July 8, 2025 • 17 mins
The organisation tasked with helping to grow the Wellington region's economy has a new boss - and he says Wellington needs to focus more on its successes, rather than it's struggles.
Mark Oldershaw took over the reins at WellingtonNZ a month ago and joined Nick Mills to discuss the role of the organisation, the state of the region, and some exciting major events at Sky Stadium that hopefully will be announced soon.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
You're listening to the Wellington Mornings podcast with Nick Mills
from News Talks B.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
We're drained now by Mark Oldershaw. He's a new Chief
executive of Wellington and z the region's economic development agency.
Morning Mark, what good to great to have you here
and congratulations on the job. How are you feeling?
Speaker 3 (00:27):
Yeah, thank you very much. Look really excited a month
and so I'm still I'm still very much a rookie.
But look, it's the greatest city in the world to
be part of Wellington and the opportunity to continue to
promote Wellington as a as a great place to work, stay,
live and play.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Are Youalentonia?
Speaker 4 (00:46):
Yeah? I called myself for Wellingtonian.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
Originally from Hawks Bay, but spent quite a bit of
my study times and working times in Wellington.
Speaker 4 (00:55):
So Wantington.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
And you're a former CEO of wow El a long
time ago, but I was.
Speaker 4 (01:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
So you know the events, you know the events, you
know how the city works, you know how one of
them successful. I don't know events in the history of
New Zealanders goes. So you're pretty experience in it.
Speaker 4 (01:12):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
Yeah, Look, I'm very lucky Nick. This role brings together
a whole lot of things a reason me eclectic career
to date, but from tourism, events, regional economic development, advocacy,
lobbying workers. You know, I'm very lucky to bring it
all together for our listeners that don't know what Wellington
(01:34):
en Z does. Give us like one sentence, tell us
what you are there to do for our city.
Speaker 4 (01:40):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Look, look, our mandate is essentially, at the very highest level,
is to make Wellington a premier place to live, work,
play and visit. So that covers quite a spectrum. We are,
as you said, the Regional Economic Development Agency for Wellington,
and again that that's quite a big scope. But it
includes things like the screen screen Wellington as well, so
(02:03):
facilitation around film industry, but it also extends to destination management, tourism,
major events, venues. You know a lot of a lot
of things.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
I heard the other day, and you might be able
to correct me if I'm right or wrong. But someone
in the street that was talking to me and was
saying that the actual movie industry right now in Wenington's
pretty slow. There's not a lot on Yeah.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
Look I look that, and and again you know that
the sector seems to go and waves a bit and
and you know, we we continue to work with with
the industry around around attracting opportunities to Wellington. It's a
pretty competitive business as you kind of look. Look it's
been it's been more robust. I think that's probably fair
(02:45):
to say, but certainly some opportunities you know that we're working.
Speaker 4 (02:48):
Along along the way. Okay, how are you funded?
Speaker 3 (02:52):
Yeah, good point. So we're funded. We're funded through Wellington
City Council, but broadly eighty percent and eight percent through
Greater Wellington Regional Council, so that makes up the bulk
of our core funding. But you know, look, as I said,
I'm a month into the role. I've spent a lot
of time out and out and about.
Speaker 4 (03:12):
Just listening to people.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
We've got a lot of great advocates out there who
are prepared to fund us four things as well, so
we're not we're not limited by the by the our
core funding.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
Some would say that it's probably the hardest job in
New Zealand right now. I mean we're going through a
very lull time and meant it'd be the most positive
person in the world. I know, we've got to sold
out all blacks. We've got Wrexam coming, we've got a
semi final with the basketball. I know we've got a
bit on but it's been a tough old time in Wellington,
hasn't it.
Speaker 4 (03:43):
Yeah, Look, it has.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
Been a tough old time. But I think you know,
there's there's also a lot to look forward to it
and you know the ones you've mentioned a classic. We've
got a couple of great All Black tests coming up.
Speaker 4 (03:54):
We've we've we've we've.
Speaker 3 (03:56):
Got well, we talked about well the twentieth anniversary at
well how's that telling coming up?
Speaker 1 (04:00):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Yeah, really well and continues to sell just to sell
really well. So look, from an events perspective, Wellingtonians are
great supporters of events. Traditionally a bit late in buying tickets,
but they're great supporters and so.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
But to be fair on the WOW situation, and obviously
I've been around a few lunches in Wellington, wowes New
Zealand and Australia. It's not Wellingtonian's turning out, is it.
