
Business Wairarapa is proud to host the 2022 Wairarapa Business Summit
With a focus on Wairarapa SME and industry, the 2022 Summit is a highly interactive and practical day of workshops and robust discussion with resources and tools to equip our business community.
Presented in lively segments of 90 minutes, we’ll look at how businesses make those hard decisions as they ride the tides, along with techniques for reinvention with real-world (and achievable) advice from Wairarapa people and industry. Our special guest speaker, Dr Georgi Toma will provide practical resources for well-being in an SME environment, and finishing with a Knowledge Café, business owners are encouraged to share and contribute to the ongoing resilience of their peers and colleagues.
Don’t miss out on this exceptional and interactive day. Full-day and half-day ticket options are available!
- When: Wednesday August 17th 9.00am – 4.00pm
- Where: Carterton Events Centre
WHAT TO EXPECT
9.00 am | Arrive – Tea/Coffee |
9.20 am | Welcome |
9.30 – 11.00am | OUT OF THE ASHES Three small businesses share their experiences on making ‘hard’ decisions. Amanda Sim – Evie May Shoes Phil Grant – NZ Made Clothing Becky Bateman – Astronomer |
11.00-11.15am | Morning Tea |
11.15 – 12.45pm | WHERE TO NEXT? A Panel Discussion with Wairarapa industry followed by Q&A. Paul Southey – A1 Homes Dale Williams – Youth2Work Nicola Morris – BakerAG Helen Tickner – Tranzit Group Kirk Hope – CEO BusinessNZ |
12.45 – 1.15pm | Lunch |
1.15 – 2.45pm | WELL BEING for SMEs A Practical workshop with Dr. Georgi Toma. Practical tools for well-being for SME employers and small businesses. This session is highly interactive and practical. Attendees will receive checklists and resources to implement straight away in their business. |
2.45 – 3.00pm | Afternoon Tea |
3.00 – 4.00 pm | KNOWLEDGE CAFE An interactive session where content from the day is consolidated into a final package. |
4.00pm | Networking – drinks & nibbles |
THINKING of Going? Tickets are 100% fully refundable up to the date of the Summit. Get yours today!


SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER: Dr. Georgi Toma – The Wellbeing Protocol
Dr. Toma is an expert in stress, burnout and workplace mental health. She has lived and worked in Romania, the US, Spain, Australia, and currently resides in New Zealand.
Through her research and practical work, she created a step-by-step system to increase mental wellbeing and reduce burnout. This system is called The Wellbeing Protocol. Research studies prove that The Wellbeing Protocol can help participants reduce stress by up to 58%, burnout by up to 60%, and improve their mental wellbeing by up to 103%.
Dr. Toma is the founder of Heart and Brain Works through which she supports companies to create psychologically safe and productive workplaces. She also conducts research at the University of Auckland..

BUISNESS WAIRARAPA WELCOMES: Kirk Hope – CEO BusinessNZ
Kirk Hope is Chief Executive of BusinessNZ, New Zealand’s leading business advocacy group, representing thousands of businesses of all sizes.
Mr Hope and his Wellington-based team work with companies, organisations and political and other decision makers, advocating for New Zealand’s success through sustainable economic growth.
Before joining BusinessNZ, Kirk was CEO of the New Zealand Bankers’ Association. Prior to that he was Executive Director of the Financial Services Federation, the industry body representing the non-bank sector. He previously held a range of senior positions at Westpac, including Head of Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs.
TICKETS:
- Full day in-person $190– includes Lunch
- Half day in-person $95