Regional Innovator Joins National Commerce Board
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- Melissa Dykes brings regional insight to strengthen national representation for 22,000 New Zealand businesses
- Her election secures Southland’s voice during policy debates affecting chamber members throughout the country
- Southland Business Chamber hails appointment as milestone for promoting innovation, collaboration and regional economic growth
Southland’s business community has chalked up another win with the confirmation of Melissa Dykes, owner of manufacturing and prototyping firm Fi Innovations, as a non-executive director of New Zealand Chambers of Commerce Inc. The appointment, ratified at the organisation’s annual general meeting yesterday, places a South Island entrepreneur at the heart of decision-making for the network’s 30 regional chambers and more than 22,000 member businesses.
The Invercargill-based leader already serves on the Southland Business Chamber board where she is recognised for her strategic thinking, practical problem-solving and passion for lifting regional competitiveness.
Over the past three years she has championed digital adoption workshops, mentoring programmes for start-ups and a pioneering internship scheme linking secondary pupils with local exporters. Her elevation to the national table ensures that issues such as infrastructure investment, workforce development and supply-chain resilience in the lower South Island continue to be heard alongside those of the metropolitan centres.
Chamber president Chris Hughes said the wider chamber movement would benefit from her energy and insight. He told members:
"We’re absolutely delighted to see Melissa elected to the NZCCI Board. She continues to make a significant contribution to our local governance and will now be able to bring that same leadership to the national stage. Her appointment ensures Southland’s interests remain represented, and it’s encouraging to see such a strong contingent of South Island leaders helping shape the future of chambers across New Zealand."
Dykes joins a refreshed line-up of directors drawn from every corner of the country, underlining NZCCI’s commitment to reflecting the diverse realities of businesses operating in tourism hubs, primary-sector towns and growing urban centres alike. Collectively, the board sets advocacy priorities, develops member services and champions policy that supports small and medium-sized enterprises to innovate, export and create jobs.
Southland Business Leader Joins KiwiRail Board
* Scott O’Donnell appointed to help grow KiwiRail’s freight and logistics capabilities * A conflict-of-interest plan ensures transparency with his ongoing business connections * He also led Invercargill mall redevelopment on time and within budget Southland businessman Scott O’Donnell has been appointed to the KiwiRail board, adding valuable freight and
Mike Sanford
Speaking after the vote, Dykes said she was eager to amplify regional voices and share Southland’s track record in advanced manufacturing and collaboration. The Southland Business Chamber will continue to work closely with her to ensure local aspirations feed directly into national initiatives over the coming year.
The chamber believes her perspective as a hands-on business owner, accustomed to navigating challenges ranging from freight costs to global competition, will provide valuable context as NZCCI shapes its 2025 policy platform and prepares submissions on the next Government Budget.