How Parkable is helping drivers make the most of Auckland’s wasted space

Every week on The Primer we ask a local business or product to introduce themselves in eight simple takes. This week we talk to Parkable co-founder Brody Nelson whose business is using technology to shake up traditional parking. ONE: How did Parkable start and what was the inspiration behind it? Parkable started in 2015 when its … Read more

The waste-busting business that wants to help you reduce household rubbish

Every week on The Primer we ask a local business or product to introduce themselves in eight simple takes. This week we talk to Kristy Lorson, the founder of popular Facebook group Zero Waste in NZ! about her latest business venture, EarthSavvy. ONE: How did EarthSavvy start and what was the inspiration behind it? We all like to think … Read more

The AI-powered chatbot that can help you learn te reo Māori

Every week on The Primer we ask a local business or product to introduce themselves in eight simple takes. This week we talk to co-founder of Reobot, Jason Lovell, whose IBM Watson-powered chatbot allows you to practise conversational Māori via Facebook Messenger. ONE: How did Reobot start and what was the inspiration behind it? I want to … Read more

How Goodnest wants to be the Uber for home cleaning

Every week on The Primer we ask a local business or product to introduce themselves in eight simple takes. This week we talk to James MacAvoy, co-founder of Goodnest, which is a lot like Uber, but for getting your house cleaned. ONE: How did Goodnest start and what was the inspiration behind it? Goodnest started out … Read more

The company taking your unwanted paper and upcycling it into notebooks

Every week on The Primer we ask a local business or product to introduce themselves in eight simple takes. This week we talk to Kareena Harris from The Misprint Co, makers of bespoke upcycled paper notebooks. ONE: How did The Misprint Co start and what was the inspiration behind it? The idea for The Misprint Co … Read more

The Kiwi duo championing high-end carry-on luggage

Every week on The Primer we ask a local business or product to introduce themselves in eight simple takes. This week we talk to Jimmy Hayes, co-founder of premium bags company Minaal, which has raised more than $700,000 USD in crowdfunding. ONE: How did Minaal start and what was the inspiration behind it? My co-founder Doug Barber and … Read more

The Primer: the care packages developed by students, for students

Every week we ask a local business or product to introduce themselves in eight simple takes. This week we talk to Sandanee Samarakoon and Nawaz Ahmed, founders of Kimera, a subscription box service that sends treats to your loved ones studying away from home.  ONE: How did Kimera start and what was the inspiration behind it? … Read more

The Kiwi beauty brand that wants you to #giveupthebottle and pick up the bar

Every week we ask a local business or product to introduce themselves in eight simple takes. This week we talk to Brianne West, founder of sustainable, plastic-free cosmetics company Ethique.  ONE: How did Ethique start and what was the inspiration behind it? Ethique came about as a combination of my passion for the environment, knowledge of the … Read more

The Primer: the car-sharing service putting electric vehicles on Wellington’s roads

Every week we ask a local business or product to introduce themselves in eight simple takes. This week we talk to Mevo CEO Erik Zydervelt whose company provides Wellingtonians with app-based, on-demand access to electric vehicles. ONE: How did Mevo start and what was the inspiration behind it? My co-founder Finn Lawrence and I both grew … Read more

The Primer: the gender-neutral clothes freeing kids from stereotypes

Every week we ask a local business or product to introduce themselves in eight simple takes. This week we talk to Freedom Kids‘ Rachel Hansen who wants to help break gendered stereotypes among children – one ethically-produced, gender-neutral piece of clothing at a time.  ONE: How did Freedom Kids start and what was the inspiration behind … Read more

The Primer: the NZ underwear company employing refugee seamstresses

Every week we ask a local business or product to introduce themselves through eight simple questions. This week we talk to Elisha Watson, who quit her full-time job as a lawyer to start Nisa – an organic cotton underwear company that employs women from refugee backgrounds. ONE: How did Nisa start and what was the inspiration behind it? Before … Read more

The Primer: why Little Bird Organics wants to sell you shares

Every week we ask a local business or product to introduce themselves in eight simple takes. This week we talk to Megan May, founder of whole foods company Little Bird Organics which today launches its first-ever equity crowdfunding campaign with fellow Kiwi entrepreneurs Melanie and Malcolm Rands of Ecostore. ONE: How did Little Bird Organics start … Read more

The Primer: NZ’s first cold brew-only coffee company

Every week we ask a local business or product to introduce themselves in eight simple takes. This week we talk to Harpoon Cold Brew’s Arjun Haszard, who’s in the business of brewing one of the trendiest coffees out there this summer. ONE: How did Harpoon Cold Brew start and what was the inspiration behind it? I … Read more

The Primer: the app that puts you in touch with local tradies

Every week we ask a local business or product to introduce themselves in eight simple takes. This week we talk to Alex Vaz and Nik Ellis, founders of an app that links up builders, plumbers and other tradespeople with jobs that need doing around the house. ONE: How did Tradee start and what was the inspiration … Read more

The Primer: the company behind packaging made of plants, not plastic

Every week we ask a local business or product to introduce themselves in eight simple takes. This week we talk to Tony Small, founder of plant-based packaging company Innocent Packaging. ONE: How did Innocent Packaging start and what was the inspiration behind it? Originally I had a reusable coffee cup company. But after doing that for … Read more

The Primer: the electrically-powered bikes taking over Kiwi farms

Every week we ask a local business or product to introduce themselves in eight simple takes. This week we talk to Timothy Allan of Ubco, makers of an electrically-powered, eco-friendly alternative to off and on road bikes. ONE: How did Ubco start and what was your inspiration behind it? Ubco was founded by myself (CEO and … Read more

The Primer: the not-for-profit getting kids into coding

Every week we ask a local business or product to introduce themselves in eight simple takes. This week we talk to Zoe Timbrell and Vaughan Rowsell of OMGTech!, the not-for-profit getting kids into coding and technology through a series of high-tech workshops. ONE: How did OMGTech! start and what was your inspiration for the project? Vaughan Rowsell … Read more

The Primer: the dating app that actually sends you on dates

Every week we ask a local business or product to introduce themselves in eight simple takes. This week we talk to Elliot Riley, Jess Smith and James McCann, founders of Rendezvous, a dating app that lets you avoid the awkward online pre-chat and cuts straight to the chase. ONE: How did Rendezvous start and what was your … Read more