Gosh what a week! I was stunned and surprised with the Maxim report released this week saying New Zealand's population will keep growing.
My first reaction was great, as I assumed Rotorua was one of those areas that will keep growing. Then my reaction quickly turned to dismay, when I realised Rotorua was one of the 11 regions predicted to decline in the next 30 years!
My next thought was: who is this Maxim Institute? What do they know about our city, our vision, our people?
I did some research and found out the Maxim Institute is an independent think tank, which undertakes long-term research, analyses policies and ideas, and draws conclusions that may form New Zealand's social, political and cultural practices.
So, what that does mean for us in our city? And why should we care about their analysis and findings?
What was heartening to find out, is our mayor, Steve Chadwick, and the Rotorua Lakes Council were aware of the 2013 statistics, which the Maxim Institute used as their base data for this study.
Rather than despairing at what the statistics were telling them in 2013, they embarked on a proactive and positive approach to developing a long-term view for how Rotorua could continue to build, grow and "unlock the potential" of this city. They understood this was a journey, and as a city we must unite around this journey.
I celebrate our mayor and the RLC for developing the Vision 2030 and within this journey, the chamber has an important role to play in ensuring our city continues to grow, thrive and becomes the economic powerhouse it deserves to be. How will we do this?
We need to ensure the business voice, through the chamber, is working in partnership with the key leaders in our city including our local politicians, the mayor, the Rotorua Lakes Council, iwi, the many government agencies and, importantly, our business leaders.
We need to unite around the vision for this city. And it is not about saying "yes" or agreeing with someone's view, if we disagree. It is about having rigorous positive discussions because I believe diversity of discussion creates the best outcomes.
For the chamber to be effective, we are reaching out to our members as we want to know their views. We want to talk to them. We want to hear their vision for their business, which ultimately builds into the vision for our city.
By talking, listening and partnering, we can unlock the potential for this city and achieve the economic, social, environmental and cultural vision that our wonderful city deserves. We become the drivers of our city's future, not a report written by an institute.
Allison Lawton is the interim chief executive for the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce.
