Celebrate Kapiti export successes

Dairy product manufacturing has led the way to success with a 33 per cent share in export earnings.

The latest statistics available show the export share of Kapiti's GDP was around 22 per cent in 2016, compared to approximately 19 per cent across the rest of the Wellington region.

Local businesses exporting their products and services around the world are being encouraged to celebrate their success and enter the inaugural ExportNZ ASB Wellington Export Awards.

The awards will be held in June and are open to business from the Horowhenua, Manawatu, and Tararua regions, through Kapiti to Wellington, who have a minimum of $100,000 in export revenue per year.

Kapiti Chamber of Commerce chairwoman Heather Hutchings said the region was home to many businesses doing exceptional things off-shore.

"The latest statistics available show the export share of Kapiti's GDP was around 22 per cent in 2016, compared to approximately 19 per cent across the rest of the Wellington region.

"Dairy product manufacturing led the way with a 33 per cent share in export earnings.
"Accommodation, horticulture, food and beverage manufacturing, and professional services and were also in our top industries.

"We are all proud to see the success of local companies overseas like Kapiti Cheese and Kapiti Fine Foods, bearing our region's name on their speciality goods offshore.

"The chamber supports all of our local businesses who are making daring moves and exporting. They bring a great deal to Kapiti through jobs, skills and innovation and we would love to celebrate their success alongside other regional Wellington businesses.

"Kapiti saw a 3.8 per cent growth in GDP in 2016, compared to the national average of 2.5 per cent. This is encouraging for Kapiti as we begin to realise the opportunities the expressway is bringing to the region, and businesses look to market their products and services further afield. Our location is no barrier to thinking big and achieving great things."

The awardshave four categories: Marsh Innovation in Export Award, MFAT Most Sustainable in Export Award, Wellington Airport Emerging Exporter Award, CentrePort Excellence in Services Export Award.

www.wellington.exportnz.org.nz/training-and-events/wellington-events/functions/exportnz-asb-wellington-export-awards-2017