New Zealand businesses need to collaborate to maximise rebuild opportunity

The Canterbury rebuild will begin to gain momentum this year and a new initiative being launched in February will help businesses across New Zealand make the most of the opportunity.

Collaborate Canterbury will help connect established Canterbury businesses, in and supporting the construction sector, with companies across New Zealand, who want to play a part in the rebuild.

Collaborate Canterbury Spokesperson, Peter Townsend says it is critical for the country that companies collaborate and combine resources – be it thorough supply agreements, joint ventures, secondments, partnerships, outsourcing, acquisitions or sub-contracts.

“By working together, the company inside Christchurch can unlock the door to the rebuild opportunities, while the external company allows the local business to build scale and increase its capacity. 

“We know that it just doesn’t work when companies come in cold and want to be involved in the rebuild. They have to have a local entity that has the contracts and relationships in the marketplace.”

The project is one of CERA’s Economic Recovery Strategy initiatives and is jointly managed by the Canterbury Development Corporation and the Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce. The website also provides legal, financial and taxation advice from partners Anderson Lloyd Lawyers, Lane Neave Lawyers and PwC.  

Collaborate Canterbury has been working with the construction sector, chambers of commerce and economic development agencies since the earthquakes and the launch of the initiative, into the wider community, has been timed to support businesses as they prepare for the increased rebuild activity that will begin in 2013.

From February 11, companies wanting to be involved in the rebuild can register on the website, which will help match and connect them with Canterbury businesses looking to increase capacity and resources. Through February and March, Townsend will be visiting regions across the country to promote the project.

www.collaboratecanterbury.org.nz