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Rotorua Museum Centennial Project Update
Stage II of the Rotorua Museum Centennial Project, the North Wing extension, is now well underway. The second stage officially began with a ground breaking ceremony on Wednesday, 31 October. Mayor Kevin Winters, Centennial Trust Chairman, Lyall Thurston, Rotorua Trust Chairman, Grahame Hall and Chairman of the Rotorua Museum Pukenga Koeke, Rangipuawhe Maika, were on hand to turn the first sod.
 Stage II will see the construction of the new Rotorua Trust Gallery, a high quality 187m˛ exhibition space adjacent to the existing 220m˛ North Wing Gallery, which will extend into the northern car park of the Museum.
To date the work has involved mainly earthworks and exploratory work. The exploratory work is to investigate the possibility of removing the façade of the north facing gables. If feasible, the façade will be removed in one piece and re-used on the new wing.
The North Wing extension includes a major upgrade of the air conditioning system for the North Wing galleries. Additional display space and improved air conditioning will provide the museum with the opportunity and flexibility to secure higher quality and larger touring exhibitions.
Fundraising for the project is proceeding well. To date over $12million of the $19.45 million required has been raised. Over 20 business supporters have signed up through the assistance of the Chamber of Commerce, moving the Centennial Trust closer to securing the necessary funding required before the major funding applications are made. The most recent business supporters to join the project are Graham Barry Builders, Iles Casey, Mitai Maori Village, Nairn Fisher, Pig and Whistle and Wild Rice Thai Cuisine.
Also new to the programme is TV Rotorua who have also joined the Daily Post and More FM as corporate level media partners. The Museum now has a wide range of media to keep the community informed about the Centennial Project. It will also enable the Museum to effectively promote the Centenary Celebrations of the Bath House Building which will begin early next year.
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Retail Confidence Shown In Rotorua
 Rotorua is charging ahead. With the tourism sector and the Rotorua District Council investing heavily in infrastructure there is strong evidence of a growing confidence in the future. This confidence is very evident in the food and beverage sector with a noticeable increase in the number of new restaurants.
These new restaurants include: Nandos Rotorua (1135 Tutanekai Street), Urbano Bistro (298 Fenton Street), NB’s Restaurant (corner of Tutanekai and Pukuatua Streets), GelatAmore (entrance on Pukuatua Street next to NB’s), Brass (corner of Tutanekai and Pukaki Streets) and The Shed (Amohau Street entrance to Rotorua Central Mall). Between them, these restaurants have invested over $3.5 million in the town. “This was an opportunity not to be missed” says Anna Kirk, Marketing/Advertising for The Shed Bar which will open in December 2007.
 Location, Location, Location is a key when choosing the site for any new business, but probably more so when opening a new restaurant or bar. As New Zealand's oldest and principal tourist resort, Rotorua is renowned for its culture of hospitality. This has been a major factor in the strategic planning of each of the above operators. A common factor in their decision to invest in the particular sites was the increased vehicle traffic movements per day, strong foot traffic in the CBD and the surrounding areas, the number of hotels and motels, the accessibility of parking, all combined with the unique selling point of their particular restaurant.
 Rotorua is one of the few places where you can enjoy a fast growing city lifestyle and the increasing interest in tourism. With the impending trans-Tasman international capability of the airport and the success of the Energy Events Centre, visitor numbers to our city will grow the demand for both daytime and evening food and beverage. NB’s Restaurant and GelatAmore owners, Nathan Flaws and Nick Kolsen, jumped at the chance to invest in Rotorua. “We look forward to working towards becoming a franchise and a well recognised brand in organic dinning” says Nathan. Research undertaken as part of the project feasibility indicated a strong demand for organic food and highlighted the point of difference for their investment.
 Co-owner of Nandos Rotorua, Rajmesh Kumar, saw a gap in the market and took the opportunity to invest. “People are well travelled and have experienced great restaurants” he says. “Rotorua as a whole is going through a rapid growth transition. This has had a positive affect on the confidence of investors in the town. Rotorua tourism and hospitality are meeting these changes and providing good opportunities for retail in the town.” Rajmesh is confident in his investment in Rotorua and intends to use it as a springboard to expand throughout NZ. His next step will be to develop in Taupo where he has already invested in the Nandos franchise.
Business investors in The Shed, Rotorua saw an opportunity for Rotorua to have a fun style bar that serves great food and drinks. Situated in an area with one of the largest pedestrian counts in the city, they realised there was a market niche they could fill. So confident are they in their investment that they already plan to take their concept nationwide.
Over 20 years of hospitality has provided Urbano Ltd investors with the knowledge and skills to meet the rapid growth and change in Rotorua. A visionary investment eight years ago in the building in the heart of the motel 'golden mile' in Fenton Street is now returning dividends. They feel good about the direction the town is heading with the tourism industry on the threshold of a new era.
This new investment in Rotorua is going to consolidate the city's position as New Zealand's premier tourist destination.
