ARONGA.

When disruption is constant, direction needs protecting.

1. Introduction

These Terms and Conditions govern all engagements between you and Maren Frerichs trading as Aronga (“Aronga”) unless the parties agree otherwise in writing. By proceeding with an engagement, you accept these Terms and Conditions.

Aronga provides services as an independent contractor and not as an employee, partner, or agent of the client.

These services may be purchased by individuals or organisations. Where you are a consumer under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, certain statutory rights apply and cannot be excluded. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions limits those rights except to the extent permitted by law.

Where you acquire services for business purposes, you agree that, to the maximum extent permitted by law, the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 does not apply, and that it is fair and reasonable for the parties to be bound by this clause to the extent permitted by section 43 of that Act.

If you are entering into these Terms in a standard form business-to-business context, the parties also acknowledge that the Fair Trading Act 1986 unfair contract terms regime may apply where relevant.

If there is any inconsistency between these Terms and Conditions and the proposal or service agreement for a specific engagement, the proposal or service agreement prevails to the extent of that inconsistency for that engagement.

2. Nature of the Engagement

Aronga provides strategic thinking, decision support, and facilitation services. The work is designed to support clarity and decision-making, but outcomes depend on client implementation and circumstances.

This is not therapy, counselling, diagnostic, clinical, psychotherapeutic, legal, or financial advice. Aronga does not diagnose, treat, or provide clinical or psychological support of any kind. You are responsible for seeking independent professional guidance where appropriate.

Aronga will perform the services with reasonable care and skill.

Any decisions made as a result of an engagement remain your sole responsibility. Aronga’s role is to provide information, frameworks, and facilitation to support your decision-making, not to decide for you.

You acknowledge that you are entering into the engagement on the basis that Aronga is not providing professional legal, financial, medical, psychological, therapeutic, or tax advice, and that you have not relied on Aronga for any advice outside the express scope of the engagement.

Aronga does not guarantee any specific business outcome, performance improvement, or result from the services provided, and any decision made following an engagement remains your sole responsibility.

Except as expressly set out in these Terms and to the maximum extent permitted by law, all other warranties, representations, or conditions are excluded

3. Services

Aronga offers the following services. The specific scope, format, and investment for each engagement are confirmed in writing, for example in a proposal or booking confirmation.

If there is any inconsistency between the service descriptions below and the written scope agreed for a specific engagement, the written scope in the proposal or service agreement prevails for that engagement.

Standard pricing is as follows, unless otherwise stated, and all prices are exclusive of GST:

Any price described as ‘from’ or ‘by negotiation’ is an indicative starting point only.

Any indicative pricing is based on the scope reasonably assumed at the time of quotation and may change if the scope, timing, participant numbers, preparation, or deliverables change.

Aronga is GST‑registered. Invoices will show GST where applicable unless otherwise stated.

3.1. Service Descriptions

Pressure Clarity Sessions

Individual, real-time decision coaching. 60 minutes. Focused on clarifying the issue, exploring options, and agreeing one clear next step. Available as a single session or as part of a package. Package terms (including session numbers, structure, and expiry) are confirmed in the relevant proposal.

Clarity Sprints

Short‑form facilitated sessions for teams and organisations. Half‑day or full‑day format. Focused on shared clarity, sharpened priorities, and a concrete action plan.

Strategic Orientation

Structured strategy work for leaders, boards, and executive teams navigating sustained disruption. Scope, format, and investment are agreed per engagement.

Customised Programmes Aronga offers bespoke programmes for individuals, teams, and organisations. A Customised Programme may include any combination of Pressure Clarity Sessions, Clarity Sprints, Strategic Orientation, leadership development, between-session support, reporting, or other services agreed in the proposal.

The scope, format, number of participants, timing, deliverables, support channels, reporting, and investment for each Customised Programme are confirmed in writing in the relevant proposal. Where a Customised Programme includes phase-based delivery, the proposal will set out the phases, dates or timing windows, and any participant-specific or cohort-specific components.

Any mentoring-style or advisory work may be included as part of a Customised Programme if stated in the proposal.

Individual Retainers

An Individual Retainer is an ongoing, recurring engagement for an individual leader or small group, typically on a monthly or quarterly basis. The format, number of sessions, frequency of contact, and any between-session support are agreed in the proposal. An Individual Retainer may include mentoring-style work as part of the overall engagement.

Capability Companion

A free editable digital workspace (Notion copy) available on request. A genuine resource for leaders building independent capability. No commercial terms apply.

4. Communication

Aronga will keep you informed of progress and notify you promptly of any unexpected delays or significant changes.

