18 | “We are very focused on making this region attractive and something that the next generation of movers, thinkers and shakers want to be a part of. I look forward to seeing things evolve over time to cement Wellington as the best region in New Zealand to live, work, and play.” John Allen Plan a blueprint for a vibrant city Karen Phelps Attracting, hosting and investing in events such as WOW are part of Wellington NZ’s drive to make the city a more vibrant, creative place. Wellinghton NZ REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Part of WellingtonNZ’s job is to spark joy, innovation and inspiration every day, and to help make Wellington a place for all. WellingtonNZ CEO John Allen says it is another part of making Wellington a great place to live and acknowledges it is not the usual catch cry of city economic development agencies but it’s a vital part of bringing brilliant people to the city. “If you want to be a city that attracts talented people, brings visitors and students in then you have to have that magnetic attraction. You need to be a vibrant, creative, place. “It’s that sort of environment that those talented folk want to be part of and our focus on this has a direct link to attracting that talent.” This has played out in a number of diverse ways in WellingtonNZ’s approach. For example it part of the reason why it recently helped bring the Tame Iti exhibition to the city. This saw the phrase ‘I Will Not Speak Māori’ painted in big bold letters across Wellington’s waterfront. The words are the lines Tame was forced to write out by his teachers, and drove his passion for reo to be widely spoken within Aotearoa. ‘I Will Not Speak Māori’ is Tame’s installation as part of Wellington’s week long celebrations of 50 years of Māori language being widely used in Aotearoa- Te Hui Ahurei Reo Māori. WellingtonNZ are the primary funders of the installation and John says it was an easy decision because the korero behind it is of national significance and changed the course of New Zealand. As Wellington’s economic development, events, and promotions agency, WellingtonNZ’s priority areas are developing jobs and skills, placemaking, and collaboration and engagement. It does this by supporting businesses to build capability, attracting, hosting and investing in events, running civic venues, marketing and storytelling, and destination development. WellingtonNZ also facilitated the city’s recently released economic plan, the first time a plan of this magnitude has been seen in the region, says John. It represented over twelve months of conversations and mahi across the region with 10 councils, six iwi, business groups, Te Matarau a Māui (the regional Maori economic group), sector groups, central Government and many others. It is a key project of the Wellington Regional Leadership Committee (WRLC) with a key outcome being to align the strategic direction for a sustainable Wellington-Wairarapa- Horowhenua region. John says that the plan forms the basis of a long-term partnership including improved coordination, access to networks and connections across the region, and mobilising the economy. It will be a vital lynchpin in the region’s growth as modelling suggests an additional 200,000 people will live in the area within the next 30 years, which means approximately 100,000 decent jobs need to be created supporting that growth. John says that there are four broad sectors identified in the plan as fundamental for sustainable growth: screen, STEM (science technology, engineering and manufacturing), the visitor economy, and food and fibre. Thirty-three initiatives have been selected to help propel the economy into the future, and are being supported to implementation. These include an adventure park in Porirua, a technology start-up hub, and piloting the ‘Summer of Engineering programme’- an intern programme, which sees some of the brightest soon-to-be engineers up-skilling during their university holidays. WellingtonNZ is also the owner of Creative HQ, an innovation agency that supports business founders, start-ups and corporates via incubation, acceleration and innovation programmes. Mitigating climate change and supporting the region’s plan to be carbon zero by 2050 is a key driver of everything being undertaken. It has resulted in a memorandum of understanding recently being signed between WellingtonNZ and Greater Wellington Regional Council. The Regional Public Transport for Visitors Partnership’ is the first agreement of its kind in Aotearoa, says John. “It makes sense to both our organisations to do this. We have shared beliefs and values, these include addressing the significant and devastating effects of climate change in order to create a thriving region for all,” he says. “Wellington has already got the highest number of residents per capita using public transport in the country and we want people to bring their bright ideas, their energy and verve for life to Wellington but not their CO2 emissions.” In practice the agreement means use of public transport for tourists will be leveraged at every opportunity. Policies and solutions will be developed in collaboration with partners such as Te Papa and Tākina Events to incorporate public transport tickets and fares into Tākina Wellington Conference & Exhibition Centre, Te Papa and elsewhere. As well, a Major Events Support Forum will be established to make sure public transport can properly support large events by making it a more attractive alternative to bringing private cars to town. John says that all of these initiatives are only the start of what Wellington NZ sees as a living pipeline of innovative ideas, galvanising growth in the region. “We are very focused on making this region attractive and something that the next generation of movers, thinkers and shakers want to be a part of. I look forward to seeing things evolve over time to cement Wellington as the best region in New Zealand to live, work, and play.”
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