Spin offs for Gisborne in chambers' agreement

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

BUSINESSES here can expect more support from some of New Zealand’s larger chambers of commerce, following a new agreement to share resources between all 30 chambers.

Gisborne Chamber of Commerce marketing manager Suzanne Winterflood said she had been “genuinely inspired” by the support the region was shown at last week’s National Chambers of Commerce Conference in Auckland.

“One of the most valuable aspects of the conference was networking with colleagues from Chambers both big and small, learning about their own regional challenges and opportunities, their unique ways of doing things, and also gaining some new ideas to bring back to our region.

“The supportive, open approach of all the delegates was genuinely inspiring. And they’re available to help with any questions I, or Gisborne business owners, may have had.

“Some of the large Chambers, such as the Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce, have entire departments dedicated to training. We’re one of the smaller Chambers, but believe we can deliver real value in this area to our members and other businesspeople.

Auckland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Michael Barnett said the two-day conference resulted in an agreement between all 30 Chambers to share more resources.

“Chambers like Auckland have huge resources and if shared can give strength and credibility to less resourced Chambers. Resources include our advice line, people and technology.”

That would also include the sharing of research, assistance with communications and media and increased cooperation with submissions like council plans and special issues such as minimum wage and the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement.

Chambers would also cooperate on regional plans for immigration to assist with skills attraction.