Call for economic umbrella

By ELLEN READ

Strange but true - Mainlanders want Auckland to do better economically and make more money.

"New Zealand is living in First World style on a Second World income with a Third World prognosis," says Canterbury Chamber of Commerce head Peter Townsend.

To address this, the country must undergo a major economic transformation and a good performance by Auckland is central to this, he says.

Mr Townsend, former head of the Canterbury Development Corporation, was talking to the Competitive Auckland team about the need for an economic development agency here.

Without detracting from the work being done by the likes of Competitive Auckland, the Knowledge Wave Trust and city councils, a unified umbrella organisation was vital, he said.

Such a body should be autonomous and funded by the local authorities - on a rates take or population basis - to the tune of several hundred thousand dollars collectively, Mr Townsend said.

It might be difficult for those authorities to fund an organisation over which they had no direct control, he said, but a strong, dynamic leader could help allay those fears.

Mr Townsend said this system worked in Canterbury and, while Auckland had numerous local authorities, it was a step which had to be taken here.

"Not only do I think it's realistic, I think it's absolutely essential. Auckland can't do what has to be done in terms of economic transformation without this," Mr Townsend said.

A centralised Auckland economic development agency would move the region forward by creating an environment for business success, enhancing individual businesses' capabilities and working to attract foreign direct investment, he said.