Carrying the Legacy Forward at Bennetts Proactive
When Lance Ewens arrived in Te Puke in 1982, the Bay of Plenty looked very different to today.
Bayfair was little more than a half-built frame on the side of the road. Papamoa had only a handful of houses scattered along the beachfront. There was no internet, no mobile phones, and certainly no expectation that business owners would ever manage their accounts on a laptop.
Over the next four decades, Lance saw not only the region transform, but the role of the accountant evolve alongside it.
“It’s far more technical now,” Lance says. “The assumption today is that people know how to do their GST and how to do their basic bookkeeping. In the past, very few people ran their own payroll. Nowadays that would be almost unheard of. So accountancy advice has shifted to a more strategic level, and the complexity of the world we operate in is significantly greater.”
A profession that keeps evolving
Today’s conversations are more likely to centre on growth, structure and long-term planning. Nowhere is that shift more evident than in succession.
“Mum and dad want to be paid fair value for their business assets,” Lance says. “But if you’ve only got one big kiwifruit orchard or one big dairy farm and you’ve got three children, it’s not so simple.”
After advising clients through those challenges for more than 40 years, Lance has now stepped through the process himself, formally retiring from Bennetts Proactive on 1st April 2026 following a carefully planned, two-year transition.
Maria Livingstone and Amanda Hodder are now Directors, and their transition to leadership comes at a time when Lance believes the profession is on the cusp of another major shift.
“In the mid-1980s and 1990s there was a huge paradigm shift in computing. AI is the next huge shift. In five years, things will look quite different. But if you’ve built your business on solid foundations like Bennetts Proactive has, you can cope with that.”
A planned transition, done well
For Maria, returning to Bennetts Proactive two years ago after time working elsewhere was a natural move, with a clear goal of one day stepping into Lance’s shoes.
She says the opportunity to be part of a structured transition has been invaluable.
“Abrupt handovers can be challenging for both clients and the team. Even where there is some overlap, it can still be difficult to build relationships across a full client base in a short space of time. A more structured transition makes a real difference.”
Maria says Lance’s willingness to step back at agreed milestones has been key to making the transition work.
She also points to the value of having complementary strengths alongside Amanda, allowing them to support each other across both client and team responsibilities.
A strong team for the future
Amanda, who has been with Bennetts Proactive for 11 years, says she is proud to be part of a stable and experienced team. That continuity is important for both staff and clients.
“Our longest-serving staff member has just celebrated 25 years here, and several others have been here for a decade or more. So we’ve got a really good team and I want to keep that going.
“Maria and I feed off each other quite well. It’s nice to have a sounding board and someone to talk through client and staff matters with. We work well together.”
Looking ahead, Amanda says the firm will continue to embrace technology while maintaining a strong focus on relationships. She agrees tools such as AI will play an increasing role, but sound advice and trusted relationships will always remain central.
“AI is never going to understand the full picture and customise a solution for exactly what a client needs. There’s always a judgment there that AI is never going to understand. So it’s important to retain that human touch as well.”
Looking back — and forward
For Lance, stepping away from the day-to-day is a significant change.
He’s excited to spend more time with his family and travel New Zealand in his motorhome. At the same time, he acknowledges it will take time to adjust. He will miss the regular contact with clients and staff, having spent decades working closely alongside them.
After 44 years, Lance is proud of what has been built.
“This firm’s been around for 80 years and I always felt that I inherited a legacy firm. Passing that on in a good state to people who are passionate about the business, the clients and the Te Puke community – that’s what I’m most proud of.”
Looking back, he has no regrets.
“I’ve been lucky in that I’ve had one job, one career, and I have enjoyed it for all these years. I certainly wish the girls every happiness. They’ve got the right skills and the right personalities to take Bennetts Proactive forward into its next chapter.”
Planning for what’s next?
Whether you’re growing a business, thinking about succession, or simply looking for trusted advice, the team at Bennetts Proactive is here to help.
Call us on 07 573 8446 or contact your usual Bennetts Proactive advisor for guidance.