Elevate Ōtorohanga’s first economic development forum will look at “challenging times” and feature keynote speakers including Shamubeel Eaqub, Simon Perry, Honey Hireme-Smiler and Andrew Hoggard.
“We’ve recognised that times are challenging, so we’ve planned a day designed specifically for community leaders and managers to ‘take action’. Elevate chair Marain Hurley said.
“Elevate brings together a quality lineup of keynote speakers to deliver a day of lively presentations that promise to inspire and provide insight into new ways of thinking,”
“Together they can be expected to enlighten us on opportunities to grow our economy, provide insight on how to create successful partnerships, and share experiences that will support us with our own wellbeing and ways to support others.”
Shamubeel Eaqub is former Principal Economist at the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, where he focussed on analytical frameworks to aid economic forecasting, commentary and incisive research into topical areas of economics.
Perry chairs the Perry Group and Brian Perry Charitable Trust, based in Hamilton and is involved in community projects including Te Awa Cycleway Trust and and Bridge Housing which is delivering affordable homes.
Honey Hireme-Smiler is a former Kiwi Ferns and Black Ferns representative who was appointed a Member of the NZ Order of Merit for her services to sport.
ACT MP Andrew Hoggard is the Minister for Biosecurity, Minister for Food Safety, and Associate Minister of Agriculture and Associate Minister of the Environment.
He is a past president of Federated Farmers.
Elevate was previously known as the Ōtorohanga District Development Board.