The Bay of Plenty business environment is diverse, innovative and highly connected. Tauranga city alone has experienced 33 per cent growth in the last 10 years, meaning that a large proportion of the population are fairly new to the area. This has created a strong climate of goodwill and support within the business community, who are keen to collaborate to ensure the Bay remains a fantastic place from which to work and do business.

The Bay of Plenty has an active business community with many useful resources. The following list is not exhaustive, but highlights some of the opportunities that are on hand.

Young Professionals Forum

Facilitated by economic development organisation, Priority One, the Young Professionals Forum is a focus group of professional people that have come to the region after studying, working or living elsewhere. Some have returned to the Bay after growing up here, while others are newcomers. The group meets a couple of times a year informally over drinks and nibbles to discuss and develop initiatives to increase the Bay’s attractiveness for young professional people. In addition, the views of the group on different issues are canvassed from time to time by email. For further information, email greg@priorityone.co.nz.

Rocket!

Rocket! provides young professionals and business owners with their own forum to meet and network at events aimed at their interests. It was established in 2002 to provide opportunities for younger business-orientated people to “hang out, get to know each other and learn stuff”. Working with the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce, Rocket provides lots of networking, knowledge sharing and career development opportunities, as well as fun events with like minded people. Because these ‘fine young things’ get around a bit, they’re always looking for new ‘Rocketeers’.  For more information click here.

Priority One

Priority One is New Zealand’s only economic development initiative established by the business community and run along business principles of action and results. It has a key role in driving growth initiatives to improve macro economic factors affecting the sub-region. Priority One works closely with local authorities to ensure local government and business needs and aspirations are aligned and encourages businesses to grow by working with key influencers to remove impediments to business establishment and development.  www.priorityone.co.nz

Tauranga Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber is a membership-based service that promotes local businesses, provides networking opportunities and offers business support services. Its key areas of focus are supporting the growth and development of sustainable businesses, building business capability and helping create an environment favourable to business growth through advocacy.  www.tauranga.org.nz

Export NZ (Bay of Plenty)

Also a membership-based organisation, Export NZ BOP fosters foreign exchange earnings by providing a voice for exporters, creating a climate to achieve export growth, providing education at a practical level in all aspects of exporting and encouraging networking and information sharing.  www.exportbop.org.nz


Sustainable Business Network

Sustainable Business Network is a membership forum for businesses that are interested in sustainable development. It promotes sustainable practices and supports businesses on the path to becoming sustainable, as well as linking businesses and providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and experiences.  For more information click here.

Food Bay of Plenty

Food Bay of Plenty was set up to assist members to grow their businesses through networking and sharing of technical expertise. It has established Tauranga as a pre-eminent region for food manufacturing and processing, growing existing businesses and encouraging new enterprises to the region. Alongside the commercial benefits of being a member, the association has an emphasis on fun, vibrancy and enjoying the company of others that are passionate about the Bay of Plenty food sector.  www.foodbayofplenty.co.nz

Western Bay of Plenty ICT Cluster

The Western Bay of Plenty Information and Communications Technology (ICT) cluster was formed to bring together businesses that are keen to create commercial opportunities and contribute their experience and expertise to the development of an IT rich region. The cluster's focus is on information sharing to encourage synergies and collaboration to grow the sector for individual and mutual benefit and provide a voice for the industry.  www.wbop-ict.co.nz

Tauranga Marine Industry Association

The Tauranga Marine Industry Association assists members to grow their businesses through networking, referrals and sharing technical expertise. The combined resources of the cluster provide world class marine services extending to luxury yacht and commercial fleet operators. There is a strong service sector completing maintenance work on existing boats, including fishing boats and the numerous overseas cruising yachts that call into the port throughout the year. Tauranga Bridge Marina has one of the largest selections of berth sizes in the South Pacific.
www.tmia.co.nz

Enterprise Angels

Enterprise Angels is the Bay of Plenty's business investment organisation.  Businesses from throughout New Zealand who are seeking investment and experienced, skilled business people present to Enterprise Angels at their monthly meetings.  Enterprise Angels provides opportunities to identify investment and employment opportunities in young start-up companies and to network with and learn from some of the most experienced business people in the region.  For more information click here.