Carrot for small business

Small businesses in Waitakere City are invited to two free events next week to encourage their entries in the Waitakere City Business Awards.

A panel of speakers will give local businesses their views on the growth and role of business within the city.

These include the Bank of New Zealand's general manager for business services, Mike Skelling, Douglas Pharmaceuticals managing director Graeme Douglas and Waitakere City's Mayor, Bob Harvey.

Awards project director Yola Macken said she wanted to encourage businesses of every size to join in.

The free events will be held at 5.30pm on February 8 at the Lone Star in New Lynn and at 5.30pm on February 10 at The Falls, Henderson.

Businesses can obtain an entry form from Enterprise Waitakere by phoning (09) 837-1855, or from www.enterprisewaitakere.co.nz.

Entries close on March 24.

Winners will be announced at a gala dinner on May 6.