Westpac bank's Grow road show was in Napier's War Memorial Centre last Thursday, trying to kick-start businesses from insular caution to regional confidence.
The latest phase of the forums focuses on developing regional leadership, infrastructure and tertiary-based financial education for small businesses.
Westpac New Zealand chief executive George Frazis said
communities that prospered and were positive had attracted good infrastructure, strategies to retain their youth and attract people and small businesses that were resilient. Most importantly, they had strong local government and community leaders with clear priorities and a common vision.
"Sound local leadership promotes confidence, infrastructure is a key enabler and small-medium sized businesses told us to translate potential to growth they want more financial knowledge to help grow their business," Mr Frazis said.
"We are looking to work at a local level to promote thought leadership, grow confidence in the economy and stimulate growth."