Wreda ‘ineffectual’: councillor

Wellington’s economic agency is adamant it’s not one-eyed after critics questioned its focus on helping both central and outlying ratepayers.

The Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency will get core funding worth about $5.6 million from Wellington City Council, and $4.3 million from ratepayers across the rest of the region over the next year.

Critics, such as Porirua City councillor Anita Baker, believe people from her city need more convincing of the benefits of their $316,000 annual contribution.

The agency last year had a total operating budget – including funding from the likes of commercial partners and other management fees – of about $31 million.

It says it has helped lure a record $2.6 billion in visitor spending to the region over the past year, helped more than 450 businesses, and supported big events such as the upcoming Eminem concert at Westpac Stadium.

Baker said Porirua ratepayers deserved more of a focus on local trade, jobs and industry.

‘‘Wreda has been ineffectual in its work in Porirua and it should either have some specific and measurable activities in the city or forgo the rate and allow it to be invested in stormwater, roading and footpaths – or let ratepayers keep it.

‘‘It seems to me that Wreda is interested in flashy jobs in craft beer and start-ups in Te Aro.’’

Greater Wellington Regional Council deputy chairwoman Barbara Donaldson, who represents the Porirua-Tawa area, felt concerned too much money was flowing out of the Porirua Basin.

‘‘We have opportunities and challenges here, for example with Transmission Gully, and some land use and economicscoping work should be being led by Wreda at the very least.

‘‘This is a specific rate. The money is taken from ratepayers in Porirua and Tawa who need to see specific outcomes like jobs and investment for local residents.’’

Wreda spokesman David Perks said the focus of Wreda was guided by a separate strategy committee made up of representatives from around the region, and chaired by Wellington City Mayor Justin Lester.

‘‘It may seem easy when you’re on Cuba St [in Wellington CBD] talking to the business next door, but when you’re in the outer parts of the region where the businesses aren’t so close together, that’s a whole lot more challenging.

‘‘We’re there creating that network.’’ Wreda was helping create a regional investment plan with the regional strategy office looking ahead 20 years, he said.

"At the moment, we’re going through a new workforce development plan with the regional strategy office looking at where we are at the moment in terms of industries and people, and where we will be in 20 years’ time in terms of what businesses need and what the regional population will look like and how do you make sure it fits together.

‘‘We know that growth spine along State Highway 1 is going to be significant because of Transmission Gully.

‘‘We also know that Porirua is going to

grow faster than other parts of the region.

‘‘What does that mean to the activities than can support learning, training and working for people who live in that district?’’

Porirua Mayor Mike Tana said, ‘‘We are starting to see real change, for example Wreda’s support of the $30m Adventure Park in Porirua, and their support of Festival of New Zealand recently bringing their ocean-going waka to Porirua as part of the Waka Odyssey.

‘‘Almost everything that makes our city successful has regional implications, so I am very supportive, along with the other mayors, of our ability to influence regional economic growth.’’

Wreda was also looking at the impact of the Kapiti Expressway on creating growth in the district, and the development of the rail passage for Wairarapa.

‘‘All those things . . . They’re nice on a piece of paper . . . How do we make sure when those major investments go ahead that we’re making the most of them?

‘‘Even with the Kapiti Expressway you can see those beach communities, their visitor spend has gone up, so how do we leverage that?

‘‘Ka¯ piti Coast is interested in what does that mean for a gateway centre for Ka¯ piti Island, for instance.’’

‘‘The improved rail infrastructure to the Wairarapa – you don’t just build a railway, what does that mean in terms of people to commute? Will that mean population growth in the Wairarapa?’’

Ka¯piti Mayor K Gurunathan, whose district contributes about $424,000 a year, said Ka¯piti was experiencing ‘‘significant urban growth’’ and Wreda played a key role in that.

‘‘4500 Ka¯ piti residents commute to Wellington to work so there is a symbiotic integration of the regional economy.’’

Upper Hutt Mayor Wayne Guppy, whose city’s ratepayers contribute $307,000 a year, pointed out that Wreda grew out of talk of the potential amalgamation of cities.

He advised against returning to the ‘‘blinkered days of cities in the region fighting one another’’.

‘‘The regional approach is the only approach, or we will quickly become a sad backwater of the country.’’