Wairarapa businesses going for gold, region becomes base for businesses

Wednesday, 5 July 2017

Clareville Bakery owners Mike and Rose Kloeg. The bakery is a finalist in the 'Emerging Gold – Products' category.

Wairarapa is punching above its weight and is going through its best growth phase in 10 years, an economic development manager says.

Kieran McAnulty, of Masterton District Council, said the region was building momentum and was quickly becoming a place where businesses could base themselves.

Rival Wealth financial advisers from left, Jenny Griffith, Aaron Trevean, Tim Fairbrother, Carissa Fairbrother, and Donna Hintz are based in Masterton.

Some businesses, which already call Wairarapa home, have been recognised as making a significant contribution to Wellington's economic growth and development in this year's Wellington Gold Awards.

Established in 1999, the awards celebrate the excellence and enterprise of business in the Wellington region.

* Technology companies feature prominently among Wellington Gold Awards finalists**

About 12 per cent of the Gold Awards finalists were Wairarapa businesses .

'If you compare Wairarapa's total population to Wellington it's quite clear we're punching above our weight regionally,' McAnulty said.

Gross domestic product growth in Masterton rose 4 per cent for the year ending March, compared to 2.4 per cent for the the Wellington region, according to Infometrics.

Wairarapa finalists include Rival Wealth, The Clareville Bakery, Pukaha Mt Bruce, Toast Martinborough, WizWireless, Martygirl Skinfood and Powershop.

'Now that we have the infrastructure and connectivity, Wairarapa has become a compelling proposition for both employers and employees with its relatively low cost of living and high quality of lifestyle,' McAnulty said.

Marianne Paton-Sentch, of Rival Wealth, recently made the move to Wairarapa.

'We moved here from Auckland because we wanted less debt and more quality time with our kids.

'My husband's commute meant he barely got to see our kids by the time he got home. The Wairarapa has allowed us a greater work/life balance and enjoying life as a family.'

Rival Wealth is a finalist in the 'Team Gold' category this year. The category is one of three best practice awards and recognises a company's investment in its people, its wellness and HR programmes.

Rival Wealth founder Tim Fairbrother said he offered flexible working hours to fit in with family life, and was also committed to enhancing staff health and wellbeing.

The company was looking to expand, with the addition of a full-time Wellington based adviser to meet the demand, Fairbrother said.

Meanwhile, Clareville Bakery owners Rose and Mike Kloeg said they were delighted to be recognised for their traditional artisan baking.

The bakery was a finalist in the 'Emerging Gold – Products' category, however the couple considered the nomination a reflection of their business as a whole.

'We've achieved a lot since we opened in 2013, from the challenges of the day-to- day running, through to the growth of many aspects of our business and we are very proud of the team we have built up throughout this period.' Mike Kloeg said.

The winners of the 2017 Wellington Gold Awards, held in association with The Dominion Post, will be held at TSB Bank Arena on Thursday.