Okay, so I’ve prepared some questions…

That’s how our conversation with Steve Zinsli, founder of Extraordinary started. What followed was far more than a typical Q&A — it was an honest conversation that traced a journey filled with steep learning (especially around tax fluency), unexpected turns, hard-won lessons, and one guiding belief: healthcare and wellbeing should be accessible to everyone.

Before it was Extraordinary, the company was HealthNow — a healthcare-first business built to solve a deeply personal problem. Zinsli grew up in a household where healthcare was a luxury, not a given. That experience ignited a mission: to make healthcare not only accessible but affordable. HealthNow did that by building a payment platform that enabled employers to fund care for their employees — no copayments, no barriers.

But soon, the demand expanded. As broader benefits became part of the offering — from transport and clothing to gifting and recognition — the team realised they were onto something bigger. The name HealthNow no longer fit. While working through a naming exercise, they discovered the term “extraordinary payment” — a technical definition for any payment made outside of regular wages. It was a moment of unexpected clarity. This wasn’t just a health payments company anymore — it was a platform for modern, flexible, values-aligned benefits.

And so, Extraordinary was born.

Today, Extraordinary empowers employers to offer pre-loaded, purpose-specific cards that employees can use for health, transport, gifting, recognition, and more — with flexibility, compliance, and tax-efficiency built in. Their latest initiative is one of the most exciting yet.

Thanks to a successful binding ruling from Inland Revenue — supported by expert tax guidance — Extraordinary can now enable employees to pay for public transport using pre-tax income. The result? The average Kiwi commuter could save between $730 and $1,300 a year — that’s your weekly coffees and a few bags of groceries, on the house. But this is about more than savings.

Public transport already accounts for 89 million trips in Auckland and 40 million in Wellington each year, the potential for impact is huge. With pre-tax savings now on offer, more Kiwis are likely to make the switch from cars to buses, trains, and ferries. Making their commute not only cheaper, but greener too. Employers benefit too:

• No fringe benefit tax (FBT) for small companies
• FBT optimisation for larger employers, through Extraordinary’s employee attribution model
• Stronger employee retention and recruitment through meaningful, easy-to-use perks
• Sustainability wins as businesses reduce greenhouse gas tied to employee commuting

And employees? They get more value from their pay — without needing to jump through reimbursement hoops or use personal funds upfront.

It’s such a simple shift, but it gives employees an immediate and tangible benefit. They feel it every week.

ZinsliExtraordinary

After 3.5 years of building, refining, and proving the model in Aotearoa, the Extraordinary team is now expanding across New Zealand and Australia, with plans to explore markets like the United States. In the short term, they’re focused on enhancing the platform’s usability and onboarding more enterprise clients — particularly those with large, distributed workforces where one-size-fits-one benefit solutions matter most.

From a simple healthcare benefit to a fully-fledged platform, Extraordinary is proving that smart, flexible perks aren’t just nice-to-haves — they’re the new standard.

And that’s what Aotearoa — and the world — needs right now.

When Wendy Alexander stood to address the court at her admission to the bar in Dunedin, she delivered a line that perfectly captured her journey: “It’s taken me 30 years to earn the privilege to address this Honourable Court”.

It wasn’t a cliché — it was an honest reflection on decades spent navigating the legal world from the ground up. From a search clerk role in her teens to becoming a respected legal executive, Wendy had seen the inner workings of litigation from every angle. By the time she became a barrister and solicitor in 2021, she was more than ready — and her clients knew it.

Today, she’s the founder of Hunter Alexander Legal, a boutique dispute resolution practice based at B:HIVE. Her approach is as sharp as it is compassionate: focus on facts, fight for fairness, and put mediation on the table before stepping into a courtroom. “I’ve seen the toll litigation takes. People come to me angry, anxious, overwhelmed — sometimes worse. I don’t want to take them into something that’s going to break them further. My job is to help them breathe again and see clearly.”

