Business Owners Choose Kāpiti

An Infometrics report commissioned by the Kāpiti Coast District Council has revealed new insights into the Kāpiti Coast’s booming self-employed business community, with house construction taking the lead as industry of choice.

Mayor K Gurunathan says the report was commissioned to better understand Kāpiti businesses.

“This report gives us information that we didn’t have before about our diverse business community. The report shows that not only do we have a high proportion of self-employed compared to the rest of the country with business owners contributing to over a third of the working population.

“The numbers of self-employed in Kāpiti are increasing year on year, which is great for our local economy. Our relaxed lifestyle coupled with easy access to multiple, easy transport options makes Kāpiti an attractive proposition for those wanting to set up a business in our district,” says Mayor Gurunathan.

The statistics show that in 2016 there were 5,262 self-employed people, approximately 31.5% of total employment compared with the national average of 18% and the Wellington region average at 15.9% a growth of 3.4% per annum since 2010. Kāpiti’s economy has grown 3.7% in the year to March 2017, and self-employment plays a part in that overall growth.

The Kapiti Coast Chamber of Commerce expects these numbers to grow, and says this is a reflection of the desirable and unique lifestyle Kāpiti has to offer, along with the business infrastructure and planned growth ahead.

“We have an unprecedented growth opportunity ahead and expect this to be incredibly positive for existing and future business on the Coast. We are already getting reports of people who moved away from Kāpiti years ago to start their own business who are now considering moving back with their businesses because of the desirability of lifestyle and new infrastructure, such as the expressway,” says Heather Hutchings, Kāpiti Coast Chamber of Commerce Chair.

Kāpiti local Stuart Ayres, 63, who has spent the majority of his career in banking, finance and government, is now a Business Consultant and Business Director of Ogo Technologies on the Coast says:

"Kāpiti has the potential to be the silicon valley of New Zealand with ease of access to the capital and government. There is no longer a need to go into the city; we have the technology to do business remotely. Why wouldn’t you work from here on the beautiful sunny Coast?"

To view a copy of the Infometrics report visit the Kāpiti Coast District Council website: www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/globalassets/our-district/doing-business-in-kpiti/self-employment-in-kapiti-infometrics-report.pdf

ENDS

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