Turning Uncertainty into your Advantage

Olvera Advisors Pty Ltd
17B Farnham Street, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand.

Introducing the EziBuy Staff Portal,

As Administrators, we recognize the uncertainty and concern that the recent announcement may have caused for EziBuy staff. Our commitment is to guide you through this process.

We have developed the EziBuy Staff Portal to facilitate effective communication, provide easy access to essential resources, and offer proper guidance. Upon logging in, kindly subscribe for important updates. The portal includes:

  • Announcements regarding EziBuy’s situation
  • A comprehensive FAQ section addressing concerns, such as job security
  • Relevant forms and documents to be completed during this process

We respectfully request staff to refrain from speaking with the media over the next two weeks to maintain consistent messaging across all stakeholders. If approached, please contact our office or direct inquiries to Chris Fogarty at [email protected].

We will be speaking to your union as part of the restructuring process.

EziBuy’s challenges mirror the broader retail landscape, with New Zealand’s economy contracting 0.6% in the December ’22 quarter.  This had a significant impact on retail sales nationwide.  At the same time fluctuating exchange rates have increased import costs increasing our FX risk. These factors have led to an unsustainable cost structure for the company.

We acknowledge the unease that change brings but rest assured, we will be working towards a positive outcome.

Thank you for your commitment and understanding. We encourage you to log in and subscribe to the EziBuy Staff Portal to stay informed and connected.

Damien Hodgkinson
Joint and Several Administrator

Updates Type Date Updated Description
Letter to Creditors Notice 11-05-2023
Notice of first meeting to employees Notice 05-04-2023

A notice to employees regarding the time, location and purposes of the first meeting of creditors.

Initial information for employees Notice 03-04-2023

A letter to employees notice informs staff about important changes, updates or decisions related to their employment or workplace.

Resources Type Date Updated Description
What support is available if I have been made redundant? FAQs 05-04-2023

In order to provide additional support for those staff whose positions have been made redundant, we have arranged for assistance from Retailworld NZ.

Retailworld NZ is a highly regarded retail recruitment company in New Zealand, with offices across the country to support our staff.

Please contact Retailworld, as they will assist you with updating your resume, applying for new roles, and providing interview support. They also have a number of retail clients looking for experienced staff.

Auckland:
Georgia Hinton
[email protected]
Shopfront Team Leader – Auckland | P +64 9 520 7767 | M +64 20 4026 5781

Lower North Island:
Vanessa Stevenson
[email protected]
Director – LNI | P | M +64 210 261 8724

South Island:
Stuart Armstrong
[email protected]
Director – South Island | P +64 3 741 9606 | M +64 27 916 1728

Do I still have a job? FAQs 04-04-2023

Everyone’s employment will continue as usual while we assess the business over the next few days.  You will report to your usual supervisor at either the stores or warehouse. We will update you as soon as possible regarding next steps.

Will I be paid? FAQs 04-04-2023

You will be paid your wages as usual into your usual bank account and on the same day as usual.

Can I take annual leave during the administration? FAQs 04-04-2023

If you have booked annual leave, or want to take annual leave the process will remain the same and will need to be approved by your supervisor.

If you take annual leave during the administration this will be paid in your normal payroll.

Will I be paid over Easter for Public Holidays? FAQs 04-04-2023

If you are full time or part time staff and entitled to be paid public holidays under the Holidays Act and your employment agreement, then you will be paid for Easter public holidays as usual.

As an employee do I get paid first? (preferential amount) FAQs 04-04-2023

There is a statutory priority for certain employee entitlements up to $25,480 which includes unpaid wages and holiday pay which is paid in priority to other creditors.

If you are owed more than $25,480 or are owed amounts which do not fall within your preferential claimthen those amounts are an unsecured claim and rank equally with other creditors.

These amounts will be frozen and won’t be paid until we have realized sufficient assets to make payment. We will keep you updated as to the timing of any payment.