Wendy’s specialty lies in commercial disputes — particularly within the construction sector. It’s a space she’s grown into naturally after years of working with contractors, business owners, and shareholders trying to untangle complex issues like unpaid debts, dissolving partnerships, or IRD standoffs. Her first break into construction law came decades ago when a law firm offered $100 debt demand letters — a simple service that quickly built a base of tradespeople needing deeper legal support. Wendy’s style — equal parts firm and fair — became known across the sector. That reputation followed her through each chapter of her career, and ultimately, into her own practice.

When Wendy launched Hunter Alexander, there was no big announcement — just a quiet shift that her network noticed. Years of trust and results had laid the groundwork, and the work came naturally as existing relationships continue to grow. “People didn’t just support me — they sent me business. They trusted I’d do right by them.”

But Wendy didn’t just want to be known for her legal skill — she wanted to challenge how people experienced legal services. She completed commercial mediation training to better support her clients through disputes before they escalated. It wasn’t just about winning cases — it was about protecting people. “I wanted to communicate better. To help people resolve things earlier. Mediation gives people their time, their money, and their mental health back. And often, it gets them the outcome they need.” Behind every case file is a real person. A family. A business under pressure. And Wendy never forgets that. It’s why she makes sure her clients understand every step of the process.

“People come to me in some of the most difficult moments of their life — and they need to feel like they’re in safe hands. I want to be that hand.”

As for what’s next? Wendy plans to grow Hunter Alexander slowly and intentionally. A handful of top-tier solicitors, strong admin support, and an unwavering commitment to service. “I don’t want to be big. I want to be boutique. I want a team who shares my values — empathy, excellence, and the courage to do what’s right.”

Wendy has built a practice that puts people at the centre — combining legal clarity with genuine care, and guiding clients through some of their hardest times. It’s this values-led approach that’s earned Hunter Alexander Legal its reputation as a trusted boutique firm — and they’re just getting started.

What if waste wasn’t wasted at all?

That’s the question Mutu is answering in real time and they’re making a serious dent in how construction companies handle surplus materials, gear, and equipment. The idea came from founder Ben Redwood, originally launched as a peer-to-peer rental platform for the public, Mutu made its pivot in 2021, when a business asked: “Can we use this model internally?”

That question changed everything. After scraping the internet for 500 names with ‘asset manager,’ ‘procurement or ‘sustainability’ in their title Ben cold-called every one pretending to be a student doing a research project, and Redwood said “that’s when I knew we were onto something.”

Today, Mutu is live on over 750 construction sites across Aotearoa, helping to redirect more than 5,500 tonnes of materials from sites into new projects, saving over 900 tonnes of CO₂ emissions plus millions of dollars in unnecessary procurement and disposal costs for their clients. For Ben, this isn’t just business,  it’s personal. As a Dad of two boys, he’s driven by a strong sense of purpose and future thinking. “We see thousands of tonnes of materials being kept out of landfill. It’s super motivating to have a business where this is the outcome,” he says. “We’re helping people do the right thing, we’re building something our kids can be proud of and having a real impact on the sector in Aotearoa.”

Construction is one of New Zealand’s biggest waste offenders, sending an estimated 5.25 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste to landfill annually. A single house build can generate over 4 tonnes of waste, and the value of discarded materials is often north of $30,000 per project.

Mutu makes it easy to do better.

Their app allows contractors to see what materials or equipment already exist across their organisation, eliminating unnecessary procurement orders, improving utilisation, and making internal sharing effortless. “We don’t ask businesses to reinvent anything,” Ben explains. “We are just taking a process many of them are already doing and moving it into an app to get the data. Once people see the impact, behaviour changes follow.” Mutu uniquely also offers a money-back guarantee (rare for a software company) but most companies pay off the subscription fee in 70 days. After that it’s cashflow positive, and they’re doing the right thing.

Mutu is designed for large contractors (+50 staff) juggling multiple sites, and project teams where there is a lack of visibility about what resources are surplus and available. Now, Mutu is expanding into Australia, where sustainability regulations are accelerating and demand for circular solutions is strong. It’s a natural next step, but the mission remains the same: shift construction from linear to circular, and make that shift profitable.

