Sharing good for business, says Green MP
Now was a perfect time for southerners to start thinking about alternative business options, a visiting Green MP said yesterday.
Green MP and party spokesman for sustainable business David Clendon was in the south yesterday as part of the Small Business in a Changing World seminar.
With the future of the Tiwai smelter uncertain, the time was right for the region to reassess its business interests, he said.
‘‘I think the time is now to be thinking really hard. What range of industries might we introduce here? There is a lot to attract industry to Southland . . . energy, space, small-town lifestyle.’’
Regardless of what happened with Tiwai, central and local government needed to be involved in promoting sustainable business and industry in Southland just in case, he said.
Sustainable businesses were more than just environmentally friendly. They also needed to be supportive places to work and financially viable.
Business was often seen as a competitive field, but Mr Clendon said in smaller centres such as Southland, businesses should be co-operating to share good ideas, services and money-saving tips, to benefit the region. ‘‘If businesses are talking to each other and sharing experiences and sharing ideas . . . it helps the whole business community to remain viable.’’
Peter Ridsdale, from Ascot Park Hotel, and Mark Smith, from Aspiring Bariatrics Laparoscopy and Endoscopy Limited, spoke at the seminar last night about ways their businesses had adopted sustainable practices.