To provide services effectively, please provide your full name, a contact email address, and a phone number. If you provide an email address, Aronga may use it to send service‑related information and correspondence.

Aronga may also send occasional updates or resources about leadership and strategy. You may opt out at any time by following the unsubscribe instructions in those emails or by contacting Maren Frerichs directly.

5. Confirmation and Booking

A booking is confirmed once a service agreement or proposal has been accepted in writing and any required deposit or payment has been received and cleared. If these conditions are not met, no booking is guaranteed.

For Clarity Sprints, Strategic Orientation engagements, and Customised Programmes, the agreed participant number, phases, timing, and deliverables will be confirmed in writing before commencement.

Where an engagement or programme is priced on a participant basis, the fee is based on the agreed minimum number of participants, and preparation will be designed accordingly. Additional participants added after the scope is agreed may incur additional charges, which will be discussed and confirmed in writing before they are incurred.

6. Fees and Pricing

Standard pricing is shown in the table in clause 3. Unless otherwise stated, all prices exclude GST. Aronga is GST‑registered. Invoices will show GST where applicable.

Any estimate or programme price provided is an approximate guide only unless expressly stated as fixed. If Aronga expects the work to exceed the agreed estimate or fee by a material amount, Aronga will contact you to discuss a revised figure before proceeding with the additional work.

Where a Customised Programme is priced by participant number, the proposal will state the base participant number and the cost of additional participants.

7. Expenses and Disbursements

In addition to fees, Aronga may charge for reasonable expenses incurred on your behalf, such as travel, accommodation, venue hire, and materials. Where significant costs are anticipated, Aronga will discuss and agree these costs with you in advance in writing.

8. Changes in Scope

Aronga undertakes significant preparation for each engagement. Any material change to the original agreed scope may affect the agreed pricing or timing. If such a change is proposed, Aronga will discuss the impact with you and confirm any revised scope, timing, and fees in writing before proceeding.

9. Payment Terms

Payment terms vary by service type as set out below. All invoices are payable within 7 days of the invoice date unless otherwise agreed in writing. Payments are to be made by direct credit to the bank account specified on each invoice.

If you dispute any item on an invoice, you must notify Aronga in writing within 10 working days of receipt, setting out the nature of the dispute in reasonable detail.

Individual Pressure Clarity Sessions

Payment is requested prior to the session. An invoice will be issued in advance. If payment is not received before the session, it is due within 7 days of the session occurring.

Session Packages (blocks, bespoke packages)

Payment terms for Session Packages are confirmed in the relevant proposal. The late‑cancellation fee in clause 11 applies to all individually scheduled sessions within any package.

Clarity Sprints and Strategic Orientation

A deposit of 50% of the agreed fee is required to confirm the booking. The balance is due as specified in the proposal. Where no proposal terms are stated, the balance is due within 7 days of completion of the engagement.

Customised Programme

Payment terms for Customised Programmes are confirmed in the relevant proposal. Unless otherwise stated, a deposit will be payable on acceptance and the balance will be invoiced at the commencement of the next major phase or at such other milestone as stated in the proposal.

Where a Customised Programme includes multiple phases, Aronga may invoice by milestone, by phase, or in full in advance if stated in the proposal.

Any additional participant charges will be invoiced once final participant numbers are confirmed or at the relevant programme milestone, as stated in the proposal.

The invoicing method set out in the proposal prevails for that engagement.

Individual Retainers

Payment terms for Individual Retainers are confirmed in the proposal. Retainers are typically invoiced at the start of each agreed period (e.g., monthly or quarterly).

10. Unpaid Accounts

If you have difficulty meeting an account, contact Aronga promptly to discuss alternative arrangements.

Any amount not paid by the due date may accrue interest at 2% per month, calculated daily from the due date until payment in full, after and in addition to any recovery costs.

If an invoiced amount remains unpaid for more than 14 days after the due date, Aronga may:

• pause all work until the overdue amount is paid;
• require payment in advance for future work; and
• recover reasonable costs of any recovery action, including debt‑collection fees.

Any recovery costs will be calculated in accordance with New Zealand law and applied in a reasonable manner.

Aronga may also suspend delivery of any future services under any other engagement between the parties until all overdue amounts are paid.

11. Cancellation and Late Cancellation

This clause applies to cancellation, rescheduling, deferral, and non-attendance, and prevails over clause 13 to the extent of any inconsistency.

All cancellations must be notified in writing by email to Aronga. Cancellation terms differ by service type as set out below.

Cancellation fees are intended to be a reasonable estimate of Aronga’s likely loss, including reserved time, preparation, and the difficulty of rebooking at short notice, and are not intended to be a penalty.

