April/May 2020 - BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS

April/May 2020 BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS 7
Young professionals bring fresh
governance perspective
The traditional image of the boardroom
table being surrounded by people in middleage
and older, is increasingly becoming
outdated. The modern boardroom is about
bringing diversity to the fore – not just in
terms of age and ethnicity, but in diversity of
thought, says Priority One.
By DAVID PORTER
Diversity is seen as bringing
positive, lasting results
to organisations.
Boards all over the world
are taking notice of younger
voices that bring new perspectives
and fresh experiences.
Locally, Priority One, is leading
the way with the appointment
of two Young Professional
Board Members who
have been co-opted onto the
governance board.
Jack Christianson from
Zespri and Kelly Williams
from Cucumber have joined
the Priority One board. Chair
Brett Hewlett said bringing in
Young Professional Members
reflects the broader company
culture, which values mixing
young professionals with generations
of local knowledge
and experience.
“There are positive and
lasting results in organisations
governed by diverse boards,”
he said.
“While years of experience
often translates to effective
board service, so too can the
ground-level perspective that
young professionals bring.”
Crafting the future
Priority One was helping to
craft the future of Tauranga
and the Bay of Plenty, said
Hewlett.
“It’s important for us to ensure
we have diversity of voice
at the boardroom level, and
across the business, to keep
driving us forward.”
Young professionals
brought a different perspective
to the board table, often offering
new ideas, a deeper understanding
of emerging technologies,
cultural trends and the
increasingly important role of
social networks, he said.
“For Priority One in particular
we want to know what
attracts young people to Tauranga
and how to retain those
we already have… we need
to maximise the opportunities
available to young people so
they want to stay and grow
their careers here, or start their
own businesses here.”
Bryan Graham, chair of
the Institute of Director’s Bay
of Plenty Branch, said the IoD
was pleased to see Priority
One initiate the programme. .
“Diversity of thought
is crucial around the board
table,” he said.
“The IoD, which has the
Future Directors and Mentoring
for Diversity programmes,
supports initiatives like this
which help develop director
talent.”
First-hand experience
Zespri’s Christianson credited
the company’s chief global
Kelly Williams, Jack Christianson and Brett Hewlett. Photo/Priority One
While years of experience often translates
to effective board service, so too can
the ground-level perspective that young
professionals bring.” – Brett Hewlett
supply officer Blair Hamil
for nominating him for the
position.
“This opportunity provides
first-hand experience of what
is required to shape the strategic
direction of an organisation,”
he said.
“I’ll be learning from existing
board members; it’s
a unique opportunity to get
involved in the development
of our region and to interact
with the wider Western Bay of
Plenty business community.
Kelly Williams, a junior
software developer at digital
services company Cucumber,
said she took a broad interest
in the economic growth of the
wider region, with a particular
interest in the hort-tech
industry.
“I moved to Tauranga
two years ago and have been
amazed at the quality of our
local tech industry,” said
Williams.
“With the passion of our
local industry and the amount
of growth we’re experiencing,
Tauranga has the potential to
be New Zealand’s innovation
hub.
“I’m looking forward to
being able to use the experience
and knowledge I gain
through working with the Priority
One board to enable me
to give back to and support the
community in a meaningful
and thoughtful way.”
Christianson and Williams
will hold their Young Professional
Memberships on the
Board until the end of 2020.
Tauranga Airport
wins Canstar Blue
top award
As it faces challenging trading conditions in the wake of the virusinduced
downturn in business, Tauranga Airport has had some
good news. It recently topped the Canstar Blue 2020 Most Satisfied
Customers Award for domestic airports.
By DAVID PORTER
The airport – which recently
completed a
major rebuild and refurbishment
– received a five-star
rating for overall satisfaction,
waiting areas and communication,
as well as four stars for
facilities, parking and ease of
check-in.
Tauranga outscored all
other domestic airports including
major terminals such
as Auckland, Christchurch,
Queenstown, Dunedin and
Wellington.
Well-received news
Tauranga Airport chief executive
Ray Dumble said winning
the Customer Satisfaction
Award was the best praise the
airport could get, and would be
well-received by all staff and
contractors involved in the recent
upgrade.
‘We take great pride in putting
our customers first, and to
win this award during a year
of major construction is testament
to the effort our staff put
into minimising disruption to
travellers.’
The original terminal was
constructed in 1967, and although
it had served the region
well, passenger volume
has been increasing and the
upgrade was needed to future
proof the airport.
The $12.7 million redevelopment
was completed last
year and doubled the floor
area of the terminal, making
room for a larger lounge, new
check-in area and café space.
The improvements also
created a shorter walk from the
terminal for boarding.
‘Our focus was to create a
Tauranga Airport during its recent rebuild. Photo/Supplied
space that both customers and
staff enjoyed, and this award is
proof we have achieved that’
explained Ray.
Although the terminal upgrade
is complete, a proposal
has been approved to expand
the car rental depot and the
number of car parks to meet
demand.
Although the airport is
owned by Tauranga City
Council, it is self-funded with
no ratepayer assistance.