Business thriving in Auckland ahead of Wellington

Business thriving in Auckland and leaving Wellington in its wake

Auckland is the country’s business “powerhouse” and is leaving the rest of the country for dead according to the Mayor of the city John Banks.

He says the city of sails is the nation’s business success story with 38 major commercial developments under construction at the moment.

“Auckland is the capital of New Zealand, without the seat of parliament and without the roaming politicians. We are New Zealand’s commercial heart and soul, and responsible for a third of the country's economic wealth. Those towns south of the Bombay Hills are green with envy. Last one out, turn off the lights!”

But the Mayor of Wellington, Kerry Prendergast, has a very different view.

She says it’s a shame John Banks isn’t aware that the grass is much greener south of the Bombays.

“I can understand John Banks’ ‘Capital envy’, but it is a little tired. Maybe John Banks needs some of Wellington’s fertiliser to spark some life into his city and allow him to concentrate on Auckland rather than obsessing about not being the Capital.”

“The Capital is thriving. The city is fun, full-of-life and exciting. Its people are intelligent and talented and its businesses cutting-edge. Wellington is already renowned as the nation’s creative and cultural Capital and as New Zealand’s premier centre of creativity and innovation Wellingtonians can look forward to a very bright and prosperous future.”

Mayor Prendergast will open Thrive Wellington - being run by the Employers and Manufacturers Association - on October 16. The event will showcase local business success stories and inspire up-and-coming Wellington businesses to take the next step.

Speakers at Thrive Wellington include:

Tab Baldwin, Coach of the Tall Blacks Geoff Ross, Founder, 42 Below Vodka Denis Orme, Chief Executive Officer, Bartercard Darren White, Partner, Ernst & Young David Black, International car seat exporter, Racetech The Tamaki Brothers, Founders of the Tamaki Maori Village Andrea Moore, Fashion Designer Kerry Prendergast, Mayor of Wellington Hon Jim Anderton, Minister of Economic Development Brian Edwards, Master of Ceremonies.

Thrive Wellington is being held at the Westpac St James Theatre on October the 16th. To register visit www.thrivewellington.co.nz or call (04) 470 9944.

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