Cambridge Chamber chief executive Kelly Bouzaid has commended women for their contribution to business.
Speaking at a Chamber-led Suffrage Day lunch in Cambridge last week, she said the event was “a reminder of the strength of women who have shaped our industries and businesses, and who continue to inspire us.”
Among the guests were Kim Antonio, left, and Christine Stevenson, both from Accounted4 Cambridge. Photo: Viv Posselt.
She said she admired those who had shown resilience, worked hard and planned well through the difficulties of the past year.
“The passion and leadership you have shown is second-to-none,” she said.
Guest speaker at the event was Nadia Haua, general manager and co-owner of Cambridge-based NZ Louvres.
Relating her own story, moving from an idyllic island childhood with no power or running water, to navigating her business career through the global financial crisis and then Covid-19, she spoke of the cornerstones to her success.
“First it is about tāngata, tāngata, tāngata,” she said, “people, people, people and the relationships you build. Work really hard and find the right sort of mentor … that was a turning point for us. If it wasn’t for our mentor I don’t know where we would be today.”
Nadia Haua, co-owner of Cambridge-based NZ Louvres, speaking at last week’s Suffrage Day lunch. Photo: Viv Posselt
She said it was crucial to look after family and yourself and keep it simple.
“Look forward and keep a rainy-day fund,” she added. “I think that as women, we naturally do that because we run homes and families. Squirreling away some funds when things are going well will help during lean times… it is one of the skills we can bring as women that can help our businesses.”
The company she runs with her husband, Steffan Haua, is based in Cambridge. It has dealerships in several New Zealand locations and runs a network of installers around the country.
Suffrage Day in New Zealand marks the September 19 anniversary of the 1893 Electoral Act that granted women voting rights.
It was the first nation in the world to do so, Minister for Women Nicola Grigg said last week.
“The vision and determination of the movement here was foundational to the global equal rights movement, and we should never forget the significance of that.”
Cambridge Chamber chief executive Kelly Bouzaid, left, with last week’s speaker Nadia Haua, co-owner of Cambridge-based NZ Louvres, and Aroha Croft, right, who marked her sixth anniversary with the Chamber at the Suffrage Day lunch. Photo: Viv Posselt.
