Turnout keeps Chamber AGM short

The Rotorua Chamber of Commerce welcomed four new members to its executive board during a short and sweet AGM.

The annual general meeting was held at the Distinction Hotel on Friday night.

Chamber chief executive Darrin Walsh said the meeting was over "in record time", about 17 minutes.

He said 26 people attended out of about 610 members.

"I was disappointed at the number of members who attended but there were a couple of factors that contributed to this poor turnout

"The open meeting of the Chamber that was held in April where 100 people attended [and] the fact that this year's AGM was held on a Friday evening."

During Friday's meetings, the Chamber's executive board was confirmed, with no election necessary.

The new members are Gaylene Clark, Ricci Harbuck, Ken Thompson and Bryce Heard.

Ms Clark has 39 years' hospitality experience and is currently the manager of Havana Motor Lodge, while Ms Harbuck is director of Ricci Travel, a company she founded while living in the US and has continued in Rotorua.

Mr Thompson is a business development manager at Gilmour's. Business owner Mr Heard is currently a board member of the BOP Regional Governance Group and chairman of the CNI Forest Industries Working Group.

Kathy Hawker was returned as president for the new year, with returning board members Richie Fullard, Margaret Noble, Steve Pinder, Geoff Rice and Jonathan Temm. Lara Northcroft has also been co-opted on to the board.

Last year's board members Nick Dallimore, Craig Kilmister and Rachel Warrender all stood down. "I would like to thank them very much for the contribution," Mr Walsh said.