A one-stop-business support-hub!

Whether you are a regular member of The Orchard or not, this is where any business owner (big, small, new or old) can come along and chat to helpful business advisors for FREE!

The Orchard is home to Northland Inc's business growth team - these are the guys charged with growing Northland's economy through business development - they're here just for you!

Under the same roof, we have The Northland Chamber of Commerce who are here to guide you down a path to business excellence through events, advice and mentorship.

To the left, right and centre of where you are sitting in our hub, you will find a number of other business people just like you who will have skills in various areas - everyone here is willing to lend a listening ear or share a few tips. It's our culture!

GET SUPPORT

The Orchard's mission is to support startups and foster entrepreneurship in Northland. Here are some of the ways we can support you on your startup journey

The Pick Business Accelerator

A business accelerator, The Pick focuses on building core strength into a venture and its leadership and is a free programme for Northlanders to participate in.
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Incubator Programme

The Tai Tokerau Incubator Programme helps businesses validate and develop their business ideas, build their customer base, get investment ready and go global, quickly. This service is available to Northland startups in association with Massey University’s ecentre, a founder incubator hub funded by Callaghan Innovation.
Read more

Start Up Resources

We know it's not easy to start so here are some resources to help you navigate your journey.
Read more

Haere mai kia whitiwhiti korero pakihi

Come and chat to us about your business!

To make an appointment to chat with one of the team, please give us a call or an email. 09 438 5110 or hello@theorchard.co.nz

Find out more about Northland Inc's business growth team and meet the mentors by emailing growth@northlandnz.com or visit Northland Inc's website here.

Meet the Growth Advisor Team

Sophie Wiltshier
Business Innovation Growth Team Leader

Sophie is the Business Innovation Growth Team Leader. With ten years of experience in roles ranging from Recruitment, H&S, to Executive HR she has migrated north from Tāmaki Makaurau and is passionate about supporting businesses and facilitating economic development for Te Tai Tokerau. Delivered through the Regional Business Partner Network she facilitates Callaghan Innovation solutions to Northland SME businesses removing barriers for growth and also research and development.

Find out more about Callaghan Innovation, get in touch with Sophie for a confidential discussion about the right direction for your creative, novel, and innovative idea today!

Specialist areas: Innovation, Growth, Start-up, Maori Economic Development, Women in business.

David Templeton
Growth Advisor

David has had the privilege of working with Northland businesses for most of his career. For the last nine years in his role as a Growth Advisor at Northland Inc he has connected with over 2000 businesses. David facilitates access to support for businesses from central and local government as part of the Regional Business Partnership (RBP) funded by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and Callaghan Innovation.

David’s specialist areas include Enterprise Education, early-stage growth, food and beverage, and business sustainability. David has been passionately involved in Food and Beverage projects in Northland, such as Kite Aō and Savour Northland, utilising the connection he has developed in the Northland Food and Beverage Ecosystem over the last 20 years.

Sam Mathers
Growth Advisor

Sam is proud to be a Growth Adviser at Northland Inc, within the Business Innovation and Growth team. In his role, Sam supports our local businesses through growth opportunities and challenges by connecting them with appropriate contacts and resources. Lucky enough to grow up in the Bay of Islands, he is very proud to be from Northland. Following a 4-year Bachelors Degree in Otago studying marketing management, finance & entrepreneurship, Sam moved home to Northland and gained three years’ experience in freight and logistics. He developed strengths in communication, problem solving and organisation which are now applied to supporting the Tai Tokerau businesses and economy. Within the first four months, Sam had the privilege of connecting with over 200 businesses, facilitating capability and Covid-19 support through the Regional Business Partners Network.

Chamber Chats