Law up to challenge

LOCAL LAW: Rodney can be a key driver in the development of tourism in the new supercity, former mayor John Law says. He was appointed to the Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development organisation.

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FORMER Rodney mayor John Law has been appointed a director of a key supercity board, the Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development Ltd – TEED.

The council-controlled organisation appointment is just the ticket for Mr Law, who served as a director on the Auckland Transition Agency, tasked by the government to manage the amalgamation of the eight councils of greater Auckland into one body.

"TEED is what it is all about for Auckland city and more," says Mr Law. "We are challenged to kick-start Auckland and if we can do that, we kick-start New Zealand."

He says tourism and major events are key drivers for economic development, as are the re-creation of the Auckland waterfront with a world-class convention centre and wharves capable of handling cruise liners carrying in excess of 4000 people.

Mr Law is delighted to see Waitakere city mayor Bob Harvey has been appointed Auckland Waterfront Development Agency chairman, responsible for the downtown development.

"He is one of the greatest lateral thinkers around, and that is what we need," he says.

Events, wharves and tourism all at the foot of the city's main street is something Mr Law says is rare around the world.

"I have just returned from cruises in Europe and off the coast of Mexico in cruise liners taller than the Nautilus," he says.

"One carried 4200 people and if we want to attract visits like this we have to have the facilities and activities on hand to handle the influx."

Mr Law wants Aucklanders to start thinking laterally and to realise that events do not have to be Auckland centred to benefit the city. He cites plans of fellow Rodney resident Leigh Hopper who has his ideas for the first "Great Kiwi Speed Festival" which starts with the Warbirds over Wanaka and takes in aspects of the TARGA rally, offshore power boat racing and ends up in the Coromandel peninsula.

Mr Hopper is targeting international visitors with high levels of discretionary spending – wealthy enthusiasts and followers of motorsport and aviation.

"New Zealand has successfully attracted a large proportion of young thrill-seeking travellers. It has generated a label for New Zealand but has not generated healthy margins," he says.

These are the sustainable and self-sustaining events that Mr Law is advocating.

"Things like the cycleway initiative, the speed festival, the waterfront development and the convention centre are great for Auckland and we need more ideas," he says.

Mr Law has spent decades in marketing and travelled the world to market trade and travel into New Zealand.

He says everything is linked – travel is trade and trade is economic development.

"New Zealand is bigger in area than Britain and no one thinks of visiting there for just three days. We have to get people to stay.

"If all the supercity does is give more of the same it will not work – we have to get to grips and think creatively," he says.

"And we have to cut out the roadblocks in gaining resource consents so that investment can flow freely," he says.

- © Fairfax NZ News