Newspaper Article – PM praises family business

PM praises family business

Key Opens company’s new offices

Lawrence Gullery
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A Hawke’s Bay family business which opened its doors in 1986 was praised for its work through the economic recession when its new office was opened by Prime Minister John Key.

Mr Key was in Hastings last week to open the Stewart Financial Group’s new building on Karamu Rd.

During his one-day visit to the Bay, Mr Key talked about cutting the red tape for exporters and promoting opportunities for business in the region.

He also recognised the work by the Stewart group and its achievements as a family company.

Mr Key said media reports did not reflect the true state of business in New Zealand as Government monitoring showed business confidence was tracking upwards.

He said there was not one area the Government could remedy to bring the country out of the recession, but improving education and infrastructure such as broadband services and transport were a few of the key areas.

On transport, Stewart Financial Group’s general manager Nick Stewart said he was happy Mr Key’s Government had approved the corporatisation of the Hawke’s Bay Airport. “It’s timely that the Prime Minister is visiting Hawke’s Bay, particularly given the recent developments with our region’s airport,” he said.

“The Prime Minister recognises the crucial role that airport development plays in the growth of regional economies.”

Mr Stewart’s company spent five years finding the right location for its new building, finally settling on the central Karamu Rd site.

“We’re conscious of the need to invest in our community and we open that this new building will help to grow the levels of business confidence in Hastings,” he said.

Photo caption –

SPECIAL SPEAKER: Stewart Financial Group’s general manager Nick Stewart (left) speaks at the firm’s new building in Hastings, which was opened by Prime Minister John Key (right).
PICTURE/LAWRENCE GULLERY
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