Welcome to this the Spring edition of WEst. As the days get longer, one can’t help but start to feel a level of excitement for the promise of daylight savings and the coming warmer days of summer.

Of course, if you listen to our mainstream media, the worlds a mess, domestically everything is a shambles and there really is no hope. But is that really a fair assessment, or are we perhaps unwittingly surrendering ourselves to the opine and indoctrination of the media pack?

Business West Business Association is deeply grateful to ASB for sponsoring our most recent breakfast event where we had the opportunity to listen to a surprisingly refreshing review of the NZ economy by the Bank’s Chief Economist, Nick Tuffley, who was reasonably confident about the economic outlook. In satiating the kiwi obsession with mortgage interest rates, Tuffley’s predictions of a further cut seem to have come through. There is more coverage of the event on page 25.

So is it really that bad?
In other news Business West has been pleased to support local business in recent weeks maintain aspects of their health and safety obligations through the provision of First Aid courses and refresher courses. We will continue to identify and source suitable training and workplace training and development opportunities for members

We are also excited to announce the release of the of the Business West membership portal. In its first release, this exciting development will provide members with access to:

• Exclusive Advertising Opportunities
• Comprehensive Business Directory
• Networking and Events
• Education and Professional Development
• Advocacy and One Voice
• Marketing and Promotion
• Exclusive Member Resources
• Security and Safety Initiatives

For more information, please drop a note to: admin@businesswest.co.nz

Wishing you the best in business and health.