Wellington thriving, says Mayor

The Mayor of Wellington, Kerry Prendergast, is relishing the chance to showcase local business success stories and inspire up-and-coming Wellington businesses to take the next step when she opens Thrive Wellington on 16 October.

Thrive Wellington - being run by the Employers and Manufacturers Association - is just one of the many ways economic growth is being nurtured in the wider Wellington region.

“The Capital is thriving. The city is fun, full-of-life and exciting. Its people are intelligent and talented and its businesses are cutting-edge. Wellington is already renowned as the nation’s creative and cultural Capital and as New Zealand’s premier centre of creativity and innovation, Wellingtonians can look forward to a very bright future,” says Mayor Prendergast.

Thrive Wellington is the second Thrive conference. The first was held in Auckland on April 10, at which, the Mayor of Auckland claimed his city is New Zealand’s business “powerhouse” saying Auckland is the nation’s business success story with 38 major commercial developments under construction at the moment in the city.

“Auckland is the capital of New Zealand, without the seat of parliament and without the roaming politicians. We are New Zealand’s commercial heart and soul, and responsible for a third of the country's economic wealth. Those towns south of the Bombay Hills are green with envy. Last one out, turn off the lights!” Mayor Banks said.

Mayor Prendergast said it is a shame John Banks isn’t aware that the grass is much greener south of the Bombays.

“I can understand John Banks’ ‘Capital envy’, but it is a little tired. Maybe John Banks needs some of Wellington’s fertiliser to spark some life into his city and allow him to concentrate on Auckland rather than obsessing about not being the Capital.”

Speakers at Thrive Wellington include:

Tab Baldwin, Coach of the Tall Blacks Geoff Ross, Founder, 42 Below Vodka Denis Orme, Chief Executive Officer, Bartercard Darren White, Partner, Ernst & Young David Black, International car seat exporter, Racetech The Tamaki Brothers, Founders of the Tamaki Maori Village Andrea Moore, Fashion Designer Kerry Prendergast, Mayor of Wellington City Hon Jim Anderton, Minister of Economic Development Brian Edwards, Master of Ceremonies.

Thrive Wellington is being held at the Westpac St James Theatre. To register visit www.thrivewellington.co.nz or call (04) 470 9944.

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