Wednesday 6 July, 2016

Wellington mayoral candidate Nick Leggett's hat-trick ‘Capital Comeback’ campaign

Wellington mayoral candidate Nick Leggett has announced the first three steps in a Capital Comeback that will invigorate the city, especially as a world-class hub for innovation and tourism.

At his campaign launch on Wednesday night at Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club, Leggett said he would work with Wellington’s top businesses and researchers to establish New Zealand’s first national virtual and augmented reality complex.

Leggett has also thrown his support behind a community-based proposal for a national sports museum, involving partnerships with central government, Te Papa and sporting codes.

A third project announced at the launch was a proposed new pathway that links Wellington’s iconic cultural, sporting and entertainment precincts for residents, as well as domestic and international visitors. This would include an historical walkway linking Te Papa and the National War Memorial.

Leggett said the virtual reality complex would enable businesses and researchers to collaborate in developing world-first applications for virtual reality and augmented reality, including for entertainment, medicine, business, education, tourism and government.

“We are well placed to leverage our global leadership in the film, games, design and academic sectors. Wellington has a great reputation for producing award-winning start-ups and world class businesses, but we need to bring about a new wave of innovation and entrepreneurship that attracts and retains the best talent from New Zealand and beyond,” he said.

The national virtual reality centre and sports museum would become major new drawcards to the capital, providing a significant boost to the economy by creating jobs, export opportunities and increasing tourism, he said.

“As the capital city, Wellington should be the place to showcase our national sporting heritage and treasured memorabilia.”

A new walkway that links the parliamentary and judicial precinct with the National War Memorial, Te Papa, The Museum of City and Sea, and the National Portrait Gallery would prominently feature a remembrance pathway to commemorate the service of New Zealand’s Victoria Cross recipients.

“We should be proud of our capital status, and make the most of existing and future constitutional tourism assets. This will not only draw more visitors to our region but create pride of place from Wellingtonians as whole,” Leggett said.

ENDS

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