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What my opponents have conveniently ignored is that our jobless rate
in Wellington has gone up 1½ per cent over the last year.
They think, I suspect, that it’s up to John Key
and central government.
I respectfully disagree.
The best way to create jobs is to see the areas where
we have some sort of leadership.
Most Wellingtonians would probably agree that we are
the most creative, tech-savvy and artistic city in the nation. That means
we can build on these areas and create more industry clusters.
Sir
Peter Jackson is a great reminder of how one person can, with drive,
passion and belief, build those clusters.
In his case, it was film. And we already have the infrastructure
thanks in part to Miramar and the airport.
That tech infrastructure is the 21st-century equivalent
of construction and roading.
I’ve been talking to Kiwi start-ups that are ready
to generate decent profits, and we need to convince them that Wellington
should be their home.
Let’s get the free wifi
up and running and tell these innovative minds all over the world that
Wellington is open for business.
Let’s stress that we have a world-class infrastructure
here for them.
Let’s promote those businesses that are already
here—like the ones who presented at Global
Entrepreneurship Week 2009. I was the only mayoral candidate there—because
I reckon these folks represent the future of this city’s economy.
Sidhe, Weta and others are merely the tip of the iceberg.
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It’s up to us
We can’t leave job creation to central government
exclusively. This has to come from the most innovative thinkers in New
Zealand: Wellingtonians. Of Welly, by Welly, for Welly.
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Law and order
All mayoral candidates say they are tough on law and order,
but without getting to the root cause of lawlessness, it’s
all talk.
I believe the root cause is tied to economics.
If we create new, exciting ventures that make money in this city,
then we’ll employ more people. And if these ventures are relevant
to our youth, it gives them something to shoot for.
Sure there are other causes when it comes to crime,
but let’s at least deal with the ones we can reach immediately.
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Sister cities
California might not be that strong economically, but there’s
still plenty of activity for new ventures. Hence, let’s reconnect
the “most Wellington” of American cities with us by re-establishing
the long-lost sister-city relationship with San Francisco.
To that end, I’ve
already contacted Mayor Newsom, and let’s see what we can
do next with a city that shares so many similarities with us.
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Join my Facebook fan page
“Friend” me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
• Read my blog
Jack’s to-do list
Network, network, network. I’ve been in the high-tech sector
for most of my working life and have connections to names that can bring
capital to our innovative Wellington enterprises. As your mayor, it’ll
be time to call in some favours from around the world to help my fellow
Wellingtonians.
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