South Canterbury Advice Givers | Business Owners |

Nigel Gilkison has a wealth of knowledge and experience working alongside some of the worlds most renowned Architects and Urban Designers. A journey that has led him to starting his own consultancy practice ‘Universalform’. Universalform can work across a range of project scales, including designing new subdivisions, assisting with regeneration plans, exploring land development opportunities, or designing new buildings. “The goal is to create inspiring, innovative and sustainable design solutions which respond to local needs and conditions, creating attractive, vibrant and successful places which foster strong communities and provide inclusive environments for all people to use and enjoy.”   My interest in urban design developed initially from my interest in architecture, but also from my general interest in the fields of evolutionary theory, history, anthropology (the study of humankind), social organization and cultural identity.  I am interested in the way in which urban design considers all aspects of human interaction (social, political, cultural, economic and environmental), providing a physical environment for human habitation which allows us to share skills and knowledge efficiently.   Ideas and Topics Discussed in This Episode: Nigel’s personal journey. What is ‘Urban Design’? How can Nigel help? Links/Resources:  http://www.universalform.co.nz Email Nigel: email@universalform.co.nz Or call +64 21 2107374 Reviews Help a Ton! Thanks for joining us this week. If you have any tips, suggestions, or comments about this episode, please be sure to leave them in the comment section below. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Thank you! And finally, please leave an honest review for The South Canterbury Advice Givers Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one of them.

Nigel Davenport is absolutely passionate about the Timaru District, the wider South Canterbury region and all it they have to offer.  As the newly appointed Chief Executive of Aoraki Development, he is sharing with us the role Aoraki Development plays in driving Economic Development in our district.  With Aoraki Development’s key focus being to promote the Timaru District as “THE Place to Live and do Business” – the three clear pillars of priority within this are: Actively Attract & Assist the establishment of NEW BUSINESS, Assist business to Attract & Retain a skilled workforce, and Encourage new Opportunities and facilitate the growth of EXISTING BUSINESS.   In addition to his role as Chief Executive for Aoraki Development, Nigel is also heavily involved in local business and the community via his roles as Independent Chairman of Scarlett Hydraulics Ltd, Independent Advisory Board Chairman of 100% Pure New Zealand Honey Ltd, Trustee of Sport Canterbury and Trustee of the Aoraki Sports Persons Charitable Trust (ASPECT). His passion and enthusiasm for this great district of ours is infectious.     Ideas and Topics Discussed in This Episode: What does Aoraki Development actually do? How can they help new businesses? Three key pillars. Low hanging fruit. How can the community help Aoraki Development drive growth in South Canterbury? Links/Resources:  www.aorakidevelopment.co.nz Email Nigel: nigel@aorakidevelopment.co.nz Or call 03 6872682 Reviews Help a Ton! Thanks for joining us this week. If you have any tips, suggestions, or comments about this episode, please be sure to leave them in the comment section below. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Thank you! And finally, please leave an honest review for The South Canterbury Advice Givers Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one of them.

Today we are having a conversation with Shane Dowling who is a Director and Partner in Mainland Insurance. Shane specialises in Personal and Business Risk Insurance. We discuss in more detail how he helps his clients ensure they are adequately covered to protect themselves and their families. Shane has been an Adviser with Mainland since May 2001. Prior to this, he has worked in the Real Estate, Construction and Rural Sectors. He studied and obtained a Graduate Diploma in Business Studies majoring in financial planning. He is an Authorised Financial Adviser and Shareholder of Mainland. In his spare time he enjoys golf and camping. “A lot of my time is spent following my three boys around their various activities.” Shane has been involved with the Child Cancer Foundation for over 16 years and is the current Chairman do the Canterbury/West Coast Division and a member of the National Board. Ideas and Topics Discussed in This Episode: What does Shane actually do. What is your biggest asset? What to think about when considering life insurance. Business Risk – are you covered? The devil is in the details – are you really getting what you need with your insurance cover? Links/Resources:  www.mainland.net.nz Email Shane: s.dowling@mainland.net.nz Phone: 03 6879760 Reviews Help a Ton! Thanks for joining us this week. If you have any tips, suggestions, or comments about this episode, please be sure to leave them in the comment section below. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Thank you! And finally, please leave an honest review for The South Canterbury Advice Givers Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one of them.