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Building Your Business Capability Through Professional Development
by John Snook
So the labour market is a bit tight! What are you doing about it? Rotorua offers a variety of both challenges and advantages in recruitment and retention of skilled and able staff. Mostly these advantages are not about the size of the salary package. As a region underperforming economically, we do need to find out and maximise the advantages which we have.
Helping shift the “Once Were Warriors” negative stereotype that exists in other urban centres of New Zealand will be important. Rotorua offers excellent “quality of life” factors, but I am not here today to talk about either of these points. I would like to discuss “Professional development” which is another important factor that can (a) attract people to an organisation in the first place and, probably more importantly (b) retain them for longer once they have been recruited.
Not only does it help to retain staff but it can (and needs to) add important dollars to your bottom line, by way of increased productivity. New Zealand is already at the top in the OECD in terms of hours worked and work force participation, so it is all but impossible to achieve meaningful productivity gains via these means. The options for a business like the ones we run are either further investment into (1) capital infrastructure i.e. automation, or (2) your workforce so they are capable of doing more, or (3) a combination of the two.
Waiariki Institute of Technology is the local vocational education provider for the region and we are committed to lifting the economic and social development of the region. Our strategy is to support this community to become more educated and capable. Whether this is helping someone at one end of the spectrum be at work on time and able to read and write, through to high end IT projects and business management.
There are good social and economic impacts in doing this well anywhere across this continuum. Your business will have a unique set of education and training needs, constraints and opportunities. What is important is that you are actively considering your options.
Waiariki is an educational provider for and a gold sponsor of the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce. In 2008 we are going to be offering a large variety of part-time courses. UpSkill is a publication that will come out in early February that will describe every course we offer (and there are more than ever).
It will detail the cost, time, place and dates of all classes (which are mostly not compulsory, but will bring the course material to life ).
Did you know that every Chamber member can enrol one staff member on a New Zealand Diploma in Business or Bachelor of Tourism Management or Bachelor of Computing Systems free of tuition fees? The approximate value of any one paper is $400-$500 so this is a great way to kick start your professional development plans in 2008.
There are student association fees and levies that apply of around $50. These one semester papers can be studied part-time in class or through distance learning. One paper per member is offered each year. Let's work together to lift the performance of your teams and that of this region.
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THE DISTRICT PLAN REVIEW
IDENTIFYING THE ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE CONSIDERED
 The community of Rotorua has a wonderful opportunity to let our Local Authority, the Rotorua District Council, know what it would like to happen in this great city of Rotorua. It is time for a review of the District Plan. Every household has already received a copy of the request for feedback brochure. The Chamber of Commerce is encouraging everyone to respond to Council with their views.
It is equally important that the business community provides Council with feedback on the issues that should be considered to ensure a thriving environment in which to grow business.
It is important to understand the difference between the LTCCP (The Long-Term Community Consultation Plan), the Annual Plan and the District Plan. Put in very simple terms:
- the Annual Plan is the Council's budget: how it will raise money to pay for the services its provides
- the LTCCP is a record of the community's expectation of Council and the progressive benchmarks against which it should be monitored
- the District Plan contains the rules and regulations on land use and development. For example: Is a piece of land for residential or commercial use? What vehicle access and parking are required?
The Chamber has started consultation with its members to identify the issues that the business community would like Council to address. At this point we are not looking for possible solutions; that will come at a later stage in the process.
The Chamber would be very interested to receive an opinion from any organisation or individual on what they consider are the issues.
To start the thinking process, our feedback has already identified some issues that members consider should be addressed:
- Pavement use by restaurants and bars in the CBD
- A pedestrian friendly Tutanekai Street - a shopping precinct.
- Average and minimum plot size for sub-divisions
- Apartment living in the CBD
- Different development requirements for different uses in the CBD
- Appropriate land allocation for business and commercial development
- Alternative land use opportunities for areas fringing the lakes
- The extent of built heritage protection
- Requirements to achieve the CBD revitalization plan
- Parking requirements in the CBD.
- Permissible signage for business operations
- Implications of the controls on particle emissions to the air
- Implications of the airport development
- Future growth of residential Rotorua
The Chamber has an opinion on many of these issues, gained from feedback from members. But this is not yet the time to make submissions to the District Planning process on solutions.
The Chamber of Commerce would be pleased to receive your opinion on issues that you think are important, particularly to business. Contact details for the Chamber are on Page 7.
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Proposed Upper Kaituna Hydro Scheme - the energy we need to grow
 The future of the Bay of Plenty Energy's (BoPE) Kaituna project may be decided in the next few weeks so it's time for you to tell decision makers to support the project. The Kaituna project is about generating renewable, local energy to power local growth.
The scheme will deliver enough electricity to supply up to 10,000 homes or over 2,000 small businesses. That's sustainable, locally-generated electricity. The hydro project requires a concession from the Department of Conservation (DoC) to inundate a small part of the Upper Kaituna Scenic Reserve.
