Profiles of all 14 contestants on the new series of The Apprentice New Zealand.
Auckland
Self-employed alternative medicine
What is the most interesting thing about you?
"My twin sister and I won the Asia-Pasifika Section of Style Pasifika NZ Fashion awards 2006 and were highly commended overall.
"The garment is called Uomu Korowai, a cloak made from more than 1000 white chicken feathers, and was a fusion of a Maori cloak and a Japanese kimono."
What tactics will you use on the show?
"Clear communication at all levels, passion, integrity, truthfulness, strong leadership, `can do' attitude, strong and positive intention to win.
"I will not sleep if that is what it takes to win and get the job done well."
What makes you angry?
"People who prejudge others.
"People who lie."
Wellington
Business development manager
What is the most interesting thing about you?
"I speak bad Moroccan Arabic and I can't leave for work in the mornings until I get my gossip fix from Nelson."
What tactics will you use on the show?
"To be honest, work hard, and to remember that, as an individual contestant, teamwork and adapting to change can be a hard-fought win."
What makes you angry?
"People who are ill-informed.
"People who use excuses as answers.
"Cruelty."
Linda Slade (21)
Christchurch
Bachelor of business student
What is the most interesting thing about you?
"I am South African-born, schooled in New Zealand and then moved to Melbourne alone, where I learned more about myself than I could have imagined.
"I knew one day I would make my way back to New Zealand to set up my own business.
"I am currently studying for a business degree to work towards this dream."
What tactics will you use on the show?
"At the beginning, I will try and play the `under the radar' game until the point where most of the riff-raff has been removed from the competition.
"When numbers are smaller and the attention begins to be focused on all members, I will start taking calculated risks, like nominating myself for project manager, and putting myself in the spotlight.
"As a general rule, I would like to be the energiser and motivator in order to win the favour of my team members and avoid them voting me out."
What makes you angry?
"People feeling sorry for themselves - there is always someone who is worse off than you are and it frustrates me when people who have so much ahead of them dwell on the negative."
Kim Laurenson (27)
Christchurch
Self-employed - boutique clothing store/real estate agent
What is the most interesting thing about you?
"I compete in Ironman triathlons so I like to stay both active in the body and mind . . .
"I'm also a girly girl.
"I like pink."
What tactics will you use on the show?
"I am self-assured and confident.
"If I don't believe in myself, then no-one will."
What makes you angry?
"Lazy people who will not help themselves.
"If you really can't find a job, then think outside the square and create one."
Catherine Livingstone (33)
Auckland
Self-employed concierge service
What is the most interesting thing about you?
"I am an absolute animal lover and have two dogs, two cats and six chickens.
"Business-wise, I love challenges, and one of the things my clients come to me most for is I can resource anything or get hold of anyone they need."
What tactics will you use on the show?
"Use my resources, observe and sum up people but not be scared to push what I think needs to be done and how.
"Pull on my organisational strengths and experience working for CEOs."
What makes you angry?
"Something that would hurt my family or my animals."
Nicky Clarke (28)
Auckland
PR specialist
What is the most interesting thing about you?"I've run an event with the Queen, I toured astronauts around the UK, ran a huge fundraising dinner with the All Blacks . . .
"I guess I can't sit still for long.
"I'm always looking for something different, exciting and challenging."
What tactics will you use on the show?
"I will play the game differently - I'm not into down and dirty.
"I will play with integrity, 100% complete focus and always look at the bigger picture."
What makes you angry?
"People acting without integrity or selfishly.
"Bullies."
Meena Chhagan (24)
Wellington
Accountant
What is the most interesting thing about you?
"I am an active person who loves snowboarding, cricket and field hockey.
"I also have a creative side to me, which is evidenced through the large oil paintings that I have completed over the past couple of years."
What tactics will you use on the show?
"The key tactics that I believe will help me win The "Apprentice are: being able to befriend my greatest threat; taking charge of difficult situations; not being afraid to hang others out to dry [it is the corporate world]."
What makes you angry?"Not having completed a degree which used my innovative and creative skills."
Daniel Phillips (31)
Auckland
Advertising - senior account manager
"What is the most interesting thing about you?"I was brought up in a pub in Tokoroa that was just like the one in Once Were Warriors."
What tactics will you use on the show?
"Honesty, charm and cheekiness.
"I can be firm but always with a smile on my face, and I have a reputation for telling it like it is, even if it's not the most tactful thing to say."
What makes you angry?
"Unhelpful customer service people.
"Particularly if they work for a bank or a phone company."
Chris Whiteside (28)
Christchurch
Accountant/adviser
What is the most interesting thing about you?
"I started up an internet business with my twin brother in high school.
"This business was relatively successful.
"However, the greatest enjoyment and satisfaction came from turning an idea into reality."
What tactics will you use on the show?
"Getting along with the other members of the team, Being a great salesman by understanding that every negotiation is important and attempting to always close the deal.
"When being the project manager I intend on making sure that bad ideas are not pursued for the task as a result of someone's strong character, rather than for the idea itself."
What makes you angry?
"When people say they will do something and don't get it done."
Paul Natac (28)
Auckland
Infringement relationship manager
What is the most interesting thing about you?
"I use humour in my leadership and in my work style I am very funny but also assertive.
"Most interesting is my background - I was told I would not amount to anything because I was a slacker at school.
"One day I decided to start climbing the corporate ladder, so started asking people who were in positions I aspired to how they got there.
"I did what they did and it actually worked.
"I used to enter hip-hop dance competitions and also my dream was to be an actor [comedian]."
What tactics will you use on the show?
"I will use my street-smart skills, because it's not the same as being in a large corporation.
"I want to try to be one of the first project managers to make an impression of what I can do.
"Ensure I have built strong relationships in my team, so I won't be taken to the boardroom just for not being liked."
What makes you angry?
"I am not easily angered, but what frustrates me is people who make mountains out of small issues.
"Or people who talk talk talk, but never do - plenty of bright ideas but never any action."
David Wyatt (27)
Auckland
Self-employed - media agency
What is the most interesting thing about you?"
I love a good joke and have been telling jokes once a week on the radio for the past three years."
"What tactics will you use on the show?"I'll be the smiling assassin.
"I'm an incredibly flexible and adaptable person who works well with others.
"I also put an incredible amount of thought and common sense behind any decisions made so I can back myself up with confidence."
What makes you angry?
"Laziness."
Richard Henry (26)
Auckland
Self-employed - media
What is the most interesting thing about you?
"I have a strong business and political focus, enjoy being outdoors and active, thrive on the creative industries and robust debate, and aspire to better the world en route to the finer things in life."
What tactics will you use on the show?
"Entrepreneurial edge, grounded understanding, and core ethics."
What makes you angry?"People who look down on others."
Lee Davies (29)
Christchurch
Self employed - online marketing
What is the most interesting thing about you?
Made my second million at around 27."
What tactics will you use on the show?"
"Proactive. Accurate thinking.
"Working as a team.
"Identifying everyone's particular strengths. Positive visualisation."
What makes you angry?"I try to work on not being angry, but if it had to be something, it would be people getting angry."
Thomas Ben (34)
Auckland
Divisional manager
What is the most interesting thing about you?
"I have managed to build a career with no tertiary education in a tough business environment as well as "have a very happy home life."
"I never give up.
"Assess competitors' egos and skills sets, strategise accordingly while displaying strong decision-making skills and business acumen."
What makes you angry?
"People who are mean because they just can be.
"People who believe they know it all and my occasional poor reaction."