The spirit of Christmas will be alive and well at this year’s Timaru Community Christmas Dinner, its organiser says. With six weeks to go, preparations for the popular community event are in full swing. Organiser Sharon Mackay said last year’s dinner was a “huge success”, with about 250 people coming together to celebrate the holiday. That success came off the back of an uncertain few years for the event, which was at risk of not going ahead last year until Mackay stepped in to organise it. With much of the same organising committee staying on to help this year, the event had regained some stability. The committee is now calling for bookings for the dinner to avoid a last minute rush. “We’ve already got some bookings, which is wonderful,” Mackay said. “We’re hoping to get a lot of return diners this year.” She hoped the event would attract about the same number of people as last year. Being able to hold the “high class” dinner was important for the community, she said. “There are people in our community without family, or they’re not able to be with their families at Christmas. Or maybe they just want to share Christmas Day with others.” Mackay urged those who may otherwise be alone on the day to embrace the Christmas spirit and attend. “It’s just a really lovely event.” All food served as part of the two-course buffet meal came from donations, which were still being gratefully accepted, she said. “Not everyone can afford to donate a ham. We’re just as grateful for lemonade for the punch.” However, so many people were keen to help out that no more volunteers were required. “The only position we’re looking to fill is a chef or capable person to cook the meat.” The Community Christmas Dinner will take place on December 25 at 12pm at the Caroline Bay Hall. Bookings can be made by calling 03 6844410 or emailing timaru.ccd.bookings@gmail.com. Find it on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/Timaru.Community.Christmas.Dinner.2015/?fref=ts Download the Invitation here: 2015 ccd leaflet

  We are happy to welcome Nigel Gormack from Quantum Advantage to the show! Today, we’re talking all about how he is leading change in the accounting industry. If you think accountants are just boring number crunchers, then think again. The  task of generating accounts has now become a secondary service, with his main focus and passion helping entreprenuers drive their own buinesses and achieve their personal visions. Nigel has been instrumental in helping us develop our vision to positively change the world of real estate . So we decided to reach out and invite him to share with listeners some of his insights and knowledge. Nigel is Director and owner at Quantum Advantage Ltd that is leading positive change in the Accounting industry. He is a member of NZICA and the Institute of Directors, and hold directorships on several company boards, including PrimePort Timaru, Opuha Water and Quantum Advantage Ltd. He is a foundation member of the Canterbury Water Management Committee and currently sits on the board of Roncalli College as Deputy Chairman. Over the years he has gained positions on the advisory boards of many large farming entities, which has given him an in-depth knowledge of rural and related sectors, with specialist knowledge in the irrigation and dairy industries. Ideas and Topics Discussed in This Episode: Major paradigm shift in the Accounting Industry. Being a Commodity vs Adding Value. Getting the key skill sets you need to drive your business What is a Business Review? Working on your business. How an Advisory Board can help you achieve your business goals. The best advice Nigel has ever been given. Links/Resources/Sponsors Mentioned: Insert link www.qaltd.co.nz Reviews Help a Ton! Thanks for joining us this week. If you have any tips, suggestions, or comments about this episode, please be sure to leave them in the comment section below. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Thank you! And finally, please leave an honest review for The South Canterbury Advice Givers Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one of them.

In this very first episode – we’d like to give you some insight as to what this podcast is all about and why you may want to listen to future interviews. Simply stated… South Canterbury Advice Givers is about empowering our community. We plan for this podcast to become a resource where you can to tune in and learn from our brightest minds. We will be looking for locals …  thought leaders, business owners, fundraisers, crusaders … anybody with an important message that will positively impact the lives of others  – we will interview those leaders – giving them the opportunity to share their message and knowledge with the you. On South Canterbury Advice Givers™, those featured, will be the experts that we believe will have the greatest impact and be of the greatest service, to you. We are committed to helping these leaders impact more lives, through spreading their stories. South Canterbury Advice Givers is founded on  4 our core beliefs…