From our Chair

MĀ MUA KA KITE A MURI, MĀ MURI KA ORA A MUA. THOSE WHO LEAD GIVE SIGHT TO THOSE WHO FOLLOW,THOSE WHO FOLLOW GIVE LIFE TO THOSE WHO LEAD.

We’re at a crossroads in our journey— but then that could be said for so many of us! For over 21 years, the Kāpiti Coast Chamber of Commerce has been a voice for local business, propped up by our members and the support of our key partners—many of whom are small business owners themselves.

It’s true, we’re a product of a different time and era, with some Chambers still rooted in more traditional ways of doing business.

BUT CHANGE IS HERE

Local businesses—large and small—are navigating the AI revolution and cyber resilience, embracing rapid innovation, and building their capability not for the future, but for right now!

Social, environmental, cultural, and economic policy continues to shift (or stiffen), funding models push to adapt, and your value proposition, people and culture all need to evolve to accommodate what is being recognised as the biggest shift in how we work since the Industrial Revolution.

We live and do business in a different moment! All across the world Chambers of Commerce are becoming more diverse, inclusive, and accessible in response to more women in business, more diverse populations, the emerging culture of young people, and a growing sense of urgency to champion innovation, social good, resilience and sustainability.

THE CHAMBER PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN THE ECOSYSTEM

A district without an independent voice for business is a place that lacks equity and diversity. As a not-for-profit organisation, at times we have lacked the capacity needed to move at the pace our community needed us to!—with what has often been a voluntary, operational Board of Directors. Passion and purpose can only carry us so far!

In a world where our supporters are now juggling multiple jobs, navigating housing affordability, adaptation, and climate change—working in a voluntary capacity, at pace, becomes a delicate balance to crack. But, the Chamber plays a critical role in enabling local business perspectives.

We must step into our new chapter of equity, innovation and partnership—now!

We draw inspiration and support from our vast network. You only need to look at Queenstown Business (Chamber), Tauranga Business Chamber, and the Hutt City Chamber of Commerce to experience how effective an independent stance for business and collaboration can be—working intricately across the ecosystem with education providers, local leadership, mana whenua, government funders, and private investors.

WHAT WE STAND FOR

At times, we’ve been asked what we stand for.

We stand for advocacy and ensuring local businesses have a voice at the table on the issues that impact them most!

We stand for learning, capability development, and social connection.

We stand for accessing new and emerging funding opportunities, ones that our Chamber network is well-placed to distribute and deliver.

We stand for dissemination, transparency , and making sure what you need to know reaches you.

We are the ‘boots on the ground’ engaging, networking, and asking the right questions to help bridge conversations between central and local government and the realities of what entrepreneurs, small business owners, emerging businesses, and start-up organisations are experiencing.

This

is the Kāpiti business story—built upon independence, equity, partnership, and innovation. For business, by business. Collectively, these are the levers we need to pull— together—for stronger local outcomes for ALL.

We thank you for your support!

Monique Board Chair,