Embargoed till 3.30 pm 1 May 2001

Fashion week another international event for NZ

"It is excellent news that the government through Industry New Zealand will help fund fashion week, ensuring that the event will occur here and can be a success," said Jim Anderton Industry and Regional Development Minister.

"We need to see more international events in New Zealand. Other countries around the world are working to hold major events every week and New Zealand must ensure we are not left behind," said Jim Anderton.

Jim Anderton described Industry New Zealand’s support of $112,000 (GST inclusive) to the inaugural New Zealand Fashion Week as another tangible example of the Labour Alliance Coalition government’s partnership with industry. The funding will come from the 2001/2 Budget.

Fashion week will be held in Auckland in late October.

“A month ago, I identified the textile and apparel sector as one of New Zealand’s transforming industries: a job rich, high skill and high value export industry. I said then that the Ministry for Economic Development and Industry New Zealand would be working with those industries at all levels to identify barriers, remove them, and to identify opportunities and exploit them.

“Fashion Week is one of those opportunities. I am pleased that the government can get behind this event to help ensure the industry’s best is presented to the world," said Jim Anderton.

Jim Anderton said organisers were expecting around 1,000 delegates including 200 international buyers and international media: “It’s an opportunity to not only build on an export market worth $220 million but also on the success of talented New Zealanders like Karen Walker and the Zambesi team. We need to take our top fashion talent to the world’s wealthiest – and most discerning – consumers.”

Jim Anderton said officials were now in the early stages of working with the apparel sector on a development strategy. This follows work with representatives from the wood processing and more recently manufacturing industries. Other industry sectors selected for their growth potential are tourism; creative arts; and knowledge industries such as ICT and biotechnology.

ENDS

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