EPIC Te Puke’s June EPIC Connect was another fantastic evening of connection, collaboration and community, with local businesses and organisations coming together at United First National Real Estate to strengthen relationships and learn from one another.
Hosted by the team at United First National, the evening welcomed a great mix of familiar faces and first-time attendees, continuing the growth of EPIC Connect as a monthly networking opportunity for the Te Puke community. As our town continues to grow, so too does the opportunity to connect with new businesses, organisations and residents who are choosing to call Te Puke home.
The evening featured presentations from experienced real estate professional Megan Vanderwiel and Tom Askell from Tiny Homes of New Zealand.
Megan shared an update on the local property market, discussing current buying trends and highlighting that while housing stock remains relatively low, genuine buyers continue to be active in the market. She spoke about the wide range of buyers entering the market, including first-home buyers, retirees looking to downsize, property investors and those seeking greater financial flexibility.
Tom introduced attendees to Tiny Homes of New Zealand and the growing popularity of tiny homes as an affordable and flexible housing solution. The company, recently established on Te Puke Highway, imports fully furnished tiny homes from the United Kingdom. Available in sizes from 30 to 50 square metres, the homes can be installed in both rural and residential settings, subject to planning and servicing requirements. Interest continues to grow from homeowners looking to accommodate family members or unlock equity from larger properties.
The presentations sparked plenty of discussion, with attendees taking the opportunity to ask questions and share insights about the changing housing landscape in our region.
EPIC Te Puke Board Chair Janine Gartner said the continued success of EPIC Connect reflects the strong community spirit that exists within Te Puke.
“We wanted to create something different to traditional business networking. Rather than sitting through formal meetings, EPIC Connect gives local businesses and organisations the chance to showcase what they do while encouraging people to visit different workplaces around town. It’s been fantastic to see attendance continue to grow, with regular attendees returning alongside plenty of new faces.”
A huge thank you to United First National Real Estate, Megan, Tom and everyone who joined us for another successful evening.
We look forward to welcoming everyone to the next EPIC Connect as we continue creating opportunities for Te Puke businesses, organisations and community groups to connect, collaborate and thrive together.