A Final Message from Our Chair

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-A message from our chair, Colin Campbell

Well 2022 has been and is basically gone. A rollercoaster year with plenty of highs and lows.

We have now learned to live with Covid and I suspect it will eventually be treated like Influenza, with annual jabs for the current strain.

Again our expectation on life has been dramatically altered but I suggest life is now back to the “new normal”

The trend of significant world and local events continue to impact New Zealand as a country and Team Local business owners on an individual level.

One thing appears certain, and that is that the boom time of the past decade is about to end. Market feedback is that Group Builder enquiry is down to 50% and even less in some market sectors. The cost of building continues to rise, existing home prices are reducing so the back half of 2023 will be interesting for our industry.

I would recommend doing a conservative budget for the 23/24 financial year, look at all expenses and reduce debt as much as possible to ensure you have as low a breakeven point as possible.

Here are a few of the key points that 2022 will be remembered for:

  • In March 2022 the Global death toll of Covid surpassed 6 Million. Currently sits at 6.65M with NZ deaths at 2,257.
  • Russian Invasion of Ukraine. This is the largest armed conflict in Europe since WWII
  • The Monkeypox outbreak.
  • The Japanese Prime Minister is assassinated.
  • Australia has another new Prime Minister. Since 2010 they have had 9, in the same time NZ have had 3.
  • England has a new Prime Minister
  • The Death of Queen Elizabeth II.
  • England has a new Prime Minister (no this isn’t a typo Liz Truss lasted only 50 days!)
  • Beijing Winter Olympics NZs most successful!
  • Roger Federer retires arguably the GOAT.
  • Commonwealth Games held in England. Again NZs most successful!
  • The continued rise of inflation to 7.2%
  • Mortgage Interest rates up from 2% to 6.5%
  • The GIB shortage putting the whole NZ building industry under pressure
  • All Black drop to 5th in International rugby standings and end the year ranked 3rd
  • Continued labour shortages across the BOP building industry
  • Raw material shortages across the BOP building industry
  • The Three Waters debacle continues
  • Co-Governance continues to spread throughout NZ
  • The return of the Team Local Xmas Function.

So without sounding like a stuck record, in this busy time of year, I encourage you to take a few minutes to contemplate your personal situation. 

Take time, and use the Christmas break to re-energise yourself and prepare for the New Year. Take the time to undertake the things that are important to you as an individual.

 

Take time to show kindness and support for people less fortunate than yourself. Make sure your family and friends know you appreciate them, and take the time you need to look after yourself.

As always, I am aware that the success of Team Local rests upon the support of our Provider members and the efforts of the board, ably supported by David Hodgson. I know that with the market cooling, now is the time to maximise the benefit of being part of Team Local. Use the Mobile APP to find the Team Provider lists to get ahead of the game and prepare for the downturn.

I did say last year that we would have more opportunities to network in 2022, unfortunately this couldn’t occur. However, I am optimistic that we will have more opportunities to network in 2023. Please use these opportunities to maximise the value of Team Local and the network of local business owners that Team Local presents.

On behalf of the Team Local Board, let me end by once again thanking you for your support and continued backing of Team Local. We wish you a safe and very happy Christmas, and a New Year filled with productivity and prosperity.

Colin Campbell
Team Local Chairman