Merco Limited, as master distributor of the POLi Payments system in NZ, are proud sponsors of the POLi Payments FEI NZL League World Cup Series and the POLi Payments Premier League Series.

Nigel Cowan and the POLi team didn’t hesitate when it came to Merco Limited stepping up to sponsor two of the most prestigious series in New Zealand’s world of showjumping.

Nigel is a director of Merco Ltd who is the master distributor of the POLi payment system in New Zealand. Nigel is no stranger to helping out at events but his move into sponsorship is new. “I have spent 25-plus years picking up jump poles or rebuilding courses, so this is a nice change,” he says. His partner Marilyn (Thompson) is ESNZ’s jumping sport manager and – by his own admission – may have “some influence” on his interest in the sport.

Allister Hunter, Chairman of Merco Ltd, and wife Jillene presenting to Tegan Fitzsimon and Windermere Cappuccino

He is very proud to be behind the payment system that makes online payments both convenient and safe.  “You make the payment from your own bank account to a merchant’s bank account, you don’t have to use your credit card,” he says. “The service is very convenient, safe and in the case of equestrian sports, at charity-based not for profit discounted rates. As a POLi merchant, you can reach out to more customers and payment reconciliation is a breeze.”

Merco has been associated with equestrian sports since around 2012, providing POLi payment services to various individual clubs directly, more recently growing to include the main equestrian administration and system providers like Main-Events, Equestrian Entries, Show Day Online and ESNZ. “Competitor and club administrator feedback we get on the convenience of POLi is excellent and we want to be there to support New Zealand equestrian competitions,” says Nigel. “Naming rights for high profile competition is an excellent opportunity to show POLi support for a great sport.”

He’s keen to have his company support and promote the achievements of equestrian. “A level of consistent sponsorship will provide our nation’s best riders with the right message as they progress,” he says. “Association with ESNZ as a national body striving to provide the highest level of international equestrian administration gives us confidence the POLi message reaches out too many New Zealand business entities.”

The Merco directors say they have enjoyed attending events and congratulating the top performers. “It’s great to be part of a successful event where the organisers and administrators display a high level of enthusiasm towards their sponsors and take every opportunity to promote the key POLi messages,” said Nigel.

POLi is the largest provider of online account-based debit payments in Australasia. Merco was founded in 2009 and prides itself in bringing together banking, transactional payments processing, technology and e-commerce expertise.

For more information, head to www.polipay.co.nz

 

By Diana Dobson

29 April 2020