Wellington to consider merging tourism and venues CCOs

A proposal to merge two major drivers of the Wellington economy, Positively Wellington Tourism (PWT) and Positively Wellington Venues (PWV), is to be considered by Wellington City Councillors as part of the Mayor's draft 2014-15 Annual Plan.

It is also proposed to bring two other council-controlled organisations (CCOs) Wellington Waterfront Ltd (WWL) and Wellington Cable Car Ltd in-house.

The proposed changes would enable the city to invest $500,000 a year in other initiatives.

Mayor Celia Wade-Brown says, if agreed, a merger of tourism and venues would lead to a stronger approach to marketing Wellington as an international and national destination for business, culture, events and the environment, leveraging off their respective skills.

PWV manages a number of Council-owned venues including the Town Hall and Michael Fowler Centre, the TSB Arena, Shed 6, the St James Theatre and the Opera House.

PWT markets the city and region nationally and internationally. It also runs the city's iSite visitor information centre, Business Events Wellington and contributes to the City's Destination Wellington business attraction initiative.

Mayor Wade-Brown says the two organisations work closely together now, and bringing them together can enable greater resources to be focused on delivering better results for the city.

Mayor Wade-Brown explained "under this proposal, the merger can provide the ability to direct more resources at competing for tourist and business event dollars at home and abroad,

"The two organisations are major drivers of the Wellington economy. They bring in millions of dollars in tourism and conference revenue every year however we can and need to do more and we think a single entity will be instrumental in this."

She says because the merger is a proposal it is too early to discuss details about the structure of new organisation.

Other economic agencies in the region may also be involved, subject to discussions with other councils.

The merger would strengthen the ability of the city and region to enter into local and international partnerships and encourage investment. It would also align more effectively with the Council's own internal reorganisation, earlier this year, of its economic, events, arts and international units.

Wellington Waterfront Ltd
Mayor Wade-Brown adds that bringing Wellington Waterfront Ltd into the main Council will simplify design and consent issues, stating "it's the right time to bring it in-house. The work on the waterfront can now be handled from within the main Council organisation, at less cost, including the Site 10 proposal. WWL staff expertise can also be used in other Council urban development projects."

Wellington Cable Car Ltd
Integrated ticketing, overhead network planning and promotion of the Cable Car can be well managed from within Council, said the Mayor.

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