Businesses to assess flood response
Western Bay businesses will assess their response to the May 18 flood when they meet at a unique event in Tauranga on
October 27th.
The event, hosted by the Sustainable Business Network, is aimed at capturing knowledge about impacts of the flood on
businesses and how they responded, so that they can be better prepared next time.
Regional manager for the Sustainable Business Network, Calum Revfem says that it is important to capture the knowledge
about what worked well for businesses during the flood while it is still fresh in people’s minds. The severity and
frequency of the type of flood event that occurred in Tauranga on May 18 is increasing. “It is important to capture the
knowledge of how businesses prepared, coped and recovered so that we can use that information to do a better job next
time.”
New Zealand Insurance Council statistics show that for the May 18 flood event commercial claims totaled $2.8 million.
This figure represents only a proportion of the financial impacts incurred by businesses such as the disruption to
business activities.
The event is being held at Tauranga’s Historic Village, a business that was closed for an extended period due to the
flood. The forum includes presentations from Tauranga City Council and IAG Insurance (NZI and State Insurance). There
will be focused group discussions and an opportunity for businesses to ask questions.
ENDS.