 The Director-General of DoC in Wellington is now considering whether to grant the concession without which the scheme will not go forward to the resource consenting process. A decision may be just days away and could halt the project which is key to the growth of the region. It offers local iwi opportunities to develop their land. For the Rotorua region to find the energy it needs to grow, all of us need to act now to signal local support for the project. Your message will make a difference.
If you wish to see this project proceed please
e-mail the following Ministers/MPs and tell them that this renewable energy project is important to the Rotorua region and New Zealand's commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emissions as required under the Kyoto Protocol.
Steve Chadwick steve.chadwick@parliament.govt.nz
Pete Hodgson pete.hodgson@parliament.govt.nz
Trevor Mallard tmallard@ministers.govt.nz
David Parker dparker@ministers.govt.nz
Moana Mackey moana.mackey@labour.org.nz
How the Kaituna Hydro station would work
To assist in maintaining a stable and renewable electricity supply to the region, BoPE is proposing to build a small hydro scheme on the Kaituna River downstream of the Okere Falls and below the Trout Pools (Pararaurekau).
There will be no impact on the highly popular recreational areas of Okere Falls and the Trout Pools. The scheme will generate 13.5 MW of electricity about 15% of Rotorua’s demand.
The support and long-term commercial partnerships between BoPE and two iwi landowners - Taheke 8C and Ruahine Kuharua Incorporation - has made this scheme possible. Taheke 8C and Ruahine Kuharua Incorporation own and manage farmland on the eastern side of the Kaituna River which provides access and land for the scheme's canal, power station and transmission line.
The scheme will consist of a low profile weir designed to divert a proportion of the river into a 2Km canal crossing land owned by the Taheke 8C Incorporation. The water will pass through a power house below the end of the canal and then return to the river. The scheme will form a narrow lake 1Km above the weir, and a residual flow will be left in the river below the 2Km section of river between the weir and the power house.
Although the original design was carried out in the early 1990s the recent drive to increase New Zealand's renewable energy supply, plus increasing energy prices and concerns regarding electricity supplies to the Rotorua Region have encouraged BoPE to progress the project.
Project planning steps
Most of the detailed design work and preparation of reports that will be required for the resource consenting process are at an advance stage. This work includes reports on water quality, the impact on the ecology of the river and surrounding area, landscaping, the impact on the region’s recreational opportunities, the impact of traffic, cultural issues, social effects, the economic impact on the region, noise, and transmission line options.
One of the most important aspects of the scheme for the consenting process will be the residual flow options and effects. Reports on these options will form part of the consent applications.
There has been consultation with interested parties including local iwi and business groups. This process has been assisted by our two landowning partners.
BoPE has applied to the Department of Conservation for a concession to use approximately 0.7 hectares of the 54 hectare Upper Kaituna Scenic Reserve to site the left footprint of the weir and to inundate a narrow strip of the Reserve. On 28 November 2006, the Department of Conservation approved in principle BoPE's concession application. A final decision is still awaited.
Following the concession decision process, BoPE will apply for resource consents from Environment Bay of Plenty and Rotorua District Council. This process will involve ongoing consultation with interested parties.
Who is Bay of Plenty Energy (previously Bay of Plenty Electricity)
Bay of Plenty Energy (BoPE) is an experienced, long-term supplier of energy to the Bay of Plenty Region. The company generates electricity from a mixture of hydro, geothermal and natural gas co-generation. The company also supplies natural gas to its customers. Based in Whakatane BoPE is community focused and 100% New Zealand owned by Todd Energy Ltd. It also has the experience of owning and operating the award-winning Aniwhenua hydro scheme on the Rangitaiki River.
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New Head Of Partnership For Westpac Business Excellence Awards
Westpac's new head of business banking is looking forward to delving behind the glitter and glitz of the business excellence awards nights, and finding out what makes great Kiwi companies tick.
 While Ian Blair is relishing the chance to join his staff at the 12 events his company sponsors around the country, he's also keen to find out more details about their winning ways and best practices.
“It strikes me as a newcomer that we have a tremendous strength in being able to tap into and harness such excellence right across the country, from Northland to Otago. The awards really do showcase the best in business in this country.
“And as much as I like a good party and wholeheartedly celebrate success whenever I can, I'm also really keen to get to know and understand these businesses in much more depth through this awards programme.”
New to the bank in October this year, Ian has more than 20 years' experience in banking. He comes to Westpac New Zealand after heading up the bank's Australian commercial banking, property finance group, and Asian business banking, where he was responsible for 700 people.
“We have a great legacy both in business banking and in celebrating business success. Westpac was there when gold miners were rattling their pans in Otago in the 1860s, and has been helping New Zealand commerce grow ever since. And for more than 10 years we've been sponsoring business excellence awards throughout New Zealand.
“We're continuing to build on that legacy and I am really looking forward to repeating last year's TurboClass in March next year.”
The TurboClass is a programme for the winners of the supreme award of each region Westpac is involved with, and involves them spending a day in workshops with New Zealand's best business brains.
It's a unique opportunity for the supreme winners to network together and hone their business even further.
