Ascot Park, Porirua

1968 days ago

Does Z Energy have a future?

Rhondda Sweetman from Plimmerton Rotary

Our guest speaker this week was Chris Durno, formerly of OPUS, the London Underground, and Kiwirail, and now chief strategist at Z Energy, where he has been for seven years. He is a personable Canterbury-trained engineer and therefore can turn his hand to anything, including finance, marketing and … View moreOur guest speaker this week was Chris Durno, formerly of OPUS, the London Underground, and Kiwirail, and now chief strategist at Z Energy, where he has been for seven years. He is a personable Canterbury-trained engineer and therefore can turn his hand to anything, including finance, marketing and branding.
Z is a dominant player, and heavily invested, in the fuels industry. It imports, refines (via Marsden Point), stores, distributes and sells about 45% of fuels used in New Zealand. It has an unrivalled network of service stations, now including Caltex. It is going to great lengths to make its core business as efficient as possible.
Z is in a sector that has changed little in the last 100 years. The auto industry has traditionally been closely tied to the oil fuel sector. But change is coming: there is a drive towards renewable energy and electric vehicles. By the late 2020s EVs will be as cheap to buy and cheaper to run than internal combustion types. By 2040, 50% of annual sales and 40% of the national fleet will be EVs.
So the problem facing Z is that the demand for oil fuel, its core product, is falling. Fuel sales peaked in 2018 and have now entered a period of steady decline.
Z’s response is twofold: to increase its share of the declining fuel market, and to invest in new products and services outside its traditional core business.
Z will, for example, sell more coffee and give quicker service to forecourt customers. The ‘customer experience’ will improve.
More importantly, Z will start to invest outside its current position. Targets are ‘future fuels’, (biofuels, fuel cells etc), electricity trading (Z has bought Flick), and ‘mobility as a service’. Presumably the latter includes ride sharing and autonomous vehicles.
Z will have to reinvent itself to survive. This is a big challenge and they will face stiff competition from new and specialist players. Good luck!

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1968 days ago

Brother and sister team give back the secret to success to others

Graeme Dingle Foundation

Lahaina and Hawea Solomon, who grew up in Tokoroa, are leaders helping other youth reach their potential and are pursuing their own dreams at university.

The brother and sister duo were both Head Students, #Stars Peer Mentors and Excellence Award Winners.

They recently caught up with Stuff to … View more
Lahaina and Hawea Solomon, who grew up in Tokoroa, are leaders helping other youth reach their potential and are pursuing their own dreams at university.

The brother and sister duo were both Head Students, #Stars Peer Mentors and Excellence Award Winners.

They recently caught up with Stuff to talk about their journey through our Stars programme.

Learn more about their story here: bit.ly...

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1969 days ago

UPDATE: Dad and daughters aged 14 and 11 missing from Lower Hutt hike

Stacey Reporter from Stuff

UPDATE:

All three missing persons have now been found safe.

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A dad and his two daughters are still missing after going hiking in Lower Hutt.

A search and rescue operation ran all night in a bid to locate the family of three, who left Lees Grove in Wainuiomata at 12pm on Tuesday with … View more
UPDATE:

All three missing persons have now been found safe.

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A dad and his two daughters are still missing after going hiking in Lower Hutt.

A search and rescue operation ran all night in a bid to locate the family of three, who left Lees Grove in Wainuiomata at 12pm on Tuesday with the intention of walking in Days Bay.

The 50-year-old father and his two daughters, aged 14 and 11, were due to return home at 3.30pm, police said.

But when they hadn't returned home by 6pm, police were contacted by a concerned family member.
Read more

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1977 days ago

Relax at a mini-retreat on a lazy Sunday afternoon

Lauren from Paremata

Treat yourself to 2 hours of live sound-healing music and nourishing Yin Yoga,

This event is suitable for everyone and is ideal if you:

- Are feeling stressed or anxious
- Lead a busy life and are looking for some ‘me-time’ to reach a deep state of relaxation.
- Have poor sleeping … View more
Treat yourself to 2 hours of live sound-healing music and nourishing Yin Yoga,

This event is suitable for everyone and is ideal if you:

- Are feeling stressed or anxious
- Lead a busy life and are looking for some ‘me-time’ to reach a deep state of relaxation.
- Have poor sleeping patterns, suffer from chronic fatigue or insomnia.
- Want to meditate, but find it difficult to get into a meditative state on your own.

Where: Paremata Boating Club
When: Sunday, 28th July 4pm - 6pm
Tickets: $35 (early bird)

Click on the event below to find out more.
eventsframe.com...

1969 days ago

Welcome to Neighbourly, Ryman Healthcare!

Neighbourly.co.nz

Neighbours - we have a new partner! A very warm welcome to our friends at Ryman Healthcare joining us today to share the best about village life - and how to celebrate everything about being a senior New Zealander, whichever community you live in.

Please join us in welcoming Ryman Healthcare to… View more
Neighbours - we have a new partner! A very warm welcome to our friends at Ryman Healthcare joining us today to share the best about village life - and how to celebrate everything about being a senior New Zealander, whichever community you live in.

Please join us in welcoming Ryman Healthcare to our family of partners. There are exciting things to come!
Learn more

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