How are Māori supporting Northland’s drive for inward investment and GDP growth? What are the barriers to doing so? And why are we still having this discussion?In this episode we speak with Ngāti Hine kaumatua, community stalwart, serial business leader and National Iwi Chairs Forum member Pita Tipene. We speak about the state of play in Northland - socially, politically and economically – and about regional economic development as seen through his te ao Māori lens. We discussed the role of Ngāpuhiinvestment fund Tupu Tonhu. And (of course!) Treaty Settlement matters. Links to items referred to in the show: NBR article about Webuildand the Northern expresswayhttps://businessdesk.co.nz/article/infrastructure/northland-expressway-bidder-faces-scrutiny-as-serious-allegations-rock-sydney-rail-project Kaipara DistrictCouncil election videoshttps://www.kaipara.govt.nz/candidates
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#12: Game Changer!
First cars. Now… boats. But is electric propulsion fit-for-purpose on the water? Are punters ready to make the switch? And what are its limitations?The marine industry is riding a wave of transformation in the way boats are powered - from diesel to fully decarbonised. And helping to lead that charge is a Northland company that few of us really know anything about. In this episode we speak with Fiona Bycroft, CEO of Whangārei-based marine electric propulsioninnovator Naut. We speak about what’s happening in this sector, general acceptance of the technology, its limitations, barriers to growth, and whether Northland is the right place to build the company into the next stages of its growth.
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#11: Leaders with Heart!
What is heart-led leadership? Can it survive first encounter with the Boardroom? And do those who practice it place their personal credibility on the line?We’ve heard much in recent times about the virtues of leadership infused with kindness and compassion. Is it all fluffy millennial nonsense, or does at least some of it deliver better results within the organisation, around the Board table, or to the bottom line?And how much of this stuff resonates with typically hard-bitten leadership teams in provincial New Zealand, far removed from the chai latte-sipping, painfully right-on fashionistas with sharp haircuts based in our urban centres? How relevant is it to those of us leading businesses or community organisations in the regions?We discuss all this, and more, with two well-known Northland leaders Tania McInnes (formerly deputy-mayor of the Far North) and Sheryl Mai (formerly mayor of Whangarei).Links to items referred to in the show:New Zealand Chambers of Commerce news release (business and economic survey):https://www.newzealandchambers.co.nz/media-release/chambers-of-commerce-survey-signals-divided-economic-sentiment-across-new-zealandInside Government news article (proposals to address ecological damage caused by kina barrens):https://insidegovernment.co.nz/feedback-sought-on-northland-rock-lobster-fishery-support-plan/
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#10: Led by the Best?
Are Northland businesses served well by Directors? Why are the same people appointed to Board after Board? Conversely, are there enough locals on our Boards?In this week’s episode of the True North podcast we speak with Mike Simm, one of Northland’s most senior businesspeople, about the governance challenges and opportunities facing organisations based in our region. Northland needs to sharpen up when it comes to the governance of its businesses and its organisations, he says. We are way too loose in the definition of our purpose, and also the rigour of our reporting and accountability in delivering against that purpose.We don’t have enough examples of best practice locally for Northland business leaders to measure themselves against.And it’s too easy for some organisations – especially those funded by local and central government – to get away with failing to deliver against expectation.Be sure to listen to catch Mike’s views on a range of issues, from the importance of Board-level empathy with local communities through to identifying and nurturing local governance talent.
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#9: What are we worth?
What’s Northland worth to Auckland and the rest of New Zealand? Are we delivering? And why must we still make the case for better infrastructure in our region?In this week’s episode of the True North podcast we speak with Julian Smith, group secretary of the Northland Corporate Group, about a report it launched in Wellington today. It maintains that Northland has the potential to contribute much more significantly to economic growth in New Zealand generally, and to Auckland in particular. But only if there is continued investment in connectivity –transport, energy and telecoms - in the region.It says Northland could conceivably boost its forecast GDP for 2050 by 50 percent, or an additional $20 billion, to a whopping $60 billion – but only if potential investors here are given the certainty and confidence they need in core infrastructure to unleash $38 billion dollars in latent capital investment.
From Spirits Bay to Bream Bay, from the Hokianga to the Heads, we cover the business news of New Zealand’s North and speak with the people who make it happen.
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