The Bay of Plenty's regional governance group has responded to the rising level of unemployment by launching a website that aims to better link and educate business people.

The Bay of Connections website, www.bayofconnections.com was one of the ideas thought of at the region's Ministry of Social Development organised job summit held in Rotorua.
The website provides information on business mentoring and training, opportunities for businesses to share resources and work together, as well as information about the Regional Economic Development Strategy, which is aimed at job creation projects.
Regional Governance Group chairman John Cronin says the website will hopefully limit the impact of recession on the Bay of Plenty and thanks the team involved in this collaborative effort.
'I'd like to acknowledge the support and contributions of all of the Chambers of Commerce, Economic Development Agencies and other business and government agencies in developing this web site.”