Strength of Wanganui businesses encouraging - 5/11/2009

Last weekend the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce hosted another professional and sparkling Business Awards event which showcased Wanganui’s business successes.

My congratulations go to all of the entrants and the award winners. GDM is a very worthy overall winner. Well done Bronwyn Paul and her team at the Chamber of Commerce for recognising and celebrating business excellence.

One of the comments from Dr James Lockhart at the Business Awards gave me great encouragement. He congratulated Wanganui for the strength of our industries and their contribution to the New Zealand economy. I have heard similar comments from Auckland and Wellington businesspeople. This is a direct result of the entrepreneurial drive of our business leaders and our stable and committed workforce. Now, how can we grow even more business?

More good news – another win for the Wanganui rugby team – and not just a small win either. As Meads Cup holders, they have put Wanganui on the map (in the best possible way) and have given us something more to celebrate. We can all bask in their glory.

Wanganui is an excellent events and conference venue. Recently Wanganui hosted the Targa Rally, the Body Building competitions and, this week, the Martial Arts. With summer coming up we have Speed Week, with bikes and boats, cricket camps and much, much more. In addition to sports events, we can enjoy many arts, cultural and family events. For information about what is happening in Wanganui, to view the new River Road brochure or to assist you and your organisation host a conference in Wanganui, look on-line at www.wanganui.com.

Wanganui District Council’s efforts to regain control of the port was reported in the Dominion Post this week, as their feature editorial item. Whilst talking generally about ports and the need to improve the efficiency of the ‘plethora’ of New Zealand ports, the editor did note that port reform is overdue throughout New Zealand. Obviously there is a bigger issue out there, bigger than our port problems, but isn’t it interesting how Wanganui is once again the trailblazer and champion for yet another national cause.