Government to host Manukau business forum
19 March 2001 Media Statement
Government to host Manukau business forum
Business leaders from the South
Auckland region have been invited to a forum in Manukau City
with government ministers to identify initiatives that will
help improve New Zealand's economic performance.
The forum, to be held in Manukau City on 22 June, follows on from business-to-government forums in Auckland, Christchurch and Hamilton.
Prime Minister Helen Clark said the forums demonstrated the importance that the government attaches to developing and maintaining an ongoing dialogue with business to improve New Zealand's economic performance.
"The Manukau City forum continues our pragmatic efforts to work with business to identify and implement policy initiatives which will help stimulate the economy and improve further the social climate in New Zealand.
"The feedback we have had from the previous forums indicates that business leaders appreciate the opportunity to have a say and contribute towards a better future.
"The government needs to work with producers of wealth to build a sustainably growing economy for the long term, which produces ever more sophisticated goods and services and guarantees New Zealanders high standards of living.
"This government acknowledges that there are limitations on what governments can achieve on their own. That is why we actively seek partnerships across the economic sectors and society as a whole," Helen Clark said.
The forum will be held in the Manukau City Council Chambers on Friday, 22 June, starting at 9.00am.
Ministers who will be attending include Helen Clark; Jim Anderton, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economic Development and Industry and Regional Development; Michael Cullen, Minister of Finance and Revenue; Steve Maharey, Minister of Social Services and Employment; Jim Sutton, Minister of Agriculture and Trade Negotiations; Trevor Mallard, Minister of Education and Associate Minister of Finance; Pete Hodgson, Minister of Research, Science and Technology; Paul Swain, Minister of Commerce, Communications and Information Technology; Matt Robson, Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade; George Hawkins, Minister of Internal Affairs and Ethnic Affairs; Mark Gosche, Minister of Transport; and Judith Tizard, Associate Minister of Transport and Minister assisting the Prime Minister on Auckland Issues.
Business leaders invited are from a range of sectors. About 100 participants are expected to attend.
Like the earlier forums, it will be a private function at which Chatham House rules will apply. There will be a media briefing after the forum
ENDS