Kaitaia Business Association

08/06/2026

This month we’re proud to shine the business spotlight on KBA Associate Members, REHAB COACH NZ - a husband-and-wife team based in Coopers Beach who are passionate about helping people move better, recover better, and stay active for life.

Dave and Sonia Tompkins bring more than 30 years of combined experience across rehabilitation coaching, sports massage, fitness coaching, movement education, and injury recovery support. Their approach goes beyond simply treating symptoms - they work to identify the underlying causes of pain, movement restrictions, and recurring injuries to create long-term, meaningful results. Whether it’s supporting recovery after surgery, helping someone return to sport, or simply improving mobility and confidence in day-to-day life, Rehab Coach NZ is all about practical, personalised care.

Alongside their rehabilitation services, Dave and Sonia are also launching a new initiative called PreHab for Business - a proactive workplace wellbeing programme designed to help businesses identify movement issues, injury risks, and physical strain before they become bigger problems. The goal is to support healthier, stronger, and more productive teams both in and out of the workplace. To celebrate the launch, KBA BID and associate members can receive 25% off an initial workplace consultation.

Dave and Sonia say they are absolutely loving life in the Far North and feel grateful for the people and connections they’ve made so far. They’d love the opportunity to connect with more local businesses over a coffee and kōrero about business, wellbeing, and future goals.

Be sure to check out Rehab Coach NZ and give them a warm Far North welcome 👏

www.rehabcoach.co.nz

26/05/2026

Who Really Gets the Work?

22/05/2026

430pm this arvo, Te Ahu.

Saturday’s meeting at Te Ahu Hall runs from 4.30pm to 6.30pm.

22/05/2026

Yesterday we hosted a business breakfast at Peekaboo Backyard Eatery in collaboration with NorthChamber, MSD Te Tai Tokerau, and Northland NZ (formerly Northland Inc).

A huge thank you to Peekaboo for sponsoring the venue, and to ChamberWorks for keeping everyone well fed and caffeinated with belly-warming kai and coffee ☕️

The morning featured insightful presentations on ChamberWorks - a joint venture between NorthChamber and MSD which aims to help businesses connect with pre-screened candidates, workforce support, training, and practical tools to build strong teams - along with discussions around NorthlandNZ services infused with talks on AI and emerging technologies, which are becoming more relevant to workplaces than ever before. Guests also shared their own kōrero and experiences around how AI is already being implemented within their business systems and day-to-day operations.

We’ve received lots of positive feedback from attendees and will be sending out a follow-up email next week with a wrap-up of the event and some helpful links and resources.

Big thanks again to all of our sponsors, speakers, and hosts who helped make the event happen ✨

19/05/2026

Last chance to RSVP!

Happening tomorrow Thursday 21 May
⏰ 8:00am – 10:00am
📍 Peekaboo Backyard Eatery

Our upcoming business networking event is shaping up to be an inspiring morning packed with practical tips and valuable insights that will help move your business forward.

Come along for a listen, korero, coffee & kai.

RSVP here: https://forms.gle/1bdJ7iVDV9fUuLwH7

📣Networking Event Announcement

Theme: Work Reimagined I Human-centred. Tech-enabled. Built to thrive.

📅 Thursday 21 May 2026
⏰ 8:00am – 10:00am
📍 Peekaboo Backyard Eatery

Running a business today means juggling people, culture, and constant change, and now AI is part of the mix too. For many business owners, this can feel like a lot to take in. So how do we make it easier?

Join us for a practical, down-to-earth business breakfast exploring how to better support your people and use technology to move your business forward.

Keynote Speakers:

✨ Paulette Scrooby (NorthChamber) + Jamie Rosemergy (MSD Tai Tokerau) – introducing ChamberWorks NZ, a free tool to help you find, hire, and retain great people, plus insights into local workforce trends

✨ Meg Smith (Northland Inc) – sharing real-world ways small businesses can use AI to boost capability and adapt to change

Expect practical insights and the chance to connect with other local business owners.

🥐 Light breakfast and coffee provided for those who RSVP
💬 Q&A + networking included

Please RSVP using this link to secure your spot and help us with numbers for catering:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScNXvOUSXmDpvGtx1i6nXPnmOkHzQbiR-OxX6fcdrmZgueNyQ/viewform?usp=publish-editor

This event is proudly brought to you by the Kaitaia Business Association in collaboration with NZ Chambers of Commerce Northland, MSD Tai Tokerau, ChamberWorks, Northland Inc, and Peekaboo Backyard Eatery

18/05/2026

Join us this Thursday 21 May from 8am at Peekaboo Backyard Eatery for our next business networking event - Work Reimagined.

We are very excited to welcome keynote speakers Paulette Scrooby (NZ Chambers of Commerce Northland) and Jamie Rosemergy (MSD Te Tai Tokerau) - who will be speaking on ChamberWorks, a collaborative initiative designed to better connect local businesses and employers with workforce support, recruitment pathways, training opportunities, and practical solutions to help businesses grow and thrive.

