Around 50 members of Rotorua’s business community attended a breakfast to launch a report on the findings of the Rotorua Business Pulse at Te Puia last month. The event was hosted by RotoruaNZ and Rotorua Business Chamber and featured a keynote presentation by well-known New Zealand business commentator Rod Oram.
The event was introduced by the chair of RotoruaNZ, John McRae who outlined the highlights of this, the first Rotorua Business Pulse.
The Rotorua Business Pulse survey is a joint initiative between RotoruaNZ and the Rotorua Business Chamber. The survey provides Rotorua business leaders (owners, CEOs, GMs) an opportunity to share their thoughts on the local economy and how their businesses are faring across key metrics.
This first survey was in field from 12 April to 4 May and was completed by 79 businesses.
McRae highlighted results showing business leaders are positive about the future after a tough year and they are buoyed by strong pipelines of work.
He said the report indicates businesses individually are more positive about the future of their own businesses compared to Rotorua’s wider economic situation, suggesting negative economic perception is not reflective of business reality.
Photos: Michelle Cutelli Photography
Other key themes touched on by McRae included the challenges to business confidence and ability to attract quality staff resulting from the social issues surrounding emergency housing.
He also referenced the concerns expressed by businesses in the report about inflation and finding skilled staff, as well looking at issues such as business sustainability practices.
On a positive note, he said Rotorua businesses are playing their part in terms of flexible work practices and living wage pay levels.
Rod Oram’s presentation drew very much on his observations of the macro-economic and business and living trends he has studied internationally and how they impact lives and businesses here in Aotearoa New Zealand, and particularly businesses and the business environment in Rotorua.
Pukeroa director David Tapsell updated the audience on the progress of the Wai Ariki Hot Springs Spa and his organisation’s vision for operation of the development.
Next door to Wai Ariki will be the new QE Health facility. Having both QE Health, with its focus on clinical and rehabilitative treatments, and Wai Ariki, with its spa and wellness focus, will establish Rotorua’s position as the centre for excellence in these areas.
Chair of Rotorua Business Chamber Miriam Hewson talked about her personal commitment to living and working in Rotorua. She followed this with a heartfelt plea for a more positive constructive approach from all local leaders to local housing and social economic concerns and calling for, “less talking and more doing.”
The Rotorua Business Pulse survey will be distributed every six months to observe how different measures are tracking over time.
You can find further information by going to rotoruanz.com/business-pulse-survey.
