Speech
The Kollective opening
Rau rangatira mā, e kui mā, e koro mā, e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi māhana ki a koutou. Kia ora tātou katoa.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, warm greetings to you all.
It’s a real pleasure to be here with you today. I’m delighted to play a small part in the story of The Kollective so far.
A good story is everything and The Kollective’s tale is the best kind. A community success story that leaves us all feeling better off.
I’m told there have been a few twists and turns on the way to this happy ending. There were critics but the twin themes of innovation and concern for the public good resonated with most people.
The idea of co-working spaces might be relatively new but has proved to be successful wherever it’s been tried. If you have a laptop and smartphone you can find a co-working location just about anywhere in New Zealand – from the main centres to smaller outposts like Cambridge[1] and Westport.
Technology may have freed us from the constraints of clocking in and out of a traditional office but for many people, the sense of belonging that comes from being surrounded by others remains important. We are social creatures after all. It’s about human contact and the synergy that comes from people bringing their brain power and talent to the same space. Co-working provides the perfect solution.
There are also the economies that come from sharing resources. Many small organisations greatly benefit from the cost effectivenesss of co-working. It frees up money for the real work.
The Kollective’s take on co-working concentrates on groups working in the community and social services arena. By bringing them together, the Kollective is unlocking the power of relationships and shared resources to increase societal wellbeing.
It’s innovative and sets the standard for other cities. That innovation even flows through to the building’s infrastructure and fittings. The clever ideas for muffling noise and sustainability initiatives used here are impressive. I know following their visit here, Government House staff came back with a list of things like meeting pods, phone booths and toner-recoverable photocopiers they’d like to see us use. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!
It shows that what’s happening here is exciting for everyone – not just the people of Tauranga. You are leading the way, and all the organisations involved with getting The Kollective off the ground – from the funders and drivers of the project, to those who use the space, should feel proud of what has been achieved.
Good luck to The Kollective! I can’t wait to see what arises from this space in future.
Kia ora huihui tātou katoa