Individual Pressure Clarity Sessions (standalone)

• 24 or more hours’ notice: you may reschedule at no charge or receive a full refund.
• Less than 24 hours’ notice or no‑show: you will be charged a late‑cancellation fee of NZ$40 (plus GST) and the session may be rescheduled at the full rate.

Sessions within a Package

• 24 or more hours’ notice: the session is retained and may be rescheduled at no charge.
• Less than 24 hours’ notice or no‑show: the session is forfeited and counted as used.

Clarity Sprints and Strategic Orientation

• 31 or more working days before the engagement: no charge beyond any deposit and expenses incurred.
• 21–31 working days before the engagement: 50% of the remaining fee plus any expenses incurred.
• 20 working days or fewer before the engagement: 100% cancellation fee plus any expenses incurred.

This cancellation fee is a genuine pre-estimate of Aronga’s likely loss, including reserved time, preparation, and the difficulty of rebooking at short notice, and is not intended to be a penalty.

Customised Programme

If a Customised Programme is cancelled after acceptance of the proposal, Aronga may retain or invoice the deposit to cover preparation, planning, and reserved capacity.

If the programme is cancelled after one or more phases have been delivered, Aronga may invoice for all work completed, all non-recoverable costs incurred, and any agreed cancellation fee reasonably reflecting loss of reserved capacity and preparation time.

Where a Customised Programme includes multiple phases or participant-specific work, cancellation of one phase does not cancel completed phases or work already performed.

If the programme is paused or deferred at the client’s request, Aronga may agree revised timing and may adjust fees or charges accordingly.

Individual Retainers

Individual Retainers may be cancelled with 30 days’ written notice. Sessions delivered within the notice period are charged at the agreed rate. No refund applies to sessions already completed.

12. Cancellation by Aronga

Aronga reserves the right to amend or cancel a service due to unforeseen circumstances. Where a cancellation is made, Aronga will offer an alternative date where possible.

Aronga is not liable for any travel, accommodation, or other costs incurred by you or your participants in connection with a cancelled engagement, except to the extent required by law.

13. Termination

Either party may terminate an engagement by written notice, subject always to clause 11 and any specific cancellation or minimum notice provisions in the relevant proposal. Unless the proposal states otherwise, either party may terminate non-session-based engagements on 48 hours’ written notice.

Work completed and expenses reasonably incurred up to the point of termination remain payable. Aronga will provide a final invoice reflecting work completed and any unrecovered expenses.

Termination is subject to the cancellation provisions in clause 11, which prevail in the event of inconsistency.

14. Force Majeure

Neither party is liable for failure or delay in performing its obligations if that failure or delay is caused by events outside its reasonable control, including natural disasters, pandemic, civil unrest, illness, venue unavailability, or failure of essential services or technology.

The affected party must notify the other party as soon as practicable and use reasonable efforts to minimise disruption. This clause does not relieve either party of obligations that arose before the event, nor of the obligation to pay amounts already due.

15. Confidentiality

Each party must keep the other party’s confidential information confidential and use it only for the purposes of the engagement.

Aronga will treat all information obtained during an engagement as confidential and will not disclose it to third parties except:

• as required by law; or
• as expressly agreed in writing by you.

With your consent, Aronga may use anonymised and hypothetical examples from engagements for professional development, case studies, or content. These examples will be sufficiently anonymised so that you cannot be identified. Your name and any directly identifying details will not be used without your explicit written permission.

You agree to treat Aronga’s tools, frameworks, and materials as confidential and not to share, publish, disclose, or reproduce them without Aronga’s prior written permission, except to the extent required by law.

16.  Programme Deliverables and Reporting

Where an engagement includes reporting, summaries, insights, debriefs, or similar deliverables, the nature, scope, audience, format, and level of detail will be set out in the proposal. Unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing, reports will contain only aggregated, thematic, or anonymised information and will not identify any individual participant or disclose individual confidential information.

Individual conversations, coaching sessions, and other confidential discussions remain confidential and will not be reported back in identifiable form without consent, except where disclosure is required by law.

Any deliverables are provided for the purpose of the agreed engagement only and may not be relied on for any other purpose unless Aronga agrees otherwise in writing.

17. Privacy

Aronga collects and holds personal information for the purposes of delivering services, administering bookings and invoices, communicating with you, and improving future services. Aronga may also use information from conversations, sessions, and programme activities for reporting on progress at an aggregate or thematic level, subject always to confidentiality and privacy obligations.

This information is handled in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020. Personal information may include your name, contact details, and any information you share in the course of an engagement. Aronga will store this information securely and will only use it for the purposes described or as otherwise required or authorised by law.

