His hard work and collaboration with others, backed by studies at Waikato, Canterbury and Lincoln universities, have led to his directorship of APR Consultants - offering economic analysis market research, feasibility studies and strategic consultancy services.
"After nearly 30 years of providing consultancy services to many organisations in nearly every part of New Zealand, I know that you are only as good as the services you provide for your clients now. Essentially clients have a key decision to make and they will want to have confidence in their ability to understand all aspects around the matter under consideration and make an informed choice."
Deryck sees his role as reducing that uncertainty by providing evidence to base decisions on.
"However you can never fully reduce or mitigate risk or find ways in which there are absolute guarantees in any situation."
Working in this field has given him a unique insight into Rotorua and its development. He was a consultant for the group behind Rotorua District Council's Sustainable Economic Growth Strategy. As such, he sees complacency as the greatest challenge for Rotorua.
"At a macro level, people need to be aware of the factors that will influence their environments. They then need the ability to respond to challenges and opportunities, as they might occur, and to be brave in pursuing their aspirations."
Deryck says Rotorua is uniquely endowed, with access to special lake and forest resources, which provide both public and commercial benefits to our community, as well as infrastructure such as sewerage, water, airport, parks and land to provide residential and commercial activity to support much higher levels of population and economic growth.
"Tremendous foresight by district leaders and managers, along with Te Arawa, has given the community the opportunity to realise its potential. This means we need to support agreed economic growth initiatives, foster a culture of innovation and support people in achieving in their chosen areas of activity, whether it be in business, professions, sport, culture or community."
Deryck's chosen areas of activity take in most of these, taking on governance with Te Puia New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, where he is deputy chairman, the APR Group, Principal Holdings Rotorua Ltd and the Waikato Bay of Plenty Football board. He has also chaired the Waiariki Institute of Technology board and been a board member and committee chairman for Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics of New Zealand. One of his newest roles is as a partner in Shaw Property Partnership.
Deryck is also the chairman of Lakes District Health Board after being asked to put himself forward as a ministerial representative on the board in 2009. He became chairman in 2010.
His motivation for getting involved?
"We all want and need access to quality and reliable health services in our community. I am particularly interested in primary health and how we keep our community active and support all the organisations, professionals and volunteers who do so much in our community."
Deryck's decade in tertiary education governance was excellent experience for a move into the health sector as he says the professionals involved in both areas are very passionate about making a difference.
But health is also a very challenging sector. "It is not always possible to meet all of the health needs in the community. A key area is to ensure we can do the best we can with the resources at our disposal."
Deryck believes everybody can make a difference by promoting healthy outcomes, reducing issues in the community and supporting people with health issues.
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Contact business editor Julie Taylor on (07) 348 6199 ext 57015 or at business@dailypost.co.nz
