Engaging with and supporting local businesses is the essence of the upcoming Wairoa Business week in July.

That’s what Te Matarae o Te Wairoa Trust hopes to achieve during Wairoa’s inaugural Business Week event.

Te Matarae o Te Wairoa Trust’s Karen Burger says the event is about creating networks for local businesses and providing mentoring programmes, no matter how big or small some of these businesses are.  

“Businesses who network and receive mentoring are more likely to be successful,” Ms Burger says.

“This is about anyone who may be involved in business somehow to come along and learn, network and gain experiences. 

“It's about providing the right support to existing businesses and to encourage others who are in the process of starting their own business so they can maximise the opportunities that are out there at the moment.”

Ms Burger said a big part of the programme was bringing organisations and business operators from outside of Wairoa to the workshops.

The programme includes speakers and presentations from Te Puni Kokiri, Torere Macadamias, IRD, Triple TED Talks-style workshops, introductions to the Maori Land Development Project, retail in the digital age and more.

On Friday, we are lucky to have keynote speakers Reihana and Paul Manaena from Laser Plumbing and Electrical and Jacob Kajevala. 

Jacob owns Kajavala Forestry and also runs a kite surfing export business with his brother. He is also involved in the economic development space for Kawerau.

She also hoped these organisations could share with locals how they can get tips, tricks, skills and knowledge around how to strengthen and diversify their business.

It is hoped that through this Business Week event, Wairoa can create a Business Association for local businesses later this year.

“We want our local whānau and businesses throughout Wairoa to gain the experiences they need to enhance their business,” Ms Burger said. 

We want to provide support for businesses in the areas they need help with, some business owners feel isolated. 

This business week is a way to show business people they are not alone and we want to help them to be successful.

For a full programme, or if you are interested in registering contact JJ Solomon at jj.solomon.nz@icloud.com.

31 October 2018

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