Rotorua business owners have had the opportunity to sit down with the British High Commissioner to hear how Brexit will benefit locals.
Jonathan Sinclair, accompanied by Rotorua MP and Trade Minister Todd McClay, addressed Rotorua Chamber of Commerce members today about what Brexit would mean for them.
Britain voted ina June referendum to leave the EU and British Prime Minister Theresa May said the formal process for leaving the European Union would be triggered before the end of March.
Mr Sinclair has been travelling the country delivering a "message of calm" to business owners that "in the short term nothing changes and ultimately it will mean more opportunities for the UK and New Zealand".
"Overall it's been warm and keen audiences... Mostly there's been a lot of demand for information - what this will mean for the movement of people and what it will mean for businesses."
He said Brexit could lead the UK to become an even bigger, better, global player and that would have beneficial spin-offs for New Zealand and its regions, such as Rotorua.
Mr McClay said there was a big opportunity to attract more tourists from the UK to Rotorua.
Rotorua MP and Trade Minister Todd McClay with British High Commissioner Jonathan Sinclair address the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce about Brexit PHOTO/ANDREW WARNER
"British tourists inject around $28 million into our local economy and tend to stay longer and spend more. As well, there are opportunities Brexit offers for younger people wanting to travel and spend time in the UK.
