STRATEGY ADOPTED
The Wellington Regional Strategy (WRS) was developed by the nine local authorities in the region, working in tandem with central government and business, education, research and voluntary sector interests. It was fully adopted in May 2007.
Grow Wellington is the economic development agency charged with the task of implementing the economic initiatives of the strategy, particularly those relating to investing in growth of the regional economy through exports. Grow Wellington was set up in July 2007.
The WRS is a sustainable economic growth strategy and contains a range of initiatives to realise our economic potential. It aims to enhance our “regional form” by addressing such issues as transport, housing, urban design and open spaces, which are all the things that contribute to our quality of life.
The WRS aims will be achieved by collaborative effort of the private sector, central and local government, and organisations seeking to foster economic development. It will be a rallying point for matters requiring a region-wide approach.
Established as a fact based exercise, the WRS has, for the first time, brought together a coherent body of regional scale research and evaluation work to inform decision-making. Alongside this, two sets of public consultation have been undertaken and two surveys of business and public interests have been commissioned. The WRS incorporates feedback from all these processes. For further details see Background Papers.
It is recognised that many aspects of the regional economy are influenced by the operation of global markets, central government and individual businesses. The WRS is focused on regional interventions or actions that can realistically make a difference. Research suggests relatively modest levels of better coordinated investment can reap multi-million dollar returns. The WRS targets these matters for attention and action. The WRS is not a detailed work plan. It provides an overview
of the opportunities that exist to lift the region’s economic performance. The WRS also seeks improvement in the region’s environmental, social and cultural performance.
STRATEGY UNDERWAY
Since its adoption the WRS has begun to take shape with many projects being undertaken to assess those factors that might contribute to the region’s future economic sustainability. You can download the Strategy by clicking on the green Wellington Regional Strategy banner on the right.
One of the first tasks has been to undertake the work outlined in the strategy. Other priorities include finalising arrangements for ongoing input and engagement of the private sector, central government and voluntary sector. A range of 'regional form' initiatives are underway which link to the WRS.
WRS COMMITTEE
The governance of the strategy is the responsibility of the WRS Committee. Regional representation is provided by:
| Fran Wilde (Deputy Chair) |
Greater Wellington Regional Council |
| Adrienne Staples |
South Wairarapa District Council (representing Wairarapa councils) |
| Wayne Guppy |
Upper Hutt City Council |
| David Ogden |
Hutt City Council |
| Kerry Prendergast |
Wellington City Council |
| Jenny Brash |
Porirua City Council |
| Jenny Rowan |
Kapiti Coast District Council |
There are also five independent appointees representing private sector and business interests:
| Sir John Anderson (Chair) |
Consultant and Company Director |
| Prof Ngatata Love |
Prof of Business Development, Victoria University |
| Paora Ammunson |
|
| Catherine Savage |
Ex Managing Director of AMP Capital Investments |
| Vacant position |
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