KSS October Edition eKourier 2025

FEATURE

THE JOURNEY SO FAR – FROM NMS TO KSS

July 1st, 2025, was a big day when National Mini Storage officially became part of the Kennards Self Storage family. Having been with National Mini as Operations Manager looking after 13 centres, I’ll admit I wasn’t sure what to expect. Change can feel a bit unsettling at the best of times, and with new people, new systems, and new ways of doing things, I thought it might take a while to find our feet.

The focus so far has really been on introductions, training and alignment, all at a steady pace that’s allowed us to learn and adapt without feeling rushed. One of the first changes we noticed was the introduction of the Kennards merchandise range. Suddenly our offices were filled with colour, and our customers now have more variety and choice. It’s been a small but fun change that’s made a big difference. What I’ve really appreciated is the message from Kennards leadership: don’t be afraid to ask questions, it’s okay to make mistakes, and always back yourself to do what’s right for the customer and the business. That encouragement has gone a long way in building confidence through the change. As I write this, 10 of our 13 centres are now running on Kennards systems, with the last three about to follow. We’re already seeing the benefits, especially with the Atlas platform and the speed at which information and reporting is available. On a personal level, this journey has been energising. I’ve learned new systems, connected with new people and gained fresh perspective on how a larger organisation works, all while still doing what I love, supporting our teams and helping them deliver the best outcomes for our customers. It feels like the start of an exciting new chapter, and I’m genuinely looking forward to what’s ahead as part of the Kennards family.

L to R: Ammynah Kezo (Parnell), Alisha Keoghan (Site Manager Newmarket, Parnell, New Lynn) and Saia Pahulu (Parnell) at the 2025 NZ Achievement Dinner.

W hat I’ve found instead is that the Kennards team has been nothing but welcoming from day one. I’ve had what feels like a never-ending stream of questions, who looks after what, how does this system work, what’s the process for that… and not once has it felt like too much to ask. Every interaction has been met with patience and support, which has made the transition far easier than I imagined. We’ve already had a few great opportunities to meet people across the Kennards team, from a welcome dinner through to being part of the annual Achievement Dinner. Those events weren’t just nice to have, they really made us feel included and part of the bigger picture.

Of course, there are some differences in how things are done, but for the most part the two companies feel very similar.

Matthew Garelli NZ Operations Manager

8 Kennards Kourier Oct 2025