This is a great opportunity for our local businesses, particularly employers, to learn more about what support is available locally, ask questions directly to the team, and connect with other businesses across the region.

✨ Q&A session
✨ Networking opportunities
✨ Coffee & kai provided to those who RSVP
✨ Practical insights and support for employers and businesses

A big thank you to our sponsors ChamberWorks, NZ Chambers of Commerce Northland and Peekaboo Backyard Eatery for making this event possible.

RSVP essential: https://forms.gle/FA8fQqbKV4EHLwdYA

17/05/2026

We’re excited to officially introduce one of our keynote speakers for our upcoming business networking event - Meg Smith from Northland NZ - Business (previously NorthandInc)👏

As Growth Advisor Team Lead, Meg works closely with businesses across Te Tai Tokerau to help them grow, adapt, and future-proof through innovation, technology, and strategic thinking. With a strong focus on AI and emerging tech, Meg brings practical insights into how businesses can work smarter, stay competitive, and embrace the opportunities that technology presents - without losing the human element.

Whether you’re AI-curious, already experimenting with new tools, or simply wanting to understand what the future of business could look like here in the Far North, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

📍 Peekaboo Backyard Eatery
📅 Thursday 21 May
⏰ 8am onwards

RSVP today for free coffee and light brekky: https://forms.gle/ugnotB91pf9a3FeL6

If you have any questions regarding our networking event, feel free to email us at [email protected]

Discovery sessions:
Meg will also be spending the day at the Digital Hub - Kaitaia. If you’re looking for support to grow your business, improve systems, build capability, or explore training and funding options, this is a great chance to book a free Discovery Session and chat about what support may be available for your next step. Book here: [email protected]

10/05/2026

This month we’re proud to shine the business spotlight on Murdock’s Butchery & Goods.

Established in September 2025, this family-owned local business has quickly built a reputation for quality meat, genuine service, and good old-fashioned care. Conveniently located on Commerce Street, the butchery offers a fantastic range of premium local cuts to suit everything from weeknight dinners to special occasions.

Owner Murdock brings more than 17 years of industry experience to the table, and it shows in the quality of the products and the pride taken in every cut. Locals say the meat is worth every cent, the service is warm and welcoming, and after one visit, you’ll understand why locals keep coming back.

If you haven’t already, make sure you pop in and see the team at 137 Commerce Street and support this humble, locally-owned Far North business.

05/05/2026

📣Networking Event Announcement

Theme: Work Reimagined I Human-centred. Tech-enabled. Built to thrive.

📅 Thursday 21 May 2026
⏰ 8:00am – 10:00am
📍 Peekaboo Backyard Eatery

Running a business today means juggling people, culture, and constant change, and now AI is part of the mix too. For many business owners, this can feel like a lot to take in. So how do we make it easier?

Join us for a practical, down-to-earth business breakfast exploring how to better support your people and use technology to move your business forward.

Keynote Speakers:

✨ Paulette Scrooby (NorthChamber) + Jamie Rosemergy (MSD Tai Tokerau) – introducing ChamberWorks NZ, a free tool to help you find, hire, and retain great people, plus insights into local workforce trends

✨ Meg Smith (Northland Inc) – sharing real-world ways small businesses can use AI to boost capability and adapt to change

Expect practical insights and the chance to connect with other local business owners.

🥐 Light breakfast and coffee provided for those who RSVP
💬 Q&A + networking included

Please RSVP using this link to secure your spot and help us with numbers for catering:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScNXvOUSXmDpvGtx1i6nXPnmOkHzQbiR-OxX6fcdrmZgueNyQ/viewform?usp=publish-editor

This event is proudly brought to you by the Kaitaia Business Association in collaboration with NZ Chambers of Commerce Northland, MSD Tai Tokerau, ChamberWorks, Northland Inc, and Peekaboo Backyard Eatery

27/04/2026

🚨 CALLING ALL KAITAIA BUSINESS LEADERS & COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS 🚨

The Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) is looking for judges to support this year’s student business pitch sessions in Kaitaia!

This is an awesome opportunity to encourage and inspire the next generation of Far North entrepreneurs as local students pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges. Previous judges say it’s not only hugely valuable for the students, but also incredibly inspiring for the adults in the room too.

📍 Kaitaia judging day:
Thursday 14 May
Featuring students from Kaitaia College and Taipa Area School

⏰ Approx. 8:45am – 3:00pm (TBC)

Judges don’t need any special qualifications - just a positive attitude, enthusiasm, and a willingness to support our rangatahi. All judging material and guidance will be provided.

If you are interested in being part of the judging panel, get in touch with Gary Larken (YES Regional Coordinator) directly at [email protected]

Inspiring Students, Unleashing Leaders. Encouraging Young People To Discover Their Potential In Business And In Life.