Co-operators from across New Zealand met in Auckland for a national forum on 3 March. The event was organised by Cooperative Business New Zealand, the country’s national apex body for co-operatives.
Delegates at the forum heard from Simon Bridges, minister for Economic Development, Transport and Communications and associate minister for Finance.
He said: “You’re a really big part of the economy and you’ve stayed very strong for a long time. You’re responsible for 20% of our GDP and those profits and value stay local.”
Other speakers at the forum, Dr Lisa Callagher from the University of Auckland’s Business School and Dr Elena Garnevska from Massey University, presented their recent report, The New Zealand Co-operative Economy.
The research highlights the sector’s importance in the country’s economy.
Craig Presland, chief executive of Cooperative Business New Zealand, explained: “Our top 30 co-operatives and mutuals generate annual revenues of more than NZD $42.3bn which equates to 17.5% of New Zealand’s GDP, while being responsible for 1.4 million memberships and the employment of 48,500 Kiwis.”
He added: “We now have the opportunity to extend this research further into such areas as what makes the co-operative business model one of sustainability – economically, environmentally and socially.”
Photo: Simon Bridges, minister for economic development, transport and communications and associate minister for finance speaking at the conference
