love (like older relatives or friends with severe chronic ailments).

Moreover, not everyone is returning to the same world they experienced before COVID-19, with job losses and entire industries struggling to stay afloat. For those struggling, here are a few simple lifestyle tips to strengthen your resolve and enhance your world view during this ongoing crisis.

Always have goals

Just because the world is struggling doesn’t mean you have to. It’s important not to lose sight of your goals. If you were in the job market before COVID-19, then don’t give up looking for work just because many companies have instituted hiring freezes. There is always something out there – you need to keep looking.

Try to be sociable, even if it’s online

If you’re in a place where lockdown is still being heavily enforced, you must stay in close contact with your friends and family. Even if you can’t physically see each other, try and schedule phone calls or Skype calls to maintain that connection. It can be a hassle and, let’s face it; it’s nowhere near as enjoyable as face to face communication. But at least it’s something!

Be productive

If you’re unable to work temporarily, then you may as well use some of your time to be productive. Make a list and start doing all the things you kept neglecting when your schedule was regular.

4 must-see movies still being released in 2020

By

Jamie Stein

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17 April 2025

4 must-see movies still being released in 2020

The coronavirus pandemic put a halt on a wide range of global movies. As cinemas and theatres across the world were shut to enforce physical distancing, eagerly anticipated films were forced to delay their release dates. Here are several must-see films that were postponed because of COVID-19.

Tenet (July 31)

Christopher Nolan has a cult-following when it comes to his films. Since the release of his critically acclaimed “Dark Knight” trilogy, Nolan has emerged as one of Hollywood’s most adored directors. His 2017 WWII epic “Dunkirk” cemented his status. Initially scheduled for a July 17 release, “Tenet” has only had to be pushed back a fortnight before it will hit cinemas across the world.

Wonder Woman 1984 (October 2)

Scheduled for a June release, the highly anticipated sequel to Patty Jenkin’s acclaimed “Wonder Woman” (2017) has been pushed back until early October. While Warner Bros. was hoping to get the film onto screens by around mid-August, this proved to be too difficult. As a result, DC fans will have to wait until October 2 before they see Wonder Woman again.

Black Widow (November 6)

Initially scheduled for a May 1 release, “Black Widow” is the first solo-film to feature the eponymous protagonist. The COVID-19 pandemic certainly caused some headaches with the scheduling of the Marvel Cinematic Universe; however, it appears they have finally landed on a date for Black Widow.

No Time to Die (November 12)

“No Time to Die” will be Daniel Craig’s final outing at James Bond, and as a result, it arguably the most hyped film of the year. COVID-19 was just the icing on the cake for this film too, since it lost its original director during production. Thankfully, the film will finally be released on November 12 in the UK and November 20 for the rest of the world.

How the new increase to the minimum wage will affect you

By

Jamie Stein

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17 April 2025

How the new increase to the minimum wage will affect you

The Australian Fair Work Commission has decided to introduce a $13 increase to the minimum wage per week (which equates to a 1.75% rise). This means the minimum hourly rate has now risen to $19.84, cementing Australia’s national minimum wage as one of the highest in the world. The effect will become active in July 2020. So, if this is the first time you’re hearing of the new change, here are some of the ways it could affect you.

More income for workers

A higher minimum wage means employees and workers will now have a slightly higher monthly income (approximately $50 per month). The increase will assist employees in low-income professions to better meet their short-term financial needs.

Businesses need to budget

For larger businesses with a lot of staff on their payrolls, the increase will need to be budgeted for accordingly. However, Sally McManus from the Australian Council of Trade Unions has argued that the wage increase doesn’t go far enough in protecting vulnerable workers. However, she did concede that an increase was better than no increase or cutting wages.

Who will get it first?

If you’re working in healthcare, childcare, education or any other type of essential service, you can expect to see the change reflected in your pay as of July 1. However, tourism, retail and hospitality workers will be forced to wait until around February next year before the change kicks in for them. There was a concern that bringing the change in across the entire economy on July 1 would have affected employment opportunities and job creation.

Now is the time to game: top 3 video games you should buy now

By

Jamie Stein

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16 April 2025

With the next generation of consoles making their way to stores at the end of 2020, now is the time to play the games from the current generation that you’ve been neglecting for some time. Even though some of the titles you’ve skipped might be remastered for the next generation, why not get them now when they are slightly cheaper? Not convinced? Check out some of the fantastic titles below.

The Last of Us: Part II (2020)

The highly anticipated sequel to “The Last of Us” only recently made its way to shelves. A Sony exclusive, the game is already receiving rare reviews and favourable comparisons to its predecessor, which won “Game of the Year” from a variety of publications in 2013.

Gears of War: Ultimate Edition (2015)

The original “Gears of War” was released way back in 2006 and became one of the best-selling video games of the year. It spawned one of the most successful video game trilogies of all time and has since been remastered for the Xbox One as the “Ultimate Edition”. An Xbox exclusive, this third-person shooter remains a cult favourite amongst Xbox fans. If you’ve never tried the game, give the Ultimate Edition a crack. There are now six games in the entire franchise, with Gears 5 released in 2019.

God of War (2018)

The “God of War” franchise reached new heights when it was rebooted in 2018. The game received rave reviews when it was released, with some considering the game to have surpassed the original game released in 2005. It is one of the best-selling PlayStation 4 games of all time.

