Network Magazine Autumn 2014 | Page 10

Kiwi Korner News and announcements from the New Zealand fitness industry New job site proving popular The recently re-launched specialist job website www.fitnz.co.nz has proved extremely popular, despite having been operating for only a couple of months, according to Richard Beddie, CE of Exercise Association of New Zealand (ExerciseNZ): ‘We were expecting a slow and gradual growth this year, but already jobs are getting several hundred views, and almost 300 individuals have signed up to receive automated updates when jobs they are seeking are listed. We were constantly getting feedback from both employers and fitness professionals that finding jobs/employees was problematic, and that mainstream job websites don’t cater well for our industry’, Beddie said. Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) exempt exercise programs due to be launched soon Following on from ExerciseNZ’s recent victory confirming that certain exercise programs are exempt from Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT), the newly developed web site www.stressmanagementexercise.co.nz will soon list all the programs in New Zealand that employers can choose from that meet the criteria. ‘It’s a particularly exciting time for both the exercise industry and New Zealand employers’ said Richard Beddie, CE of ExerciseNZ; ‘Now that we have the all-clear from IRD, we have developed guidelines and an approval process for exercise providers, as well as all the tools to explain how it works to employers. The key elements of REPs registration for staff, and regular reports back to the employer on employee attendance, are explained, as are the significant benefits to employers such as reduced absenteeism of staff, and higher productivity'. For more details visit www.stressmanagementexercise.co.nz ExerciseNZ Roadshow locations confirmed for 2014 ExerciseNZ has announced the dates and locations for its annual Roadshow. Including separate half-day workshops for facility managers and personal trainers, the travelling event is designed to help grow and support exercise businesses throughout New Zealand. Roadshow sessions will run from 9am to 12:30pm in each of the following locations: Auckland – Monday 9 June Hamilton – Tuesday 10 June Tauranga – Wednesday 11 June Napier – Thursday 12 June Palmerston North – Friday 13 June Wellington – Monday 16 June Dunedin – Tuesday 17 June Christchurch – Wednesday 18 June Mark the date of your nearest Roadshow in your calendar and visit www.exercisenz.org.nz for further details on venues and registration. 10 NETWORK AUTUMN 2014 / WWW.FITNESSNETWORK.COM.AU