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Long-serving One Mahurangi Business Association manager Murray Chapman will retire on March 18 next year.
A clearly emotional Chapman shared the news during One Mahurangi’s annual meeting (AGM) in front of about 30 attendees on Wednesday, October 29, held in the Back Bar of the Warkworth Bridgehouse.
When he eventually steps down he will have been at the helm for a decade, having first being sent the job ad by a friend in 2017 (MM, Mar 26, 2018).
At the AGM, Chapman reflected on his time leading One Mahurangi and described the last 12 months as one of his most challenging years in the role.
“This year has been probably the hardest in my nine years of being the manager at One Mahurangi due to the intensity of the Watercare issue,” Chapman said.
“It created a huge amount of work but also a huge amount of anger around the town. Dave Stott and I copped a lot of that…but despite all this we’ve still managed to deliver a full programme.”
Chapman expressed his gratitude to his operations team and the business association’s leadership.
“I have to thank my ops team, Lauren (Kumerich) and Alison (Hitchcock) – they are the people behind me that make everything work,” he said.
“Dave (Stott) and Bevan (Morrison) as co-chairs, their support has been amazing for me over the last couple of years, and the committee as a whole has been very, very supportive.
“I have to also say, I love the community, because some of the conversations I have when I’m walking through town are really raw and honest, which is a nicer way of saying they don’t beat the hell out of me sometimes,” he joked
“It’s time to step aside and let someone else do it – a new face, a new voice, new energy. This has been a huge part of my life. It’s probably the best job I’ve ever had, the one I’ve enjoyed the most. I’m still going to be around to help out.
“It’s not an easy decision for me to make to suddenly realise that I’m this age and my health isn’t what it should be.
“I’ve had some long discussions with Dave and Bevan about succession planning. I must admit, at first, I resisted. But it is time for me to step down … so I just want to thank you all. I want to thank all the people I’ve worked with.”
Stott led the tributes, acknowledging the change ahead while celebrating Chapman’s legacy.
“We all have to give a huge thanks to Murray for what he’s done over these last 10 years. It’s been an amazing journey. And it’s with great sorrow that we see him going,” he said.
“Obviously it’s a major change that we’re going to be facing but we’ve also got the new committee coming on and Murray’s still going to be intricately involved with the transition. So the future is positive.”
Co-chair Bevan Morrison praised Chapman’s ability to connect with a wide range of businesses, hands-on approach and tenacity.
“He has a unique way with people, which has been incredibly invaluable in the role because it’s about people. Our community is about people, our community is about our businesses,” he said.
“Murray has made the effort – he’s walked the streets, he’s worked very, very hard to engage all of those different parts of our business community.
“I take my hat off to you Murray. Your resilience and personal nature have been outstanding over the last 10 years. We’ve been incredibly lucky to have you. And I would like to thank you personally and I’m sure on behalf of everyone here for all of your energy.”
One Mahurangi Business Association committee for 2025/26
Re-elected members
Bevan Morrison, Dobbyn Builders Construction
David Stott, Retired engineer
Donna Wyllie, Composite Joinery
Steve Reynolds, Aqua Works
Burnette O’Connor, The Planning Collective
Colin Barlow, Hunting & Fishing
New Members
Peter Henderson, consultant
Michael Hamilton, Warkworth Toyota
Sara-Jayne Kingston, Barfoot & Thompson
Suz Hemus, Pete & Mary’s Cafe
Marcha Cooke, Bam Boo Restaurant
Georgia Hibbert-Foy, Warkworth Hotel
