Glenn hopes he can leave a footprint

NEW ZEALAND must move away from primary industry and encourage more innovation in technology, multi-millionaire businessman Owen Glenn says.

‘‘We could be a financial centre but we have to get IT brains into New Zealand,’’ he said at The Dominion Post’s Write Stuff event at the Amora Hotel last night.

Mr Glenn discussed his new book Making a Difference in front of an audience of more than 100.

He also told the audience New Zealand would prosper if it utilised its natural assets.

‘‘We’re so close to actually be- ing a wealthy country. There are [so many] minerals under the ground and in the seabed, we’re second only to Saudi Arabia, per capita,’’ he said.

‘‘If they find something 150 miles off shore and put in a rig there, a drilling rig, whose view are they ruining? The porpoises? You have to take the natural safety measures of course.’’

After forging a global business empire worth billions, Mr Glenn has turned his hand to philanthropy. This week he announced he would give $80 million to prevent child abuse, with outdoor activity and education forming major parts of his strategy.

‘We’re so close to actually being a wealthy country.’ OWEN GLENN

The project stemmed from Mr Glenn’s concern about New Zealand’s growing statistics in child abuse and family violence.

‘‘We looked at all the elements and where we could effect changes and make a difference and this is what we have concentrated on.’’

The first $8m will go to his former home town of Otara, with plans including a 1.6km cycleway and running track.

He urged New Zealanders to be more politically motivated and to speak out when they did not like government decisions.

‘‘I don’t rewrite legislation. You should be doing that, you’re the citizens of New Zealand.

‘‘These people working in that funny-looking building, you put them there, you tell them what to do.’’

When asked what he would want on his epitaph, Mr Glenn said he would like ‘‘he walked this way and left a footprint’’.

Mr Glenn, 72, has also given generously in Macau, China and India, where he lived as a small child.