Venture Hawke's Bay changes

After two years as general manager of the region’s economic development agency, Venture Hawke’s Bay, Janet Takarangi is stepping away from the organisation happy that Venture Hawke’s Bay is in a stronger, better-structured and more capable position.

“After investing a huge amount of my own, my staff and the Board’s energy and focus, we’ve developed an organisation that is starting to deliver, while focusing on local economic growth in a number of areas,” said Ms Takarangi.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council chief executive Andrew Newman announced the decision on Monday to staff and indicated the role would be disestablished and not replaced.

Since 2008, Ms Takarangi has reorganised Venture Hawke’s Bay to focus on Regional Promotion and Marketing, Investment and Planning, and Productivity and Innovation. The organisation is working on significant projects that include inwards investment into Hawke’s Bay in addition to the delivery of the regional promotion and marketing programme, opportunities with exporters related to the Shanghai 2010 Expo and the Rugby World Cup 2011.

“We recognise the value to the region of the initiatives and momentum generated by Janet over the last two years and the commitment is to capitalise on this momentum within a tough economic environment,” said Mr Newman.

VENTURE HAWKE’S BAY RESTRUCTURE

There has been some media commentary in the past week with regards to Venture Hawke’s Bay and a restructuring proposition.

Venture Hawke’s Bay is today like many organisations confronting an uncertain economic environment. This is impacting on the security of its revenue streams and particularly those sourced from Central Government.

Accordingly the Venture Hawke’s Bay Board has recommended to the Regional Council that the cost structure be adjusted to ensure delivery of the key performance areas, for the coming financial year commencing 1 July 2010, so that the organisation is sized correctly for its secured budget. The Board notes that Venture Hawke’s Bay has delivered some outstanding results in the first year of its inception through projects including “Grow the Bay”, the New Zealand Cycleway initiative, Technology New Zealand projects, the Shanghai Expo and Rugby World Cup.

It is proposed that three roles, including the General Manager role, be disestablished, noting that one of these three roles is part-time. A further two roles, one full-time and one part-time will be reviewed subject to security of Central Government revenue. All staff have been informed and the proposed restructure is now subject to consultation before being finalised, with the exception of the General Manager role, where Janet Takarangi will finish up on 28 May.

It should also be noted that the Apples Futures programme is due to be transferred on schedule to Pipfruit NZ and so there will be an impact on contract roles associated with that project.

Some comment has also been made that Venture Hawke’s Bay will move from its current location to the Regional Council’s head office. This is under consideration and is being worked through currently. If a move occurs it will be sometime in the second quarter of the 2010-11 financial year.

The Board of Venture Hawke’s Bay and the Regional Council are committed to working with staff and stakeholders to ensure the organisation continues to deliver on its mandate of regional economic development and promotion and marketing of Hawke’s Bay
 

Further we have an obligation to consult with staff and work with them to ensure their opportunities are fairly addressed and the transition is smooth. We expect this to be complete before the end of the financial year being 30 June 2010.