anthem-partners

Anthem Partners advises on sale of Encounter Kaikōura to Black Cat Cruises

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 02:04:04 GMT

Anthem Partners is delighted to announce our role as lead adviser in the successful transaction that has seen Encounter Kaikōura Dolphin & Albatross Tours acquired by Black Cat Cruises.

This milestone deal unites two iconic New Zealand eco-tourism operators, combining Encounter Kaikōura’s world-renowned dolphin and albatross experiences with Black Cat Cruises’ strong legacy in marine conservation and visitor engagement. As Paul Bingham, Director of Black Cat, shared on LinkedIn , he is “thrilled” by this acquisition, calling it a strategic alignment rooted in shared values.

Encounter Kaikōura has built a reputation over decades as a highly respected marine tourism business, operating Qualmark Gold–certified dolphin and seabird tours from its base in Kaikōura. Under Black Cat’s stewardship, Encounter Kaikōura will continue to operate under its current name, preserving its unique brand and experiences for customers, but now with increased resources and support for future growth.

At Anthem Partners, we are honoured to have facilitated the transaction — from initial strategy and valuation through due diligence, negotiation, and closing. Our team is proud to have contributed to a deal that not only makes strong commercial sense but also supports conservation-driven tourism in Aotearoa.

We warmly congratulate Lynette Buurman, Dennis Buurman, and Ian Bradshaw for their outstanding stewardship of Encounter Kaikoura and for developing such a remarkable and respected tourism business. We also applaud Black Cat Cruises for their vision for the future. We look forward to seeing this legacy continue and grow under Black Cat’s leadership.

If you’d like to hear more about how Anthem Partners can support high-value strategic transactions, please get in touch.

3.0% OCR - and heading lower. Is this the moment your business says YES instead of ' not yet'?

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 01:26:24 GMT

3.0% OCR – and heading lower. Is this the moment your business says YES instead of ‘not yet’?

Yesterday’s Reserve Bank announcement wasn’t just another rate cut. Dropping the OCR to 3.0% , with Reserve Bank now signalling a reforecast OCR track towards ~2.5% . This marks a decisive shift in the effort to reignite growth across New Zealand.

Here’s what matters:

- A split vote at the RBNZ , with two members pushing for a deeper 0.5% cut – urgency is building.

- The once “neutral” OCR of 3% has been redefined lower. That’s a reflection of how persistent the post-Covid economic drag has been.

- 40% of Kiwi households will refix mortgages in the next 6 months. Lower rates mean more disposable income – and more confidence – flowing into the economy.

For mid-market business owners , this is a moment of opportunity. Affordability and confidence are the twin engines of investment – and both just got a boost. If your business has strong cashflow and a clear strategy, the next 12 months could be the time to act: whether that’s growth investment , expansion , or capitalising on opportunities others hesitate on.

A reminder worth repeating: politicians don’t save economies – business owners do . Policymakers build the platform, but it’s businesses that drive recovery.

With financing conditions improving and recent Investment Boost scheme announced by government adding fuel, the platform is being built.

The real question is: who will be bold enough to use it?

Event recap: Economic insights with ANZ Chief Economist, Sharon Zollner

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 22:18:21 GMT

Last week we were delighted to host at our offices our second event featuring Sharon Zollner, Chief Economist at ANZ, who presented on the challenges and opportunities shaping the economic outlook for 2025 and the coming year.

With her trademark clarity and engaging style, Sharon shared her expert analysis on key trends in forecasting and economic performance—offering valuable context to navigating an increasingly complex environment. From inflation and interest rates to global market dynamics, her insights were both timely and highly relevant.

Attendees from our client base and network responded enthusiastically, highlighting the value of Sharon’s ability to make complex topics accessible and actionable.

We’d like to thank everyone who joined us, and especially Sharon for her time and expertise. Events like this are part of our commitment to providing meaningful opportunities for discussion among our clients and networks.

If you'd like a copy of Sharon's presentation, please email rachel@anthempartners.co.nz

A night with SCAPE Public Art

Sun, 20 Jul 2025 22:54:49 GMT

At Anthem Partners, we’re proud to support initiatives that reflect the heart of our local community.

Recently, we had the privilege of supporting SCAPE Public Art’s latest exhibition alongside some of our valued clients — a celebration of creativity, connection, and collective purpose.

The evening raised funds for the reinstatement of “Sky Lens”, a beloved piece by Cantabrian artist Neil Dawson. Originally a feature in Cashel Mall, Sky Lens was removed after the devastating 2011 Christchurch earthquake.

Thank you to SCAPE Public Art for their leadership in driving this campaign, and to our clients who joined us on the night.

Unlocking Growth: New 20% Tax Deduction for Business Assets

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 00:49:44 GMT

Great news for New Zealand businesses: the Government’s 2025 Budget introduces a one-off 20% tax deduction for new qualifying business assets. This initiative, known as the “Investment Boost,” is designed to stimulate capital investment, enhance productivity, and support economic growth.

What Is the Investment Boost?

