March is Here and the North West is Buzzing!
What a fantastic start to the year it has been. Businesses across the North West are back up and running, the energy in our community is tangible, and the feedback we are hearing is that people are feeling genuinely positive about what 2026 holds. After a tough few years, it is wonderful to see confidence returning to our region and we are here to make sure that momentum keeps building.
As always, we have been busy behind the scenes working on initiatives that will make a real difference for our members. Here is what is happening across the North West this month.
Flooding Toolkit, Momentum is Building!
The response to our Business Flooding Toolkit pilot has been really encouraging. Since we presented the concept to Healthy Waters at Auckland Council last year, we have been busy getting a group of local businesses on board who have experienced flooding firsthand and are ready to be part of finding real solutions.
The Toolkit will give businesses a practical toolbox of flood resilience and resistance options they can put in place when floods are on the way. We are working to have these measures endorsed by Auckland Council (pending negotiations) and insurance brokers, so businesses can implement them with confidence.
If your business is in Kumeu, Huapai or Waimauku, has experienced flooding, and you haven’t yet registered your interest, there is still time! This pilot is a real opportunity to get tailored engineering solutions designed specifically for your property, at no cost to you. Get in touch with me directly on manager@northwestcountry.co.nz and let’s get you on board.
PerformIQ Launches This Month, Don’t Miss Out!
Big news for North West businesses, The Better SMB is launching their PerformIQ platform right here in our region from 20 to 24 March 2026, and we want as many of our members as possible to be part of it.
PerformIQ gives businesses access to real insights and performance metrics through the innovative 35 by 35 Programme, a movement helping businesses grow their performance by up to 35% by 2035. North West Country will be right alongside you, supporting every member on the platform to make the most of what it offers.
Here’s where it gets really exciting for our region: once we have at least 50 businesses on board, we will receive aggregated and anonymised data about how our business area is performing as a whole. That means we can benchmark ourselves, identify where businesses need the most support, and tailor what we do to actually make a difference.
More information is coming your way over the next few weeks, so keep an eye on your inbox and our channels. This is one not to miss.
2026 Sponsorship Opportunities, Partner With Us
We are looking for great local businesses to come on board as North West Country sponsors in 2026, and the opportunities are genuinely exciting. Whether you want to back the organisation as a whole or get behind a specific project that aligns with your values, there is a way to make it work for you.
Annual sponsors have their logos featured across all of our communication channels and receive tickets to our events, putting your brand in front of the people who matter most to your business. Project sponsors become our delivery partners on initiatives that are shaping the future of the North West.
Whatever you’re looking for brand exposure, community connection, or simply wanting to give back to the region that supports you, let’s have a conversation.
Reach out to me on manager@northwestcountry.co.nz and we can find the right fit for your business.
Welcome, Governance Intern!
We are thrilled to announce that North West Country is bringing on board our very first Governance Intern, in partnership with Massey University Business School. This is something our Executive Committee is genuinely proud of creating a pathway for emerging governance professionals while strengthening how we operate as an organisation.
“The intern will support our organisation to best practice and allow us to look at ourselves from a new perspective, making sure we are always innovating,” says our Chair, Andrew Howard.
We love that this partnership brings fresh eyes to our not-for-profit and helps us keep raising the bar. Watch this space for more on how this initiative develops throughout the year.
Nga mihi,
Danielle Hancock
General Manager, North West Country Inc
manager@northwestcountry.co.nz
