Chamber says report unfair
As many of you would be aware, the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce acts as an advocate for the Taranaki business community.
But we’re also much more than that. While doing our utmost to look after the hundreds of members who make up the Chamber, we also become an effective advocate for Taranaki as a region.
As I’ve said many times, what’s good for business is also good for all of us. In the right environment, more and more jobs are created and everyone wins. That’s why we have a vested interest in many institutions and organisations that have a direct bearing on the welfare of our communities.
One of those is the Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki (Witt).
We work together on the Network of Trades, along with Busing Russell, Taranaki Futures, Maori and Pasifica training initiatives and much more. Witt is a valued supporter of the annual TSB Business Excellence Awards.
I’m personally involved in Witt’s local advisory Board on the Master of Business degree course and it’s pleasing to see that Taranaki people are being offered the chance to obtain meaningful tertiary qualifications without having to leave Taranaki.
It’s difficult to understand how any business or organisation can be subjected to a report that spans four years. It certainly wouldn’t happen or be acceptable in private enterprise. The period covered by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority was from 2012-16, and while it raised some issues it was not happy with, it’s fair to say that many of those were historical and have been dealt with by the Witt Council and chief executive Barbara George and her team.
Led by chairman Robin Brockie and deputy chair Lyal French-Wright, council members Elanga Ekanayake, Ruakere Hond, Allie Hemara-Wahanui, Cassandra Crowley, Rex Hendry and Ross Dingle are a perfect mix of business acumen, environmental and cultural awareness. They provide plenty of support and guidance for George and her executive team to provide an excellent tertiary education tailored to meet the needs of our next generation and the needs of industry.
At the Chamber, we have complete faith in them to do the best possible job for their students, and be a key player in the Taranaki regional economy, now and for the foreseeable future.