“Our goal is simple: we want Mutu to be standard on every major construction site in New Zealand andAustralia,” says Ben. “If we can help contractors save money and the planet at the same time that’s a win-win.”

What began as a peer-to-peer sharing tool has evolved into a game-changing circular platform solving one of construction’s biggest environmental challenges, and proving that waste doesn’t have to be wasted and being sustainable is profitable!

Know of a construction company that could use Mutu? Connect them with the Mutu team here and get $1000 cash!

Meet Maverick: Helping Global Tourism Brands Win

The tourism industry is fast-moving and competitive, with brands of all sizes vying for attention. That’s where Maverick Tourism comes in – helping businesses and destinations, from iconic names to emerging players, stand out and succeed in a crowded market.

Founded in 2014 by Alex Dykman, Maverick was built to help tourism businesses embrace better marketing and ultimately drive more direct bookings. Fast forward more than a decade, and the team has grown into a full-service agency that still keeps one thing at its core: supporting the visitor economy.

“We’re not trying to be everything to everyone. We’ve stuck to what we know – and we know  (and love!) tourism. We understand intricacies like seasonality, school holidays, distribution and the scale-up/scale-down mentality. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach,” says Zac Watson, General Manager.

That means strategy, digital, content, media, creative, and brand – all wrapped around deep industry insight. From huge names like Hobbiton Movie Set and Explore, to family-run operators in regional Aotearoa, Maverick helps tourism brands find the right audiences and make smart marketing decisions with the budget they’ve got. 2024/25 has been a milestone year for the agency, with Maverick celebrating its 10th birthday, leading a complete brand and marketing transformation for one of America’s most established travel wholesalers, Travel Answers, and seeing strong growth from clients across the South Pacific and beyond – including Queensland, Fiji, and Canada.

“We’re really feeling the momentum building,” says Watson. “Celebrating ten years gave us a chance to reflect on how far we’ve come, and fuel the fire on what’s next. Add to that the new international opportunities coming our way, and it feels like a really exciting time for both Maverick and the global tourism industry.”

Maverick also isn’t afraid to embrace change. They’re across the shifts AI is creating – from faster internal processes to changing how people plan travel at the top of the funnel. They’re watching closely, testing new tools, and helping their clients stay ahead of the curve.

“Our job is to make sure the brands we work with are showing up in the right way, to the right people, at the right time.”

If you’re in tourism, chances are Maverick’s already on your radar. If not, now’s the perfect time to see how they’re helping brands across the South Pacific and beyond make their mark in an ever-changing visitor economy.

The future of Kemp House is in good hands

In an industry filled with complexity, it’s refreshing to meet a team that thrives on it. Meet Projectus. —a construction project management team lead by Luka Obradovic Obradovic that has been quietly delivering some of Aotearoa’s most meaningful work since 2018. From restoration of the privately owned Bulgari Building on Auckland’s Queen Street to their latest win—leading the restoration of Aotearoa’s oldest standing building Kemp House in Kerikeri—their expertise lies in navigating the tricky and the treasured.

Founded by Croatian born Obradovic who gave his business a strong Roman gladiator inspired name, Projectus is built on one simple idea: technical excellence meets cultural respect. Providing a service beyond coordinating trades and timelines, and helping to protect taonga for future generations.

Kemp House, dates back to 1822 and still stands in its original spot beneath Kororipo Pā, under the protection of Ngāpuhi Rangatira Hongi Hika. This simple home holds an extraordinary story. A site steeped in Māori and early colonial history, the house sits at the heart of Kerikeri’s cultural landscape.

When Heritage New Zealand issued a tender by invite to manage the building’s preservation, Projectus threw everything into their bid—and won.

“It’s the most effort I’ve ever put into a proposal,” says Luka. “But we didn’t just talk process—we laid out a full plan, how to deliver it, who to involve, how to make sure Kemp House is still standing—and still telling its story—a hundred years from now.”

