Tristram Marine, like all Kiwi boat builders has been forced to shut and have had to delay the release of an exciting new model until the end of the lockdown.
With New Zealand now in a total lockdown, the entire marine industry has ceased operating until around the end of April and New Zealand Coastguard has also requested Kiwis do not go boating.
“The next phase of our lives will be new to us all”, says Peter Busfield, Executive Director of the New Zealand Marine Industry Association.
“The only thing we do know, is that we are all in this together. Just as if we were all effected by an earthquake or tsunami. And when I refer to we – I mean every person on this planet.
Busfield comments that there is no escaping the immediate economic effects but hopefully the swift action by the New Zealand Government and the people of New Zealand following orders in true military fashion, will see NZ as a stand out country, that united and stamped out this virus in NZ.
The New Zealand government has implemented a 3 month wage subsidy programme and the banks have issued a 6 month mortgage freeze to assist New Zealanders to survive the Covic19 pandemic.
“In doing so NZ will not be the same as the rest of the world – we will be the envy of most as we will likely be the first country to be able to focus on starting to plan for our new future – the plan that will bring us prosperity once again.
“What I found during the first week of New Zealand’s Level 4 lockdown was the initial shock of and the magnitude of what was happening. As an employer of passionate and dedicated people at the NZ Marine Industry Association headquarters in Westhaven Auckland, representative of 500 marine industry companies nationwide and husband; father and grandfather I felt responsible for leading and assisting these people where I could”, says Busfield..
He added that It was exhausting in the first few days – making hurried arrangements for setting up some business continuity from home based staff and working with my board to have some pay for the staff over the stand down period and then working with my daughter and her partner in how to manage a gym business that went from a bustling; growing, vibrant and profitable company to ZERO in the matter of days.
“So where to from here – we are all effected – some more majorly than others – but all majorly! We can’t go back in time – we are faced with what we have in front of us. What I found is that after the realisation, sadness, stress, some anger and exhaustion over what has happened I gained some optimism and renewed energy as soon as I started to map out possible future plans for the maximising of opportunities for the New Zealand marine industry, NZ Marine Industry Association operations and my own family.
“I am confident that with the skills, the can-do attitude and the determination of New Zealanders’ to achieve what we set out to do, one way or the other, that we will reach our new goals. For people who love boats and boating you can now prioritise to have more time to engage with friends and family in the natural environment that the sea and lakes provide you with. I am looking forward to and will now more than ever, appreciate the next time I go boating post Covid 19.
