Media Release

Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) has come out strongly stating its desire to see economic growth achieved across all of New Zealand.Regional economic development is gaining pace as an important topic of conversation within local government, central government, the media and communities, and this evening LGNZ is holding a major issues seminar on the subject.

LGNZ says that economic growth across all of New Zealand is one of the single biggest priorities for communities, but it is not just an issue for local government.

LGNZ President Lawrence Yule believes local and central government need to work together to reduce regional inequalities across all of New Zealand and develop a shared national strategy.

“We need to find ways to develop our regional centres into environments which offer opportunities in education, employment and business; as places where skilled locals want to stay and set up business, and where skilled migrants want to settle,” says Mr Yule.

“The purpose of tonight’s event is to discuss with the key political parties their vision of regional economic prosperity – and explore how, together, we can achieve this.”

“We will ask the questions, can we achieve economic prosperity and growth across all of New Zealand?

What are the barriers to this? And how can the key players work together to achieve growth across all of New Zealand?” says Mr Yule.

The evening will be chaired and opened by LGNZ’s President Lawrence Yule. Shamubeel Eaqub, Principal Economist at NZIER, will speak about the 'big picture' and what we can and cannot influence. Grant Robertson, Labour’s spokesperson for Economic Development, will talk about his party's policies for regional economic development; and the Minister of Economic Development, Hon Steven Joyce, will outline National's vision.