Mayoral Debate Lacks Focus on Industry and Jobs

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Today’s Auckland mayoralty debate covered a range of issues, but completely missed any discussion on Auckland’s productive industry, jobs and wealth creation, say the New Zealand Manufacturers and Exporters Association (NZMEA).

NZMEA Chief Executive Dieter Adam says, “The lack of discussion on wealth creation and building an environment for productive businesses to succeed is a concern for manufacturers - this is an issue that needs to be part of the debate both at local and central government levels.

“We need real discussion and vision for how to create an environment that supports sustainable growth in productive businesses, both in Auckland and across the country, to provide the growth, exports and well-paid employment we need.

“Auckland is home to about a third of our population, makes up about 36% of national GDP and manufacturing makes up over 11% of Auckland’s GDP. What happens there has ramifications for New Zealand as a whole.

“However, the economic performance of Auckland, in terms of GDP-per-capita growth, has not been spectacular, particularly when compared to other cities are around the world. We need to see a real focus at both the local and national government level on how to create more growth in productive businesses, particularly those in manufacturing and exporting.

“There was some quality discussion on the issue of housing, which effects all people in the city as well as the businesses who employ them. We are continuing to hear comments from manufacturers who are finding it increasingly hard to find and retain good skilled staff with the cost of housing in suitable areas rising at current rates. The same is true for transport infrastructure, where it is increasingly hard for workers to get to their place of work every day. Both these issues are adding to the existing problem of our education system not providing the flow of skilled people manufacturers need to grow and expand.

“As we have heard from Auckland company F&P Healthcare’s Managing Director Lewis Gardon recently, for example, currently a combination of the above factors and the high New Zealand dollar creates a disincentive for investment in manufacturing in Auckland. Without a plan for how to address these issues, this does not bode well for the city’s future.” says Dieter.