2 minute read
2023 – Keep Calm and Carry on
I’m not sure about you but I want to move on and focus on the positives, not negatives or divisive issues that I believe have been accentuated by media.
Yes – The Profit is a media outlet but our mandate (don’t like that word at the mo either) has been to promote the region’s economic vibrancy, showcase local businesses and business people and provide valued advice from a range of business experts.
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With 49 issues under our belt I think we’ve done a pretty good job and can look forward to cracking our 50th issue in March/ April.
Unfortunately the last two years have been marred by COVID19, firstly the uncertainty of the impact on the health system and to businesses. The government stepped in to support businesses with a range of funding support and then a programme of COVID recovery projects, of which our region gained greatly from.
We can look at COVID as a negative, but the positives that came out of it were the regional aquatic centre, a new indoor sport centre, major roading and street enhancement programmes, an increase in workers for the RSE scheme and many housing projects across the region.
EDITOR/PUBLISHER: Damon Harvey 021 2886 772, damon@theprofit.co.nz, Twitter – @profithb
CONTRIBUTORS: Danny Blair, Heather Hallam, Tom Hartley, Paul Harvey, William Horvath, Andrea Stevenson, Christine Symes, Tobias Taylor, Neil Wagstaff, Roger Wiffin
ADVERTISING SALES: damon@theprofit.co.nz, 021 2886 772
PHOTOGRAPHY: Damon Harvey, Hastings District Council
DESIGN: Stephanie Drew
PRINTING: Inkwise
DISTRIBUTOR: Reach Media
SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES: damon@theprofit.co.nz
Now we are in 2023 we are being told that inflation has had an impact and that we will head into a recession. The last was in 2008.
As it stands we couldn’t carry on too much longer with the constant increase in food, building materials, fuel and labour. As always something has got to give.
In this issue of The Profit, we have gone to a mix of organisations to get their views on what the outlook is for them in 2023 and the region’s economy.
All acknowledge that 2023 will be a difficult year but they also remain optimistic that two years at the top of the economic statistics in New Zealand, continued local and central government stimulus in major build projects, we are in a better position than other regions.
Also in this issue we farewell Unison chief executive Ken Sutherland after 21 years in charge, catch up with new Ngati Kahungunu chair Bayden Barber and new Napier Port chair Blair O’Keeffe. There’s also an inspiring and against the odds story about Shaleah Lawrence, the winner of Innovate HB. Shaleah has had a tough upbringing marred by tragedy but she has the business world at her feet with her natural skincare range. As always enjoy the read.
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