Joseph Mooney - MP for Southland
In a time of challenges for New Zealand’s economy it has been great to see Queenstown Lakes outstanding contribution recognised in the recent ASB Regional Scorecard.
ASB’s quarterly analysis showed the South Island taking out the top four spots, with Otago in first place followed by Canterbury, Tasman and Southland.
Both coastal and inland Otago’s prosperity and growth are important. However, Queenstown Lakes deserves recognition for being a true developing powerhouse, with inland Otago being the only region in New Zealand where job growth has grown over the last year (up 3.2% in Queenstown Lakes and 0.2% in Central Otago).
This also highlights the importance of the “light touch” Otago Central Lakes Regional Deal proposal put forward to the Government recently by the Queenstown Lakes District Council, Central Otago District Council and Otago Regional Council. It is currently under consideration by the Government, and I am strongly advocating for it to go to the next stage.
While much of the country has been in recession, we know Otago Central Lakes has been leading the way towards recovery and growing New Zealand’s economy. In a business-as-usual scenario this region will add billions to New Zealand’s GDP in coming years. But we could add much more with the right infrastructure and services in place, upgrading the experience of this region as a fantastic place for all of us who call it home, and where our children see a future for themselves.
Our region has seen New Zealand’s strongest rebound in the visitor economy post-COVID, contributing to Otago’s leading position in retail trade, with retail spending in the fourth quarter of last year increasing by 9.1% annually, compared to just a 1.4% increase of national average.
A key community asset and economic enabler for this area is our airport. It is the main connection point for locals venturing outwards and visitors coming in. Although I’m a regular user of the airport, it was great to visit recently to meet some of the people who make it work and see what they do behind the scenes. I was impressed by the passion for their work and community, plus their commitment to innovation and investment - with just one example being the recent installation of Australasia’s first engineered materials arresting system (EMAS), designed to safely stop aircraft that overshoot the runway.
One comment that struck me recently was someone noting how many who live here come from somewhere else - it’s often not easy to get a foothold, which means we have a high tolerance for risk and an interest in innovation. I think this combination puts us in an exciting place to build on the energy that the numbers of our economic story show.
