Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has created a mayoral business group to provide advice on council projects and spark new ideas for the future of the city.
Small business owners have reported to RNZ a slow down in business due to the cost of living with many fearing the government public sector job cuts will cut further into profits.
Whanau said the group that pulls together local leaders in sectors such as retail, hospitality, tech, property development and the creative sector, met for the first time Tuesday evening.
The council has a number of transitional programmes underway like the Courtenay Place upgrade and the Civic Square redevelopment, she said.
The city was also facing external challenges like public sector cuts and the rising cost of living.
"It's important to me that our local businesses have an active role in shaping and delivering the transformation of our city.
"They will give feedback directly to me on a range of upcoming council projects and have the opportunity to put new ideas on the table to deal with our city's challenges."
Representatives on the group are:
- Te Rau Kupenga - Te Amokura Productions and Consultants
- Mark McGuinness - Willis Bond
- Eyal Aharoni - Primeproperty Group
- Melissa McGhie - Rolle Property
- Justin McKenzie - JR Merchants, Hawthorn Lounge
- Lisa Lee - August Eatery
- Brooke Roberts - Sharesies
- Jessie Wong - Yu Mei
- Libby Dearnley - Welly Collective
- Vanessa Stacey - Creative Capital Arts Trust
