The key to building a strong business

Building strong and successful partnerships is the key to building a strong business - that was the message for the Rotorua Multicultural Business Council.

Wai Ora's Bryan and Lisa Hughes were guest speakers at the council's second anniversary event on Wednesday, talking about their business relationship and the need for iwi, central and local government and migrants to form stronger connections to better understand each other and work together.

"We have built our business up - it has not been easy, but it has been achieved by building strong relationships," said Mr Hughes.

But that did not mean the pair were in perfect agreement all the time, he said.

"We have real stand-up arguments because we are both so passionate about our business."

He said having a strong relationship that allowed such robust discussion was beneficial to the business because each of them had to think through ideas thoroughly and set out convincing cases for them.

"In the end, we both want what's best for the business and it isn't important whose idea it was in the first place."

Mr Hughes also spoke about the relationship with staff at Wai Ora Spa Resort, Hell's Gate and the Mokoia Island Wai Ora Experience, explaining how a pounamu carving was designed to represent earth mother Papatuanuku and sky father Ranginui and their relationship and togetherness.

"Our staff are given this when they reach a certain level of expertise and understanding. We have Maori, Japanese, Chinese and Pakeha staff who wear these, because you do not have to be Maori to understand what it's about."

Lisa Hughes illustrates that concept. Originally from Thailand, she came to New Zealand with her first husband, who was Korean, and built up this country's largest inbound tourism business, handling 35,000 Thai and Korean visitors a year.

She moved to Rotorua to set up a souvenir shop but ran into difficulties with council zoning.

"I was told I would have to talk to the boss - that was Bryan!"

Two decades later, they have expanded their business to include a Bangkok spa and the Wai Ora Resort and Spa hotel.

They want to see better education about the various cultures - indigenous and imported - that make up the Rotorua community to create greater mutual respect.