Nigel's university qualifications are a Bachelor of Commerce in accounting and a MBA from the University of New England. His work experience of 24+ years spans both chartered accounting and company accounting in New Zealand, Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Nigel is currently a partner in a 4 partner practice in Whangarei servicing the Northland region. He has also held positions company accountant, group accountant and financial controller. He provides business advisory services to an extensive range of profit and not-for-profit businesses in Northland.

Originally from Fiji, Tunney’s background is in strategic planning and implementation, developing management systems, and not-for profit capacity building. Tunney's approach is to keep planning simple and practical.

He has been a teacher and worked for two technical institutes before setting up his own business consultancy in Auckland.  During this time he worked with companies in New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, and USA. 

Tunney is based in the Far North of New Zealand where he has been assisting companies and community groups develop a range of business activities over a wide spectrum of industries. His sectoral expertise is in education and training. 

Billy is of Ngati Tama / Ngati Pakeha descent. She has a background in local and international finance, and research / business analysis. Her sectoral interests are innovation, creative sector, tourism and general marketing.

She is passionate about working alongside Maori businesses and entrepreneurs, in particular helping them to access funding and assistance to start their business, or to develop and expand and existing business. 

Melissa has worked in Marketing and PR for 16 years.

She has an honours degree in history and has worked in various marketing roles spanning industries such as IT, engineering, tourism, corporate relocation and television. She worked her way up to marketing manager level and by the age of 30 managed marketing departments for large international companies. 

Melissa is particularly skilled in the areas of marketing, communications, and PR/Media. Her sectoral specialty is tourism. 

Nicole is of Ngapuhi descent and is based at Koutu in the Hokianga. She has a background in project management, accounting and business analysis. She has held roles within the public and private sector in various industries including Chartered Accountancy, Manufacturing & Retailing, Public Health, Community Development and the Treaty Sector. Nicole also has experience at governance level with small to large organisations.

Nicole is a Provisional Accredited Member of the Institute of Directors and a Member of the Institute of Accredited Business Consultants. She holds Directorships on both public and private Boards. Her accountancy background lends her to assist a wide range of organisations with their financial systems and processes. Her sectoral specialties are accountancy, planning and project management.  

Mark is of Ngati Pakeha descent and is based at Koutu in the Hokianga. He has a background in business growth and acquisition in both the retail and manufacturing sectors. His experience is hands on - from identifying viable businesses for purchase, growing the business through refined marketing and business strategies through to selling or merging for profit. He has held roles within the private sector in various industries including tyre manufacturing and retailing and chemical manufacturing and distribution.

Mark relocated to the Hokianga in 2007 in order to 'live outside Auckland'. His children attend the local Kura Kaupapa Maori and he is involved in the local community at many different levels. He works to ensure Maori are empowered and can participate in the economy through various projects and development opportunities. 

Kara comes from an arts and retail background that includes working as an assistant director in the NZ film industry, setting up the Moa clothing design collective in Grey Lynn, teaching screen-printing in several institutions and working as a graphic and fabric designer.

Kara has a Bachelor of Architecture from Unitec and currently runs her Toi Iho registered retail store and art gallery, Tuatara, in Whangarei.

Kara is especially passionate about Maori arts and is committed to helping any artists and small business owners make a sustainable living by sharing her knowledge of retail, design and Maori Arts.