Bay exporters get a lift

Media statement November 10, 2008
Embargoed till 9am, November 11

Bay exporters get a lift

A new wave of support is flowing into the growing Bay of Plenty region for its exporters.

Export NZ – Bay of Plenty has formed an alliance with the country’s largest business advocacy and training organization Business NZ and locally, this is delivering a range of benefits.

A new full-time executive officer for Export NZ – Bay of Plenty, Angela Wallace, starts in her role next week, Monday November 17. She brings years of experience in event management, most recently with Zealand Trade and Enterprise in Tauranga, so she is already known to many exporters in the region.

Export NZ in the Bay also has a new executive committee, comprising 11 elected members and seven co-opted members. Its role is to arrange events and training to support local business and stimulate exports from the region.

It will also discuss government policy with the national Export NZ organization and make recommendations that will help exporters grow and employ more people.

The Export NZ – Bay of Plenty committee members are:
• Nevin Amos, Comvita NZ – BOP
• Graeme Boyd, Boyd Insight
• Andy Cameron, Oasis Engineering
• Ray Ellis, Ellis Agricultural Services
• Murray Hill, Sharp Tudhope Lawlink
• Greg Jarvis, Bluelab Corporation (joint chair)
• Julian Laking, Taura Natural Ingredients
• Peter Luxton, Zespri International
• Grant Macvey, Port of Tauranga
• Gwenda Merriman, Jeffco International (joint chair)
• Kay Rogers, United Travel Corporate
• Lionel Crawley, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (Tauranga)
• Annie Hill, Priority One
• Rob Jeffrey, Jeffco International
• Liz Muller, Food BoP/Avocado Oil NZ
• Mark Redpath, Hole Solutions
• Angela Wallace, Export NZ – Bay of Plenty
• Bruce Goldsworthy, Export NZ Division of Employers and Manufacturers Association (Northern)

The new Export NZ national board is chaired by veteran Auckland exporter Ken Stevens, chairman and managing director of Glidepath that manufactures baggage and cargo handling systems used in airports worldwide. Mr Stevens was appointed a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to exporting in the 2008 New Year's Honours.

Other Export NZ national board members are:
• Tony Nowell (New Zealand representative on APEC Business Advisory Council, Board member of Asia NZ Foundation, chair NZ Packaging Accord Governing Council),
• Craig Ellison (Board member NZTE, Airways Corp, NIWA, Absolute Foods, Seafoods Standards Council),
• Sarah Kennedy (managing director, Healtheries),
• Rob Jeffrey (director, Kiwifruitz in Tauranga),
• Bob Walters (former chief executive, Export NZ), and
• Phil O’Reilly (chief executive, Business NZ).

The Business NZ constituent body responsible for services and oversight of Export NZ –Bay of Plenty is the Employers and Manufacturers Association (Northern) or EMA with offices in Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty, representing more than 8000 member organisations north of Taupo.

Manager of the Export NZ Division of EMA, Bruce Goldsworthy, says, “Since the organisations’ alliance in July we have formed a cohesive and powerful business group. We are all committed to growing New Zealand’s export performance, and now there is a chance to leap ahead in this respect.

“During this global economic downturn it is particularly important for business to keep informed and to be supported by organizations such as Export NZ.

“New members are always welcome.”

About Export NZ

Established in 1976, Export NZ has been helping its members (exporters and export service providers) grow their businesses in the international market place.

A strategic alliance with Business NZ in 2008 has strengthened services to exporters. An export division of Business NZ now provides exporters with national and international representation along with increased advocacy and advice services.
Events and services are assisted by the export divisions of Business NZ’s regional business associations: Employers and Manufacturers Association Central (EMA Central), Employers and Manufacturers Association Northern (EMA Northern), the Canterbury Employers’Chamber of Commerce and the Otago Southland Employers’ Association.

ENDS

© Scoop Media