Welcome everyone to the new format of Activate, and thank you for taking the time to read our first edition of 2026. It’s hard to believe we’re already well into the year, and as expected, we’ve hit the ground running. Branch budget reviews are underway as we prepare for the new financial year, and I appreciate the focus and effort each team has put into these early conversations.

During my recent branch visits, it’s been great to see so many of you adopting our new branded clothing. It’s a small change with a big impact, helping us present a fresher, more unified, and more professional image across the country. We’ve also welcomed several new team members in recent months, and I’m pleased to see them settling in and contributing to our momentum.

As many of you are aware, we made the business decision to close our Papamoa branch. At the same time, we’re excited to announce the opening of our new Tauriko branch, led by Tim Whitehead and his team.

We are now well immersed in Powerbase, with digital screens installed in all branches, Marketplace magazines rolling out, and TED Magazine launching from April. This year, we’ll also place stronger emphasis on health and safety, and I ask everyone to play their part in keeping themselves and their colleagues safe.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me or speak with your branch manager.