It's people from all over New Zealand coming to what
is one of the premiere events of the country.
Speaker 4 (04:30):
Yeah, that's right. But how lucky are we to be hosting? Oh?
Speaker 3 (04:34):
I think and I think that's fantastic for for Wellington
and and.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
You know, I think I think it'll stay here.
Speaker 4 (04:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
Yeah, we're we're just in the in the beginning of
signing a you know, a contract extension, so so you know,
it's it's with us for the foreseeable future. We need
to get smart as a region about how we you know,
once we get visitors to Wellington, how we continue to
leverage opportunities through the likes.
Speaker 4 (05:03):
Of Wow and other things as well.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Okay, why what would make you take this job on
in this situation?
Speaker 3 (05:12):
Frankly, I think it's a really good time to come
on board. I I I genuinely think Wellington's on the
on the on the turn of some really good things
coming up. You know, undoubtedly we've we've had a hard
time in Wellington and and you know we're not the
only region that's had a hard time.
Speaker 4 (05:29):
But but look, I think.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
I think, you know, there's where we're we're we've we've
seen quite a lot of development downtown, uh and and
some you know, with Civic Square and such like coming
on board where you know, I think I think Wellington
City is going to be regenerated. I think there's some
really good opportunities across the Wellington region as well. So look,
it's it's an area that I love and it's always
(05:53):
been on my radar that if this, if this role
ever came up, that I want to put my hand
up for because I think there's some really good opportunities ahead.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Do you think that people genuinely have the confidence that
the city is going to rise again and quickly?
Speaker 4 (06:07):
Yeah? I think I.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
Look again, as I said, I've spent the last month
really just going out and about it and listening. I've
been really really a sponge so so talking to hospitality sector,
talking to the accommodation sector, talking you know, across the
wider economic development sector. I think people genuinely feel that
that Wellington's on the turn, and I think that's great.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
I mean, obviously you're a very smart person, You've got
this big job. Who do you sort of hold accountable
for the problems in Wearrington? Do you think it's a
central government thing or you know, who do you think
what's caused the issue that we've got in a city
that you know, you're from an events based based background.
Speaker 4 (06:46):
We were it, Yeah, yeah, we were it.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
And you know, I'm still absolutely confident that we will
continue to be it, but you know, it's it's an
increasingly competitive environment in terms of major events. You know,
there's no doubt that Wellington's gone through some economic struggles
and and you know, again my sort of senses talking
to employers, talking to talking to providers that we're starting
(07:13):
to see a bit of a turn now. So you know,
I think again it's it's a great time to step
into this role and a great time to step up,
and it's a great time to tell our story. And
and you know, we've been doing some work internally at
Wellington and ZET about how we how we celebrate our
regional success is a bit smarter.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
So how are you going to do that?
Speaker 3 (07:34):
Yeah, look, I think it's again, I mean we we do.
We do a lot of great, great stuff and and
you know we I think I think media has been
has been very quick to jump on, you know, some
of the falls not across not across the Wellington region
but but but across New Zealand generally. So I think
I think the opportunity to continue to show what's going
(07:56):
on and what's going well for Wellington is a really
good opportunity for us. I think we do a really
good job at Wellington in zead of selling Wellington outside
of Wellington, I think we've got some opportunities. And again
we've recognized this and talked about this internally about how
we sell Wellington to Wellingtonians as well.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Right, joining us for the next few minutes before he
has to go, as Mark Oldershaw, who is the CEO
of Wellington in Z just had the job, as he said,
for a month. I want to talk about events. Lewis
Capelli is just obviously snob Wellington going to do christ
Church and Auckland. I mean, that's plain and simple. We
do not have a venue inside venue of anything more
(08:36):
than four thousand, five hundred at DSB. Is that an
issue for Willington?
Speaker 3 (08:40):
Look, it's a factor. It's certainly a factor in terms
of those decisions. You know my understanding is and again
you know, I'll stress my newness in this role in
terms of any any discussions that we've had in terms
of that particular concert, but we have been in very
much in contact with his promotion team. It's a shame
(09:04):
and I'm not quite on top of you know the
reason for that decision.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Talk to me about sky Stadium. Firstly, Sky's pulled at sponsorship.
Are we any closer to getting a new sponsor there?
Speaker 4 (09:17):
Do you know?
