northland chamber

LEADER COLUMN MARCH 2011
How to create economic growth is not a new question. Since at least the late 1980’s (and probably at lot earlier), government, economists and the wider business community have given a great deal of time and energy examining ways to achieve growth. During this period, on average it would be hard to argue that any single policy has resulted in a quantum change in our economic performance.

At a regional level this is certainly the case. It is difficult to see the establishment of a high number of companies with large turnovers developing here in the near future. Without such companies many believe that it would be difficult to develop a vibrant regional economy. Yet without a vibrant regional economy Northland’s relative regional performance measured against various socio-economic indicators will continue to be poor.

Much of what has been done in the past has not resulted in significant growth. The reality is that for Northland’s performance to improve, it will require growth in an order that is more than just incremental. We need to look at those things that we have control of changing and implementing. One such thing is improving our business environment at a regional level in a manner that will encourage and empower Northlanders to achieve their economic potential.

What sort of change is going to drive people to start up and grow businesses in Northland? It is often said that many business people are risk takers, particularly those who we consider to be innovators or entrepreneurs. In truth we are probably assigning a label to this group unfairly. They often have a passion for, and knowledge of the product or service they wish to make or manufacture, that when accompanied by some rigorous analysis can mitigate much of the risk that many observers would perceive is involved in that venture.

We as a community should be ensuring that we create an environment that offers support to such people at all levels from the time they start up until the time they decide to pass their business on to others and take on new challenges. I would suggest that everyone in our region examine this year’s council annual plans and ask if these plans will create such an environment and then make submissions to their respective councils accordingly. These people can generate new wealth if we all do what is within our spheres of influence to remove unnecessary barriers or to provide more certainty around outcomes.