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Bayleys in the North has 11 offices – Warkworth, Omaha Beach, Mahurangi East, Orewa Beach, Whangaparaoa, Mangawhai, Bream Bay, Whangarei, Dargaville, Paihia and Kerikeri. Director Mark Macky believes that giving back to the local community is an important part of business – as well as sponsoring and supporting many local community groups and initiatives, Mark serves as the president of the Warkworth A&P Society and is a trustee of the Matakana Coast Trail Trust.Who do you support on a regular basis?
The Make a Wish, Warkworth A & P Show, Omaha Surf Lifesaving Club, Omaha Beach Golf Club, Warkworth Wellsford Hospice, Matakana School, Springboard, Mahurangi Junior Rugby, Mahurangi College First XV, Mahurangi East Bowling Club and Mahurangi East Tennis Club.
What made you decide to support these particular groups?
We are passionate about our local community. We honestly believe a lot of people in our area don’t know how lucky they are to live in such a great district. Part of owning a business in the community is also about being able to give back.
What form does your support take?
We are the principal sponsor of quite a number of causes in the local area which are done on a commercial sponsorship basis. However, we’ve also run many, many fundraisers in the last decade in the local area and we’ve become reasonably adept at it. So, in addition to standard sponsorship, we’ve also got behind some really good local causes and helped them raise a significant amount of money to continue their good works – our team help with getting donations and our wonderful auctioneers are then very good at auctioning them off for good money.
Is there a special moment you can share that highlights the importance of giving to a particular group?
The Warkworth A&P Show got very close to closing a couple of years ago due to lack of funding. This would have been terrible – it’s the second oldest show in NZ. With the growth in our town in the last few years, and the huge amount planned in the next two decades, hanging on to our rural history and heritage is critical. We came on board as the principal sponsor, have helped with some fundraising activities and now the show is in a much strong position which is great. We’ve got another fundraiser coming up in January – just before the show.
Springboard is another great local cause that feels really good to help and support. The work they do with troubled youths in the local community is inspiring and helping these kids who have a hard road, and then watching them grow and flourish is quite amazing. Gary Diprose and his team do a great job. Next fundraiser is booked for October 17 at Ascension – make sure you come along!
How many locals does your business employ?
There are 24 in the Rodney North team and we’ve got another 85 spread from Orewa in to Kerikeri.
Do you use/support other local businesses for your supplies/services?
Absolutely, wherever possible. We’re really passionate about this. We’ve got to look after each other and help each other out wherever we can.
Why do you think it’s important for locals to ‘shop locally’?
We live in a beautiful part of the world with some great local communities. We want to see the people in our communities do well, and encourage businesses to grow locally so that there is more employment for people locally. Shopping locally is an important part of this.
