Month: March 2026

Enhancing Our Neighbourhood: Great North Road Developments

Great North Road is entering a new phase. Following a challenging period of disruption, there is now a clear shift toward renewal, with thoughtful developments reshaping the area and bring new energy back to the precinct.

Adding to this growing momentum, Samson is progressing two projects that balance heritage, design, and sustainability at 137 and 308 Great North Road.

A Growing Design Precinct

Alongside these developments, Great North Road is increasingly becoming a destination for design-led businesses. The Fisher & Paykel Experience Centre at 199 Great North Road has become an established anchor in the area, a space designed not just for customers, but for architects, designers and the wider creative community.

Over time, a number of design, interiors, and textile-focused businesses have also made Great North Road home, contributing to a growing cluster of creative and material-led industries. This gradual shift reflects a broader change within Auckland’s creative landscape, with Great North Road emerging as a natural location for design-focused businesses - connected, accessible, and grounded in a strong sense of place.

A Considered Approach to Renewal

Rather than starting from scratch, both Samson developments focus on working with what already exists by enhancing, restoring, and reimagining these buildings for the future.
It’s an approach grounded in long-term thinking, where design, function, and environmental responsibility are considered together.

137 Great North Road

At 137, the design draws inspiration from the building’s elevated position along the ridgeline. A new façade introduces a perforated aluminium screen, designed to filter light, provide solar control, and maintain a strong connection to the surrounding environment. The pattern reflects the idea of mist moving through treetops, grounding the building in its local context.

The project is targeting a 6-Star Green Star rating, reflecting a commitment to sustainability while retaining and upgrading the existing structure.

308 Great North Road

At 308, the approach is one of restoration and evolution. Working from the building’s original design, the project brings it back to its architectural roots while introducing a contemporary extension to the rear using mass timber construction.

This blend of old and new creates a building that respects its history while adapting to modern needs, a reflection of how the wider precinct is evolving.

Looking Ahead

Together, these developments signal more than just physical change. They reflect a shift toward quality, design-led thinking, and a renewed sense of confidence in the area, helping to re-establish Great North Road as a destination for business, creativity, and community.

As these projects progress, they will contribute to the ongoing evolution of Great North Road and the wider Grey Lynn area.

Explore more of Samson’s projects

by nick

Chair Update: Turning Momentum into Action

Grey Lynn has a strong and established business community, and the BID gives us a real opportunity to shape its future in a practical and positive way.

As Interim Chair, my focus is simple: turning intent into action and delivering tangible outcomes for local businesses.

Firstly, I’d like to acknowledge and thank Marco Muniz and Michael for their contribution during the establishment phase of the BID. Their work has helped create a solid foundation for what comes next.

We are now entering a critical phase. Eight months in, it’s time to move beyond planning and ensure we are clearly delivering value - and that this value is visible to the businesses we represent.

Over the past month, I’ve been working closely with Christine to define immediate priorities and set up the next stage of activity. This includes:

• Establishing clear, actionable budgets
• Aligning resourcing to support delivery
• Prioritising key projects that will have a direct impact

With Council endorsement of our direction, the role of the Committee is to support this momentum and ensure we follow through.

We are a lean team, which means focus is critical. We’ll also be calling on Committee members to support specific initiatives as we move forward.

There is a significant amount to deliver, but there is also real opportunity. I’m energised by what lies ahead and confident in what we can achieve together.

Let’s get on with it.

Robin McDonnell

Interim Chair, Grey Lynn Business Association

by nick

What GLBA is Working On in 2026

By Christine Johnston, General Manager

As General Manager of Grey Lynn Business Association, my focus is on supporting our local businesses and helping build a strong, connected business community.

As we establish the BID, this year is about putting the right foundations in place - while also delivering practical value for our members.

Here’s what we’re working on:

Strategy & Direction

We are developing a refreshed strategy aligned with the Waitematā Local Board, ensuring GLBA plays a clear and effective role within the wider Auckland context.

Governance & Structure

We are strengthening governance frameworks and policies to ensure GLBA meets its obligations to:

• Members
• Auckland Council
• Staff and stakeholders

This work is focused on creating clarity, accountability, and a solid platform for future growth.

Budgeting & Resourcing

We are refining budgets and aligning resources to ensure we are investing in the right areas and delivering measurable outcomes for our members.

Member Engagement

A key priority is improving how we connect with and support our members - through clearer communications, more opportunities to get involved, and initiatives that add real value.

Security & Safety

We are exploring options to support business safety, including how tools such as “move on” orders may be applied within Grey Lynn.

Identity & Sense of Place

We have begun early work on defining a stronger identity for Grey Lynn - positioning it as a distinct and compelling destination within Auckland.
This will be approached carefully, with a focus on getting it right.

Looking Ahead

There is a lot underway, and we are building momentum.

I’m looking forward to connecting with more of you - understanding your business, your priorities, and how we can best support you.

If you’d like to chat, feel free to get in touch.

Christine Johnston

General Manager, Grey Lynn Business Association

by nick

Board member Josephine Dias-Kawhe - La Belle Poste

When Josephine Dias-Kawhe and her husband Joachim took over La Belle Poste cafe in Grey Lynn last April the first thing they did was survey their regulars. Anyone who only bought coffee was politely asked why they didn’t buy food too.

