Oh boy, what a year 2010 was.

Self-initiated realignments were put into play at the very start of the year, and I’m very pleased to say they’ve all paid off. The NZ economy has been in limbo, to say the very least, for the past 18 months. As such, it’s easy to make big-picture decisions. The trick is to make the right decisions.

My wife (also trusted business partner) and I made some huge decisions back in 2009. We made preparations to move our asset base from a major business center (Auckland), which is/was visibly struggling, to a regional ‘lifestyle’ situation in the South Island of New Zealand. Although we work hard to maintain strong connections in Auckland, our line of enquiry grows strong from overseas.

Nelson is our new home. We have 2 children who are absolutely thriving in a smaller NZ town. Evidence, perhaps, of a more simple lifestyle. Don’t get me wrong, we had a fantastic situation on Auckland’s North Shore. This was where I was born and bred, on the shores of the Waitemata Harbour, gateway to the Hauraki Gulf.

Auckland is the workhorse centre of New Zealand. It’s interesting. You can see patterns emerging in the current recession, similar to how New Zealand climbed out of the prolonged crash of 1987. However, for a small country at the bottom of the world, this current crisis is somatic and much, much more of a struggle to recover long-term from.

We cannot afford to be a small nation at the bottom of the world simply ‘enjoyin’ the gorgeous lifestyle on offer. We’re too smart for that. Time to to work people – and fast!