Presenters last year included Saatchi and Saatchi CEO Andrew Stone, Vodafone
CEO Russell Stanners, Navman founder
Peter Maire, and Minister for Economic Development, David Cunliffe.
Workshops covered such varied topics as branding, financial management, leadership and sustainability.
Speakers for this year's event are still to be finalised but the calibre will be “top notch”, says Mr Blair.
Some of the businesses which attended last year include Kathmandu, Comvita, Rainbow Springs, Life Unlimited, Direct Fuels, PORSE and Laser Group.
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Our 100th Birthday Party
 What an occasion to celebrate! Since its incorporation on 31 March 1908, the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce has been supporting business and economic growth in Rotorua.
Throughout these 100 years, there have been numerous changes from the small settlement of the early 1900s to the government administered town in the first part of the century to Rotorua now being the premier tourist destination in New Zealand. Along this transformation there have been challenges to be met and strong debate on many important issues. The team at the Chamber headed by Vice-President Michelle Pleydell has had a wonderful time going through the old minutes and records of the Chamber, files at the Museum, and old media issues, to source a history of business in the city. We are hoping to publish this by the date of our birthday
  The Centennial Ball:
Saturday, 29 March 2008
The venue for the Ball will be the Historic Blue Baths, most appropriate as it is one of Rotorua's most iconic historic buildings
We are requesting all guests to enter into the spirit of the theme of the ball by wearing costume dress from the 1910 to 1950s era. They can then feel very authentic as they, Jitterbug and Charleston to the fabulous music of the Roger Fox Band.
The tickets for the event have been capped at 300. The tables will seat ten guests each. The price of tickets has been subsidised by the Chamber of Commerce to keep the cost to the level of $100 (plus GST) in keeping with the 100 years of the Chamber. Strong demand is anticipated from individuals and companies, particularly those that have had an association with the organisation over its long history. The ticket price includes cocktails, a three course banquet meal and wine on the tables, and of course dancing to one of New Zealand's finest dance bands.
Tickets may be reserved now although they will not be invoiced until closer to the event. It is strongly recommended that members reserve their tickets as soon as possible. Reservations will be restricted to Chamber members and organisations until 31 December after which they will go on general sale.
Tickets may be reserved by going to the Chamber's website www.rotoruachamber.co.nz and then to the page “Centennial”.
There is an electronic order form to complete (click here)
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Nanjing - Rotorua business relationship gains traction
A recent visit to Rotorua by Chinese property developers, Nanjing Moon Building Group, saw the relationship between the Nanjing, China, and Rotorua, New Zealand townships take another step forward. A tripartite agreement was signed between the Rotorua District Council, Nanjing Moon Building Group and New Zealand China Direct (subsidiary of EROS Capital), outlining how the three groups would work together on a range of proposed commercial ventures in Nanjing Rotorua Town.
An official signing ceremony, hosted by the Rotorua District Council, was attended by Rotorua Mayor, Kevin Winters, Mr Shunxiang Li President of Nanjing Moon Building Group and Mr Phil Verry, Executive Chairman of EROS Capital.
Through NZ China Direct Ltd, Nanjing Moon Building Group are actively working with several private New Zealand business partners on a number of commercial ventures proposed for establishment in Nanjing Rotorua Town. At least two of these initiatives which involve Rotorua based organisations are still at feasibility stage, but plans for the first stage of a New Zealand Store are well advanced, with the store scheduled to open around April 2008. Mark Rawson, General Manager of EROS Capital says. “It is great to see the relationship between the Nanjing Rotorua towns gaining momentum, with meaningful commercial arrangements being progressed. As our business linkages strengthen and demand builds, there will be further opportunities for New Zealand businesses to get involved in both the Nanjing Rotorua town development, and a series of other opportunities that are developing as a result of this initial platform”.
The New Zealand Store, to be located in a high exposure street frontage site at the entrance to the impressive Nanjing Rotorua Town development, will initially stock New Zealand merino garments, wine, sheepskins, health products and cosmetics. As the market develops, further New Zealand made products will be introduced.
Phil Verry, Executive Chairman of EROS and NZ China Direct Ltd, says “This is a great opportunity for suitable New Zealand businesses to gain access to the fast growing China market.” He also said that “due to the unique structure of the business model, this opportunity presents a relatively low risk and inexpensive market entry option for New Zealand suppliers, because NZ China Direct Ltd has contractually secure relationships, influence over the marketing process and a well developed knowledge of the regulatory requirements for products entering the China market.”
Mr Verry said “the development of the relationship to this point has given NZ China Direct the confidence to invest in the employment of Mr Qingning Li, as the NZ China Direct, China Business Manager based in the Rotorua offices.” He said “Qingning has a New Zealand MBA and two Chinese postgraduate and bachelor level qualifications, and experience in international marketing, import and export, people and relationship management and an extensive understanding of both the English and Chinese languages.” He said “Qingning's extensive background has enabled him to acquire a good knowledge of the cultures, business protocols and operational systems and procedures required to facilitate the transaction of business successfully in both countries and provides an impressive addition to the NZ China Direct Ltd team.”
