Kawerau

58% of the people who came along to the event told us they were unemployed at the time the event started.

There was a high number (12%) of self-employed people who came to the event.

One of the key points on an entrepreneurs journey is the first sale. The first time you hold that $10 profit in your hand. This can turn out to be the catalyst that drives you forward to build your business.

We do everything we can to help people reach their first sale with 69% achieving this during the course!

At the Rebel Business School we track four main figures for people before and after the event. We ask people to rate where they are on a scale of 1-10.

Here are samples of the websites that were built, launched and developed over the course.

It is amazing how having a website so quickly helps people to feel that their business is more real.

Connecting attendees to the local business ecosystem

At the Rebel Business School Aotearoa we make sure new businesses stay connected by providing awareness of business network support in specific areas as needed. These connections are all about enabling business sustainability. Being aware of the Bookkeepers Assn NZ or Business Mentors NZ, for example, can provide business input allowing the business to strengthen its foundations and/or its direction.

Kawerau Township is nestled at the foot of the impressive Putauaki Maunga (Mt Edgecumbe). Putauaki is of historical significance to the locals of Kawerau and surrounding areas.

Against all odds and despite the closure of Tasman Pulp and Paper eventually Norske Skog Tasman the small Township of Kawerau with a determine District Council, a supportive Iwi Tuwharetoa ki Kawerau, and a strong Community vibe together they just continue to bounce back.

Primarily Kawerau was known for its industrious booming Mill operations that provided a prosperous future for not just the locals but neighbouring Iwi, whanau, hapu and communities throughout the Eastern Bay of Plenty too. Notwithstanding, amazing skills to match through an ongoing supply of phenomenal training and higher education support led by the Mill.

Shutting one of the major machines down was described as something similar to disconnecting a mothers life support machine because that was what the giant Mill represented, as it housed, clothed, fed, educated, and took good care of a number of families from all over the BOP regions. Some still remain there today.

The Governments Provincial Growth Fund in 2020 invested $19.9 million to create over 150 jobs in Kawerau.

Kawerau mayor Malcolm Campbell said the value of the funding would enable new industries and development that would be located in Kawerau but would benefit the entire Eastern Bay (Post, 2020).

The image is a reminder of what inspiration and collaboration can do as well as maintaining and applying Treaty of Waitangi principles by ensuring exclusivity for the benefit of whanau, hapu, Iwi and community as whole.

Economic development is highly important to Kawerau despite experiencing some very difficult times since the closure of the Mill whose characteristics have been described as that of a mother nurturing her child Kawerau can and will regain its thriving status.

Collaboration and recognition of the importance of Partnerships are key drivers to the economic growth, development, and well-being of Kawerau like that of the successful Putauaki Trust and the supportive Iwi Tuwharetoa ki Kawerau and an even more determined District council. Notwithstanding a very resilient, strong people who are willing to grasp opportunities that come their way.

Kawerau is well-known for hosting a range of annual family events. The image shows Kawerau’s Christmas in the park often attended by families throughout the Bay of Plenty and further due to its range of entertainment and well organised and resourced Christmas festivities.

Rebel Business School has re-ignited the entrepreneurial spirit of those who attended. Listening to local business guest speakers further enhanced passion and eagerness to becoming self-owned business operators too. Councils’ announcement regarding the type of support available to assist those new start-ups and the process were well accepted by participants who were very grateful adding again more motivation. More importantly participants through Rebels Business School were exposed to a range of business tools that have empowered inspired and motivated all those in attendance.

At this point in time, Kawerau has 36 eager members and some from other neighbouring areas such as Te Kaha whanau, hapu and Iwi ready, eager, and waiting to complete their business plans in preparation for the Christmas spend. Thank you Rebels for putting confidence, motivation, and passion back where it belongs, with the individual and their communities.

“It takes a community to raise the child”.
“He aha te mea nui o te Ao? he tangata, he tangata, he tangata What is the greatest thing in this world? it is people, it is people, it is people”

We asked the participants what their Lightbulb moments were at the event. Also they left the messages for our partners and assessed our team’s efforts.