Latest news with #NorthChamber
Scoop
10-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Te Tai Tokerau Impact Fund Supports 15 More Regional Initiatives
The final round of the Te Tai Tokerau Impact Fund has been allocated, with 15 Northland-based projects receiving a combined $230,000 in support. The second round attracted 42 applications seeking over $700,000, highlighting strong demand for early-stage investment in community-led development. A third of the funded projects from the second round are Māori-led. 'The quality and ambition of projects coming through this fund has been very high,' says Vaughan Cooper, Head of Investment and Infrastructure at Northland Inc. 'From community wellbeing, promotion of our districts, and Mātauranga Māori, it's clear that Northlanders are ready to lead the change they want to see.' The Te Tai Tokerau Impact Fund is administered by Northland Inc and NorthChamber, with support from Transpower and Omexom. It was created to back community and kaupapa-driven projects that contribute to long-term regional resilience. Across two rounds, the fund has now distributed $430,000 to 32 projects throughout the region. Projects funded through the two rounds of allocations are already underway, with initiatives such as Girls Who Grow launching its climate-positive agriculture programme for young women into Taitokerau Northland, and the Kerikeri District Business Association and Bay of Islands Business Association rolling out a groundbreaking project focused on CCTV and community safety in the Mid and Far North. NorthChamber Chief Executive Leah McKerrow, who was part of the fund's decision-making panel, says the calibre of applications highlighted the region's determination and desire to make a difference. 'This fund gives communities the chance to lift up great ideas and turn them into action. The panel was keen to support those ideas that will make a tangible and far reaching impact. It's positive to see the difference this funding is already making on the ground in Te Tai Tokerau.' Transpower's Executive General Manager Customer and External Affairs Raewyn Moss supported this view. 'We are so pleased to see this funding empowering real opportunities for development, community-building and increased resilience across Taitokerau Northland. We look forward to the stories of the impact the funding has and the achievements from the initiatives that were successful in this funding round.'
NZ Herald
07-07-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Covid inquiry told Northland businesses still haven't recovered from lockdowns
Northland businesses are still dealing with a 'giant hangover' from the Covid lockdowns and restrictions, business organisation NorthChamber has told the Covid-19 inquiry. Northland Chamber of Commerce chairman Tim Robinson and chief executive Leah McKerrow spoke to the inquiry on Monday on behalf of Te Tai Tokerau businesses, as part
RNZ News
07-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Auckland's Covid lockdown cut Northland off from rest of country, Royal Commission of Inquiry told
NorthChamber president Tim Robinson at his business, Bernina Northland. Photo: RNZ / Luka Forman Northland's business community says Auckland was one of the region's biggest obstacles during the Covid-19 pandemic. The region's chamber of commerce was questioned as part of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into New Zealand's pandemic response . When the country went into a two-month lockdown in March of 2020, businesses like those owned by NorthChamber president Tim Robinson took it on the chin . Speaking to the Royal Commission of Inquiry on Monday, Robinson said Northland's business community accepted the lockdown was necessary. "Because of the nature of our business, there was nothing we could do until we came out of lockdown. We just had to sort of just accept that and just kind of, you know, carry on," he said. "All in all, I think all of us just sort of thought, yep, we're dealing with something brand new. The response was absolutely appropriate. It gave us a chance to sort of stop and then think, well, what's going to happen next and where are we going to head to next?" But when a second nationwide lockdown started in August of 2021, NorthChamber chief executive Leah McKerrow said the sentiment shifted. "A lot of fear existed. And fear is one of those core emotions that permeates through, and unless you can actually address that fear, then it is very difficult to help people shift," she said. "In that second lockdown, some of that fear was starting to be replaced with anger." That was compounded by a vaccine mandate that a number of New Zealanders found a step too far, she said. "It comes back to human beings and emotion. The fear that is driven through people who didn't want to be vaccinated and it started to, I think, unravel some of that community cohesion." Tim Robinson said the unrest made it difficult to do business. "You just never knew who was going to pop their hand up and say, 'this is ridiculous, I'm not going to buy into that. I'm never going to get vaccinated'. And somebody walking in the shop thinking, oh, yep, they're a kind, rational person, and next thing they're ranting and raving," he said. "And you've got to somehow deal with that and try and be polite and say, well, actually, those are the rules. I didn't make them." Robinson said Northland also faced unexpected challenges during Auckland's own citywide lockdowns. He said the supercity became a wall separating his region from the rest of the country. "A lot of companies started to make decisions based around 'how easy is it to transact in and out of Northland?' The overwhelming perception became, well, it's bloody hard," he said. "So many companies still see us as being very hard to do business with. You know, we had Covid, then we had the year of rain and the cyclones and the road closures, and people just going, 'you know what, it's just so hard'." Leah McKerrow agreed. "I think, for me, the biggest challenge for Northland was Auckland," she laughed. "But, you know, quite seriously, the fact is we have to drive through this place. And so finding a solution to that so that if Auckland, you know, does have some sort of disease in the future that we can at least drive through." She said maintaining road access to Northland should be a key lesson for the Royal Commission. The hearing continues. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Te Tai Tokerau Impact Fund Allocates $200,000 To 17 Projects Across Northland
