Editorial: Hope new owner will be a sponsor

Kevin Atkinson

We have a plethora of good events, awards and sporting opportunities in the Bay.

This month alone, people can take part in the Tour of the Bay, Tremains Pink Fun Walks, Mitre 10 Mega Ride in a Truck Day and the Napier City Pak'nSave Half Marathon.

Winemakers will be recognised at the Hawke's Bay A&P Bayleys Wine Awards and the mana of sports people will be celebrated at the Ngati Kahungunu Sports Awards.

As with others, these events survive on the generosity of sponsors.

Kevin Atkinson is one of the biggest champions of sport in our region.

His national payroll company IMS Payroll has been a naming sponsor of the Hawks basketball team for the past two years.

Mr Atkinson owned the Hawks franchise for fours years in the early 1990s and IMS Payroll has been a significant financial sponsor since 1990.

The Hastings-based company also sponsors the Hawke's Bay United soccer team and Hawke's Bay rugby.

The company puts about $300,000 into sponsorship each year.

It was announced yesterday that Mr Atkinson had sold the company to Australian company Mind Your Own Business (MYOB).

Mr Atkinson is yet to decide his next move. We wish him all the best in whatever new venture he takes on.

However, will the company's new owners show the same support to our community? It is their prerogative to conduct their business how they wish - but a little bit of support goes a long way.