Raewyn Bleakley: The Wellington Debate

The Wellington Debate

I'm here as Chief Executive of the Wellington Employers’ Chamber of Commerce - the voice of Wellington business.

Up until now we have been known for our grey suits and our serious views. I’m pleased to say I don’t often wear grey suits but I can assure you the serious views remain. Because what we are here for is serious stuff.

Business plays a critical role in the success of this city – of any city. Any time a business hires another employee, invests in plant, equipment, or new technology, rents more space, or pays more tax, it's a positive for the city.

What is more, business contributes 45% of Wellington City Council’s total rates take, and 28% of that of the region as a whole. Our voice is important because of this level of contribution. That’s why it’s serious stuff. We rely on the city and the city relies on us.

We were asked for ideas for Wellington's future success, and I would like to start by listing some of the major assets this city needs to contribute to that future success.

As the gateway to the region, Wellington needs a longer runway and long-haul flights. We also need more trans-Tasman flights. We need a purpose-built convention centre and we need a five-star hotel, preferably on the waterfront. We need the Basin Reserve flyover and Transmission Gully, both part of the Levin-to-airport Road of National Significance, and we need a high-class public transport system.

We also need a council that is united in its aims – that looks past petty squabbles to the bigger picture.

Wellington has had its share of tough times. They say that when a challenge arises it's time for leaders to show what they are made of.

Back in the early 90s, Wellington met challenges similar but perhaps less complex than this, and came through. We built a central city stadium – the envy of many – we set up CityLink to lay fibre in the CBD to position Wellington as an IT-friendly city, and we rebranded the city as an Absolutely Positive place. So we know we can do it.

There is no silver bullet, but if there was it would be about leadership, about using the best of what we’ve got – both in terms of brains and assets – and about speaking with one voice.

With the right leadership and the right framework around that leadership, we can drive this city onward to greater success. The opportunity to amalgamate local government is before us, and the Chamber believes rationalisation is essential. Our members repeatedly tell us they want the benefits rationalisation would bring. That’s not surprising when you realise that business doesn't operate inside the arbitrary boundaries devised many years ago. Business operates where it makes sense to operate, and having to deal with multiple sets of rules and bureaucracies is inefficient and frustrating.

Wellington needs one voice and a clear vision. It’s crazy that we have just half a million people but nine chunks all making separate decisions on industry hubs, community facilities, and roads.

We need to come together to build a Plan for Wellington.

We need to front up to central Government, not with the expectation of hand-outs but with a clear and compelling concept for partnership. Like any business partner, we need to be able to show why we're a good investment, what we offer, our point of difference, and the evidence that our proposals will return positive outcomes for central government and that they are consistent with the government’s own agenda for business growth.

Being indecisive and holding onto plans which are not feasible is not going to work. Having great events and being an environmentally friendly city is fantastic but we need to be truly business-enabling and able to capitalise on our strengths.

So what are those strengths?

Wellington is innovative and creative. We attract thinkers and we can use them in new ways. We can be a smart city with small smart firms attracting smart talent. We can do much better in commercially capitalising on the knowledge capital the city has. We can also do better in the area of connecting the output of education and training institutions with employers’ needs. The IT and film industries don't find, locally, all the talent they need. Often it comes from offshore, and though that has some benefits, building a focused school or pipeline of creative talent to really cement our place as the Tech Capital would be of double benefit.

The Chamber is up for being part of all this "connecting" activity. Already we are doing work along these lines, partnering with Xero to offer businesses an opportunity to pick the brains of that innovative company. We intend continuing to work with them and other IT leaders to explore other opportunities to give our local businesses an edge.

Also, we must not overlook the many little and less showy things we could do to make Wellington more appealing. The big ideas have long lead times and are expensive. The little things, not so.

Making the city a great place to work, live, and play is an important part of attracting businesses and jobs. Like making the harbour and the town belt more of the front-yard playground they should be, to be used in lunch hours, and before and after work.

And a parting shot – we must also maintain Wellington's vibrancy by not letting our hospitality sector fall victim to default licensing regimes set by central government.

We have the assets, we just need the will to take them by the scruff of the neck and drive them forward.

ENDS

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