“Ag – Research Pull-Out A Blow To Whole Region”, Says Chamber Of Commerce

MORE MUST BE DONE REGION-WIDE TO KEEP SMART CENTRES HERE

“We share Mayor Wayne Guppy’s dismay at the likely loss of the Wallaceville animal research centre” said Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce CEO Philip Lewin today.

Mr Lewin was commenting in response to news that Ag Research’s current work in Upper Hutt will shift to Palmerston North and Dunedsin, with the loss of 140 staff.

“Coming hard on the heels of Cloud Nine’s departure for the Gold Coast, this is something which the Hutt Valley and the wider Wellington area need like a hole in the head” added Mr Lewin.

“We have the best-educated and smartest people in Australasia – right here. But there is still a need for more understanding of what is required to create sustainable economic well-being in our wider region”.

“In order to make headway in today’s increasingly global economy, we’ve got to pursue New Zealand’s economic development on a whole-of-region basis wherever possible”.

“Upper Hutt, Wellington, Hutt City, Porirua, Kapiti and the Wairarapa must do what they can by themselves to ensure they are at least as attractive as other locations to prospective new businesses – and to those we already have. That’s why celebratory events like last week’s Business Gold Awards are so important” said Mr Lewin.

“But while necessary, local efforts such as these are not going to be sufficient. We firmly believe there is no substitute for better regional advocacy of the Greater Wellington value proposition”” ended Mr Lewin.

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