New Zealand’s hospitality sector is facing cost pressure, slower customer flow, and margin shrinkage in 2025. This Steady Hands article offers grounded strategies for café, restaurant, and accommodation owners to tighten costs, uplift guest experience, and trial fresh income streams without risking quality. With practical advice and a real-world example from Dunedin, this article is a must-read for hospitality operators looking to stay resilient.

In the third article of the Shifting Ground series, RegenerationHQ explores the talent challenges facing NZ SME owners in 2025. From skills shortages and shifting employee expectations to the leadership load on business owners, we share real-world insights and practical ways SMEs are building strong, regenerative workplaces.

New Zealand’s farming sector is facing uncertainty on multiple fronts - climate volatility, fluctuating market demand, rising costs, and regulatory challenges. This Steady Hands article follows the story of Rob and Mere, Ashburton farmers who found clarity and stability by planning forward, talking with their bank, and focusing on resilience. For agribusiness owners seeking practical steps to manage uncertainty and prepare wisely, this article offers grounded advice and timely insight.

As clients tighten budgets in 2025, New Zealand’s consultants, advisors, and agencies are feeling the pinch. This Steady Hands article follows Gemma, a Wellington-based communications consultant, as she pivots from open-ended retainers to defined, outcome-based services. Learn how to restructure offers, communicate value, and build trust in times of uncertainty.

In the fourth article of the Shifting Ground series, RegenerationHQ explores how NZ SMEs are navigating digital transformation in 2025. We unpack what’s driving the push toward digital, the common challenges small businesses face, and practical steps for building real-world digital capability, without losing sight of what makes SME businesses special.

This article explores how New Zealand business owners can use compassion and forgiveness as strategic tools during economic pressure. By embedding empathy into leadership and separating behaviour from identity, businesses build loyalty, trust and long-term resilience.

In the fifth article of the Shifting Ground series, RegenerationHQ explores how NZ SMEs are approaching sustainability in 2025. From rising customer expectations and regulatory demands to the shift toward regenerative thinking, SME owners are finding practical ways to embed sustainability into their businesses, without chasing perfection. We share what’s working and lessons from across the sector.

In the sixth and final article of the Shifting Ground series, RegenerationHQ explores the unseen mental and emotional load carried by NZ SME owners in 2025. From the weight of responsibility to the isolation of leadership, we share practical ways business owners can lead more compassionately and foster healthier, more resilient business cultures.

In the final article of the Shifting Ground series, RegenerationHQ shares 6 key insights learned from NZ SME owners in 2025 - from resilience and leadership to digital capability, sustainability, and the mental load of ownership. We also preview what’s next: building a better, more connected SME support ecosystem for Aotearoa.

New Zealand’s SME support system is full of good intentions, but is it delivering what SME owners need in 2025? Many report a fragmented, confusing experience that leaves them feeling unsupported. In this first article of our Rethinking SME Support series, we explore how a more connected, collaborative and  values-driven ecosystem could better serve our vital SME community. It’s time to evolve the system — and the conversation starts here.

SMEs are the lifeblood of New Zealand’s economy — but too much of the current support system remains out of step with what these businesses really need to thrive. In this article, we explore why a shift toward a more connected, regenerative support system is urgently needed — and how it could better reflect the true diversity of Aotearoa’s SME community.

What do the world’s best SME support systems have in common and how can New Zealand learn from them? In this article, we explore six global pillars of SME support, from trusted advisory relationships to flexible finance, capability building, and cross-sector collaboration. The key takeaway: great support systems put relationships first, not programmes first — a lesson Aotearoa would do well to embrace.

New Zealand’s SME support system doesn’t need to start from scratch, there are proven global innovations we can adapt. In this article, we explore practical ideas from around the world, including trust-based advisory models, smarter finance, embedded capability building and seamless navigation, all aimed at building a stronger, more human-centred SME support ecosystem for Aotearoa.

New Zealand’s SME support system has strengths — but also significant gaps. In this article, we explore what’s working well today, where the biggest gaps lie, what SME owners are asking for, and what’s needed to evolve the system into something more connected, equitable and regenerative.

If we want an SME support system that truly serves Aotearoa’s diverse business community, where should we begin? In this article, we outline six priority areas to create early momentum, including collaboration-first approaches, trusted advisory capacity, smarter finance, equity-first design and embedding regenerative thinking throughout the system.

The Rethinking SME Support series explored why NZ’s SME support system must evolve, global lessons worth adapting, and priorities for change. This final article reflects on what we’ve learned — and outlines what’s coming next: a deeper dive into how Central & Local Government, Economic Development Agencies, Chambers and Business Associations can collaborate to build a more regenerative and connected SME support system.

"Rethinking Problem-Solving in a Kiwi SME"
When a growing business outpaces its founder's instincts, the old ways stop working. This story shows how one Kiwi joinery owner reset his approach — not by changing who he was, but by leading smarter.

"The 11 Myths Les Had to Face (And Replace)"
This article breaks down the mental traps holding SME leaders back — and how one business owner rewired his decision-making for better results. If you think gut instinct is enough, this one might surprise you.

"Helping the Team Step Up"
When Les stopped being the go-to fixer, his team stepped into their potential. This article shows how a simple shift in leadership questions built confidence, autonomy, and better results.

It All Begins Here