Waikato Business News January/February 2017

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4 WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS January/February 2017 MONTHLY POLL vote and win Sponsored by the Helm Bar and Kitchen This month’s poll With Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20 we thought it was an opportunity to sample WBN readers’ views on the man. Is he as bad as many people suggest? We want to know what sort of president you think he will be? Vote on the WBN website (www.wbn.co.nz) and fill in the entry form to be in to win a meal voucher for two at The Helm Bar & Kitchen. Voting closes Tuesday February 21. Last month’s results Who will you likely be voting for at the next general election? Waikato Business News readers are still right in behind the National Government, according to our poll in the December/ January edition. In the wake of John Key stepping aside we asked readers if this might change their political preferences in election year. Sixty-six percent still support National, 15 percent Labour and The Greens and 19 percent support other options. 15% 19% 19% 15% 66% 66% National Labour and Greens WINNER OF THE HELM DINNER VOUCHER IS: Steve Joynes Other What sort of president will Donald Trump make? A. Disastrous B. He will muddle his way through C. Terrific. He is just what the US needs Cast your vote at: www.wbn.co.nz From the editor Happy New Year to all Waikato Business News readers. We wish you a successful 2017. As with many parts of New Zealand, construction – both residential and commercial - is booming around Hamilton. Measures being taken by Hamilton City Council and the Government to increase the availability of residential sections for development are going to exacerbate this trend. In line with the Hamilton Housing Accord signed with the Government the week before Christmas, the council has set residential consent targets of 1300 this year, 1400 in 2018 and 1500 in 2019. In 2016 the council granted more than 1200 consents – and this was a massive year. Housing affordability is a big issue and it is hoped that increasing supply of sections will ease prices. But the impact on the construction industry also needs serious consideration. This is an industry already under the pump as anyone who’s tried to hire a builder or sub-contractor in recent months will testify to. They are incredibly busy but are about to get busier still. Some thought – possibly at a national level - needs to go into making sure the building industry is resourced adequately to ensure that quality remains consistent. We’ve been burnt before. The leaky homes tragedy was a stark reminder of what can happen if safeguards are not in place. And it’s not likely the building boom will disappear in a hurry. As national and local government go all out to increase housing supply, builders will be flat out for years ahead. On another note I would like to welcome experienced business journalist Andrea Fox to the Waikato Business News stable of writers. Andrea is an author and a former Waikato Times business editor and Fairfax Business Bureau journalist. I’m sure Andrea’s expertise each month will add to readers’ enjoyment of WBN. Geoff Taylor Editor Waikato Branch – Upcoming events/courses At the Institute of Directors we’re on the pulse of governance. Connecting, equipping and inspiring directors through thought leadership and our extensive network, professional governance courses, events and resources. 8 February CPD: 2 points AGM Lunch function with guest speaker Ross Buckley, KPMG Future business trends and role of directors 12.00pm - 2.00pm, FMG Stadium Waikato 1 March CPD: 2 points Lunch function with guest speaker Ngaire Best, Treasury Crown Board Appointments - the Ins and Outs 12.00pm - 2.00pm, FMG Stadium Waikato To register, please contact: Megan Beveridge, Branch Manager Waikato.branch@iod.org.nz, 021 358772 or www.iod.org.nz Waikato branch is kindly sponsored by:
WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS January/February 2017 5 Upskill Your IT Team at Wintec How long has it been since your IT staff completed their degree? Are they up-to-date with the latest skills and knowledge to make your business a success? Upskill your IT staff with new postgraduate applied IT programmes at Wintec. These programmes have been developed in consultation with industry experts to meet your business needs. This is applied learning at its best; a project-based approach based on real business needs. Find out more at wintec.ac.nz/postgraduate create your world www.wintec.ac.nz
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Waikato Business News January/February 2017

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