FROM THE CHAIR
From the Chair The financial year for many has now come and gone and we trust it was successful for you. Many businesses will now be focused on the new financial year ahead with improving clarity over market conditions in many sectors. Although many of our businesses are domestically focussed, we need to keep a strong watch on international developments that will have an impact or create opportunities to grow businesses in our region. From a recent overseas trip to Asia and Europe it was apparent to me that conditions in Europe are still challenging, although there appears to be more certainty now that several of the southern EU states have embarked on programmes to improve their fiscal standing. The financial reporting season in the US is showing some good growth achieved across the corporate landscape, and an ongoing lift in their capital indexes. The Asian capitals continue to be focused on growth, led by developments in China. We need to take stock and advantage of these factors as we look to identify opportunities to develop export revenues for businesses or target international investment. During the coming year we will create opportunities for you to hear from leading exporters and guest speakers such as Sir Ken Stevens, who have significant experience in this important area.
The success of our Vote Yes Campaign in support of the continuation of the North Harbour Business Improvement District (BID), has created a strong platform for our future operations. We have submitted our request to formalise the ongoing operation of the North Harbour BID and our associated targeted rate that funds approximately 60% of our activity through the Upper Harbour Local Board and Auckland Council for commencement 1 July 2012. We received some very good input to the consultation round on the Auckland Council Long Term Plan for the Region. Although the period available for consultation was relatively short we engaged with Council on a regular basis and identified a number of areas in which we believed the process for consultation and content could be improved. Our focus being on strategic direction, the rating system, project prioritisation and funding allocations in our regional catchment. A copy of our submission is available on our Advocacy Page - www.nhba.org.nz There has been ongoing work with key stakeholders at the Ministry of Justice and Auckland Transport on crime prevention and transport initiatives, which are detailed later in this edition. The upcoming NHBA Business EXPO is a great opportunity for us to create a
Warren Kitchin
showcase of scale for businesses in our area as a major annual event on the North Shore. Please get behind the event and encourage your business contacts to both exhibit and attend the event in May. On behalf of your Board and our Executive team our thanks for your ongoing support. Yours sincerely
Warren Kitchin CA Dip NZIM Chairman NHBA
business breakfast with tony falkenstein
Julie Corbet – JK Accounting, Cheryl Strong – Trevor Strong Insurances, Jenny Basset – Bartercard and Ricky Stephens – Pots Art Décor.
Leighton Langley – Ginger Group and Cory Rix – Rix Insurance Brokers.
Warren Kitchin – NHBA, Alison Mooney, Tony Falkenstein, Brent Mackway-Jones – Pacrite Industries.
Phillip Walley and Michael Hawkey – Edge Employment.
2 • FYI may 2012 • www.nhba.org.nz