Aucklanders ARE far more ambitious says Mayor

The Mayor of Auckland is agreeing with a recent Thrive Auckland survey which suggests Aucklanders are more ambitious when it comes to business than other New Zealanders.

An omnibus survey carried out by UMR Research and commissioned by Thrive Auckland reveals that 51% of Aucklanders believe they are more ambitious when it comes to business than their counterparts from around the rest of the country. Thrive Auckland is a day-long event next month which aims to inspire business growth using a top line-up of industry experts.

The Hon John Banks QSO who is a speaker at Thrive Auckland has no doubts about this theory.

“Aucklanders by their very nature are more aggressive, determined and hungrier to achieve business success than people from other parts of New Zealand. Our city is the country’s commercial heartland which thrives on and nurtures economic growth. An Aucklander is far more likely to succeed in business than a person from Invercargill, Christchurch or Wellington, because we know what it takes to be successful and have the critical mass to support it.”

But the view from outside Auckland is different. Of those surveyed from Wellington in the Thrive Auckland survey, a more modest 30% believe Aucklanders are more ambitious while Christchurch comes in at 36%. In rural New Zealand - those people who live in rural towns with a population of less than 2,000 – the figure is also 30% while its 29% for those who live in provincial centres (i.e. all respondents who do not live in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch).

Thrive Auckland is being organised by the EMA Northern and CEO Alasdair Thompson says debating the roots of business ambition is healthy for the country’s economy.

“Thrive Auckland uses a top line-up of industry speakers to demonstrate in practical ways how to motivate business success,” he said. “Discussion on which region of New Zealand is more ambitious in a business sense ties in with this theme and the hope is that by driving debate on this issue, business growth will be the winner at the end of the day.”

Speakers on the programme at Thrive Auckland include: Rt. Hon Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand Murray Thom, Entrepreneur John Barnett, Executive Producer, Whale Rider and MD, South Pacific Pictures Hon John Banks QSO, Mayor of Auckland Karen Walker, Fashion Designer Denis Orme, CEO, Bartercard Sir Bob Jones Diane Foreman, CEO, Emerald Group Geoff Ross, Founder, 42 Below Vodka John Eales, Former Australian rugby captain and World Cup Winner Graham Henry, All Blacks Coach Michael Barrymore, Master of Ceremonies Dave Dobbyn, Entertainment.

Thrive Auckland 2004 will be held on April 22 at the Aotea Centre. For further information or to register visit www.thriveauckland.co.nz or call 0800 800 362.

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