Mr Verry added: Qingning's appointment had also given the company the confidence to extend its range of services to include a dedicated business to business translation and facilitation service and a Chinese component sourcing business with a focus on the sourcing of components from China for New Zealand based manufacturing firms. These two new aspects of NZ China Direct business will be further developed in the new year.
Qingning Li said “NZ China Direct has extensive networks in China, which have enabled the company to gain important insights into the workings of the Chinese business culture and also provided the opportunity to develop a number of relevant business and government networks particularly within the Shanghai and Jiangsu Provinces of China.” He said “this knowledge and relationships will provide the basis for the growth of the company's activities in the future.”
The Nanjing Rotorua Town development is an elegant new 2000-lot subdivision under construction in the Jiangning District of Nanjing City. It has been designed to leverage off the unique brand of Rotorua New Zealand and will feature a Rotorua / New Zealand themed retail centre. Demand for properties in the Rotorua Town development has exceeded all expectations in the booming Chinese property market, with 10 buyers registering interest against each property coming available. Prices have also been well above anticipated levels. The Rotorua Town development stands apart in the region, offering low-rise condominium living, extensive park-like landscaping and aspects of Kiwi living, such as Friday night happy hour and barbeque in the Community Chamber.
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Rotorua Retail Promotions - A great couple of months
 Blue and Gold Day/Seek and Find
Creating awareness in Rotorua for the BOP v Wellington Rugby Game at the International Stadium for 28 September 2007 became a fun project for all involved. City Focus was alive with more than 50 children with their families, guided by the creative teachings of Roz and her team from Craftwarehouse. With their generous support the gathering created the cutest cardboard Rugby Players that were then distributed amongst different stores throughout the City to celebrate the up- coming game. Not a drop of paint was spilt in City Focus much to Dennis Oliver's delight!! The Classic Hits Cheer Leaders participated with their great dancing and helped the children with their Ruby creations. The Northland under 14s made a special appearance and did the most incredible haka. The Daily Post ran a huge colour photo of the event on the Monday's paper inside front page. Lakeland Queen Cruises gifted all the participating children family passes for a morning tea cruise the following Sunday. A fantastic investment from the Lakeland Queen that really made a difference to the overall promotion for the Blue and Gold Day plus the Seek and Find Activites. After the Lakeland Queen Cruise, which also provided everyone a lovely morning tea and a gift, the families stormed the CBD to find the Blue and Gold Rugby players that were hidden in the store windows. All successful participants received free passes to the Climbing Wall in Hinemoa Street another generous gift of support and a great fun family activity.
The Wiggley Experience
The Late Night Shopping/Dinner shuttle three month trial has now been replaced with a 12 month Free Shuttle that will be funded entirely by 22 business owners in Rotorua. The Wiggley will be a unique asset to the Rotorua CBD. The White Mistubishi Rosa 22 Seater will have a look and feel like no other Shuttle in the City. The route of this free service is in the opposite direction to City Ride Service. The Wiggley Experience can stop and drop off passengers on route where-ever they like, as long as it’s safe to do. Passenger can wave down the Wiggley to stop and pick them up to!
On Friday and Saturday evenings from 6pm to 9pm The Wiggley Experience will do a loop of the CBD and Fenton Street. Accommodation providers along Fenton Street will be able to contact the driver during the service times to have guests picked up from their motel or hotel and taken into the CBD either for some late shopping or to enjoy a meal at one of our fine restaurants. Visitors and locals alike will be able to use the Wiggley while in the CBD to safely commute during these times just by waving the Wiggley to pick them up. On Saturdays from 10am to 4pm, the Wiggley Experience will be providing a free shopper's shuttle around a CBD only route. Just park your car and use the Wiggley to commute around the CBD. It will give visitors and locals more time to shop and less time getting between the shopping areas by foot!
The following business are acknowledged for their vision for Rotorua and for investing in the Wiggley Experience: Arawa Fine Wines, Bossi's Hair and Beauty, Central Mall, Curves Gym, Indian Star, Mac's Steakhouse, Nando's Restaurant, O’Malleys Irish Bar, Harcourt's Real Estate, Serious Fun, Shop 1241, and Triple One Five Restaurant. At the time this article was written there were still 10 places left aboard the Wiggley for advertising. You may contact Cath Weston on 07 345 7775 or 0274578777 if you would like to feature your business, and support and participate in the growth of Rotorua.
DUTY RESTAURANT MONTH TRIAL
In a response to some of the recent negative publicity regarding restaurants not being open late in the evenings, a number of restaurants have committed to the Duty Restaurant Roster. One or two restaurants per day are willing to open their kitchen till 10:30pm on a rostered basis so every night there was a restaurant that is available for those that wish to eat later in the evening. Cath Weston, the retail promotions coordinator who has coordinated this project, is happy to report that to date there are 19 restaurants involved all of whom have agreed to participate through to the end of January. A full report on results will be available in the New Year.
