The Influencers: Leeann Watson

A new style of leadership. The speed and scope of the pandemic crisis has presented an extraordinary challenge – and opportunity – for today’s business leaders.     Almost overnight businesses had to quickly adapt to a very challenging operating landscape that, even now more than a year on, continues to evolve. At the heart […]

The Influencers: Leeann Watson

The recently announced trans-Tasman travel bubble has come as welcome relief. Prior to Covid-19, Australia was our largest international visitor market, accounting for almost half of all international visitor arrivals, and spending approximately $2.7 billion.     So as we head into the colder months, an influx of visitors from Australia will have a significant […]

Leeann Watson

The Influencers: Leeann Watson

The last few weeks have intensified the spotlight on Covid-19. We have seen changes in Alert Levels, which have again caused disruption in our community. However this time we were all better prepared, with systems and practices in place to be able to respond.     This was foreshadowed by the announcement of the arrival […]

The Influencers: Leeann Watson

Ngā mihi o te tau hou Happy new year! As I write my first Metropol column of 2021, I strongly believe the year ahead is full of possibility. We have come off the back of a tumultuous year, our lives upended by Covid-19 heralding a new normal in the way we live, and the way […]

The Influencers: Leeann Watson

As I write my final Metropol column of the year, the last twelve months seem to have flown by. And what a year it has been – one that none of us could have predicted and one we certainly won’t forget in a hurry. So I’m pleased to be able to end the year on […]

The Influencers: Leeann Watson

Through our Canterbury Business Champions campaign, we have heard some amazing stories of innovation, nimbleness, determination, collaboration and kindness, and together celebrated what it is that makes our business community so unique. While in a “normal” year we would showcase our local champions at our Westpac Champion Business Awards, given the uncertainty of running events […]

The Influencers: Leeann Watson

We’re celebrating Canterbury business champions! Kei te whakanui tātou i ngā pakihi kairangi o Waitaha! While the last few months have been challenging, we have also heard some amazing stories of innovation, nimbleness, determination, collaboration and kindness, so we wanted to provide a platform to share those stories. That’s why Westpac and The Chamber are […]

The Influencers: Leeann Watson

Tēnā koutou katoa. As I write this, we are in the lead-up to Māori Language Week. With a growing Māori population reflected in our workforce, customers and stakeholders, there has never been a better time to grow our competence and awareness of Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique and rich Māori heritage, culture and language. While our […]

The Influencers: Leeann Watson

As we head into the home straight of the general election, and given the challenges of the current COVID-19 environment, it has never been more important to be fully informed and engaged in the election process, to play a real part in shaping the future of our country for the better. General elections traditionally attract […]

The Influencers: Leeann Watson

  In the last few weeks, we saw the nation collectively holding its breath as it became apparent that our border control and testing regime was not as rigorous as we thought. It was incredibly disappointing to hear about some people entering the country then disappearing off the radar. New Zealanders have lost lives, jobs […]