October 20, 2004
Cambridge Ranks As Most Ambitious City In NZ
Towns, cities, suburbs and regions all came under scrutiny as Aquashot tested the AQ (Ambition Quotient) of nearly 6,000
New Zealanders recently. And Cambridge was the clear city winner with a mean score of 159 - compared to its closest
rival Auckland Central - rating 145.
The results of the unique online AQ test, developed for Aquashot active water by Dr Howard Frederick and Dr Peter
Mellalieu, supported previous studies showing Kiwis to be among the most ambitious and enterprising individuals in the
world.
The test ran for two months and key findings include:
* The average AQ (from a possible top score of 300) was 142 - with scores ranging from 44-248
* Men and women are equally ambitious
* Cambridge led the city scores, with Wellington Central ranked as the highest scoring suburb and Rodney District
taking the title as highest scoring region (based on mean scores)
* American and Canadian-born New Zealanders led with the highest mean scores
* And surprisingly students (along with retirees) ranked as among the least ambitious
The pilot study included a competitive element - The Aquashot Shot of a Lifetime competition - with the major prize
being a five month mentoring course from one of three leading Kiwi entrepreneurs including film-maker Geoff Dixon,
fashion designer Karen Walker and tourism guru Wally Stone.
Responses from all those in the top percentile (i.e. scoring 175+ and thus deemed as highly ambitious) were assessed,
with first prize being awarded to Christchurch man Chris Mardon, who selected founder and managing director of
Silverscreen/Oktober - Geoff Dixon - as his mentor.
Auckland-born, Nelson raised and now domiciled in Christchurch, 34 year old Chris has a Ph.D. in Engineering and won the
Young Professional Engineer of the Year Award in 2002. He currently sits on the board of the Institute of Professional
Engineers - and although working as plant manager for a large manufacturing plant - has been developing an energy
efficiency concept which he is keen to grow into a profitable global enterprise. He is already liaising with Government
to action the first part of the project in Canterbury next year - with plans to take it wider in 2006.
Says Chris: "I am thrilled about winning the mentoring with Geoff Dixon. It's come at a crucial time in the development
of this project and can only help us to achieve our goals."
"Chris is a clear example of the extraordinarily high calibre of finalists who entered the Shot of A Lifetime
competition," says Coca-Cola Oceania's Corporate Affairs Manager Alison Sykora.
"They ranged from people in their early 20s who'd been running their own businesses since their teens to many seeking to
help others to realise their full potential.
"This has been an intriguing project and given us a fascinating insight into the ambitions of so many New Zealanders."
About Aquashot
Aquashot is a range of active waters that provide you with a burst of fruit flavour and the boost of 5 essential
vitamins. It's the tastiest way to keep hydrated so you'll never miss a shot.
This light, natural tasting flavoured water is fortified with five essential vitamins - B3, B5, B6, B9 and B12. A 200ml
serve provides 20% of the recommended dietary intake of Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid) and Vitamin B12, and 10% of the
recommended dietary intake of Vitamin B3 (Niacin) and Vitamin B6.
Aquashot has 46kJ (11.1Cal) and just 2.6 grams of carbs per 100ml.Packaged in a new squeezable, easy-to-drink 800ml
bottle, Aquashot is available in three flavours - Berry, Lime and Mandarin - at your local dairy, supermarket or
convenience store. Aquashot is a product of The Coca-Cola Company.
About Coca-Cola
Together, Coca-Cola Amatil NZ and Coca-Cola Oceania manufacture, market and distribute more than 100 beverage brands and
flavours in New Zealand. These include soft drinks, diet drinks, juices and juice drinks, cordials, waters, sports
drinks and energy drinks.
Coca-Cola Amatil is the authorized bottler of The Coca-Cola Company's products in New Zealand. The two companies employ
more than 1,000 people and CCA has plants in Auckland, Christchurch and Putaruru.
Coca-Cola's contribution to the New Zealand community includes the annual Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park events in
Auckland and Christchurch and The Coca-Cola Careers Expo in Dunedin, Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland. Our
partnership with the National Association of OSCAR (Out of School Care and Recreation) has resulted in Go Kids! a
national physical activity programme being made available to 500 out of school groups and more than 100,000 young New
Zealanders.
ENDS