Business Canterbury welcomes news that Rangitata MP,
James Meager will step into a newly created Minister for the
South Island role. The portfolio, which will likely mirror
that of the Auckland portfolio and act as an advocacy and
coordination role, will be a step in the right direction for
ensuring an all of government approach to the South
Island.
Business Canterbury chief executive, Leeann
Watson says, “The South Island’s contribution to the New
Zealand economy is something we’ve been discussing with
the Government, alongside the need for focused investment to
support our growth, so it’s great to see this commitment
and recognition through the creation of a ministerial
portfolio.
“Canterbury and South Island businesses are
generally known as quiet achievers in the New Zealand
economy, but the statistics speak for themselves, and we are
taking on the world with our unique mix of a highly
diversified economy – including the primary industries,
manufacturing, construction and professional services, and
those emerging like aerospace, agritech and healthtech – as
well as our lifestyle, environment and innovative
culture.
“Canterbury drove 23 per cent of national
business growth last year with only 13 per cent of the
country’s businesses. This growth is generating
significant interest in Canterbury with student numbers,
migration both from within New Zealand and abroad, and
tourism numbers growing far beyond those in other centres –
highlighting an opportunity for the Government to take a
more active role in supporting what will be the best place
in New Zealand to live, work, play and invest.
Advertisement – scroll to continue reading
“Having
a ministerial cheerleader who is also the associate Minister
of Transport, we hope, will lead to a better all of
government approach to Canterbury and the South Island, and
a regulatory environment more tailored to us and our desire
for policy that better enables innovation, productivity, and
sustainable growth.
“For example, connections to the
rest of New Zealand and the world will always be an
opportunity to power up the South Island economy – and we
look forward to working with Mr Meager on ensuring that our
world-class food and fibre and manufactured goods can move
to their destinations more efficiently and
reliably.
Business Canterbury will be meeting with Mr
Meager in the coming weeks to discuss priorities for
Canterbury businesses and the scope of his portfolio to
affect positive
change.
This post was originally published on here