All restaurants have received the following publicity as a result of having their kitchen open until 10:30pm two nights a month.
- More FM Radio Works have announced the duty restaurants on air every evening. The full calendar is also featured on their website.
- The Lakesider have produced and designed the full page calendar in their magazine each month promoting a culture of later evening dining.
- The Thermal Air have included a quarter page advertisement every week that promotes the duty roster.
- Destination Rotorua Tourism Marketing has emailed a file copy of the calendar every month to their extensive data base.
Thank you all for helping this concept work and work well. Your support is invaluable and Shop Rotorua looks forward to working with you all again in 2008.
MAORI SPORTS AWARDS
A very short window of opportunity became a great way to profile the Chamber of Commerce, Retail Rotorua and The Rotorua Mud Festival 2008. A welcome letter plus the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce Free Map and Guide was featured as an addition inside the programme. On Saturday 24 November for the Awards Presentation Ceremony an estimated 70 per cent of the 1200 attendees were visitors to Rotorua.
2007 SANTA PARADE
Organised by the Radio Network, the Santa Parade was another successful event drawing a huge crowd and almost 40 floats. Mayor Kevin Winters, Rotorua retail promotions coordinator Cath Weston and the Youth Centre were judges for the day. The overall winner was a popular choice. Gilmours took out the major prize with their impressive white Christmas theme. The decorating of the float was a real family affair with all of their staff and families involved. After their win, the Gilmour's team parked at the Rotorua hospital to entertain the children and staff. Well done Gilmours.
UNIVERSITY GAMES FUTURE PROMOTION
On 28 December there was the media launch for the exciting upcoming event Uni Games 2008. This will be a major event bringing over 2500 athletes and their supporters to Rotorua for four days in April 2008. Their Mission Statement is “To create opportunities and develop the environment for University students to participate in sport and physical recreation at all levels”. There will be 32 different sports featured at this event creating an amazing opportunity for retail operators in Rotorua to increase trade over the period. Retail promotions coordinator Cath Weston encourages retailers to start planning now and is willing to discuss ideas and promotional activities for the period.
CHRISTMAS IN DECEMBER IS AT CITY FOCUS!
Every Friday and Saturday including 23 and 24 December promotions promise to be the order of the day at City Focus. Keep a look-out for the Rotorua Marching Team as they march their way around the City on Fridays and Saturdays this December feeding your parking meter. Feeling generous then please feel free to donate to the Marching Team’s dream to go to the National Marching Championships in 2008.
Fancy a FREE photo with Santa? Bring the family down to Gould's Photographics Santa Grotto. Thank you, Mark Gould for such a wonderful and generous gift to the city this year. Thank you also to the Rave artists who have painted a fantastic backdrop for your photographic memory of a Rotorua Christmas. Dynamics have also been a fantastic support for the Santa Project by supplying the Board and counter lever stage for the Grotto.
Who said there was no such thing as a free lunch? FREE Christmas present wrapping every Friday and Saturday in City Focus will be available courtesy of Packaging House giving great wrapping paper and ribbon for the occasion. Of course, a donation to the good cause wrapping your gift would be wonderful!
Please vote for your favourite Christmas windows and restaurants this year at City Focus. The sections include Best Large Window display, Best Miniature Window display, Best In store Display, Best Dressed Hospitality Team (including hair salons] and Best Christmas Menu. Each section has prizes of over $1000.00 kindly supplied by More FM, Classic Hits, Daily Post, Rotorua Review & Croucher Beer.
30 November saw the Famous Five paint Five Rare works of Art in the City Focus for a once in a lifetime chance to purchase these works at a Harcourt's auction later that day. Thank you to the following participants to make this event the fun day is was:
- The Famous Five and
- the Good Cause Recipients
- Mayor Kevin Winters
- Riding for the Disabled
- Deputy Mayor Trevor Maxwell
- Rotorua Ronald McDonald House
- Hon Steve Chadwick, MP for Rotorua
- Women's Refuge
- Chamber CEO Roger Gordon
- Mana Mental Health Services
- Joanne LaGrouw
- Life Education Trust
1 December rang triumphantly with the sounds of the Rotorua Music School. They not only filled the halls with bells of holly, City Focus was alive that day.
8 December City Focus plays host to the Mokia School Band. Plenty of fabulous tunes. A great day was had by all. A wonderful way to start the day Christmas shopping.
15 December Colour Concepts Community Mosaic will be a must to attend. Make your mark on an artwork that will hang in the Council for all to see. Mosaic Artist Janet Keen has designed and will teach all those who participate how to put the mosaic together on the day. Everyone is invited even if you just place a couple of pieces you will be creating that community Christmas spirit in this exciting art work. Thankyou Terry Wheeler from Color Concepts who has gifted all the materials for this project.
22 December sees The Women’s Refuge taking centre stage as Car Nation will be auctioning a car in City Focus this day with all proceeds going to this great good cause.
