Mentor programme could double

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BETWEEN 30 and 40 businesses a year could receive one-to-one support from expert mentors under a new government commitment to improve the Gisborne business landscape.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Minister for Small Business Craig Foss this week announced that the Government and Activate Tairawhiti had committed to a further five-and-a-half years of support to help small businesses grow through the Regional Business Partner programme’s partnership with Business Mentors New Zealand.

Regional economic development agency, Activate Tairawhiti, works with the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce to continue to deliver the Business Mentors programme and chief executive Steve Breen said support for the programme from central government would benefit local businesses as well as boost long-term employment in the region.

“SMEs form the backbone of our local economy and collectively employ the majority of our workforce. Supporting them to be more competitive and profitable is the single biggest action we can take to secure long term local employment outcomes. The Government has recognised this by increasing their investment in our region, and we congratulate them for doing so.”

Gisborne Chamber of Commerce marketing and communications manager Suzanne Winterflood also welcomed the timing of the Government’s announcement.

“The Gisborne Chamber of Commerce has delivered the Business Mentors Programme locally for a number of years, and in the last 12 months we’ve seen a significant increase in demand for the service.

“We’re delighted that the Chamber will continue to deliver this programme for Activate Tairawhiti and the Regional Business Partner, utilising our experience to help upskill local SME owners.”

“We now have 16 businesses in the programme, and had another three enquiries in the last week alone. Plus, we’ve had a new mentor sign up, a financial expert with years of international expertise.”

An increase in businesses involvedThe numbers of businesses involved could increase significantly following this week’s announcement. The success of the mentors programme to-date was down to the quality of the mentors.

“They’re businesspeople giving back to the local community and sharing their expertise for free, and are the reason the programme is gaining such positive outcomes.

“If anyone is interested in becoming a business mentor, or wishes to join the programme, please contact Rachel Hogan at the Tairawhiti Business Hub or go to businessmentors.org.nz.”

Regional Business Partner Jo Emerre said the extra support would almost double the amount of businesses the programme engaged with.

“Our region is bursting with great ideas. This additional resource means that, like other regions, we’ll have an innovation specialist to focus on R&D.

“Tairawhiti is the largest RBP region in the North Island, and now we’ll also be able to spend more time with businesses up the coast.”

Mr Joyce said more than 150 small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) on the East Coast had benefited from the programme since it started in 2011.

“The Government is working in partnership with the regions to help more than 5000 SMEs grow each year. This continued investment across New Zealand reflects the Government’s commitment to help SMEs innovate, develop and employ more people. It is also a celebration of the strong partnership between Government and regional providers.”

Mr Foss said the Government was working in partnership across 15 regional areas of New Zealand to offer an integrated one-stop-shop approach to business support.

“We have also partnered with Business Mentors New Zealand to make their full suite of services available through the Regional Business Partner programme.”

The Regional Business Partner Network is jointly funded by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and Callaghan Innovation.