The project is being rolled out in stages, with structural reinforcements to the roof and chimneys, delicate remediation of heritage cladding and joinery, and careful collaboration with local iwi & custodians. It’s not a redesign. It’s about preservation and bringing strength where there’s weakness, ensuring the building can keep welcoming visitors for generations.

For Projectus, this isn’t just another job—it’s a responsibility and that means making sure every nail, beam and decision respects the story it supports. What’s next? “More of this. More retrofit. More adaptive reuse. More heritage.”

With Kemp House in their hands, one of Aotearoa’s most important buildings is being set up to stand strong for the next hundred years.

When Omer Hazer started Atlas Studios just over a year ago, it wasn’t to build a typical agency. It was to reimagine how e-commerce consulting could work, with clarity, care, and senior expertise at its core. In just over 12 months, he’s grown Atlas Studios into a team of 10, supporting more than 20 high-growth brands across New Zealand and Australia and it’s on track to triple its revenue within the year.

Specialising in data migration, personalisation, email automation, user experience (UX), and commerce strategy, Atlas Studios has earned a reputation for delivering big-picture thinking with a hands-on approach. From re-platforming and re-designs to end-to-end email & sms platform management and conversion optimisation, clients value not only the results, but the way the work gets done.

“We combine the deep expertise and strategic vision of an enterprise agency with the agility, personalised attention and execution speed of a boutique firm.” Says Omer. It’s a philosophy shaped by Omer’s own journey – one of resilience, clarity, and a deep desire to do things differently. Originally from Turkey, his family made the bold decision to send him to New Zealand at the age of 13, in search of greater opportunity. Years later, after fighting to stay in the country, navigating visa challenges, and experiencing personal loss, Omer channelled his energy into building something of his own. After working in digital and e-commerce roles, including at one of the world’s leading Shopify agencies, he decided to take a leap and back himself.

Now, from Level One of B:HIVE, the same floor where he once had his first full-time job, Omer leads a growing company with a clear purpose. “I believe the best service we can provide is when you can offer senior staff on the tools. We can also be more agile, not constantly worrying about overheads. It allows us to offer clients the ability not to be locked into contracts and to have flexible hourly retainers,” Omer says. That focus is delivering results. Atlas Studios has earned a 5-star rating on leading B2B review platform Clutch, which represents the highest level of client satisfaction & trust.

Recent projects include a full redesign and complex migration for premium menswear label George Harrison, and consolidated systems for Ironclad Co., enabling seamless international expansion. Looking ahead, Omer is focused on bringing the best eCommerce talent in Aotearoa under one roof to maintain a high bar for quality and client care as they continue to grow.

“Maximising profit at all costs is just not where my head is at. It all starts with the people, especially in our industry. I am trying to assemble the eCommerce Avengers, and if there’s one thing I have done well so far, it has been to bring people who are the best in their craft into Atlas.” he says.

From a one-man operation to a rising force in digital commerce, Atlas Studios is proof that good business starts with good people and clear purpose.

To learn more about the work Atlas Studios is doing, visit atlasstudios.agency and to hear Omer’s full story, listen to his episode on the Beyond the Surface podcast. 

With just over 48 hours complete their entry for Young Lions – New Zealand’s leading creative competition , Joachim Pearson and Oscar Randle from The Yarn Agency learned one thing fast – trust your gut early and run with it.

The talented friends led Yarn Agency’s submission to the Young Lions which nurtures young (under 30) talent across creative and media agencies, sending the winners of each category on an all-expenses paid trip to the Cannes Lions Festival in June to compete against country winners from across the world.

Yarn Agency, an indie creative agency based at B:HIVE, entered in the film category – where their challenge was; to solve the problem that girls between the ages of 5 and 14 are less likely to get into sports than boys, and if they do, more likely to drop out. The lack of interest and commitment being partially attributed to unconscious parental bias.

