Posts by Melissa Mae
When was the last time you came into town?
There’s something quietly shifting in Tauranga’s city centre. Not in a big, flashy way, but in the steady arrival of people choosing to back the city with their time, their…
Read MoreMarshmallows, marae and making connections: inside our Instep noho
By Instep Young Leader Indy Rhodes Last week the Instep Young Leaders’ Forum had a noho at Paparoa Marae, and it turned out to be a pretty awesome way to…
Read MoreWestern Bay business confidence stays strong amid ongoing uncertainty
Western Bay of Plenty businesses are entering 2026 with rebounding confidence levels, according to the latest Priority One Business Outlook Survey. The survey of businesses across the Western Bay of…
Read MoreCompeting Tauranga law firms unite to tackle legal talent shortage
Three leading firms join with Priority One’s Work Life Tauranga to position the region as a serious legal career destination Competing law firms rarely collaborate on recruitment. In Tauranga, three…
Read MoreWelcoming the Instep Young Leaders’ Forum cohort for 2026
Priority One is pleased to welcome the 2026 cohort of the Instep Young Leaders’ Forum, a group of Year 12 and 13 students from across the Western Bay of Plenty…
Read MoreFutureproofing the kiwifruit workforce with NZKGI
The Western Bay of Plenty’s kiwifruit industry is a major driver of regional jobs, export value and economic resilience. Its continued success depends on having the right people, with the…
Read MoreThe quiet power of work: How two Tauranga employers helped a family rebuild
When Amin Bamyani joined Ballance Agri-Nutrients in September 2022 as a geospatial analyst, he brought more than a specialised skill set. He brought a story of survival, quiet resilience, and…
Read More6,000 young people, 6,000 untapped possibilities
It’s 2030. Tauranga’s economy is thriving, our city centre is alive and refreshed, our innovations are bold, and our region is known for growing its own local talent. Because in…
Read MoreEducation Tauranga relaunches to boost international education in Tauranga
On 20 November, 55 representatives from schools and educational institutions in Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty gathered to celebrate the relaunch of Education Tauranga, marking a renewed commitment to…
Read MoreAre our manufacturers in skill shortage trouble?
Manufacturing is one of the quiet engines of our region’s economy. Behind the warehouse doors and factory floors are people shaping everything from advanced engineering and automation to chemical processing,…
Read MorePowering Tauranga Moana’s future
The Western Bay of Plenty’s first Regional Energy Summit marked an important milestone in shaping a sustainable energy future for our region. Hosted at the University of Waikato, the summit…
Read MoreInstep Young Leaders celebrate a year of courage, connection and growth
Last night the Instep Young Leaders came together for their finale, marking the end of a year filled with learning, friendship and personal growth. Each student received their certificate and…
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