Local business association re-brands

Local business association re-brands

After 57 years the Waikato Manufacturers Association has re-branded itself and will now be known as EMA Waikato.

The new name reflects similar identities in Auckland and Wellington where the long established employer and manufacturer organisations merged to become the Employers & Manufacturers Association (EMA).

"The brand better reflects the breadth of current membership of the organisation" said newly elected chair of EMA Waikato, Margaret Comer.

"The Association will continue its involvement in lobbying Government at national and local levels, its wide range of member networking activities and site visits, as well as dealing with manufacturing specific issues".

The 57th AGM of the Association on Wednesday, 12 November hosted as guest speaker the new Leader of the National Party, Dr Don Brash. His address to the 70 plus delegates attending was well received.

Dr Brash spelt out five key issues he and the party would seek to deliver:

* Narrowing the gap between New Zealand's living standards and those in Australia; we are estimated to be $250 per week worse off on average than Australians.

* Ensuring access for all New Zealand children to "quality education".

* The "creeping paralysis" of welfare dependency which shelters 350,000 working age adults and tens of thousands of their children from the need (and dignity) of having to earn their own living.

* The dangerous drift in racial separation occurring.

* Ensuring all New Zealanders feel secure, not just at home but internationally through improved relationships with our traditional allies.

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