With many potential ways to approach the challenge Joachim says it was important to trust the decided approach. “You really want to keep pushing and exploring different ideas and directions. You want to reflect and discuss the merits of your different options to make sure you have the best possible concept. But with such a tight timeframe, you have to balance that against the need to just pick something and go for it. I think we found a really good balance on this project,” he says.

Working from B:HIVE as well as from home Joachim and Oscar’s response was a short film called “Fight the Flinch” in which a young girl announces to her father that she wants to start playing rugby.

“It’s this moment where the dad is freaking out thinking of his little girl in a full contact sport. He doesn’t want to discourage her, but he’s caught off-guard and his face is giving everything away. The little girl narrates all his facial expressions to the audience as he’s thinking about the tough question, and at the end we remind the viewer that your daughter can read you like a book, and you need to be ready to fight these moments,” Joachim says.

Joachim Pearson (Art Director) and Oscar Randle (Intermediate Creative) have carved out a reputation for sharp insights and irreverent humour in their work. The duo picked up a NZ Pixel Award for their innovative Digital Out of Home campaign, and their client roster reads like a who’s who of iconic Kiwi brands; Hell Pizza, My Food Bag, Tourism NZ, Fonterra and Vodafone.

With bold thinking and clever storytelling, Yarn continue to push the creative boundaries and we can’t wait to see what they tackle next.

Helen Andrews: From Geography Enthusiast to Environmental Law

Helen Andrews’ journey into environmental law began with a passion for geography derived from her mother, a Geography Teacher at Westlake Girls on Auckland’s North Shore.

Unlike many, Helen entered law school with a clear focus on resource management and environmental regulation. After rising to Senior Associate and Partner at Chancery Green and gaining valuable experience at major firms, she made the decision to start her own boutique practice with colleague Andrew Baggins.

When asked about her career highlights, Helen doesn’t hesitate: “The one that I always go back to, I was involved with Waikato-Tainui and the negotiation of their treaty settlement for the Waikato River.” The iwi had strategically completed their land settlement first, deliberately setting river rights aside to address separately through focused negotiations.

The signing ceremony for the settlement left an impression on Helen, which involved several waka coming down the river, followed by the paddlers landing at Turangawaewae Marae to perform a powerful pōwhiri and haka. “Literally the ground was shaking right in front of you,” Helen recalls, feeling the significance of what this settlement meant to Waikato-Tainui.

What makes this achievement especially meaningful is seeing the lasting impact. “It’s been great to see since then how they’ve taken the settlement and actually been able to implement it and make progress,” Helen reflects.

Balancing Career, Business, and Life

Running a law firm requires wearing multiple hats. Helen found the transition from legal expert to business owner smoother than expected, thanks to management experience gained as a Partner. Starting her own firm gave her the freedom to practice law on her own terms.

In an industry known for demanding hours, Helen protects her wellbeing by turning off email notifications after 8 PM and making time for daily self-care. “You could work 24/7 if you let yourself. But that’s not sustainable, and it’s not smart.

Advice for Aspiring Lawyers and Entrepreneurs

Embrace Multiple Pathways: “There are a lot of options now. The growth of boutique firms has been quite significant.” Helen emphasises that success doesn’t require following traditional routes, with clients increasingly using smaller more specialised practises.

Stay Flexible: “You can change your mind. Things can alter. It doesn’t have to be one fixed line.” Helen encourages young lawyers not to view their first position as their defining career choice.

Set Clear Boundaries: “You’ve got to be quite strict about it. The work will always be there.” Helen creates sustainable balance by establishing firm boundaries and prioritising personal wellbeing alongside professional responsibilities.

At B:HIVE, we celebrate members like Helen who demonstrate that leadership isn’t about following a dedicated path—it’s about creating your own.

Monique Dykstra on Navigating Careers and Charting Her Own Course

From a young age, Monique Dykstra of Saltwater Recruitment was taught that dedication and effort always pay off. She credits her early hustle, paper runs and $5 car washes—as the spark that ignited her entrepreneurial spirit, a curiosity that has fuelled her career ever since.