The best movie marathons to do when you have that free weekend

By

Jamie Stein

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16 April 2025

The best movie marathons to do when you have that free weekend

When those lazy, long-weekends roll around, one of the best things to do with a group of friends or family is a movie marathon. And with some fantastic movie franchises on offer, it’s clear that film lovers these days are spoilt for choice. So, if you have no plans for an upcoming weekend and you’re stumped as to how to spend your time, check out some of these great movie franchises, perfect for a day or multi-day marathon.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe

Since the release of the first MCU film, “Iron Man” in 2008, the MCU has grown exponentially. It now includes 23 films, with many more on the way. It’s nearly impossible to get through all the movies over one single weekend; however, a three-day weekend makes it very possible.

Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings

Peter Jackson’s trilogy “The Lord of the Rings”, based on J.R.R Tolkien’s acclaimed novel of the same name, has received rave reviews since its release. Considered a landmark film, the trilogy won 17 Academy Awards from 30 nominations and gross billions at the box office. In terms of watching the three films back-to-back, the theatrical versions can be completed in under 9 hours; however, the extended edition marathon will push it closer to 12 hours (and it’s only three films).

Rocky/Creed

The Rocky/Creed Saga consists of eight films in total, starting with the first film, “Rocky”, which was released in 1976. Sylvester Stallone plays Rocky Balboa in all eight films and has written seven of the eight films produced. The series was revamped in 2015 with the release of “Creed”, which focuses on Apollo Creed’s son, Adonis.

“Walkcar” is an Electric Skateboard That Looks Like a Laptop

By

Jamie Stein

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16 April 2025

Although there are a lot of cool electric vehicles all around the market, I bet you haven’t seen an electric ride that looks like a 13-inch MacBook Pro. Well, the “Walkcar” is a new kind of electric vehicle that works like a skateboard and looks like a laptop. Just think about it, whenever you’re not feeling like walking, you can just pull the “Walkcar” out your laptop bag and start riding around.

Created by a Japanese startup, Cocoa Motors, the “Walkcar” is an innovative electric vehicle with a hefty price tag. And it is only available for the residents of Japan, as of now. The company used carbon fiber and aircraft-grade aluminum to manufacture the vehicle. It also comes with a coat of “self-healing” paint that prevents scratches and marks on the board.

Now, the specialty of the “Walkcar” is obviously its form factor. The thing exactly looks like a laptop with four wheels attached. The front wheels are controlled by, what the company claims, the “smallest in-wheel motor”. Cocoa Motors spent over five years to develop this special motor for the electric “portable car”.

It also has an array of sensors baked into the deck of the device. These sensors are responsible for the auto-braking feature that stops the motor as soon as a rider steps down from the “Walkcar”. These sensors also help the rider in navigating the laptop-like skateboard.

However, the “Walkcar” is not something that you can use for a long ride. It has two modes — Normal and Sport. Because of its form factor and power consumption, the electric skateboard can only go for 7 km (~4.3 miles) in normal mode and 5 km (~3 miles) in sport mode on a single charge. It has a 68Wh rechargeable battery that goes from 0-100% in an hour. So, this is more like your go-out-to-get-groceries kind of vehicle.

Now, there is no word on launching this product in countries other than Japan. This seems highly unlikely because of the price. It costs around ¥198,000 (~$1,840) or Rs 1,40,175. At this price, people could buy a pretty nice motorbike rather than getting a vehicle that runs for such short distances.

Nonetheless, if you’re living in Japan somewhere, you can check it out on its official website.

New Zealand took swift action to stop people from promoting extremism

By

Edward Welch

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16 April 2025

New Zealand took swift action to stop people from promoting extremism

There’s a tendency for most in New Zealand to feel that the country is more or less immune to far-right extremism or hate groups. Even after the Christchurch mosque attacks there’s a tendency to believe that hate-fuelled beliefs and violent far-right extremist behaviour is a problem that other countries experience, not New Zealand.

The mosque attacks are thought of as a one-off, never to be repeated event but that might not be the case. Far-right extremism exists in New Zealand and it’s a greater threat than many people realise. In fact the country is home to around 60 to 70 groups of right wing activists, which might not seem high when compared to countries overseas but represents a bit issue relative to the country’s population especially since it only takes a single violent person to cause a lot of pain and suffering.

Since the mosque attacks there has been greater investment into monitoring potentially violent groups but many argue that more needs to be done.

Following the Christchurch attacks, New Zealand took swift action to stop people from promoting extremism and limited automatic weapons but some people have called for restrictions to be put on organisations and people who promote hate speech and that more investment is needed to properly monitor these groups as currently New Zealand lacks the capacity to properly keep an eye on them.

Right wing extremism has been shown to be on the rise by overseas intelligence agencies and could pose a significant threat. There are challenges in the fact that extremists can be self-radicalised and may not have a large digital footprint, which means more awareness needs to be in places so that New Zealand can put the proper preventative measures in place and more effectively deal with the problem.

Always have goals

Try to be sociable, even if it’s online

Be productive

Tenet (July 31)

Wonder Woman 1984 (October 2)

Black Widow (November 6)

No Time to Die (November 12)

More income for workers

Businesses need to budget

Who will get it first?

The Last of Us: Part II (2020)

Gears of War: Ultimate Edition (2015)

God of War (2018)

The Marvel Cinematic Universe

Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings

Rocky/Creed

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