Tauranga Chamber of Commerce CEO Max Mason is sceptical about bleak economic findings by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research.

The NZIER's research says the recession is likely to last until December. It predicts national unemployment figures will rise to 7.8 per cent by the end of March 2010; up from five per cent for the same period this year.
Max says he reads most economic forecasts with a healthy dose of scepticism.
'There is so much change going on globally that affects New Zealand's economy.
No economist can accurately predict what may or may not happen. The best thing individual businesses can do is look at their situation and decide where the best opportunities are,” says Max, who hears stories of successful Tauranga businesses everyday.
'Those who are succeeding combine realism, optimism and courage to make changes.
The best advice I can give to businesses is to really understand where they are financially. That doesn't just mean cash in the bank.
'It's a good time to invest in professional advice if they are uncertain about the position of their business,” says Max.