14 March 2005

Regional development under the spotlight in Hawkes Bay

More than 430 people will be converging on Napier next week for a conference showcasing the best of regional development in Hawkes Bay and throughout New Zealand.

The Regional Development Conference – Our Future – Our Potential – Our Choices – is being held in Napier from March 21-23. It will focus on moving regional development in New Zealand up a level to meet the demands of a changing international environment.

Conference spokesman Roger Wigglesworth, Principal Advisor for the Ministry of Economic Development, says there has been a huge level of interest, with 436 delegates already registered.

The conference will feature regional development success stories from Hawkes Bay and other parts of New Zealand. Delegates will also hear from expert speakers in regional development and will be part of discussions around issues impacting on regional growth.

“This is the third time this conference has been held and those who have attended in the past have told us how valuable it is. They say the opportunities to tap into expertise and to develop relationships are hugely beneficial.

“The feedback we get from business people, from local government representatives, from a wide variety of people connected with regional development is that it is well-worth investing a couple of days to be part of this conference.”

Roger Wigglesworth says registrations are still open and delegate numbers are growing daily. More information about the conference is available at www.regdev.govt.nz and people are able to register online.

Ron Massey, Economic Development Manager at Napier City Council, is encouraging people from Hawkes Bay to be part of the conference.

2/Regional Development under the spotlight in Hawkes Bay

“Politicians, mayors and some of the countries leading economic developers are among those who will be attending the conference. It’s not every day that regions have this sort of expertise on their backdoor step.

He says local people will also be sharing their expert views in workshops, including Mr Apple’s Jerf van Beek , former Managing Director of Montana Wines Peter Hubscher, and Havelock North furniture designer David Trubridge. This year’s Regional Development Conference is the third to be held and runs from March 21-23. It is jointly hosted by the Minister for Industry and Regional Development, the Ministry of Economic Development, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, EDANZ and the Hawke’s Bay region.

ENDS

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