James Cameron to launch new 'vision' to save struggling Wellington

11:14 am today

US film director James Cameron poses for photographers upon arrival to attend the world premiere of the film "Alita: Battle Angel" in London on January 31, 2019. (Photo by Daniel LEAL / AFP)

James Cameron. Photo: AFP

A group of high-profile Wellingtonians is launching a series of events about the future of the city, with the first to feature Oscar-winning film director James Cameron.

Vision for Wellington includes prominent figures like former mayors, Dames Kerry Prendergast and Fran Wilde, former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy and property magnate Sir Bob Jones.

The group, which said it was politically neutral, wanted to create a 'vision' for the capital - which it said was in a slump.

Its website said Wellingtonians were experiencing a "crisis of confidence" due to Wellington City Council's "inability to rein in spending" and "in-fighting and perceived ideology-fuelled decision-making".

Wellington mayor Tory Whanau was endorsed by the Green Party during her campaign, and left-leaning councillors have won majorities on a number of issues.

Meanwhile, The Post has reported on text messages between Vision for Wellington members and National Party MPs, including the prime minister.

Some of the group are prominent political figures - Dame Kerry is National Party-aligned, Dame Fran is a former Labour Cabinet minister and property magnate Sir Bob Jones founded the right-learning New Zealand Party in the 1980s.

But Vision for Wellington did not want to "point fingers and do personal attacks," said Peter Biggs, a founding member and former New Zealand Symphony Orchestra chair.

The group's members span the political aisle and were there as individuals, not with "political identities", he said.

Peter Biggs, CEO New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

Peter Biggs. Photo: New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

None would stand for council next year, Biggs said - but he argued Wellingtonians had lost confidence in the city council, and wanted change.

"Wellington as a city needs to lift itself out of a bit of a slump and start moving forward and flourish, so what we want to do is start a conversation including all Wellingtonians ... about how the city could flourish, what we need to do," he said.

"What we'd like to do, is people who are standing for council at the next elections next year, take heed of that vision and start working through how a plan can be put in place to make that vision happen."

The programme of public events, which will also be livestreamed, begins in February with a panel discussion featuring Cameron and moderated by journalist Paddy Gower.

Gower is an RNZ contractor and also works for Stuff. Stuff chief executive Sinead Boucher is a member of Vision for Wellington.

Patrick Gower. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

Each event would focus on "key priorities the city needs to address" like infrastructure, innovation, creativity and business growth, said Biggs.

There were indications about 1000 people could attend the first event, and the group was now searching for a venue big enough.

Cameron, famous for his Titanic and Avatar films, threw his support behind Vision for Wellington because it was "the right initiative at the right time".

He will be a New Zealand citizen in a couple of months, and was here to stay, he said.

"I could live anywhere in the world but my family and I chose this city... my children love it here and are thriving.

"I want the best for their future, which is why I'm rolling up my sleeves and mucking in with business leaders, innovators, and anyone really who cares about their city."