The Power of Deep Relationships: Reflections on Collaboration and Purpose

In today’s fast-paced business world, the importance of building deep, meaningful relationships can sometimes be underestimated.

Recently, I had the opportunity to reconnect with Kirk Hope , former CEO of BusinessNZ , to reflect on the close partnership we developed while working together. Our discussion was a good reminder that when like-minded individuals come together with a common purpose, anything is possible.?

During that period — Kirk as CEO of Business NZ, me as Chair of the Sustainable Business Council NZ (SBC) advisory board, a subsidiary of Business NZ, and in my role at OCS Australia & New Zealand — we faced many challenges, none more significant than the COVID-19 pandemic.?

The joint work of the SBC (led by CEO Mike Burrell ) and Business NZ during this time was a testament to the strength of relationships built on trust and shared values. Together, we helped protect and support businesses across New Zealand, ensuring they had the practical guidance and resources they needed to weather the storm.

What stands out about that collaboration is that it wasn’t just about survival — it was about laying the groundwork for long-term change. We addressed some of the most pressing issues in New Zealand’s business landscape, from sustainability to pragmatic climate action.

The partnership between SBC and Business NZ was pivotal in developing solutions that not only helped businesses through the immediate crisis but also positioned them for a more sustainable and resilient future.

Now that both Kirk and I have transitioned out of those roles — Kirk having moved to a new role as Chief Executive of the Financial Services Council New Zealand and myself stepping back as Chair of SBC (though I remain an active and passionate advisory board member) — we can look back with pride at what was accomplished. The legacy of that collaboration lives on, and it serves as a blueprint for future partnerships.

The future we envisioned is one where sustainability becomes so embedded in business practice that organisations like SBC may no longer be necessary.

Kirk’s leadership, informed by his experience in the financial sector, has been instrumental in demonstrating that sustainability and business can be complementary forces. For both of us, the most rewarding aspect of this work has been supporting each other and our teams through challenging times, while continuing to advocate for a future that aligns business success with sustainability.

As we look ahead, the focus remains on creating a business environment in New Zealand that is resilient, adaptable, and sustainable. Our time working together reinforced one key lesson: when you’re aligned with like-minded people, anything is possible.

I look forward to continuing to build on that foundation and seeing how future collaborations shape the business landscape in Aotearoa.