I was listening to a commentator today on National Radio talking about how the manufacturing sector, and especially exporters in New Zealand were in a really bad way. That doesn’t apply to us, but he did help me remember three things about why I came back from Australia to help grow Queensberry. It’s her 40th birthday next month, and while she has changed beyond belief these past 10 years she grows up next month.
I returned for …
Passion
I came back to be part of some thing much bigger than myself. I have been passionate about this industry since I was a child and love photography, love weddings and love the creative people we work with.
Queensberry is an aspirational brand.
The challenge
At the time I returned in 1996, New Zealand was suffering from a ‘brain drain’. So many of our young people, like myself, had left or were leaving because they thought there was no real chance of great opportunity in New Zealand. They were pursuing jobs that paid by the pound (GBP), and exploring the world through their OE. Student loans meant many had no desire to come back.
I wanted to come back and prove them wrong … create a business model that was unique and then take on the world. We built intellectual property, and differentiate through design.
A spiritual connection with the land
I am often frustrated when I hear some New Zealand Maori talk about their spiritual connection with New Zealand as if it is only them that have this connection, and imply that because I am not Maori that somehow my connection is less. The truth is I pine for New Zealand when I am away, and miss it as much as I do my family if I am away for to long.
We are however blessed with being so connected with the world. We try to act locally in each market but have a global focus. Travel is great, and this life allows us the benefit of both worlds.
A story told through photographs.
It is only fitting therefore that I should share a little of my beautiful country through photos. I found these on flickr. This is our land. I thank the photographers that took these images and have retained the links so if you click on any photo and go through to the photographers flickr page and find more of their story… enjoy.
New Zealand, a land of beauty, love and adventure
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Amazing…truly awesome and inspiring stuff!
Nice place to call home! :) I'd love travel and photograph New Zealand some day.
I want to move where you live. Amazing. Thanks for following me on Twitter.
These photos are wonderful and it's definitely the land of beauty!
You write a humble, inspiring blog, it makes me feel like i'm partaking in a beautiful sunny day in the mountains around mt.cook. Having come to New Zealand from Australia i've found this country magically beautiful and decided to stay and build a number of businesses. I feel like i live in the Switzerland of the South pacific, however the unfortunate aspect is that on an economic and cultural level i feel new zealand at least for me has been an exercise of living in one of the tin pot countries adjoining the sahel, Central African Republic springs to mind, a land of economic devastation and cultural life to match, well not really that harsh but when the dark days hit, Christchurch sure seems like Bangui but with nicer parks and a few more asphalted roads. Maybe i've travelled too much…
Reading your blog makes me think that i should try just a bit harder but then i think of the opportunity cost of staying in NZ when one could be living off GBP or USD in much larger and less conservative markets as so many Kiwis do instead of collecting South pacific pesos and coming back far far wealthier than the many good Kiwis that decide to stay. I think i understand now why so many leave. On the plus side the place has many many opportunities but with such small and geographically separated local markets makes things a little difficult. I remember an industrialist i met in Wuhan, China from Malaysia who said New Zealand was a hard place to build a big business. If one can focus on export markets and concentrate on high value, elaborately transformed manufacture then NZ will give you an edge, maybe.
Glad you like my photos :)
Fantastic shots! Beautifuly executed. Your style, artistry, composition and work with colours and shapes are exceptional! Thanks for sharing…