- Hon Cameron Brewer
Hawke's Bay business owners will get more hands-on help to plan, grow and make good decisions, with the Government funding an additional Growth Advisor at the Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce through to June 2027, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Cameron Brewer says.
"Cyclone Gabrielle was the worst weather event this region has faced. Most Hawke's Bay businesses are back on their feet and getting on with it, but some are still carrying the cost, and they shouldn't have to work through it on their own," Mr Brewer says.
The Growth Advisor role sits within the Regional Business Partner Network and will work directly with local business owners on the practical questions that come up day to day, from planning for the year ahead to identifying opportunities and getting ready for growth.
"This is a practical bit of help. Someone local, who knows the region and knows what these businesses have been through, sitting down with owners and working through what comes next," Mr Brewer says.
"Good on Karla Lee and the Chamber for securing this extra support for Hawke's Bay. The aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle continues to affect many local businesses, so I am pleased to deliver it. Thanks also to local MPs Katie Nimon and Catherine Wedd for their ongoing advocacy.
"Business owners are flat out running their businesses. Having someone they can call, who knows the local landscape and can point them to the right support, makes a real difference to the decisions they make."
The role adds to the advisory services already available to businesses in the region through the Regional Business Partner Network.
"Hawke's Bay is a productive part of the country with a strong food and fibre base, a growing export story and a lot of ambition. Backing the businesses that drive that is worth doing," Mr Brewer says.
"Small businesses are the engine room of the Hawke's Bay economy. This is about fixing the basics and building the future, making sure owners can get good advice when they need it so they can grow and succeed," Mr Brewer says
