An entrepreneurial spirit in Tauranga businesses is adding confidence to the city in the current economic downturn, says Tauranga Chamber of Commerce CEO Max Mason.


Tauranga Chamber of Commerce CEO Max Mason says improving business confidence is due to Tauranga's entrepreneurial spirit.

A survey released by the chamber shows business confidence in Tauranga has significantly improved over the past three months
This is despite gloomy government predictions the recession will last into 2010 and 1100 New Zealanders a week are scrambling for the unemployment benefit.
Max says many businesses have decided to fight on, in spite of the recession.
'Businesses are finding a way forward. People have decided the recession is over, they're getting on with it, and they are not going to let it beat them,” says Max.
'A lot of it comes down to the tenacity and entrepreneurial spirit that has always been present in Tauranga,” Max says.
He says the recession has divided businesses into three categories. Businesses, such as exporters, that are doing well regardless of economic conditions; businesses that do not know what to do or are not changing; and businesses that change according to the changing economic conditions.
'The businesses that adapt are the ones that are finding a way, they are surviving and growing and are successful as a result,” says Max.
The chamber's survey of over 100 businesses show 39 per cent believe the economy will improve over the next six months, up from 18 per cent from March.
Nine per cent of businesses expect to reduce employee numbers over the next three months, down from 22 per cent in March.