CHAIRS’ REPORT
November 2022
Kia ora koutou,
We hope this update finds you well and enjoying some longer stretches of sunshine as summer draws closer.
This last month has presented some unprecedented challenges to the business community, with a surge in ram raids being experienced across the coast. Making sure that businesses feel well prepared to look after themselves, their staff, and their stores is a priority for Chamber. We have partnered with Kāpiti Coast District Council, the Kāpiti Community Patrol, and the Kāpiti Police to bring you a business safety awareness event. This will be a great chance to increase your awareness and raise your business safety confidence and provide the opportunity to connect with other locals as we join to support each other.
October also saw Kāpiti busy with the recent local election campaign. Business at Chamber was no exception, hosting our traditional Mayoral Debate as well as a Candidate Q&A night for our districtwide and community ward representatives. We released our 2022 election manifesto to help keep you informed on the important issues that our business community will grapple with over the coming years and candidate perspectives on these important areas. A huge congratulations to the newly elected council reps, including Janet Holborow, who we are thrilled to welcome to the Mayoral position. We’re also very proud to see our Deputy Chair, Bede Laracy, elected to the Raumati Community Board. It’s great to see familiar and fresh faces alike representing our district. We would like to commend all those that stood and thank everyone for the time and energy they put into their campaigns for 2022. It has been encouraging to see the passion and commitment displayed towards creating a better Kāpiti.
However, we echo the sentiment of national concern over low voter poll turnouts. It is clear that a change needs to be made to address the low levels of voter engagement. With national elections coming up next year, this will be a chance to take a deeper look at both voting systems and voter attitudes. We are committed to pursuing our advocacy work moving forward; in the coming months, we’ll be revisiting our 2022 Election Manifesto and the responses of those elected. We look forward to working with the new Council and Chief Executive to pursue a thriving Kāpiti.
Our usual events schedule is still racing ahead, with our next KCBN event will on the 8th of November and our 2022 AGM coming up later in the month on November 23rd. Make sure you check out our website to stay up to date with all the latest news and events. Here, you’ll also find helpful resources, exclusive member benefits, our handy members directory, and more information on our Key Partners, who are invaluable in supporting the work Chamber does.
Ngā manaakitanga,
Monique Leith and Heather Hutchings, Co-Chairs.