23 December Living Colour Floral Art Contest from noon to 2pm. Everyone is invited to submit a Floral Art to be judged by the public via a donation. All proceeds will go to Riding for the Disabled. Any Floral Art can be gifted to Whare Aroha. Prize money to be won & registrations accepted on the day. No age sections, one and all may enter. Flowers may be real or 'unreal' or from the garden!
24 December Well it is Christmas Eve after all. Maybe we should keep that one a surprise!
All you need to know is it will begin at 10am. Happy Holidays.
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Appointment of the Energy Champion will be good for businesses
The new Rotorua Energy Champion has a strong emphasis on helping businesses to use energy more efficiently and reduce costs.
The establishment of an Energy Champion was recommended in a report commissioned by the BrightEconomy Advisory Board in March 2007, entitled Status and Opportunities: Energy Supply in the Rotorua District. The BEAB was successful in securing funding from Environment Bay of Plenty for the first year of the role.
Power Solutions Ltd, Rotorua-based electrical and energy consultants, have been contracted by the Rotorua District Council's Economic Development Unit to fill the position for year one. Kevin McGrath, PSL's Energy Manager, has been appointed as the Rotorua Energy Champion, effective from 1 October 2007.
The role is expected to develop in coming years so the objectives for the first year have been identified to lay the foundation for development.
The key objectives to be achieved in the first year by the Rotorua Energy Champion are:
1. Development of an Energy Directory website
The Energy Directory site will provide information, links and direction on energy matters for domestic, commercial and industrial users. It will cover home heating options and advice, insulation, choosing the cheapest electricity retailer, advice and options relating to sustainable energy, efficient lighting and more. Case studies will be used to illustrate the recommendations. The site will go online late this year at www.energychampion.co.nz.
2. Energy Audit Programme
The Energy Audit Programme will be linked to the Energy Directory and will provide information about the various types and advantages of energy audits, funding available to undertake audits, a typical audit process and contact details for organisations that can undertake audits.
3. Delivery of two Energy Forums
Two Energy Forums will be arranged in 2008, in conjunction with the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce. One will be tailored for commercial and industrial energy users and the other directed towards domestic consumers.
The information provided will assist Rotorua businesses and homeowners to become more energy efficient, thereby reducing energy consumption, saving money, improving air quality and reducing carbon emissions.
More efficient use of energy will help to reduce pressure on electricity and gas supply networks that serve the district, leaving more scope for growth and improving the security of energy supply, which is a factor in industrial investment decisions. These are all very positive steps towards a more profitable and sustainable future for Rotorua.
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Technology Can Help Beat Labour Scarcity
Technology can help NZ businesses beat the impact of tightening labour markets.
With increasing labour shortages employers throughout NZ are looking at more employee-friendly work practices made possible through the power of ICT to attract and retain the best staff.
Research by leading recruitment company Hudson has shown that employers nationwide are grappling with a skills shortage. Reasons for this tightening of the labour include: higher demand for skilled workers, low unemployment and our ageing population. With the working age population set to decline further and the continued growth of businesses needing skilled staff, the situation will worsen.
In NZ most industries and the businesses within them are drastically short on appropriately skilled staff. Research shows that 41% of businesses had difficulty finding skilled staff in the March 2007 quarter, up from 29% in the December 2006 quarter.1
“It's a predicament that can be hugely damaging not only to a business's bottom line but also to their long-term survivability,” says Jamie Brock, Sales Manager Gen-i Bay of Plenty.
The consequences of the tightening labour market are a serious threat to business. Not only is there less choice when recruiting due to the smaller pool, but costs rise as a result of positions remaining vacant for longer and staff being able to demand higher salaries.
Staff turnover is increasing with its own set of negative consequences, including jeopardising client and customer relationships and lowering productivity because of deteriorating staff morale and the loss of institutional knowledge.
“Current approaches to attracting and keeping staff simply aren't generating the number and calibre of skilled workers needed,” says Mr Brock.
Hudson's research shows that a key to staff acquisition and retention is offering flexible work options that enable employees to contribute fully to the business while meeting their responsibilities outside work and not needing to sacrifice their (and their family’s) quality of life.
ICT provider Gen-i says that by investing in the right Information Communication Technologies businesses can offer flexible work practices and reduce the negative consequences of the current labour shortage by establishing themselves as an employer of choice.
“Allowing employees the flexibility to work from home has become commonplace in forward-thinking businesses who understand the importance of keeping not only the customer, but the employee happy,” says Mr Brock.
He says that technology like laptops, PDAs, mobile broadband data cards and sophisticated yet simple security systems mean that businesses can embrace this opportunity to keep staff happy without having to sacrifice either productivity or security of information.
Sophisticated technology systems can be seen by prospective employees as a sign of both the robustness of the business and its commitment to empowering staff and making their working life as easy as possible. The chance to work with leading edge systems can even be a draw card in itself.
“When it comes to attracting and retaining employees from diminishing labour pool, businesses need to do everything possible to make their proposition the most attractive one. Harnessing the power of technology to provide real flexibility is an easy way of ensuring that the best and the brightest come to and stay with your business,” says Mr Brock.
