ADVOCATE COLUMN 2nd WEEK FEBRUARY 2013

ADVOCATE COLUMN 2nd WEEK FEBRUARY 2013 Given the economic difficulties of the last three years it is hard not to notice the impact that a downturn in business growth has on the wider community. Or more specifically the interconnected nature of Northland’s various communities. It is very easy consider these various communities in isolation, for instance an arts community separated from and sports community separated from a business community and so on. The reality is that many Northlanders belong to many or more than one specific group. They share a common need for Northland to prosper so they participate in the activities they wish to be involved in. Depending on one’s political leanings there will be a diverse range of views on the benefits businesses provide the communities in which they operate. Obviously businesses need members of the wider community to purchase their products or services if they are to prosper and provide income for their owners and employees. But what does the community get in return? I would suggest that in general, the support given to businesses by their communities is more than reciprocated. For this reason when businesses experience difficult times this impacts negatively on the various communities to which they have connections or relationships. Many Northland businesses are very small and their management or at least those within the business who are responsible for decision making are very accessible. This accessibility leads to stronger connections with their customers and often a desire to contribute to the communities that they see themselves part of. It is often these local businesses –and not the large corporates- that are the first port of call for community groups seeking financial support or support in kind. We are now seeing the impact on these various community groups as a result of local businesses having experienced difficult times. Groups such as the Old Library and Northland Youth Theatre – and many others -do much to create a sense of place and quality of life and rely heavily on local support for their continued existence and over the years have experienced a wide range of public and private sector support. As business confidence improves and conditions ease, hopefully this support will also improve. On that note I would like to congratulate local businessman Mark Cromie for his generous financial support to Whangarei’s Salvation Army food bank which provided some much needed relief to a valuable community organisation in a time of need.