14 | Karen Phelps Chamber a ‘voice for all businesses’ Around 350 business owners and guests attended the 2022 Wairarapa Awards at the Tauherenikau Racing and Event Centre. Business Wairarapa - Inspire Living REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Nicola Belsham says Wairarapa, as a region, has a special quality about it; just over the hill from larger urban areas, the scattered townships, climate and vibe call people keen to enjoy the lifestyle to its doors. As General Manager of the flourishing Chamber, Business Wairarapa, Nicola says the attraction of the area extends well beyond New Zealand’s borders. “You’d be amazed who has chosen to shift from all parts of the world to set up their home and business here. The whole region is richer and more vibrant for this.” She began in the role in 2021, right in the midst of the shadows COVID would bring to business. Then, she says, the organisation was struggling to find its place in a region where, within 40km, three district Councils administered five sub-regional townships each with their own business organisation. “We started by having a good look at what the purpose of Business Wairarapa needed to be and soon realised its best role was to become an umbrella organisation for region wide business support and advocacy.” “We realised this was the thing that was missing in our region: a platform, a voice, for all businesses, despite their location or industry.” Any business in Wairarapa which joins its local sub-regional business organisation, automatically becomes a member of Business Wairarapa too. Two benefits flow from this; first, it enables Nicola and the team to gather a substantial amount of business data on the form and context of companies operating and second, it takes away any perception of competition between one organisation and the other, in fact strengthening those hyper local business communities. She says working collaboratively is always the goal. “We extend over a big land mass but have a small population so living here is like living in your high school classroom!” In November the culmination of a full-on year of business was celebrated at the Wairarapa Awards, held at Rose & Smith at the Tauherenikau Racing and Event Centre. Businesses were encouraged to either self-nominate for a range of categories or nominate another business. Over 50 entries were received, testament to how popular the celebratory awards have become. That number was whittled down to 35 across seven categories plus a Supreme Award and two individual Tribute Awards. A major finalist was Inspire Living. Founded by Tavita Isaac, Inspire Living has over 10 years experience working on a range of high-end and quality residential and commercial projects across the Wairarapa region and beyond. Over recent years, Inspire has grown into a large, multidisciplinary team that provides “We’re gaining a clear sense of purpose based on what adds value for our membership and our supporting partners.” EXPERIENCE THE NEW IN THE WAIRARAPA David Reid Homes Wairarapa proudly working alongside Inspire Living exceptional service in multiple trades while forming strong client relationships with a range of housing groups, developers and construction contractors. Nicola says they couldn’t have chosen a better location for the awards night ceremony, with the evening becoming a “big party” of 350 business owners and guests. “It really showed the support we have. Wairarapa has a larger number of SME’s than most regions and I think this gives those working here a sense of pioneering closeness.” That closeness and connection made the special business summit for SME’s a success too. Nicola noted following this very inclusive interactive event, that many businesses reported renewed inspiration for strategic and operational opportunities. Nicola Belsham On any given day, Nicola, who contracts to Business Wairarapa, can be seen responding to a myriad of emails, engaging with members and encouraging new ones and organising future events. She also spends time encouraging support for the organisation from various local councils, building critical relationships and setting expectations for the umbrella organisation that Business Wairarapa has become. “We’re gaining a clear sense of purpose based on what adds value for our membership and our supporting partners. It means we can plan with certainty that what we do is really fruitful for businesses here and that guides us in our decision-making.” Nicola says she is really proud of the Board she works with. They have a strong strategic focus, and membership has been bolstered as now representations of each of the sub-regional organisations also take a seat at the table. In a relatively short space of time Business Wairarapa has cemented itself as a leading business organisation, intent of providing real benefit to its members, in a region all are proud to call ‘home’.
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