Mayor of Lower Hutt

Support local businesses by reducing red tape and creating a more business-friendly council environment.

Promote local industries including tourism, arts, hospitality and technology to attract visitors and create jobs.

Encourage youth employment through apprenticeships, training programmes and partnerships with local employers.

Recognise the strength of the innovation sector in the Hutt which grows high-value jobs with great employment opportunities.

Reduce the barriers to youth gaining employment, for example, previously implementing driving instruction for youth without a licence.

Support local businesses with procurement processes that buy local, invest locally, support locally and work with businesses as partners.

Adopt a buy local, build local procurement policy to prioritise Hutt businesses for council contracts.

Establish a business incubator and accelerator to help start-ups grow and create local jobs.

Streamline event approvals and venue access to attract visitors and boost local spending.

Grow the share of council procurement spent locally by setting clear annual targets.

Retain council's Living Wage Accreditation status.

Ensure major infrastructure projects like RiverLink deliver long-term economic benefits to Hutt-based workers, suppliers and contractors.