Aronga may use trusted third-party service providers (including providers located outside New Zealand), including digital storage, scheduling, communication, note-taking, and AI tools, to support service delivery.

Where personal information is disclosed to an overseas provider, Aronga will take reasonable steps to ensure that the provider protects the information in a manner comparable to the Privacy Act 2020 obligations applying to Aronga.

Where these services involve personal information, Aronga will take reasonable steps to ensure the provider is appropriate and that personal information is protected to a standard consistent with Aronga’s privacy obligations.

Where AI tools are used for administration, drafting, note organisation, synthesis, research support, or review, Aronga will take reasonable steps to protect personal information and confidentiality and will not intentionally input sensitive personal information into an AI tool unless it is appropriate to do so and consistent with the Privacy Act 2020.

Any AI-generated output will be reviewed by a human before being relied on or sent to you. Aronga remains responsible for the final content, advice, and service provided.

You may request access to or correction of your personal information at any time by contacting Maren Frerichs directly. Aronga will respond to such requests within a reasonable time.

Aronga will only retain personal information for as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, unless otherwise required by law.

You may complain to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner if you believe your privacy rights have been breached.

18. Intellectual Property

All pre-existing and newly developed frameworks, tools, templates, methodologies, and materials developed by Aronga, including the Capability Companion, remain the intellectual property of Aronga unless otherwise stated in the relevant proposal.

To the extent any deliverables are created specifically for you under an engagement, Aronga grants you a non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use those deliverables for your internal business purposes only, unless the proposal states otherwise.

You may not reproduce, share, adapt, reverse engineer, or use the materials commercially without Aronga’s prior written consent.

19. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

1. Aronga’s total aggregate liability arising out of or in connection with an engagement or any series of related services provided under the same proposal, programme, or statement of work is limited to the total fees paid by you for those services.
2. Aronga is not liable for any indirect, consequential, special, incidental, exemplary, or punitive loss, or for loss of profits, revenue, goodwill, business opportunity, or data, except to the extent such liability cannot lawfully be excluded; and
3. any claim arising out of or in connection with an engagement must be brought within 12 months after the date the relevant service was performed or should reasonably have been performed.

Nothing in these Terms limits any rights or remedies that cannot lawfully be excluded, including under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 where it applies.

20. Participation

You are responsible for ensuring participants in any facilitated engagement are appropriately briefed and supported.

Aronga may, at its discretion, pause or conclude an engagement where the conduct of a participant is likely to compromise the safety, wellbeing, confidentiality, or productive progress of the session. If this occurs, Aronga will seek to reschedule or adjust the engagement where reasonably practicable.

21. Complaints and Disputes

If you have a concern about any aspect of a service, programme, phase, deliverable, report, or invoice, please raise it directly with Maren Frerichs as soon as possible.

Aronga will use reasonable endeavours to address the concern promptly and fairly.

If the concern cannot be resolved to both parties’ reasonable satisfaction within 14 days, either party may propose mediation. If the parties agree to mediate, they will first try to agree a mediator within 5 working days, failing which the mediator will be appointed by the New Zealand Dispute Resolution Centre or another agreed appointing body.

Nothing in this clause prevents either party from taking steps required by law or seeking urgent injunctive relief, but the parties will first use reasonable steps to resolve the dispute through direct communication and, if agreed, mediation before commencing court proceedings, except where urgent relief is required.

22. Legal Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of New Zealand. Any legal proceedings arising from or connected to an engagement will be brought in the courts of New Zealand.

23. Feedback

Aronga values feedback about your experience. You may provide feedback at any time by contacting Maren Frerichs directly.

Aronga may use your feedback (without identifying you) to improve its services, processes, and communications.

24. General

1. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions creates a partnership, joint venture, agency, or employment relationship between the parties.
2. Any variation to these Terms and Conditions must be agreed in writing.
3. These Terms and Conditions, together with any proposal or service agreement, constitute the entire agreement between the parties in relation to the relevant engagement.
4. If any provision is found to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be read down to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will continue in full force.
5. A failure or delay by either party in exercising a right under these Terms and Conditions does not waive that right.
6. Neither party may assign, transfer, or novate this agreement without the other party’s prior written consent.
7. Acceptance of these Terms and Conditions by email, online form, checkbox, or other electronic means is valid and binding.
8. If there is any inconsistency between these Terms and Conditions and a proposal, statement of work, or service agreement, the order of precedence is:
1. the proposal or service agreement;
2. these Terms and Conditions;
3. any other document referenced in the engagement.