Speaker 3 (09:18):
Is that your area of expertise? No, it's not my
area of expertise. And the stadium sort of certainly falls
outside of Wellington and is dead from a venue perspective
that that's operated through through through a trust, but obviously
a pretty close relationship.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Right, So like getting the big events into sky Stadium
is not part of your mantra.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
Well I mean, we work very closely with Sky Stadium
in terms of in terms of you know, putting on
a Wellington experience and and you know, I'm really excited
to announce that there are a couple of pretty significant
announcements coming in the next week. While not not up
to me to announce those, but you know, again we
(09:58):
the working relationship with Sky Stadium is very close.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
To be fair, and I don't want to put pressure
on you, but last time we spoke to some body
from Wennington and said they said exactly the warrick dent.
I think it was said from the Sky Stadium. It
said exactly the same thing we're about to announce. We're
about to announce are they musical acts or more sporting acts.
Do we know what's coming.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
Or a bit of both to be honest, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
Will they be big events for the city.
Speaker 4 (10:25):
They're going to be great events of the city.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
Okay, why are we struggling so much to get those
events into sky Stadium now? I mean it's been nearly
two years since we've had a musical act. I think
it is over two years since we've had a big
musical act. When we were fighting when we started building
it to have six a year.
Speaker 3 (10:42):
Yeah, and look, I'm reluctant to speak on behalf of
Sky's Stadium.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
But as part of Wellington being a successful city.
Speaker 4 (10:50):
Is sure, Yeah, of course of this.
Speaker 3 (10:52):
Yeah, and look, the reality is that these are really
expensive acts to get over to New Zealand. You know,
at the end of the world and and touring acts,
particularly musical act are getting bigger and bigger, so so
freight components come into this. Ultimately, it's a it's a
it's an artist's choice in terms of where they where
(11:15):
they wish to play. We we have a very good
relationship with ticketing agencies and and and promotional agencies as well,
so it's not as though we're not working really really
hard to ensure that that Wellington gets their share at
the pie.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
Are you concerned with one stadium in christ Church opening
this time next year or before this time next year
early next year, whether having another indoor venue of huge numbers.
I mean, it's going to get harder and harder, isn't
It's not going to get easier.
Speaker 3 (11:45):
Well, I mean potentially it can get easier in terms
of how we align ourselves and work smarter together. You know,
if we can bring ACTS to New Zealand, then there's
the opportunity to bring AXT to Wellington as well, so
that that working relationship with with with christ Church as
as with other other centers is positive, remains positive and
needs to because we need to work actively in terms
(12:07):
of getting significant X to naw Zealand.
Speaker 2 (12:09):
How badly are we affected? And and I don't personally
think that's just a major major for Wellington. But not
having that big stadium indoors stadium like Auckland and christ
Church have, is that an issue for you?
Speaker 4 (12:22):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (12:22):
Look, I don't I don't know if it's a if
it's a defining issue. I mean, I you know, the
biggest issues is getting X to New Zealand and to
Wellington just because of you know, the geographical location.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
But there's a hell of a difference between four and
a half thousand and nine thousands.
Speaker 3 (12:38):
Yeah, I agree, I agree, And of course you know,
bigger facilities would would be great, but Wellington's limited, of
course by its geographical positioning. You know, space, space is
an issue in Wellington, and that's that's just.
Speaker 4 (12:52):
Something that we just need to work through.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
I know you've only been in the position a month,
but what's your gut about the future of Wellington's economy
because business is part of your you know, your field
as well.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, so so you know, part of our
responsibility is is is the oversight of the Wellington Regional
Economic Government Plan. You know, my my senses. As I
said at the beginning, I think we're starting to see
that turn now. You know, Wellington downtown is feeling busier,
it's you know, it's it's it's feeling more like a
(13:24):
capital city, which I think has great tourism numbers continue
to be strong. So from a visitor perspective, I think
I think Wellington's looking looking incredibly strong.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
Do we need to be more than a public service city?
I mean kind of like when when I think about
Heyday once again. I don't want to look back on
the history too much, but it was when we had
just so much happening, didn't we We were coffee, We we
were movies.
Speaker 4 (13:49):
You know. Yeah, that's right.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
We do need to be more than a public, public
service city. I think that's exactly right. And and you know,
we've got so much more to offer than that. So
so you know, I think from a tech sector, from
a screen sector's perspective, you know, we're we're we're we're
doing some really really good stuff.