Press Release – Te Tai Tokerau Impact Fund The fund, which offers grants of up to $20,000, is administered by Northland Inc and NorthChamber, with support from Transpower and Omexom. The fund is designed to back initiatives that strengthen regional outcomes through local enterprise and collaboration. Seventeen projects across Te Tai Tokerau have received support through the first round of the Te Tai Tokerau Impact Fund, with $200,000 allocated to initiatives spanning education, business development, events, and community projects. The fund, which offers grants of up to $20,000, is administered by Northland Inc and NorthChamber, with support from Transpower and Omexom. The fund is designed to back initiatives that strengthen regional outcomes through local enterprise and collaboration. Leah McKerrow, CEO of NorthChamber, said the panel was impressed by both the quality and volume of applications received. 'The selection panel was pleased to allocate funding to such a diverse range of projects. It's inspiring to see the commitment and creativity of our local businesses and community groups. A key criteria we applied was the impact that these initiatives would have on the wider community. We're confident these initiatives will make a meaningful impact across Northland.' Applications came from across the region, with 47% of the successful projects identifying as Māori-led. Vaughan Cooper, Head of Investment and Infrastructure at Northland Inc, said the high interest in the fund reflects strong regional momentum. 'The response to this fund highlights the depth of innovation and enterprise in Te Tai Tokerau. It's particularly encouraging to see such a high proportion of Māori-led projects coming through – a testament to the strength and leadership within our Māori business community. Supporting these initiatives contributes to wider regional resilience and long-term economic growth.' The fund's focus is on helping projects get off the ground or grow to the next stage – with funding supporting areas such as business capability, planning, infrastructure, or partnerships that deliver measurable regional benefit. Northland MP Grant McCallum, who advocated for regional investment following last year's power outage, acknowledged the role of the fund in enabling local momentum. 'Following the electricity disruption caused by the transmission tower fall, I pushed for tangible support for Northland communities. It's encouraging to see 17 diverse initiatives supported across the region — a clear reflection of the hard work and ambition driving Te Tai Tokerau forward.' Transpower's Executive General Manager Customer & External Affairs Raewyn Moss was part of the panel which selected successful projects. 'There were many excellent submissions, and it was great to see the opportunities this fund can deliver to help Northland grow more resilient. Our next round of funding is now open for applications.' Applications for the second round of the fund close on Friday, 6 June. Businesses, business associations, and community groups with projects that align with the fund's aims are encouraged to apply. More information on eligibility and the application process is available at: About the Te Tai Tokerau Impact Fund The Te Tai Tokerau Impact Fund is a targeted investment programme supporting regional business and community development initiatives that deliver clear benefits for Northland. Projects can apply for between $5,000 and $20,000 in funding. The fund is administered by Northland Inc and NorthChamber, with funding provided by Transpower and its Northland contractor Omexom, as part of a commitment to invest in the region following the transmission tower failure in 2023. Funding decisions are made by a panel with representatives from Northland Inc, NorthChamber, Whāriki Te Tai Tokerau Māori Business Network, and Transpower. Projects are assessed on their alignment with the fund's goals, including regional impact, resilience, innovation, and readiness for delivery.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Te Tai Tokerau Impact Fund Allocates $200,000 To 17 Projects Across Northland
Press Release – Te Tai Tokerau Impact Fund The fund, which offers grants of up to $20,000, is administered by Northland Inc and NorthChamber, with support from Transpower and Omexom. The fund is designed to back initiatives that strengthen regional outcomes through local enterprise and collaboration. Seventeen projects across Te Tai Tokerau have received support through the first round of the Te Tai Tokerau Impact Fund, with $200,000 allocated to initiatives spanning education, business development, events, and community projects. The fund, which offers grants of up to $20,000, is administered by Northland Inc and NorthChamber, with support from Transpower and Omexom. The fund is designed to back initiatives that strengthen regional outcomes through local enterprise and collaboration. Leah McKerrow, CEO of NorthChamber, said the panel was impressed by both the quality and volume of applications received. 'The selection panel was pleased to allocate funding to such a diverse range of projects. It's inspiring to see the commitment and creativity of our local businesses and community groups. A key criteria we applied was the impact that these initiatives would have on the wider community. We're confident these initiatives will make a meaningful impact across Northland.' Applications came from across the region, with 47% of the successful projects identifying as Māori-led. Vaughan Cooper, Head of Investment and Infrastructure at Northland Inc, said the high interest in the fund reflects strong regional momentum. 'The response to this fund highlights the depth of innovation and enterprise in Te Tai Tokerau. It's particularly encouraging to see such a high proportion of Māori-led projects coming through – a testament to the strength and leadership within our Māori business community. Supporting these initiatives contributes to wider regional resilience and long-term economic growth.' The fund's focus is on helping projects get off the ground or grow to the next stage – with funding supporting areas such as business capability, planning, infrastructure, or partnerships that deliver measurable regional benefit. Northland MP Grant McCallum, who advocated for regional investment following last year's power outage, acknowledged the role of the fund in enabling local momentum. 'Following the electricity disruption caused by the transmission tower fall, I pushed for tangible support for Northland communities. It's encouraging to see 17 diverse initiatives supported across the region — a clear reflection of the hard work and ambition driving Te Tai Tokerau forward.' Transpower's Executive General Manager Customer & External Affairs Raewyn Moss was part of the panel which selected successful projects. 'There were many excellent submissions, and it was great to see the opportunities this fund can deliver to help Northland grow more resilient. Our next round of funding is now open for applications.' Applications for the second round of the fund close on Friday, 6 June. Businesses, business associations, and community groups with projects that align with the fund's aims are encouraged to apply. More information on eligibility and the application process is available at: About the Te Tai Tokerau Impact Fund The Te Tai Tokerau Impact Fund is a targeted investment programme supporting regional business and community development initiatives that deliver clear benefits for Northland. Projects can apply for between $5,000 and $20,000 in funding. The fund is administered by Northland Inc and NorthChamber, with funding provided by Transpower and its Northland contractor Omexom, as part of a commitment to invest in the region following the transmission tower failure in 2023. Funding decisions are made by a panel with representatives from Northland Inc, NorthChamber, Whāriki Te Tai Tokerau Māori Business Network, and Transpower. Projects are assessed on their alignment with the fund's goals, including regional impact, resilience, innovation, and readiness for delivery.
