Labour Party - Speeches

Hamilton Regional Economic Development Strategy

04.08.2008

Speaking notes for launch of Hamilton Economic Development Strategy

Good evening and thank you for the invitation to be here tonight. I would like to acknowledge Government MPs; Martin Gallagher and Sue Moroney and Parliamentary colleague, David Bennett. Teenaa koutou.

It was just over a year ago that the Government revamped our regional economic development policy, building on successes in the regions over the past six years and re-aligning our programmers with the overall goal of increasing New Zealand's competitiveness.

We wanted to encourage a whole of government approach and public - private partnerships at a regional level. This Hamilton City economic strategy is an example of the power of collaboration between local and central government. Twelve organizations have worked for eight months and developed this strategy and each of them has committed to help deliver it. The Government and the nature of our investments to build a skilled workforce, to prioritise research and development to continue to invest in infrastructure (like broadband) are but some of the key alignments that will support the intentions outlined for Hamilton.

Many of these same organisations will now be involved with a wider stakeholder group to develop the whole of Waikato Region strategy. The Government will look forward to seeing how this Hamilton City Strategy will link up with the wider regional strategy in due course.

We want to encourage regions to develop strategies that take the "whole of region" approach, engaging all the relevant councils. Maori communities, unions and key industry, education, training and research organisations and government agencies that all feed into and affect economic development. None of the flagship projects can be fully realized if all the players are not on the field.

We know that the key drivers of economic growth are innovation, entrepreneurship, skills and infrastructure. The challenge at the regional level is to unpick these, diagnose the specific critical issues in our region that we need to work on, agree on priorities and then identify what specific actions can be undertaken to achieve success.

Key industries must also be involved to ensure these strategies reflect and raise the aspirations of businesses within regions.

So in terms of the strategy we see here tonight. I am pleased to see Hamilton ticking many of the boxes. You have pulled together 12 agencies that have an interest in economic development and articulated a vision for the city that highlights the importance of partnerships and priorities for action. Government MPs are proud that our efforts to regionalise advocacy for the Waikato through better central and local collaboration can further assist this work.

I note that the strategy positions Hamilton as a young, dynamic and agile city that is able to capitalize on opportunity. This is backed up by your recent successes and commitment to pulling off big, high-profile events such as; the annual field-days and Hamilton 400 V8 racing.

I am pleased to see an emphasis on helping young people achieve their potential. We know that building young people's educational achievements and learning foundations provides them with the best opportunity to make sound choices for their futures. I see a strong desire in the strategy to help transition young people into a regional job market that desperately needs them. Retaining young people, their creativity and their skills will go a long way to helping this region to grow and thrive.

Hamilton may lack some of the high-profile tourism assets that other cities like Auckland, Rotorua or Queenstown have. However the Hamilton V8 Series and the World Rally Championships are two obvious events for the city. The upcoming World Rowing Champs in 2010 and the potential opportunity of hosting a world cup quarter final could add more strings to that bow for the region.

I see that the strategy intends to build on that reputation over the next few years through increased event funding, upgrading of facilities and ensuring that Hamilton City itself is a vibrant and energetic venue for events.

Importantly, though, you're not putting all of your eggs into one basket and you're not turning your back on the region's traditional strengths.

Hamilton and the wider Waikato region are well known as a leading centre for the research, development and commercialization of agricultural technologies and biotechnologies. Food, manufacturing, engineering and aviation companies are all clustered in and around Hamilton.

It is exciting to see initiatives such as the Food Innovation project being proposed to invest in facilities for research and development of suitable business locations for the region's food-based companies.

I'm also pleased to see plans to develop an innovation precinct in the Ruakura area of the city, specializing in research, innovation and high-technology businesses. This is a good example of how a project originally funded under New Zealand Trade and Enterprise's Regional Partnerships Programme - the Waikato Innovation Park - is being taken to the next level in terms of collaboration to achieve wider outcomes.

The Government has recently announced further support for the expansion of Waikato Innovation Park in conjunction with continuing support from Hamilton City Council. There are fantastic opportunities in Hamilton for AgResearch, the University of Waikato and the Innovation Park to work together for growth. The Digital Hamilton and Skills Action Plan outlined in this strategy link local initiatives with important Government initiatives.

It is great to see that you've given some thought to how you can attract and retain talent in our city. Like all areas in New Zealand, Hamilton needs to raise its labour productivity - the action plan outlined in the strategy should help to pull together a coordinated response to achieve this, as will some of the initiatives being outlined to incubate start-up companies, develop training and apprenticeships, and nurture a culture of enterprise.

Your largest regional companies have recognized the need to improve productivity and build capability through their participation in New Zealand Trade and Enterprise programmes such as Better by Design, Manufacturing Plus, Competitive Manufacturing and Beachheads. The strategy will support those companies and initiatives which have a big impact on the New Zealand balance of payments bottom line.

Hamilton has achieved a lot in the past decade or so and much of that growth has aligned to several Government strategies and investment priorities. This strategy has sought out opportunities that are based on refining and enhancing those strengths.

Congratulations on getting to this point. The level of collaboration required to do so certainly require central and local Government alongside Business, tertiary sector, industry stakeholders, workers and the community moving forward together. I look forward to the progress in implementing the strategy and achieving the results we are looking for to make our region a great place to live, to work, to grow up and do business in.

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