Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce Reception

May I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - English, Maori, Cook Island Maori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language. Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the afternoon (Sign)

May I specifically acknowledge you: John Lumsden, President of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce; Charles Finny, Chief Executive of the Chamber; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.

My wife Susan and I warmly welcome you to Government House in Wellington this evening for this Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce Business after Five reception.

The purpose of such a function is what today is called networking and I will keep my remarks brief.  But I would like to take a brief opportunity to emphasise the important role of the Chamber and the value of businesses working together to the advantage of not only the Wellington region, but also New Zealand.  Indeed further afield because there have been Chambers of Commerce ever since the first one in Marseilles, France in 1599 and in the US since before the 1776 Revolution.

The Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce was formed 151 years ago.  The nascent city in 1856 was struggling—only the year before on Wellington anniversary day it had been severely damaged by an earthquake that scientists estimate was in the magnitude of 8.2 on the Richter scale and saw Lambton Quay flooded by a several metre high tsunami. By contrast, it is estimated that the devastating Napier earthquake of 1931 was a 7.8 magnitude quake.

As we all know, it had its positive side effect for the region and business.  The swampy land of the Hutt Valley was drained, creating land for businesses and homes. Land for an all weather road and rail link between Wellington and the Hutt appeared from out of the sea, as did much of the land the central city now sits on.  And, of course, those like myself who are inclined to the cricket, there resulted the Basin Reserve!

As those events show, there are many drivers to the local, regional and national economy, some of which cannot always be anticipated.  But one of the key elements is business and in the city's early years, the Chamber and its members played a key role in shaping the region's infrastructure.  1870's Chamber of Commerce making submissions against explosives being carried across town to the magazine at Mt Cook.

The Wellington region has a diverse set of businesses and enterprises.  Admittedly, it has relatively few people involved in the agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining and not surprisingly it has more than a third of all people classified by Statistics New Zealand in 2006 as working in what is called "Government Administration & Defence."

But contrary to popular belief that Wellington is a government town, this latter category is not the region's top employer. The largest number of Wellingtonians are employed in property and business services followed by the retail trade.  Government Administration and Defence is third, followed by Health and community services and Manufacturing. Of actual enterprises, the most common are those in Property and Business Services, followed by Construction and the Retail Trade.

Businesses then (it can be confidently submitted) are a major driver of the Wellington regional economy.  They generate wealth and employ thousands of people.  They, along with the region's tertiary education, scientific and cultural sectors, are drivers of the innovation New Zealand needs to encourage if it is to cut it in the global economy.  On that note, it is therefore appropriate that the chief executives of two of the Capital's key tertiary education providers—WelTec and Victoria University—are members of the Chamber Board.

The Chamber plays an important role in representing and advocating business interests. In a democracy it is important that all interests, businesses included, are heard when governments—central, regional and local—are considering major policy issues or projects. 

The Chamber also plays a role in delivering important services that help its members work together. Strangely the suggestion that businesses work together often strikes an unusual chord with some people, who seem to think it means price fixing.  As an erstwhile lawyer and Judge, you would know only too well that I would never suggest such a thing!

By working together, I'm suggesting collaborative bids for major projects which one company alone could never bid for.  It also means being aware of the local or NZ suppliers that can provide you with goods you need at a competitive price.  I'm sure staff with the Chamber would know of instances of Wellington businesses buying goods from elsewhere in New Zealand or overseas when there was someone around the corner who was making the same product.  Even worse, there maybe cases were the item bought from elsewhere was actually manufactured in Wellington in the first place!

It is through organisations such as the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce providing members with databases of services they offer that such instances can be avoided.  That is where networking events such as this can also be of great value.

Businesses and business people in today's global market need a wide variety of skills.  With its wide connections with the region's business community, the Chamber has proven an ideal partner for a host of public sector agencies in delivering enterprise training, business mentor and business information programmes.  The Chamber also acts as a key agency through which business people can access information on matters as diverse as international trade and the range of mechanisms available to support those wanting to export goods.

In conclusion then, the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce has established itself as a respected organisation of business interests in the Capital.  Its board and management are to be congratulated on their work to promote Wellington business and the region.

On that note I will close in Maori by offering greetings and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavours. No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa.

After the formalities are completed, I would like to invite you to wander around the public areas of Government House this afternoon.  This building opened 98 years ago and has housed 19 Governors or Governors-General and houses many artefacts and art works that reflect New Zealand's history and culture.  Thank you.