City Council Shines a Spotlight on Technology
Monday 13 June 2011, 7:48AM
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Wellington City Councillors unanimously approved a draft digital strategy at this week's Strategy and Policy Committee meeting.
The strategy substantially increases Wellington's digital activity and includes new ideas on how to position Wellington globally as a creative digital city. The next step is for the key people in the industry and the broader city community to have their say.
Mayor Celia-Wade Brown says Wellington is already a city full of talented leaders in technology.
"In preparing this strategy, we talked to creative and committed people in the digital sector who gave us some great ideas. But that is only the tip of the iceberg - there are many more people we wish to talk to. We want to understand how we can support the industry in Wellington to be the best that it can be," says Mayor Wade-Brown.
The strategy looks at three specific areas:
- to make Wellington the place where talent wants to live
- to inspire shared knowledge and the development of ideas and creativity
- to make Wellington a world leader in digital activity.
- Possible initiatives as a result of the strategy's implementation include:
- attracting skilled migrants
- developing a relationship with Silicon Valley
- an emphasis on visual digital art in the city
- encouraging local companies to buy local digital products
- making access to technology available to all Wellingtonians.
David Moskovitz, Chairman of WebFund and Councillor at InternetNZ, says he is impressed by the inclusive process so far. "The Council's receptiveness to ideas from a broad range of stakeholders is impressive - and they've clearly incorporated these ideas into the strategy.
"If they can commit the required resources behind the strategy, Wellington will receive a huge return on that investment. And these benefits will accrue right across the board, not just particular sectors of society."
The draft strategy will be available over the coming weeks, where people will be invited to provide further ideas. Meanwhile, if anyone wants to talk to someone at the Council about the draft strategy, give Senior Strategy Advisor Philippa Bowron a call on (04) 803 8530.
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