Media Release
Date: 17 April 2009
Canterbury employment summit solutions put forward
Cantabrians need to get over risk aversion, work together more and bring forward initiatives that will improve local
infrastructure, delegates at today’s Christchurch Employment Summit said.
Key businesses, local authorities, local and central Government agencies and associated Canterbury representatives met
in the Christchurch Town Hall today to find solutions to regional employment issues.
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) in conjunction with Canterbury Development Corporation (CDC), the Canterbury
Employers’ Chamber of Commerce (CECC), and the Department of Labour invited key Cantabrians as a follow up to the recent
national Job Summit.
Issues discussed included governance, investment, innovation, regional attributes, and human capital (people).
In summarising today’s event, CECC Chief Executive Peter Townsend said the region’s points of difference included that
there is a unified community, committed Council prepared to address any choke points, a relatively better-performing
economy, rich resources (water/land etc), the capability to create regional innovation systems and a good quality of
life.
Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker told delegates the CCC would focus on infrastructure needs to ensure Christchurch
continues to move forward and was in a good position when the economy improves.
“The Council has been in contact with all of its companies, and we’ve told them to look at bringing forward as much
infrastructure work as is sensibly possible to return as much capacity as we can to the local construction and allied
trades,” he said.
Council was keen to hear about any choke points in Council processes which were causing problems for businesses. Mayor
Parker says the Council was actively investing in systems to streamline Council processes.
Canterbury Development Corporation Chief Executive Bill Luff said CDC would undertake an audit of planned infrastructure
projects to see what was ready to go and what interventions were needed to make them happen.
“We are of the view that Wellington will be receptive if we can prove good payback beyond the construction phase into
meaningful jobs for our community,” Mr Luff said. CDC would also be keen to hear from private companies with projects
in the wings.
University of Canterbury Vice Chancellor Dr Rod Carr was keen that the city focus on taking advantage of the educational
capabilities Christchurch had to offer and growing the student population.
“Every 1000 students brought to Canterbury will bring $15million of direct spending, and another $10million of
accommodation and services. That’s attractive,” he said.
Dr Carr also wanted the city to think about the social, cultural and economic issues of the “decile one” end of the
community.
Regional Commissioner for Social Development Michelle Mitchell said one of the best initiatives for the community was to
ensure people had work. She cautioned employers against shedding staff while times were tough as it might mean skills
shortages when businesses were ready to get back into gear.
Christchurch Employment Summit discussions will now be referred to the Mayoral Taskforce on jobs which would report back
to attendees within 30 days. Delegates were also asked to forward other thoughts and ideas to the Mayoral Taskforce now
and could send these to CDC - cdc@cdc.org.nz, with the words Employment Summit in the subject line, or fax ideas to 03
379 5554.
A summary from the Summit and presentations from keynote speakers will be available on the CDC website www.cdc.org.nz
within the next 24 hours.
Ends