Growing the region
Grow Wellington – the newly established agency responsible for implementing the economic goals of the Wellington Regional Strategy – is moving full-steam ahead.
The strategy for economic growth was developed by Greater Wellington, the region’s nine local authorities, central government, and the business, education, research and voluntary sectors. Its key economic goal is to double the region’s exports by 2026. Grow Wellington has been working on initiatives including Angel HQ, which matches experienced investors with start-up and early-stage businesses that have high-growth potential but limited access to capital.
Chief Executive Nigel Kirkpatrick says: “We want Grow Wellington to be the go-to place for the region’s businesses. We’ll partner with business, infrastructure and other support organisations so businesses get what they need to be successful and internationally competitive.”
Grow Wellington will focus on developing internationally recognised centres of excellence, supporting key industries (such as film), growing businesses, improving broadband supply, working with the region’s gateways (e.g. Wellington International Airport) to maximise benefits for the region’s businesses, and exploring becoming a carbon neutral region.