To discuss how ICT can help address your business's specific labour issues, simply call your local Gen-i Rotorua office on
07 343 9276 or visit http://www.gen-i.co.nz/
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Progress towards Cleaner Air
Last winter many media reports highlighted Rotorua's air quality problems. Specifically, the problem is that there are too many fine particulates (known as PM10) in our air. They're emitted from various sources including open and domestic fireplaces, sawmills, vehicles, abrasive blasters and other similar activities. Although Rotorua has a relatively small population, the airshed is more susceptible to high PM10 concentrations because of our climate and topography. During winter, the particulates form a smog that sits in a layer over the city. It's not only unpleasant to look at, the particulates also have an adverse effect on our health. Because of this, regional councils have been given the mandate to reduce the concentration of particulates in the air by 2012.
Rotorua's main particulate source is from burning wood for domestic heating. It's the same problem that many towns are experiencing. The Ministry for the Environment indicates that Rotorua has the seventh worst air quality (for particulates) in the country and the second worst in the North Island (after Tokoroa). To solve this problem, initiatives are being proposed, similar to the actions taken in Canterbury and Nelson.
A change to the Regional Air Plan will be proposed to phase out the use of open fires and old woodburners for domestic heating. However, because of the expense involved, not all households can afford to convert within the timeframe required, if at all. Therefore, incentives can be offered ranging from complete financial assistance to offering interest free loans. The level of support offered will depend on the financial situation of the householder. Also, because homes that are insulated properly are heated more efficiently, incentives to insulate houses to an appropriate standard may also be offered.
These changes don't mean that woodburners will be banned in Rotorua. It simply means that people should be thinking about switching to cleaner heating methods. Initiatives and incentives will take some time to be acted on.
If a woodburner is the main heating method, households should continue to use them. Living in a cold home is also bad for your health. In the meantime, make sure that any wood is untreated, dry, and aged for at least six months (preferably twelve months), before you use it in a woodburner.
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2007 New Zealand Export Awards
The New Zealand Export Awards 2007 gala event was held in Auckland on Thursday, 15 November. Yet again New Zealand demonstrated its innovation and business depth with finalists and winners from all over the country:
- Specialised Manufacturing Exporter of the Year award winner IBEX Group of Companies, Auckland also took out the DHL Supreme Exporter of the Year award. IBEX has grown its turnover by 2500 percent in three years, almost all in exports.
- Biotechnology business New Zealand Pharmaceuticals Ltd (NZP), Palmerston North won the Agritech, Life Sciences and Biotechnology Exporter of the Year Award with new products and markets set to continue and accelerate its rapid export growth.
- Phil & Ted’s Most Excellent Buggy Company Ltd of Wellington won the Creative Exporter of the Year award and has a great story to tell of a struggling engineering company turned export juggernaut - with exports of its innovative baby goods growing by 82 percent to over $30 million last year.
- Yarrows (The Bakers) Limited from Manaia in South Taranaki won the Food and Beverage Exporter of the Year award exporting more than 40 containers of products to clients across the globe every week.
- Information, Communications and Technology Exporter of the Year, Endace of Auckland has gone from start-up to US$17 million in annual sales in five years.
- Les Mills International won the Services Exporter of the Year Award with around 5 million people in 11,000 fitness clubs in more than 70 countries.
- BIOZONE International Ltd of Hamilton won the Education Exporter of the Year award. BIOZONE is a highly successful niche publisher, selling exciting and effective high school biology resources all over the globe.
Export Year 2007 Honorary Awards went to Bill Gallagher, Wendy Pye, Richard Taylor and Sir Angus Tait (posthumously).
This was the first year in which a national award was given for the Emerging Exporter of the Year. This award is promoted by Export New Zealand with the finalists being the regional Emerging Exporter winners.
Whangarei company Specialist Marine Interiors (pictured) won this award. The company developed modular construction allowing rapid installation for super-yacht fit-out or refit.
The judges were impressed. Specialist Marine displayed initiative with outstanding design, manufacturing and in-market installation. “Their commitment to supporting other New Zealand marine suppliers by using their products and services has contributed to not only their own but other's export success," the judges wrote. “Export sales have been a multi-million dollar contributor to the company's profitability in the past three years.”
Export New Zealand National Board Member Philippa Ivory, Auckland Region President Lyall Pacey and CEO Bob Walters judged the category.
“All the entries were of a very high quality," the judges said. “We enjoyed hearing about all the great new NZ companies which are building successes in overseas markets."
The Bay of Plenty was represented by Florentines Patisserie in this award category. Having invested significantly in research and development, Florentines had only been exporting for 12 months at the time of winning the regional United Travel Emerging Exporter of the Year award in June. Since then, Florentines have secured major distribution networks in Australia and have doubled their exports. Managing Director Greg Knight says; “The growth was much faster than we expected; we will double our budgeted growth for next year”.
Export New Zealand congratulates all the finalists and winners for their participation during Export Year 2007 and looks forward to another year of excellence in 2008.
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