MEDIA RELEASE
8 June 2000
Immediate release
HOME BUSINESS COMES OF AGE IN NEW ZEALAND
A New Zealand web site dedicated to growing and supporting home businesses has been welcomed by the home business
community. Now, the more than 150-thousand home based businesses in New Zealand can have the best of both worlds.
They'll still have all the benefits of working from home, while accessing information, resources, purchasing, marketing
and networking opportunities usually associated with the corporate world.
The new HomebizBuzz web site by Home Business New Zealand, features free listing for home businesses in a nation-wide
online directory, and access to a variety of online and offline resources, a database of articles by home business
owners and even a virtual space to discuss issues, ideas and challenges with other home businesses.
"We've been thrilled at the response," says Home Business New Zealand's Managing Director, Heather Douglas. "Not only
will this empower home based businesses and help them to grow through access to pertinent, quality information and
resources. They will also be able to go on-line to solve a thorny problem, find someone to take their overflow, or
identify complementary businesses with whom they can form strategic alliances. New technology really levels the playing
field, and home businesses can combine this with their lower overheads and ability to react quickly, to gain a real
competitive advantage".
The HomebizBuzz web site is the only targeted means currently reaching the growing home business sector in New Zealand.
While there are several organisations, publications and web sites serving the needs of small businesses, none focuses
solely on the many unique issues that home businesses face. These include challenges such as sharing their home space
with their offices - and the phone with the kids - and being regarded as on a par professionally with competitors
working from business premises. "The site is still in its infancy but will grow with time and as the community becomes
more active", says Heather. "We're excited to be providing the space for things to happen - and we've been very
encouraged at the response we've had from home based business owners already".
"The lifestyle information on the site is a critical aspect of HomebizBuzz", says Home Business New Zealand's other
director, Vicki Fowler. "The decision to work from home is often a lifestyle choice, but having run home businesses
ourselves for many years, we know that a lot of home business operators don't manage to get away from their work
enough."
Home Business New Zealand recognises the courageous choice home business owners have made, often opting for lifestyle
values over the security of the corporate world. It also recognises the large pool of valuable skills offered by those
who work from home, and the significant contribution they make to this country's economy. The establishment of an active
online home business community, free directory listing and promotional opportunities, lots of information and resources,
and much more gives home businesses a competitive advantage they have not had up till now.
The site address is www.homebizbuzz.co.nz.
Contact details: Heather Douglas Home Business New Zealand Limited Ph: 09 445 2899 Fax: 09 445 9679 Email:
thehive@homebizbuzz.co.nz www.homebizbuzz.co.nz