Wreda keen to stoke LookSee prospects

A second global talent search appears to be on the cards for Wellington’s technology sector.

Ninety-seven IT professionals from around the world arrived in Wellington on Monday to meet potential employers and scope out the city as part of the ratepayerfunded LookSee Wellington programme. The candidates were offered free flights and accommodation in the capital.

The first round has exceeded all expectations, prompting talk of a second. At a council-controlled organisation subcommittee meeting yesterday, David Perks from the Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency (Wreda) said the agency anticipated running the programme again next year.

‘‘When we set out on this, we weren’t expecting these numbers and we anticipated there would be a LookSee two next year.’’

Wreda would meet with LookSee partners Workhere and Immigration New Zealand to ‘‘make the most of keeping those hot prospects alive’’, Perks said.

Wreda business growth and innovation general manager David Jones said LookSee had generated a list of more than 1000 highquality screened applicants beyond those who were on the trip.

‘‘We’re now looking at options to make the most of this opportunity, for the benefit of Wellington, and New Zealand.’’

L2VR co-founder Lance Lones said the programme had brought a ‘‘tremendous number of talented engineers‘‘ to his attention.

‘‘The potential knock-on effects of LookSee Wellington are dramatic and impactful beyond just the scope of the programme.’’

The candidates touring Wellington this week have come from as far afield as Israel, Canada, India and Brazil.