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CHAMBERS OF<br />
COMMERCE<br />
The road to recovery starts here<br />
COVID-19 HAS<br />
PROVED A SHOCK<br />
to the system for<br />
many businesses and<br />
adapting to the ‘new<br />
norm’ may seem a<br />
daunting task. That’s<br />
why it’s important to reach out for<br />
support and networking.<br />
Your local Chambers are here to help<br />
you rebuild and build, to help your<br />
business become stronger, more<br />
resilient and with a long-term plan to<br />
navigate the current climate.<br />
It’s not about going back to the way it<br />
was, but working with the way it is – for<br />
the better.<br />
Rotorua Business Chamber CEO Bryce<br />
Heard says the positive of COVID-19 is<br />
that it has swept away our beliefs and<br />
habits, and “forced us to think and act<br />
differently”.<br />
He added: “While its impacts are<br />
extremely stressing, there may be<br />
some lessons we can take from the<br />
experience. Is there a chance to ‘build<br />
back better’? How about a bold new<br />
plan to match the bold Government<br />
borrowing and set us up for the next<br />
50 years?<br />
“From capitalising on our nation’s<br />
clean, green image and natural<br />
assets, through to crop diversification,<br />
land use, reinventing tourism and<br />
infrastructure… the list is endless, but<br />
now is the time to make it happen<br />
and show the world how we can turn<br />
adversity into improvements.”<br />
Eastern Bay Chamber General Manager<br />
Lucy Devany says seeing businesses<br />
pivot to survive and thrive has been<br />
“awesome”, and the positive attitudes<br />
and resilience shown has been<br />
reassuring for the region’s long-term<br />
growth.<br />
“The importance of business support<br />
in our rohe has been paramount to<br />
businesses getting back on their feet<br />
after a double blow to the economy,<br />
following the Whakaari/White Island<br />
eruption and COVID-19. The response<br />
from our business community to<br />
the support offered has been<br />
overwhelmingly positive.”<br />
In Western Bay of Plenty, Tauranga<br />
Chamber of Commerce CEO Matt<br />
Cowley comments that COVID-19 has<br />
seen local businesses and organisations<br />
rally together more so than ever, and<br />
believes one positive of this challenging<br />
time has been the opportunity to unify<br />
the business community.<br />
“There has been an increased want and<br />
need to come together to work towards<br />
a common goal of a regional recovery.<br />
We have been working with our<br />
members, the wider business community<br />
and supporting organisations, such as<br />
TAURANGA – SEEING AN<br />
INCREASED NEED TO PULL<br />
TOGETHER.<br />
28 | YEAR BOOK <strong>2020</strong>
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