A new initiative to support future business leaders has spurred on Toronto born Emily Walters to call Cromwell home permanently and focus on growing her network of business contacts.

Emily is the first Newcomer Leadership Scholarship recipient, a partnership between Central Otago District Council’s Welcoming Communities and Business South to recognise the contribution of newcomers in our community.

Cromwell is the perfect place for her to grow her one year old business Emily said.

"New Zealand has a special place in my heart....I moved here for the lifestyle.

"I try to snowboard, get out to the mountains... and I love hiking. There are so many great activities in Central."

Emily and her partner Matt at Cardrona - living the lifestyle that brought her to Central. PHOTO: Supplied

Matt and Emily at Cromwell Bike Park, where Matt helps out to ready the dirt jumps and teach local kids how to build them up and maintain them. PHOTO: Supplied

With a background in finance and financial planning Emily said she initially found landing a job a bit tricky.

"I got lucky and got a position at Central Otago District Council."

That was working in planning and around three years ago.

Her digitally based business Ezy Consents helps clients with resource consents and building consent applications covering the whole spectrum of work from renovations, new builds, commercial, farm sheds and residential building.

She said she manages the whole paperwork process for people and her background in planning and finance has set her up to excel in this area.

She started operating a year ago focussing on the Queenstown Lakes District and Central areas building and planning processes. Currently a sole operator she's got aspirations of growing her business to employee a team.

Emily said that the timing of the scholarship was great.

"It will give me help to grow the business and get my name out there... I look forward to hearing from mentors all across Otago and New Zealand.

"It's awesome to open up things for newcomers to the region and helps to bridge the gaps and build long lasting relationships."

The scholarship will allow Emily to attend the Business South Central Otago Leadership Academy held in May and June.

The leadership academy will help Emily network with other business leaders and provide an opportunity to learn from mentors.

This is one of initiatives the Welcoming Communities programme to assist newcomers to Central.