Chamber of Commerce shake-up on hold

CEO: Roger Gordon is currently on leave from his role as Chamber of Commerce chief executive. PHOTO/FILE

The Rotorua Chamber of Commerce shake-up has been put on hold until its chief executive returns to work.

Chamber president Kathy Hawker said the executive committee had "worked through" most of its restructure plans, after completing a wide-ranging review of the organisation.

However it was now waiting for the return of long-standing chief executive Roger Gordon, who is on sick leave.

"Mr Gordon is on leave until the end of February and we will resume restructuring at that time," Mrs Hawker said.

Mr Gordon, who has been in the role for 10 years, has been on leave for at least a month.

Mrs Hawker said the restructure would affect most areas of the Chamber and its operation.

"We are refreshing all roles in the Chamber, personnel, their roles and how they can be more effective.

"What the executive role is and our structure as a committee will look like. We want the Chamber to be properly aligned . . .where we are going and are we meeting the members' needs?

"We see the councillors taking a more active role in council and meeting community needs."

Mrs Hawker said one of the goals was a "more diverse" executive committee in order to reach more of the wider business community.

"Diverse means having younger Maori business and encouraging Gen Y and X business people around the table, which will encourage that generation to become members. We have to be inclusive."

In the meantime it was business as usual at the Chamber with events and training continuing as planned, she said.

Executive member Jonathan Temm told the Rotorua Daily Post last month there hadn't been a review of the Chamber in 10 years and a big refresh was needed.

He said in recent years the Chamber had not been as effective as it would have liked on key issues affecting its members, who represent hundreds of Rotorua businesses. Mr Gordon could not be contacted for comment.