Rena impact report with govt

The Chamber of Commerce report focusing on Rena's negative impact on the Bay of Plenty economy is in the hands of the government, says Chamber CEO Max Mason.

'We are just waiting for a response now,” says Max.

'We don't know what will happen next, it's in the government's hands now.”


Rena, grounded on the Astrolabe Reef since about 2.20am on Wednesday, October 5.

The report looks at the impact of Rena's grounding and subsequent oil spill on the businesses immediately affected – the charter boat operators, some fishing operators, people like recreational fishing people and the businesses which support the recreational fishing industry; bait shops, fishing tackle retailers.

'Those types of sectors negatively impacted almost immediately, those are the people we are most worried about,” says Max.

'We haven't really looked at it from an impact on GDP, more the impact on the individual business and the employment. That's the focus of it.

'How many people could potentially be affected in the different groups.”

For Tauranga's accommodation and restaurant sectors Rena has brought in some short term cash flow, says Max.

'There's the army, Maritime New Zealand, and many other government people.

'The engineering and technical experts from Australia – it has been a boon for the accommodation sector and also restaurants, as these people are eating out in many instances. Some restaurants have done well.”

The Chamber is continuing to survey a cross section of businesses to ascertain the Rena impact and welcomes feedback to chamber@tauranga.org.nz

Work and Income NZ staff have visited or contacted most businesses who have been directly affected by the Rena grounding to advise what assistance may be available if required. Please contact Rick Banks on 029 274 0631 for further assistance.
Inland Revenue can assist businesses if there are any potential tax issues due to Rena. They need to put notes into the system so if there is a penalty, they may be in a position to take action to help your cash flow.

Please contact Denise Balloch on 07 927 5217 or Denise.Balloch@ird.govt.nz
There has been much conversation in both the media and in the community about the use of social media; Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, blogs to impact the perception of the Bay of Plenty in relation to the Rena issue.

The success of regional campaigns and individual businesses response will be heavily impacted by how people and companies in this region use their social media channels to promote positive messages.
'This is great, if, as a business you have these set up and know how to use them, but we know this is not always the case.”
The Chamber in association with Cucumber, a local web development, online marketing and consultancy company would like to hear from businesses affected by the Rena incident and would like help with social media.

Businesses can reply to chamber@tauranga.org.nz if interested in a workshop around social media.

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1 comment

Go the CoC

Posted on 28-10-2011 13:49 | By IanM

Congratulations to the CoC for getting on with this analysis. There have been a lot of responses from Maritime NZ to questions on this issue at public meetings saying "we are working on it", but nothing has emerged from that work, and of course we no longer have public meetings. Likely, this CoC report will suddenly become that work. And that is fine. Let's just hope they don't ignore it as they have so many other comments, suggestions and reports from a public desperate to be involved.


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