Will I have a job after the review? FAQs 04-04-2023

There are a number of parts of the business that are unprofitable which will need to change.As a result, some roles will be disestablished.  We are currently undertaking an assessment and we will keep you updated on that process.

Will the business be sold? FAQs 04-04-2023

The shareholders do not propose to sell the business, they intend to put up a proposal to restructure the business.

The details of that proposal have not been provided as yet.

Once we have assessed the proposal and the business we will make a final decision and communicate that to you as soon as possible.

What if I am made redundant? FAQs 04-04-2023

If as a result of our review your position is made redundant you will be entitled to notice andpotentially redundancy compensation as set out in your employment agreement.

Any redundancy compensation owing to you will be included in the calculation of the preferential amount of $25,480. Any payment in lieu of noticeowing to you does not fall within your preferential claim and would be an unsecured claim.

These amounts will be frozen and won’t be paid until we have realized sufficient assets to make payment. We will keep you updated as to the timing of any payment.

Can I get a copy of my employment contract? FAQs 04-04-2023

You can get a copy of your employment contract by email [email protected]and one will be sent to you.

How long will this take? FAQs 04-04-2023

The administration period itself normally takes no more than five weeks.  It is our intention to go to court to seek an extension until 15 July 2023.  This will allow us to make a better assessment of the options for the company.

How do I find out more? FAQs 04-04-2023

We will hold a weekly on-line briefing with staff from stores and the warehouse which can be viewed through a link to your email address.

A from Mosaic head office will meet with store staff and management next Tuesday 4 April 2023 for stores and Wednesday 5 April 2023 for warehouse.

Can I attend the Creditors Meetings? FAQs 04-04-2023

The first meeting of Creditors will be held on 14 April 2023 in Auckland.  We will arrange for the meeting to be televised so you can attend remotely.

The date of the second meeting when creditors will decide the future of the company has not been set.

What will happen at the First Meeting? FAQs 04-04-2023

At the first meeting we will give an overview of our initial review and creditors can vote on two things:

  1. setting up a committee of creditors to work with us; and
  2. appointing an alternate administrator to us.
Can I vote at the First Meeting? FAQs 04-04-2023

All employees are creditors of the company and will be provided with the same information as any other suppliers.

As a creditor you are entitled to vote at any meeting of creditors.  To do this you need to lodge a Proof of Debt and a Proxy Form.

(This has been provided for you under ‘Forms’)

How can I get a proof of debt? FAQs 04-04-2023

By Email

Ezibuy payroll will calculate your current entitlements and send them and the Proof of Debt form to your email address.

They will do this before each meeting of creditors.

In person

They will also be available from your employment location either the store or warehouse on Thursday 6 April 2023.

Download now

You can download a blank form now and put in your own estimate, and email it to email [email protected]

Will I get my unpaid Annual leave? FAQs 04-04-2023

Ezibuy Payroll team is currently calculating  yourannual leave entitlements as at 2 April 2023.

Details of the amount you are owedwill be sent to you at your nominated email address so that you can check the calculation. Once you have checked the calculation and once signed you will need to return the forms to us [email protected]

If we do nothave an email for you on file or it is out of date, please email [email protected]

If you think the amount or calculation is incorrect or you have questions, please contact Ezibuy payroll on the normal number.

Form Name Type Date Updated Description
Appendix D – Proxy – EziBuy Form 05-04-2023

Complete the proxy form if you cannot attend the meeting and wish to appoint a person to attend the meeting and vote on your behalf

 

Action:

Download & Complete
Submit to [email protected]

*Please submit by 13th April (3PM NZST) to attend the meeting*

Proof of Debt Form (Employees) Form 03-04-2023
Proof of debt is a document that verifies an employee’s unpaid wages or entitlements in a company going into administration.

 

Action:

Download & Complete
Submit to [email protected]

*Please submit by 13th April (3PM NZST) to attend the meeting*

Stay updated, we are here to help.