Hard questions for local businesses

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

There is “no doubt” that every business in Tairāwhiti has been impacted to some degree by Cyclone Gabrielle, the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce says.

“Major industry is heavily affected, especially food processors, wineries and others that need a lot of water to operate,” chamber president Belinda Mackay said.

“Some of these companies will also be impacted by supply shortages due to storm damage.

“The problems with water also affect smaller businesses. Some cafés and restaurants in the CBD are still closed, or operating at much less than full capacity to conserve water. The CBD is noticeably quiet. We have heard of businesses who are getting staff to work at home because they are on tank water, but this takes these people away from the CBD, and that also makes it harder for other businesses to survive.

“There are also many hidden costs as a result of the cyclone. It takes more time to travel to different places around and outside the region. There is so much uncertainty about costs. And then there is the distraction and stress of the cyclone event itself.

“We should all be concerned about the many businesses and industries who right now must be asking difficult questions about potentially laying off staff, or even moving on from our region, or closing up entirely.

“Obviously the business community will be happy for any assistance that central government or others can give, as they once again face a situation where, due to circumstances outside of their control, their livelihoods are significantly threatened.

“This also has to be a wake-up call for the region, forcing business and everyone else to face up to some major issues that can't be ignored any longer. Forestry is no doubt experiencing a major wake-up call with its social licence to operate in tatters, but so many other industries also need to look carefully at how they operate — and what it will mean to thrive in Tairāwhiti as climate change takes its toll.

“Maybe Cyclone Gabrielle will be the catalyst for change, an external and undeniable event that transforms the way everyone does business. Our infrastructure and environment is not just fragile but precious and when the rebuild begins, as a region, we must demand quality, fit-for- purpose infrastructure.”