Speaker 4 (14:07):
We just need to celebrate it.
Speaker 3 (14:09):
I think a bit more publicly as well.
Speaker 2 (14:11):
When you were interviewing for this job, right and you
were in front of presumably a few people, what was
your vision? How did you sell yourself to you know,
Wellington and Z and say I'm your man, Yes, this
is what I believe we can do and Wantington.
Speaker 4 (14:27):
Yeah, you know that's a really good point.
Speaker 3 (14:28):
And look at look a lot of it's around storytelling. Actually,
I think I think we do. We do a lot
of the basics quite well. We don't celebrate it as
a region as as well as we could as we should.
I think we've got a role to play on that
and we recognize that. I think we've all got a
role to play in that. So you know, I think
when Wellington was it, it's it's it's heyday, you know,
(14:48):
and and we reflect back on on on the good
old days, so to speak. You know, we celebrated success.
I don't think we do that particularly well now.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
And how is Wellington going to be in five years?
What do you where? Do you see us in five years?
Do you ever see us back to you know, world
premieres and movies and hundreds of thousands of people in
the streets and you know Seven's party weekend. Do you
ever see that all happening?
Speaker 1 (15:15):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (15:16):
Absolutely, you know.
Speaker 3 (15:17):
And I'm I'm I'm by nature and optimist, but I
think we need to be and certainly I need to
be in this role. I need to be absolutely an
optivist and a cheerleader for Wellington. That's a critical part
of my role. So so look I do and and again,
you know, as I say, a month into this role,
talking to allies, and there's plenty of them that love
(15:38):
Wellington to bits and prepared to invest in Wellington. So
you know, we need to bring the coalition of the
willing together and lead from the front.
Speaker 2 (15:47):
What's your favorite thing about Wellington? Once again, when you're
in that interview when people say what makes you love Wellington?
What do you think Wellington's got that nowhere else in
the country's got, and what you can promote.
Speaker 3 (15:59):
Yeah, look, it's it's interesting from a from a and
and our effect on that in terms of you know,
we've got mates in town and that sort of stuff,
and we look at what we do. But the one
thing that's really been driven home to me is how
close our nature is to our central city. You know,
and it's actually something I've never really really thought about,
but the ability to jump on a mountain bike or
(16:21):
go for a hike twenty minutes out of the city,
ten minutes out of the city, coming for a decent
feed and a beer and a coffee or whatever you're into,
you know, that's really really unique. The harbor, all those
sorts of things is absolutely really unique to Wellington. So
I think you know to me that those are the
(16:41):
sorts of things.
Speaker 4 (16:42):
That make Weunshon really special.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
And you are going to get us back to that.
Speaker 4 (16:46):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (16:47):
Absolutely, you can have me back on, Nick, and I'll
defend it.
Speaker 2 (16:50):
I'd definitely love to have you back on and I
appreciate you taking time and coming and talking to the
people of Wellington. That's smart oldership. Just good luck by
the way, you know.
Speaker 4 (17:00):
Thank you. It's a tough kid.
Speaker 3 (17:02):
Yeah, look at it's a tough gig, but I'm really
excited and I'm really excited for the future from the region.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
There you go, Mark Oldershaw. Now, Mark's just taken on
the job of CEO of Wellington in zid Near. Job
is to make Wellington thrive again. It's gonna make Wellington
great again. And we need to get some caps, don't we.
Let's make Wellington great again?
Speaker 4 (17:22):
Do you reckon?
Speaker 2 (17:22):
We get away with it. It is seven minutes to liven.
Thanks Marke, appreciate your time.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
For more from Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills, listen live
to news Talks It'd Be Wellington from nine am weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Wellington Mornings podcast with Nick Mills
from News Talks B.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
We're drained now by Mark Oldershaw. He's a new Chief
executive of Wellington and z the region's economic development agency.
Morning Mark, what good to great to have you here
and congratulations on the job. How are you feeling?
Speaker 3 (00:27):
Yeah, thank you very much. Look really excited a month
and so I'm still I'm still very much a rookie.
But look, it's the greatest city in the world to
be part of Wellington and the opportunity to continue to
promote Wellington as a as a great place to work, stay,
live and play.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Are Youalentonia?
Speaker 4 (00:46):
Yeah? I called myself for Wellingtonian.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
Originally from Hawks Bay, but spent quite a bit of
my study times and working times in Wellington.
