Our speaker this week was Mark Knoff-Thomas, the Chief Executive of the Newmarket Business Association.  Mark spoke first of all about the history of the NBA.  Understanding where Newmarket has come from gives us an appreciation of where Newmarket is heading.

 

The NBA was founded in 1937 as a voluntary organisation but, since 1995, it has been funded by a small levy on council rates on all those businesses in Newmarket.  Since Mark came on board, the focus has been to operate the association as if it were a commercial business and its that commercial mindset that has seen the NBA reflect a surplus in funds.

 

 

In 2017 Newmarket will be managing the ROTA Pacific program for District 9920. This involves bringing young people to New Zealand who are sponsored our Island Clubs. They come for two weeks and during the first week they are billeted with Newmarket Rotarians, attend meetings and are farmed out to a number of other Rotary clubs for their meetings and events they may organise;

For example a visit to F&P Healthcare, A South Auckland Farm, the Auckland Police Station etc. There is a requirement to organise a vocational visit to an entity which is in the same sector as the business/organisation they currently work for. All of this is managed by the organising Club and Jeff Smith will be leading this initiative with assistance from a team out of the Youth Committee.

Who should be the next Mayor of Auckland?

Mayoral candidates Vic Crone, Phil Goff and Mark Thomas are coming to Newmarket to tell us about their vision for the city and how they will address Auckland's issues. It's a big job - who will measure up?

The format will include an opportunity for each candidate to state their plans followed by a Q&A session. Please email any burning questions you have - we will endeavour to have as many answered as possible on the night.

Details:
Wednesday 3rd August
5.30pm - 7.00pm
St Mark's Church, Parish Centre
95 Remuera Road, Newmarket

Light refreshments will be served.