Following the recent Mercury Bay Business Association AGM, the Association wanted to take a fresh look at how local businesses are feeling, what challenges they are facing, and where they believe greater focus is needed.
Rather than assume what businesses need, the MBBA conducted a Business Confidence Survey to hear directly from those operating across Mercury Bay.
The first survey received responses from 27 businesses across a range of sectors and provides an encouraging picture of the year ahead.
More than 80% of respondents said they were either very or somewhat confident about their business over the next 12 months.
Of those able to compare their performance with this time last year, 50% said their business was performing better, while a further 34.6% said they were performing about the same.
But confidence does not mean businesses are without challenges.
The clearest message was around cost. Twenty of the 27 respondents identified the cost of doing business as an issue affecting them.
When asked what would have the biggest positive impact on business in Mercury Bay, a common theme was growing the local economy. Businesses raised stronger tourism and destination promotion, more year-round events, better roading and infrastructure, housing, and improvements to Council processes.
The survey also highlighted an opportunity for stronger connections between the business community and decision-makers, with a number of respondents reporting limited engagement with both Thames-Coromandel District Council and their local Member of Parliament.
The purpose of the survey was not simply to produce a set of numbers, but to give the Association a clearer understanding of where local businesses are at and where it can make a difference.
Before we decide where the Business Association should put its energy, we need to listen to the people actually doing business here.
It is really encouraging to see more than 80% of respondents confident about the year ahead, particularly when we know businesses are still facing pressure from rising costs.
What has stood out to me is that businesses want Mercury Bay to grow. They want more people visiting, spending and doing business here throughout the year.
This gives us a starting point. We can take these results to Council, government and other organisations and advocate with something behind us. The views of our local business community.
The MBBA plans to continue the Business Confidence Survey in the future, creating a regular snapshot of the Mercury Bay economy and allowing the Association to track how business confidence and the issues facing businesses change over time.
The results will also help guide the MBBA’s priorities, advocacy and conversations with local and central government.
◾️Editor’s comments: Winton Bebbington is a board member of the MB Business Association and business owner of Peninsula Tyres in Monk Street, Whitianga. He initiated and prepared this survey.
