CHAIRS’ REPORT
July 2022
Kia ora koutou,
We’re now over halfway through the year and heading into some very fresh mornings, but with the shortest day behind us- summer is now, once again, on its way! With Matariki celebrations welcoming in the Māori New Year, we hope everyone has enjoyed some relaxing time with whānau and friends.
This time of reflection and forward planning has reaffirmed the importance of social connections for us all as people, professionals, and business owners, particularly after long periods of restrictions and isolation. Chamber is committed to bringing our events programme back “in-person” for the remainder of the year. This includes our popular, regular events - Kāpiti Coast Business Network at Tuatara on the second Tuesday of each month, bi-monthly Business After 5 hosted by local business (next one is this month!), bi-monthly Learning & Development programme, and WIB Coffee Connections at Sunday Cantina on the last Friday of each month, along with a few extra events including industry-specific events, New Member events, a special WIB luncheon with Mary Haddock-Staniland next month, an election debate in September, and an EOY Christmas celebration.
The Chamber Board extends a warm welcome to members and non-members alike, and please don’t hesitate to bring your children with you to these events, as needed. Our families are an important part of our lives and should not be a barrier to participation. Our Events Co-ordinator has been doing a fantastic job at helping keep the little darlings happy and occupied!
Inclusion, and how to be inclusive, is a topic that’s gaining increasing visibility in all arenas of life, including business, which is refreshing to see. In recent years, the purpose of Chamber was specifically broadened to encompass a focus on inclusion and well-being. This has been reflected in numerous ways across our delivery of events and operations, and it is relevant more than ever. New research from MYOB has revealed that 1/3 of small and medium business owners have experienced a mental health condition since starting or taking over their business. In 2022, 85% of SME owners have reported feeling stressed, up 9% from last year. Anxiety is also reported to be on the rise, with 120,000 (71% of total SME owners) reporting high anxiety since 2021. These insights are a glimpse of the longtail impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, with mental and physical exhaustion and compassion fatigue being widely felt across our hardworking business community.
In light of these sobering statistics, we must remember to look after ourselves and each other. We plug our phones in to charge each night….and yet often don’t make time to do the same for ourselves. Shaun Robinson from the Mental Health Foundation has noted that the little things make the difference and recommended that business owners find the simple things that work for them and their teams and stick to them. Take time to sit back, have a cuppa, or phone a friend: together, we can support and strengthen each other to foster well-being in our business community. Ngā manaakitanga,
Monique Leith and Heather Hutchings, Co-Chairs.