After earning her Business Degree, she climbed the corporate ladder in advertising, working with some of the biggest agencies in Auckland and London. But despite the success, she felt disconnected from the high-pressure, politically driven corporate world. Seeking something more fulfilling, she took a break which lead to work on superyachts in the South of France.

What started as a short break turned into five years of adventure, leadership, and intense professional growth. She progressed to Chief Stewardess on 100m yachts, managing teams and operations in one of the most demanding industries in the world. But by 30, she knew it was time for a change.

That change led to the inception of Saltwater Recruitment, a specialist agency for the superyacht industry, founded eight years ago as a one-person operation. Today, Monique leads a small but powerful all-female team across UK and Australia, helping others navigate careers in an industry she knows inside and out.

Leading with Empathy & Redefining Leadership

Monique’s journey into leadership has taught her that successful businesses aren’t built on authority alone, they’re built on trust, empathy, and collaboration.

“Being dictatorial doesn’t work—empowerment does. People perform at their best when they feel heard and valued.”

One of the biggest lessons she’s learned is that great leaders listen. Taking the time to understand her team’s perspectives fosters innovation and strengthens relationships. And when mistakes happen? She believes in owning them. Admitting when you’re wrong isn’t a weakness—it’s a strength that builds trust.
As a female leader, Monique sees an exciting shift happening. Women in leadership are bringing more inclusivity and emotional intelligence into business—and she’s proud to be part of that change.

Words of Advice: Trust Yourself & Take the Leap

Believe in yourself, even when self-doubt creeps in. Imposter syndrome is real, but the key is to push through. Trust your gut and your ability to figure things out.

Plan, but don’t overthink. Things won’t always go as expected, and that’s okay. Adaptability and resilience are what truly drive success.

Invest in personal and professional growth. Never stop learning, whether it’s upskilling in your field or strengthening leadership skills, continuous development is what keeps you moving forward.

At B:HIVE we celebrate members like Monique who prove that success isn’t about following a set path, it’s about creating your own, embracing the challenges, and trusting that a bold step might lead somewhere extraordinary.

Redefining Success as a Business Leader and Mother

For Erin Adam co-founder of The Social Lab, entrepreneurship is about creating a business that fits her life, not the other way around. She has built an independent agency that has worked with some of the world’s leading e-commerce brands, scaling their revenue through powerful Meta ad strategies. Under her leadership, the agency has achieved record-breaking ROI for clients and become one of the highest Meta ad spenders in APAC.

But her biggest milestone wasn’t a revenue figure or a client acquisition, it was navigating business growth while becoming a mother. The Social Lab experienced its most successful year right after Erin had her children, proving that personal and professional achievements don’t have to compete; they can thrive together. From breastfeeding between meetings to closing deals with a baby on her hip, Erin has redefined what it means to be a female entrepreneur, proving that motherhood and business success can go hand in hand.

Challenging Bias & Leading with Empathy

Being a woman in business often means facing unconscious bias. Erin has experienced it firsthand – while scaling, strategy, and numbers-focused questions are often directed at her business partner Cam, anything creatively inclined gets pushed her way. At first, it was frustrating. But over time, she learned to leverage it as an advantage – “if people underestimate you, it only makes it easier to impress them with results”.

Beyond business, motherhood has been her greatest leadership training. It has taught her patience, empathy, and the power of understanding – qualities that have made her a stronger leader and business owner.

Advice for the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs Erin’s advice is simple but powerful:

Delegate at work and at home. You don’t have to do everything yourself, whether it’s hiring support staff or accepting help from family, freeing up your time is essential for success.

Don’t believe the social media illusion. A high follower count doesn’t mean high revenue, and a flashy lifestyle doesn’t always mean financial stability. Focus on real growth, not perceived success.

Live within your means and invest wisely. Success isn’t about looking the part, it’s about building long-term financial stability.

We celebrate B:HIVE members like Erin, who challenge norms and prove that you can build a thriving business while raising a family, and redefine what success looks like – on your own terms.