Darrin Walsh: Our image tarnished by public attacks

Darrin Walsh

Enough is enough.

As the Te Arawa Partnership debate continues on, and one would hope is nearing a conclusion, it would appear we seem content on taking the debate on to a national stage with huge disregard to the damage it will do to Rotorua's image.

Whatever your view on the Te Arawa Partnership proposal let's not forget the good work carried out by the Rotorua Lakes Council and a number of other major players that has created our current business environment.

Over the last 18 months, we have seen a huge restructure to the council's make-up and a massive change in focus. A focus that now concentrates on revitalising our business environment, capitalising on our potential with views of growing our geothermal footprint and developing a wood first policy.

We are also seeing a huge amount of work being completed to attract business to Rotorua on a global platform and attracting New Zealand businesses to relocate or set up new operations here.

All of the strategies being applied are having great effect on the Rotorua business scene. Our economy is picking up, at long last, and business confidence is also on the increase.

We are seeing a number of key developments being announced - Red Stag investing $65 million into their business, Countdown building a new store on Fairy Springs Rd with 100 new jobs and the announcement of a multi- million-dollar development on the Lakeside by Pukeroa Oruawhata Trust that will see a five-star hotel and spa complex built.

The latter will really launch Rotorua on the international stage. Local businesses, large and small, are now investing which is stimulating growth - the number of jobs available are now increasing as this growth means having to hire more staff.

These projects don't just happen overnight and have been years in the making and there has been an enormous amount of work put in by a lot of people with a passion to grow Rotorua's business sector. So imagine my disappointment when reading an article in the National Business Review about the Te Arawa Partnership Model, taking the debate onto the national stage while it is still running through the agreed process here. Not only has Pro-Democracy Society secretary Reynold Macpherson fired shots at the partnership proposal but a sub heading states "Massive anger brewing over debt and rate rise".

Such attacks on a national stage are as good as putting up a huge sign to all business looking at investing here and telling them to go away.

There is a process to follow if you don't agree with what is proposed and it isn't slinging mud via the National Business Review. We have Members of Parliament who don't agree on everything the Government passes but do they travel the world telling all not to have dealings with New Zealand? Do directors or certain companies tell customers not to buy a product because they disagree with a board decision? I think not.

Please Reynold Macpherson and the Pro Democracy group take a look at how some of your actions will affect the great work done by a number of organisations before launching such public attacks.

- Darrin Walsh is chief executive of the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce