Rhonda Morris is the new business lead at Whanganui & Partners

Rhonda Morris is making life easier for businesses trying to get established in Whanganui.

Jumping from nearly 25 years in the New Zealand Army into a business strategy role with Whanganui & Partners is not a stretch for Rhonda Morris.

Mrs Morris joined Whanganui & Partners in late October, taking on the role of strategic lead business.

"I spent the last several years in the Army in project management so the concepts are nearly identical," Mrs Morris said.

"It's quite an awesome transition. The business was very similar with many of the same principles that any large business runs on.

"My role means I get to assist the facilitation of new business development and growth of the economy. New businesses coming in work with us and we work with the [Whanganui District] council to cut the red tape."

Whanganui & Partners can also help business start-ups with a mentor programme, contacts and business workshops, Mrs Morris said.

"It's a 360 wraparound. We have the experience and capability to facilitate anything that comes through to us. We are cutting time and cutting frustration. We're trying to offer a red carpet, not a red tape, process.

"Locals are really good at talking to us so we know what the local climate is and what people want to see here. Businesses being able to cater for what people are looking for will stop people going to Palmerston North and out of town to shop.

"This place is ready for change and people are ready to come here and have our lifestyle."

Mrs Morris says there are some major projects on the horizon that will benefit Whanganui and the district but they are currently under wraps.

Whanganui & Partners has had a number of other senior staffing changes in recent months. New manager Philippa Ivory starts work in January, replacing Adrian Dixon. The interim manager is Mark Hughes who is also Whanganui District Council's infrastructure group manager. Destination marketing leader Lyn Cheyne departed in September with Paul Chaplow joining the organisation in the last few weeks in a revamped destination role.