Bay of Plenty Business News October/November 2016

BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS October/November 2016 3
Warm business welcome for civic leaders
Leading Bay of Plenty business leaders
are optimistic that October’s local body
election results will continue to favour
business development in the region.
By VIV POSSELT
While Rotorua settles
into a confident
‘more of the same’
routine with the re-election
of mayor Steve Chadwick
for another three-year term,
Tauranga heralded in a new era
by electing Greg Brownless as
its new mayor.
The philanthropist and former
funeral parlour owner has
been welcomed into the hot
seat by local business leaders,
with Tauranga Chamber
of Commerce chief executive
Stan Gregec saying he expected
the new council to “remain
business-friendly, and committed
to the course of growth that
Tauranga is on”.
“The new [TCC] council
has new people with business
and council experience,
who have the potential to be
a strong team taking the city
forward,” Stan said.
“Greg Brownless will bring
a sensible, pragmatic and prudent
style of leadership to the
council – which will not be too
different from what we had
under Stuart Crosby.
“The big challenges will
be around prioritising council
spending, and bringing further
reform and efficiencies to the
way council itself operates.
“The intention to review
some of the decisions made
by the previous council around
the Civic Heart project and
other elements in the revitalisation
of the Tauranga CBD
will be important indicators of
the direction this council will
take, and how interventionist
and visionary it plans to be.”
Stan described the absence
of the younger people on the
council as “one noticeable
casualty of the election”.
“It will be a challenge for
the new council not just to
be seen as a return to the old
guard, and to maintain the
confidence and perspective of
the younger generation of our
community.”
His views around development
of the city’s CBD were
echoed by Greg Simmonds,
Rotorua mayor
Stevie Chadwick.
We hope the new
elected members
on both councils
take advantage of
opportunities as they
arise to stimulate
economic growth in
partnership with the
business community.
interim chief executive of the
Tauranga-based economic
agency, Priority One.
Status quo from
Eastern Bay elections
Rotorua Chamber
of Commerce chief
executive Darrin Walsh.
Greg said hopes were high
for a long-term vision for the
city that extends further than
the three-year electoral cycle,
as well as for “strong, bold
leadership to fulfil Tauranga’s
potential”.
“This would include a continued
focus on revitalising the
city centre, and the creation of
city amenity projects such as a
museum and performing arts
centre. Cities that are thriving
throughout the world are those
that offer attractive environments
and rich cultural life.
“Arts, culture and quality
architecture in the city centre
are essential elements which
will significantly enhance our
ability to attract skills, talent
and businesses, as well as to
stimulate further private sector
investment.”
Greg said Tauranga and
the Western Bay was going
through a strong period of population
and economic growth,
and much of what was achieved
in terms of sustainable economic
development outcomes
Interim chief
executive Priority One,
Greg Simmonds.
Tauranga Chamber
of Commerce chief
executive Stan Gregec.
was based on the collaborative
relationship between Priority
One and Tauranga and Western
Bay councils.
“We hope the new elected
members on both councils take
advantage of opportunities as
they arise to stimulate economic
growth in partnership
with the business community.
“There is also room for the
local authorities to increase
collaboration and build partnerships
with the private sector,
particularly in terms of
the delivery of public amenity
projects and funding major
developments.”
He said the recently elected
mayor and councillors at
Tauranga City Council all had
previous local government
experience, and he was confident
that they understood the
“vital role” local authorities
play in supporting economic
development.
Meanwhile, there is an
expectation that a return to
the Rotorua mayoralty by
Steve Chadwick will represent
“business as usual” for
her second term.
Rotorua Chamber of
Commerce chief executive
Darrin Walsh said that the town
had experienced “significant
growth in its economy” during
Steve’s first term in office.
“Business confidence
has climbed to new heights,
and things are looking very
good for business owners in
Rotorua.
“Under Steve Chadwick’s
lead, the council adopted portfolio
leads and set some goals
in the 2030 plan.
“I would imagine a lot of
what has been achieved should
be set as business as usual for
her second term, however there
has been some change to the
make-up of council. We have
gone from 12 to 10 councillors
… how this will affect council
is yet to be determined.”
Darrin certain, however,
that business owners would be
confident of continued growth
as the town headed into its
busy summer tourist season.
Opotiki mayor
John Forbes.
Whakatane mayor
Tony Bonne.
Kawerau mayor
Malcolm Campbell.
By KATEE SHANKS
Local body elections
in the Eastern Bay of
Plenty have resulted in
little change within the three
electorates.
In Whakatane, incumbent
mayor, Tony Bonne made history
when he was re-elected
for a third term, finishing 330
votes ahead of Whakatane
Intermediate School principal,
Doug Mclean.
Whakatane voters have
never before returned a mayor
for a third term.
“Apart from two new councillors,
we don’t really have
much change,” Mr Bonne said.
“I believe we’ve got a good
team we will work well together.
I am also pleased to be able
to continue working alongside
Kawerau mayor Malcolm
Campbell [re-elected for a
sixth term] and Opotiki mayor
John Forbes [also re-elected
for a sixth term]”.
Mr Bonne said council’s
main business focus would be
on the marketing of the Piripai
Block. The block is on the
outskirts of Whakatane and is
being marketed as land for a
retirement/lifestyle village and
residential sections.
Kawerau would continue
to market itself as a desirable
location for manufacturing
business.
“We are in negotiations
with a Chinese company who
are looking to set up a manufacturing
plant,” Mr Campbell
said. “We are also finalising
the purchase of land for a rest
home and council still plans to
buy, renovate and sell, local
homes.”
Opotiki mayor John Forbes
said the continuity of mayor
and councillors was good for
the town.
“Most of the things delivering
awesome outcomes in
Opotiki have come from a
platform built a decade ago.
To do these takes a long time
and a lot of hard work.”
He said a lot of people
were unaware councils were
“moribund” in legislation and
regulation and it was actually
“bloody hard” to make change
– especially in a short time.
“We will continue to ensure
local businesses have the infrastructure
they need to grow.
“That’s our job. It’s not flash,
it’s not sexy – but it’s our job.”
Eastern Bay Chamber of
Commerce chief executive
officer, Gerard Casey said the
status quo could be seen as
both a good and a bad thing.
“Quite honestly I’m not
sure businesses have the view
that their success or growth
is dependent on council,” Mr
Casey said.
“We need our councils
focused on business growth
and on understanding the competitive
advantages, strengths
and weaknesses of our region.”
Mr Casey said councils had
to set the best platform for
growth within the Eastern Bay.
“Businesspeople, and just
about everyone else, want the
place where they live, work
and play, to be the best possible.
They want a city or a town
with a future, and for councils
to state what it looks like and
how they are going to make it
happen.”
“It needs to be easy to do
business with our council.
Regulations, compliance and
consenting must be development-friendly.
We want our
council to build a culture that
is quick to facilitate action and
not put up barriers.
“In particular, we want our
three councils to work with
the Chamber of Commerce
and other business organisations
to tell the story of
our region, build our local
brand, and develop a marketing-based
strategy. Doing
this will show the council
is onside with business and
employment.”
He said the chamber and
others already had resources
and experience in place to
enable business growth and
employment.