If you are a sub-contractor working for a main contractor or developer, have you wondered how you would get paid if the main contractor collapses financially? The Mainzeal collapse in 2013 highlighted the dangers that small businesses face when a main contractor gets into financial difficulty as hundreds of sub-contractors were left with significant monies…
In this new feature, an Abbott Group staff member spends five minutes in the hot seat answering the important, and not-so-important questions. This month – Sarah Cochrane, Domestic Consultant at the Abbott Group. What’s your role at the Abbott Group? I’m responsible for the management of our domestic portfolio. This sees me in close contact…
Make your family smile with these light and delicious meringues. Meringues are easy to make with an electric beater or cake mixer, and everyone likes them. You don’t need to use a piping bag – for the meringues in the photo I used a plastic ziplock bag with one corner snipped off. Preparation: 15…
Do you have life insurance? You may be in the 57% of Kiwis who have some – but are you sure you have the right type and level of cover? Choosing life insurance can be complex, and it shouldn’t be a decision based solely on price. Without a good broker to talk you through the…
The Prime Minister was asked recently what he believes to be the biggest risk to New Zealand businesses. His answer – cyber security. What if your IT system is compromised or hacked, or your data is encrypted or locked down, and you are asked to pay a ransom to get it back? This is the…
Although as New Zealanders we pride ourselves on our ‘clean green’ image, we may not be as squeaky clean as we like to believe. From 2013-2014 there were approximately 1100 hazardous substance incidents reported to the New Zealand Environmental Protection Agency under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996. These included spills, leakages, and…
After nearly ten years at our current Christchurch location on the corner of Moorhouse Ave and Montreal St, we are moving. On Friday 20 November we’ll relocate from our current site on Moorhouse Ave, as the space is required to manage growth at Corcoran French. On the following Monday we’ll open at 93 Garlands Rd…
With the continued growth in our business, we have been delighted to employ several new staff recently in both Wellington and Christchurch. Jon Saxton Jon came to us in April from NZI Insurance, spending his first 3 months here at the Abbott Group as a claims consultant. Over recent weeks Jon has furthered his training…
Major changes around workplace safety are currently before parliament and are expected to be in place by mid-2016. Once these changes are implemented, health and safety in the workplace will not only affect directors and officers of a business, but also senior management, workers and contractors to a lesser degree. Health and safety is the…
Wellington-based craft beer brewery and Abbott Group client Garage Project has been named New Zealand’s best brewery by beer fans at the annual Society of Beer Advocates national awards. Based out of a once derelict petrol station, Garage Project has developed a reputation for brewing distinctive and experimental beer. The creative and pictorial artwork that…