“Our studies show the unique anthocyanins and other polyphenols found in New Zealand’s blackcurrants improve vision, combat obesity and prevent cognitive decline that can lead to Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and dementia.”

“Many Japanese doctors recommend the daily intake of New Zealand blackcurrant product to prevent age-related conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts,” noted Shiojima.

“Even the doctor of the Hanshin (Tigers) professional baseball team uses New Zealand blackcurrant products to improve vision and recovery.”

JTBPD also supplies ingredients made from New Zealand blackcurrant to global food companies.

“As people continue to invest in their health, a daily intake of blackcurrant anthocyanins will improve their lives,” Shiojima concluded.

www.jtbpd.com

NPIL’s industry-recognized reputation is based on the delivery of consistent and high-quality products, sustainable resource management, low environmental-impact practices, market-led research and continuous product development. The company intends to contribute to Sumitomo Forestry’s W350 plan — a 350-meter high-rise wooden building, to celebrate its 350th anniversary in 2041.

“The W350 project is an opportunity for the Sumitomo Forestry family to work together, find solutions and create a structure which has never been built before,” Kruse said.

“I have the upmost respect for the senior management of Sumitomo Forestry and our friendships have strengthened over time. We share the same business ethics and passion for forest products.”

The forestry industry has seen a tremendous revival in recent years. Driven by environmental efforts toward carbon neutrality, the industry today plays a significant role. As trees grow they sequester carbon, which is then stored in wood products. Both Japan and New Zealand have committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

Research and development and innovation are central to NPIL’s high-performance timber materials, and the company works closely with Sumitomo Forestry’s Tsukuba Research Institute in Japan. The company also collaborates with the University of Canterbury and Auckland University of Technology to educate the next generation of architects and civil engineers on the benefits of timber construction.

“Wood and timber-built buildings contribute to people’s wellbeing,” said Kruse. “More people understand this today and we will deliver renewable and sustainable building materials to future generations.”

www.nelsonpine.co.nz

Panasonic Homes partnered with Mike Greer Commercial (MGC), one of New Zealand’s largest privately owned residential building companies, and completed a prototype home in Waikato, New Zealand.

“While most homes in New Zealand take seven months to build, our technology reduces construction time and enabled us to complete the prototype house in three months and it will also lead to skill transfer to construction personnel.” Tanaka said.

“Through the introduction of housing technology cultivated in earthquake-prone Japan, we look forward to delivering solutions to the country’s building sector and sharing our expertise to contribute to the further development of construction industry in New Zealand,” said Tanaka.

homes.panasonic.com/english
www.mikegreercommercial.co.nz
www.kaingaora.govt.nz

“We have put ourselves under pressure to achieve something exceptional and this is not an easy task. But our resilient team can leverage from our strong base that is rooted in the values and principles of our parent company in Japan,” he continued.

Toyota’s journey in New Zealand began in 1966 when TMC awarded a franchise to private owners Cable Price and Wright Stephens. It assembled a variety of “completely knocked down” vehicles in Thames and Christchurch all the way through to the late ’90s.

Local assembly ceased in New Zealand after the government lifted tariffs on imported vehicles.

“When the markets started to open up, TMC took full ownership of Toyota New Zealand and our innovation really accelerated,” Lala shared.

Major developments included the introduction of Toyota Financial Services and Lexus, the launch of the iconic “Welcome to our world” campaign and the establishment of the National Customer Centre.

Toyota is the only car brand in New Zealand that has a national center dedicated to its customers.

“With the introduction of independently owned Toyota stores and Toyota’s continuous innovation, we became a most loved brand, jumping from sixth in the market to No. 1, a position we’ve held on to for a record 33 consecutive years,” he added.

As the economy opened, used car imports started flooding the market and for many years New Zealand was the No. 1 export destination for used cars from Japan.

Toyota New Zealand made the strategic decision to refurbish the used Toyotas entering the country and market them under its Signature Class brand, making it the first Toyota distributor in the world to have a full used-vehicle division.

“We always have our customers at the center of everything we do and we felt that we needed to look after those that have purchased these used Toyota vehicles even if we did not bring them in,” explained Lala.

Connecting to Toyota President Akio Toyoda’s concept of waku doki (heart-pumping excitement), the Toyota Racing Series was introduced in New Zealand. Motorsport was used to inject excitement into Toyota, turbo-charging the brand even further in the country.

In recent years, Toyota New Zealand launched the customer- centric Drive Happy Project to remove the pain points associated with buying a brand-new car and to make the process as efficient and as enjoyable as possible. Upfront, haggle-free prices, “no hard sell, just happy customers” and flexible test drive options are just some of the ways they do this.

Neeraj Lala shares in President Toyoda’s passion and enthusiasm to transition from being a traditional automaker known for cars, trucks and vans to a mobility company focused on exciting future technologies. “We are in a very good place to leverage off the strengths of our parent company. I look forward to leading Toyota New Zealand through these exciting times and to winning the hearts of New Zealanders.”

www.toyota.co.nz