Cambridge Ranks As Most Ambitious City In NZ

October 20, 2004

Cambridge Ranks As Most Ambitious City In NZ

Towns, cities, suburbs and regions all came under scrutiny as Aquashot tested the AQ (Ambition Quotient) of nearly 6,000 New Zealanders recently. And Cambridge was the clear city winner with a mean score of 159 - compared to its closest rival Auckland Central - rating 145.

The results of the unique online AQ test, developed for Aquashot active water by Dr Howard Frederick and Dr Peter Mellalieu, supported previous studies showing Kiwis to be among the most ambitious and enterprising individuals in the world.

The test ran for two months and key findings include:

* The average AQ (from a possible top score of 300) was 142 - with scores ranging from 44-248

* Men and women are equally ambitious

* Cambridge led the city scores, with Wellington Central ranked as the highest scoring suburb and Rodney District taking the title as highest scoring region (based on mean scores)

* American and Canadian-born New Zealanders led with the highest mean scores

* And surprisingly students (along with retirees) ranked as among the least ambitious

The pilot study included a competitive element - The Aquashot Shot of a Lifetime competition - with the major prize being a five month mentoring course from one of three leading Kiwi entrepreneurs including film-maker Geoff Dixon, fashion designer Karen Walker and tourism guru Wally Stone.

Responses from all those in the top percentile (i.e. scoring 175+ and thus deemed as highly ambitious) were assessed, with first prize being awarded to Christchurch man Chris Mardon, who selected founder and managing director of Silverscreen/Oktober - Geoff Dixon - as his mentor.

Auckland-born, Nelson raised and now domiciled in Christchurch, 34 year old Chris has a Ph.D. in Engineering and won the Young Professional Engineer of the Year Award in 2002. He currently sits on the board of the Institute of Professional Engineers - and although working as plant manager for a large manufacturing plant - has been developing an energy efficiency concept which he is keen to grow into a profitable global enterprise. He is already liaising with Government to action the first part of the project in Canterbury next year - with plans to take it wider in 2006.

Says Chris: "I am thrilled about winning the mentoring with Geoff Dixon. It's come at a crucial time in the development of this project and can only help us to achieve our goals."

"Chris is a clear example of the extraordinarily high calibre of finalists who entered the Shot of A Lifetime competition," says Coca-Cola Oceania's Corporate Affairs Manager Alison Sykora.

"They ranged from people in their early 20s who'd been running their own businesses since their teens to many seeking to help others to realise their full potential.

"This has been an intriguing project and given us a fascinating insight into the ambitions of so many New Zealanders."

About Aquashot

Aquashot is a range of active waters that provide you with a burst of fruit flavour and the boost of 5 essential vitamins. It's the tastiest way to keep hydrated so you'll never miss a shot.

This light, natural tasting flavoured water is fortified with five essential vitamins - B3, B5, B6, B9 and B12. A 200ml serve provides 20% of the recommended dietary intake of Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid) and Vitamin B12, and 10% of the recommended dietary intake of Vitamin B3 (Niacin) and Vitamin B6.

Aquashot has 46kJ (11.1Cal) and just 2.6 grams of carbs per 100ml.Packaged in a new squeezable, easy-to-drink 800ml bottle, Aquashot is available in three flavours - Berry, Lime and Mandarin - at your local dairy, supermarket or convenience store. Aquashot is a product of The Coca-Cola Company.

About Coca-Cola

Together, Coca-Cola Amatil NZ and Coca-Cola Oceania manufacture, market and distribute more than 100 beverage brands and flavours in New Zealand. These include soft drinks, diet drinks, juices and juice drinks, cordials, waters, sports drinks and energy drinks.

Coca-Cola Amatil is the authorized bottler of The Coca-Cola Company's products in New Zealand. The two companies employ more than 1,000 people and CCA has plants in Auckland, Christchurch and Putaruru.

Coca-Cola's contribution to the New Zealand community includes the annual Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park events in Auckland and Christchurch and The Coca-Cola Careers Expo in Dunedin, Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland. Our partnership with the National Association of OSCAR (Out of School Care and Recreation) has resulted in Go Kids! a national physical activity programme being made available to 500 out of school groups and more than 100,000 young New Zealanders.

ENDS

© Scoop Media