northland chamber

ADVOCATE COLUMN 1st WEEK JUNE 2011
A recent news item on TV3’s The Nation (8th May) highlighted a number of Northland’s shortcomings particularly in the areas of economic and social performance. They identified a several factors contributing to this including, a low percentage of the working aged population engaged in paid employment, lack of productivity, political complacency and low literacy rates. There is also a high reliance on primary production, the low waged economy of the tourism sector and a very low rating base.

This news is not surprising and cannot be laid solely and the feet of the global financial crisis as the many of these factors have existed for a number of years. Northland’s relative economic performance has long been below other similar sized regions. With a GDP that is half of Taranaki and about a quarter of Australia the challenge of initiating change is immense and if the contributing factors are varied, then there is unlikely to be any single solution to the problem.

TV3 should not be criticised for highlighting these issues as the conversation needs to be had and solutions need to be found. Having said this other than some valid comments made by Far North Mayor Wayne Brown and Tai Tokerau MP Hone Harawira very little was offered within the programme to suggest our regional leaders had a clear vision of how we are to initiate the change required but that may have been part of the programmes agenda.

Considering our population base, Northland is well represented (in numbers at least) at central government. Five members of parliament are domiciled here either as list or electorate MPs. What remains to be seen from these leaders is clarity of vision on what action is required to remedy our situation at a regional level. With limited funding available for infrastructure investment throughout the country, we need of representatives at national level to speak with a single voice to ensure we have what we need to develop our economy and raise the standard of living for all Northlanders.

Infrastructure investment in itself will not provide the answers. Change will rely on a multi-disciplinary approach with all stakeholders taking some responsibility of the situation and reacting accordingly. A large part in the change relies on changing in individual mindsets while another part is equipping our youth so they can fulfil their potential. However what is needed above all else is strong leadership from those who represent us at all levels of government.