Tony Collins: Chamber seeking hall of fame names

Tony Collins.

As part of this year's Westpac Northland Business Excellence Awards, we are seeking nominations for the Northern Advocate Northland Business Hall of Fame.

The objective of the Business Hall of Fame is to celebrate the achievements of those people within the Northland business community who have made a significant contribution to the region.

Each year a single nominee is inducted into the Hall of Fame. The induction recognises the contribution the individual has made during their business career and their service, both to their industry, and to the greater Northland community.

Inductees are chosen from nominations received from members of the community who believe their nominee has made a positive impact on Northland's reputation as place to live and establish a business.

It is not necessary that they still live or operate in Northland but they do need to have had a strong connection to Northland and preferably, if they are now living or have their business based outside Northland, that this connection is widely known.

The Northern Advocate and the NZ Chambers of Commerce Northland recognise that the efforts of individual business people are vital in keeping our economy running.

Business people, through their individual efforts, risk capital, provide jobs and oil the wheels of the economy.

Unfortunately the "tall poppy syndrome" is still alive and kicking here and throughout New Zealand. Business people - in particular successful business people - often go without the recognition they deserve. In some cases, they even receive negative stigma as a result of their achievements.

Many of Northland's prominent business people, past and present, have played an active role in shaping the region through both their commercial enterprises and through their civic activities.

This is a great opportunity for Northlanders to celebrate those among us who have made significant contributions to making our region a better place.

Previous inductees have been Tom McKay, Michael Hill, Monty Knight, Dave Culham and Jeroen Jongejans. Each has made valuable contributions to the Northland business and civic environment through a range of endeavours.

If there is someone you believe deserves nominating please notify the Chamber along with a short paragraph as to why they should be inducted.

Nominations can be made to Chambers of Commerce Northland (info@northchamber.co.nz) until September 23. The inductee will be named on October 28 at the Westpac Northland Business Excellence Awards.