Charting Wellington’s path to renewal

Friday, 5 September 2025

Amanda Wood is the acting chief executive of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce and Business Central.

OPINION: If you only read national commentary, you’d be forgiven for thinking Wellington is a city in freefall - but that narrative misses the energy, innovation, and determination driving its renewal.

With shops and eateries closing regularly, major infrastructure challenges, job losses and a lack of economic vision, this has shaped local sentiment, but few seem to acknowledge the opportunities we still have as a city.

As the acting chief executive of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce I’m acutely aware of the sentiments of businesses both big and small in Wellington.

What’s missing from the national conversation is recognition of Wellington’s potential to become a better, more prosperous and more liveable city. Businesses know this, which is why they are still invested here. Yet the current economic strategy often holds them back.

The chamber has been here for 165 years. We’re invested in Wellington’s future because the opportunity is real.

We have the country’s most educated workforce, a compact and connected city, a growing tech sector, global firms and world class nature and recreational activities that attract talent.

The issue is not a lack of positives; the issue is a lack of strategic intent. Wellington has all the ingredients; what we need to do is harness them and to work in partnership with the private sector, central government and local government.

That’s why, we’ve released our Wellington Policy Report, Green Light Economy: The Path to a More Resilient Wellington Through Private Sector Growth.

Backed by expert research from Allen + Clarke and Infometrics, it charts a path forward, identifying key pillars for growth and policy initiatives to supercharge them.

Key policies include creating a “green light” regulatory environment, launching a Wellington Innovation Fund, converting underutilised offices into apartments through proven models like Te Kāinga, and addressing our highest-in-nation commercial rates burden.

Our focus is on building a genuinely pro-business environment in Wellington, but those who are weary of the usual business rhetoric will be pleased to find fresh ideas to power up our creative sector and to build a liveable city.

We’re a business membership organization, but we also call Wellington home. We want to champion a focus on creating a city where everyone wants to live, work and play. That means high density housing, a safer and more vibrant night-time economy and smart transport investments.

Delivering change on the scale we envision is a significant undertaking but doing anything less is selling ourselves short.

Momentum is building; we have a new council chief executive, a new economic development agency chief executive and soon, a new mayor. What the new mayor has instore for business is our focus as we head into the local body elections.

Our report shows that the city’s economic future depends on bold leadership and smart policy - and local government holds many of the levers. From infrastructure and planning, to creating a business-friendly environment, the mayor’s vision will shape whether our economy grows or stalls.

That’s why, alongside this report, we’re hosting a mayoralty debate this week: to put these issues front and centre and hear directly from those who want to lead our city.

This debate is the debate to attend for business. We know business has felt left out in recent years in Wellington, but the tenor is changing. There is growing recognition that business is the engine room that can drive us forward.

Our report sets the blueprint. We look forward to hearing each candidate’s plans for delivering the change.

With the right leadership and strategy, Wellington can become the green light economy we all want - where startups start and grow, business collaborates, creatives thrive and people are excited to live work and play.

We need to get the branding right. Wellington has long suffered from tall poppy syndrome. We don’t have to settle for being the Government town– because that has never been a fair encapsulation of Wellington.

People love Wellington and for good reason, let’s champion our culture, our business and creative wins and let’s let the world know – Wellington has a mix of qualities that no other city in New Zealand can offer, and we need to celebrate that.

Let’s get our strategy right and let’s reset the narrative.

The Post is supporting the Wellington Mayoral Debate with National Affairs Editor Andrea Vance moderating the discussion.

The debate will be on Wednesday at 5:30pm. Tickets are available from Eventbrite