Last week I was in Auckland for the NZ Security Industry Conference where much of the focus was on Youth Crime, Gangs in Schools and how communities are coping with the growing trend of 10-17year olds who join gangs because of peer pressure, dysfunctional family life, lack of male role models and a sense of acceptance and belonging a gang provides that every kid that age longs for. Interestingly, kids who decide gang life is not for them are more afraid of the repercussions of leaving the gang than the life they lead within the gang culture. South Auckland Youth Judge Ida Malosi spoke about many of the programs currently in fashion that are not getting desired results, getting back to basics and passing responsibility back to the communities. Imagine for a minute... communities saying enough is enough, coming out enforce and giving the youth gangs a bit of their own treatment every time they assemble, tag, intimidate and cause trouble – how long would it take before their cause was worthless? I’m not talking vigilante here but firm pro-activeness. On a positive note I am proud to say Wanganui is not listed in the top 20 cities in NZ for reported youth crime and gangs.
Wanganui has been highlighted in the media lately and I know a lot of local people are concerned the attention is negative. Externally Wanganui is not perceived in this light but more as a city positively standing up for the rights of citizens and voicing what a lot of New Zealanders are already thinking.
Wanganui Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a meeting to investigate the skills shortage in Trades. In order to collect data on this, Presidents of four major trades in Wanganui (Master Builders Association, Master Plumbers Association, Master Electricians, and Motor Trades Association) to respond to the following questions:
a. What are the key issues for Trade at a National and local level now?
b. What are the likely future scenarios?
c. What local initiatives are actually making a real difference?
d. What could Chamber do if anything to help improve the current situation?
The information gathered is currently being compiled to develop recommendations and an action plan that Chamber can use to actively assist the Trades moving forward. I will report more on this as actions progress. If you are a trades based business and would like to add to the above questions, please email your thoughts to us.
I recently had the pleasure of being a ‘Dragon’ at Pitch 4 Profit similar to Dragons Den where college students pitch their business product and ideas for investment by the dragons. Principal sponsors, Lindsay Tait Accountants and More FM provided the incentive for creativity and budding business acumen to star among our youngest and brightest young business people of tomorrow. Each team had identified a product or market, developed and presented business ideas for the dragon’s consideration; some were truly innovative and imaginative. P.F.S team from Wanganui Collegiate presented the HeadHummer and were clear winners with an innovative custom fitting, funky headband with installed speakers aimed at the MP3 user market. Other investment went to Mark-It team from Nga Tawa School guaranteeing to hold that page with marketing based magnet bookmarks and Wanganui High School who identified a need and re-designed the female school uniform top from co-ed polo style to definitely feminine and fashionable. Well done to all the teams that worked so hard on this and a big YES to the sponsors who proudly support our future business entrepreneurs?
If you would like to talk to me about any matters concerning this viewpoint, anything your business has achieved or celebrated, or issues that impact your business, I welcome your call.
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