Effective from 22 May 2025, businesses can claim an immediate 20% tax deduction on the cost of new depreciable assets that are first available for use in New Zealand. This deduction is in addition to standard depreciation allowances. For example, if you purchase new machinery for $100,000, you can immediately deduct $20,000 from your taxable income, plus the usual depreciation based on the remaining $80,000.

Who Qualifies?

The Investment Boost applies to:

New depreciable assets used in your business for the first time in New Zealand.
Imported second-hand assets that have not been used in New Zealand before.
Capital improvements to existing non-residential buildings, such as earthquake strengthening.
Certain land improvements and other depreciable property.

Assets that do not qualify include:

Residential buildings.
Intangible assets (e.g., intellectual property).
Assets already eligible for immediate deductions under other provisions.

Notably, new non-residential buildings will also qualify, even though they have a 0% depreciation rate for tax purposes.

Why It Matters

The Investment Boost is expected to:

Increase New Zealand’s GDP by 1% over the next 20 years, with half of that impact occurring in the first five years.
Raise wages by 1.5% over the same period.
Encourage businesses to invest in new capital, leading to enhanced productivity and competitiveness.

This measure is part of a broader strategy to support economic growth without resorting to broad-based tax cuts. The Government estimates the fiscal cost to be $1.67 billion per year.

Important Considerations

Clawback Provisions: If you sell a qualifying asset for more than its adjusted tax value, you may need to repay some or all of the deduction.
Timing: The asset must be first available for use on or after 22 May 2025 to qualify.
Depreciation Adjustments: The base for future depreciation deductions will be reduced by the amount of the 20% deduction.

Next Steps

Review Your Capital Plans: Consider whether upcoming asset purchases or capital improvements can benefit from the Investment Boost.
Consult Anthem team: Ensure that your business is correctly accounting for the new deduction and adjusting depreciation schedules accordingly.
Stay Informed: Keep an eye on official guidance from Inland Revenue and consult with the Anthem team to maximise the benefits of this initiative.

This is a unique opportunity to reduce your tax liability while investing in the growth and efficiency of your business. If you need assistance in understanding how the Investment Boost applies to your specific situation, feel free to reach out.

2025 NZIA Canterbury Award

rachel@anthempartners.co.nz (Rachel Baggaley) — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 21:28:50 GMT

We're excited to share that our office has received a 2025 NZIA Canterbury Architecture Award for Interior Architecture .

This project was a close collaboration between architect Tobin from TSArchitects Ltd, Andrew Hawkes and Benjamin Badger. Together, they reimagined a former warehouse into a workplace that reflects our values and style — practical, welcoming, and quietly distinctive.

The result is a space shaped by warm tones, textured materials, and carefully considered details. Moving away from a conventional office tower, the new interior feels purposeful and personal — a place that’s as comfortable for our team as it is for our clients.

Thanks to Tobin for his creative leadership and to the NZIA for recognising the work. We're proud to be part of a vibrant local design community.

Service Foods – Transaction Advisors

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 00:21:05 GMT

Service Foods started out as a small corner grocer in Christchurch. Its first step on the journey to become what it is today was by supplying the local community with ingredients that were not readily available in New Zealand at the time.

Service Foods is now one of New Zealand’s largest privately family owned and operated foodservice distribution businesses, directly importing over 4000 products from over 20 countries and supplementing this with 8000 plus locally produced products.

Andrew Hawkes and his team have worked closely with Service Foods and the Balar Family over a 9 year period. With now over 500+ team members, operating over 125 trucks and 11 strategically placed branches across New Zealand, Andrew has assisted with numerous acquisitions through transaction support and working capital structures in support of this growth.

“Andrew and his team have been hugely supportive in our growth journey and truly understand the essence of family owned businesses and their dynamics. Having his teams support in working with our funders has helped us build scale in the business as we progress towards our long-term goals.”

- Aneil Balar, Managing Director, Service Foods Limited

servicefoodsonline.co.nz

Spray Marks Road Marking – Business Advice

Thu, 30 Jun 2022 00:22:59 GMT

Spray Marks has marked nearly every road in the South Island at least once and installed thousands of edge marker posts and reflective cats eyes. When you are out and about on the roads, their work is playing an important role in helping keep you and your family safe.

Spray Marks is now also synonymous with engineering and design throughout the South Island. From installation of new plant and industrial machinery, commercial and vehicle signage design and installation, to traffic management plans and equipment hire, Spray Marks offers a broad range of services to complement the core road marking business.

Andrew Hawkes and his team are trusted business advisors to the owner and business, providing commercial and funding advisory support as well as taking care of the annual accounts, taxation advisory and compliance needs of the Spray Marks team.

“We made the change to Andrew and his team from another provider four years ago. The change was noticeable in terms of the wider advisory offering, insights, and networks brought to the relationship. Underpinning this is the support the team brings to our finance department, ensuring year-end accounting compliance and tax advisory are well covered.” - Darcy Prendergast, Owner, Spray Marks Roadmarking Limited

spraymarks.co.nz