“What we found was many said they wanted meat on the menu too so we added that straight away and instantly noticed business improving,” Josephine said. “That reinforced to us how important it was to build strong relationships with those coming through the doors.

“I’m not talking about online comments, because those people won’t necessarily have ever come here. I’m talking about people who walk through the door. You’ve really got to be vulnerable with your community, be honest with them, tell them you’re finding it tough and could really use their help to stay open, and ask them what you need to do to make that happen. Use them to help spread the word about your business. That’s the most effective type of marketing.”

Building strong relationships is one of the reasons Josephine became a business association board member. She’s always taken an active role in her different communities - be they university, residential or business. And with 2026 looking to be another challenging year economically she’s keen for local businesses to work closely together to see how they can help each other through it.

She’s spent the last 11 years in the French town of Lyon (her husband is French) working as an early childhood chef - a job that’s at an entirely different level to a similar one in New Zealand. Think four course meals, menus approved a year in advance by the Mayoral Office and a nutritionist, and at least two vegetarian-only meals a month so that children learn the environmental impacts of meat and fish consumption. And a certain percentage of the menu has to be sourced within a 30km radius of the centre’s location.

“French children, from the time they’re babies, are educated in food, where it comes from, how it impacts carbon emissions and how it nourishes them. I’ve brought a lot of those values and way of thinking back with me to New Zealand. It’s how we run out business.”

https://www.instagram.com/labellepostecafe

by nick

Welcome Christine Johnston - Grey Lynn BID Manager

The Grey Lynn Business Association is welcoming a new manager with a clear focus on one thing: helping local businesses and the Grey Lynn community  thrive. Christine Johnston is just a few days into her role, taking over from interim manager Michael Richardson who’s moving on to other projects.

Christine brings a broad mix of commercial, advocacy and not-for-profit experience to the role, most recently working with Business New Zealand and its shareholders including the Employers and Manufacturers Association . There, she supported organisations ranging from small owner-operators through to major corporates, working across advocacy, shared services and government engagement.

A consistent thread throughout her career has been a strong interest in business sustainability, not just environmental, but financial and operational as well.

“I’ve always been motivated by seeing businesses do well,” Christine says. “Whether that’s through better systems, stronger connections, or giving people confidence about the future.”

That philosophy is what drew her to Grey Lynn. She sees the association as a practical, local extension of the work she’s done nationally - supporting businesses at street level, where challenges and opportunities are most immediate.

In her first weeks, Christine says her priority will be meeting local business people and listening. Building relationships with members, understanding what’s working and what’s not, and making sure people know who she is and how to reach her.

Away from work, Christine is an early riser and a committed daily walker, time she uses to think, plan and reset. With an early career background in interior design, she also brings a strong appreciation for place, aesthetics and the small details that shape how communities feel.

Excited about the opportunities becoming a BID brings to GLBA, Christine foresees a busy and productive year ahead.

by nick

Getting Started with AI

Practical Tips for Small Businesses

Artificial Intelligence is quickly becoming part of everyday business life. But for many small business owners, the challenge isn’t understanding what AI is — it’s knowing how to start using it in a practical way.

The good news is you don’t need to be technical to benefit from AI. Many tools are designed to help with everyday tasks and can save time across marketing, administration, and communication.

Here are a few simple ways to begin.

Start Simple

Think of AI as a helpful assistant rather than a replacement for people.

You can use it for tasks like:

• Writing or improving emails
• Brainstorming ideas
• Explaining complex topics
• Tidying wording in documents

Small uses like these can quickly save time during the day.

Give It Context

AI works best when it understands your business.

Tell the tool:

• What your business does
• Who your customers are
• Your tone of voice

The more context you provide, the better the results will be.

Ask for Different Versions

You can easily shape the output by asking for adjustments.

For example:

• “Make it shorter.”
• “More friendly.”
• “More professional.”
• “Use a New Zealand tone.”

Treat the interaction like a conversation — refining the result until it works for you.

Use It to Improve Existing Content

AI is excellent at reviewing and refining content you already have.

Try pasting in:

• Website copy
• Social posts
• Menus or product descriptions
• Business bios

Then ask the AI to improve the clarity or tone.

Think of AI as a Marketing Assistant

AI tools can quickly help create first drafts of marketing content such as:

• Social media posts
• Product descriptions
• Email newsletters
• Seasonal promotions
• LinkedIn updates

You still guide the message — AI simply speeds up the process.

Useful AI Tools to Explore

A few beginner-friendly tools include:

ChatGPT
Great for writing, brainstorming, summarising documents, and creating marketing content.

Claude
Helpful for structured writing like proposals, policies, and reviewing long documents.

Canva AI
Useful for creating social media graphics, posters, and marketing materials.

Google Gemini
Works inside Gmail, Docs, and Sheets to help draft emails, summarise documents, and organise information.

Perplexity
A powerful research tool for competitor checks, market trends, and quick insights.

Start With 10 Minutes a Day

The easiest way to learn AI is simply to experiment.

Try spending 10 minutes a day drafting a post, writing an email, or testing a prompt. If one tool feels frustrating, try another — the right tool should make things easier, not harder.

Add in Share links (Share, LinkedIn.. Coming soon, Facebook)

by nick