Speaker 4 (00:55):
So Wantington.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
And you're a former CEO of wow El a long
time ago, but I was.
Speaker 4 (01:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
So you know the events, you know the events, you
know how the city works, you know how one of
them successful. I don't know events in the history of
New Zealanders goes. So you're pretty experience in it.
Speaker 4 (01:12):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
Yeah, Look, I'm very lucky Nick. This role brings together
a whole lot of things a reason me eclectic career
to date, but from tourism, events, regional economic development, advocacy,
lobbying workers. You know, I'm very lucky to bring it
all together for our listeners that don't know what Wellington
(01:34):
en Z does. Give us like one sentence, tell us
what you are there to do for our city.
Speaker 4 (01:40):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Look, look, our mandate is essentially, at the very highest level,
is to make Wellington a premier place to live, work,
play and visit. So that covers quite a spectrum. We are,
as you said, the Regional Economic Development Agency for Wellington,
and again that that's quite a big scope. But it
includes things like the screen screen Wellington as well, so
(02:03):
facilitation around film industry, but it also extends to destination management, tourism,
major events, venues. You know a lot of a lot
of things.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
I heard the other day, and you might be able
to correct me if I'm right or wrong. But someone
in the street that was talking to me and was
saying that the actual movie industry right now in Wenington's
pretty slow. There's not a lot on Yeah.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
Look I look that, and and again you know that
the sector seems to go and waves a bit and
and you know, we we continue to work with with
the industry around around attracting opportunities to Wellington. It's a
pretty competitive business as you kind of look. Look it's
been it's been more robust. I think that's probably fair
(02:45):
to say, but certainly some opportunities you know that we're working.
Speaker 4 (02:48):
Along along the way. Okay, how are you funded?
Speaker 3 (02:52):
Yeah, good point. So we're funded. We're funded through Wellington
City Council, but broadly eighty percent and eight percent through
Greater Wellington Regional Council, so that makes up the bulk
of our core funding. But you know, look, as I said,
I'm a month into the role. I've spent a lot
of time out and out and about.
Speaker 4 (03:12):
Just listening to people.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
We've got a lot of great advocates out there who
are prepared to fund us four things as well, so
we're not we're not limited by the by the our
core funding.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
Some would say that it's probably the hardest job in
New Zealand right now. I mean we're going through a
very lull time and meant it'd be the most positive
person in the world. I know, we've got to sold
out all blacks. We've got Wrexam coming, we've got a
semi final with the basketball. I know we've got a
bit on but it's been a tough old time in Wellington,
hasn't it.
Speaker 4 (03:43):
Yeah, Look, it has.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
Been a tough old time. But I think you know,
there's there's also a lot to look forward to it
and you know the ones you've mentioned a classic. We've
got a couple of great All Black tests coming up.
Speaker 4 (03:54):
We've we've we've we've.
Speaker 3 (03:56):
Got well, we talked about well the twentieth anniversary at
well how's that telling coming up?
Speaker 1 (04:00):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Yeah, really well and continues to sell just to sell
really well. So look, from an events perspective, Wellingtonians are
great supporters of events. Traditionally a bit late in buying tickets,
but they're great supporters and so.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
But to be fair on the WOW situation, and obviously
I've been around a few lunches in Wellington, wowes New
Zealand and Australia. It's not Wellingtonian's turning out, is it.
It's people from all over New Zealand coming to what
is one of the premiere events of the country.
Speaker 4 (04:30):
Yeah, that's right. But how lucky are we to be hosting? Oh?
Speaker 3 (04:34):
I think and I think that's fantastic for for Wellington
and and.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
You know, I think I think it'll stay here.
Speaker 4 (04:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
Yeah, we're we're just in the in the beginning of
signing a you know, a contract extension, so so you know,
it's it's with us for the foreseeable future. We need
to get smart as a region about how we you know,
once we get visitors to Wellington, how we continue to
leverage opportunities through the likes.
Speaker 4 (05:03):
Of Wow and other things as well.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Okay, why what would make you take this job on
in this situation?
Speaker 3 (05:12):
Frankly, I think it's a really good time to come
on board. I I I genuinely think Wellington's on the
on the on the turn of some really good things
coming up. You know, undoubtedly we've we've had a hard
time in Wellington and and you know we're not the
only region that's had a hard time.
Speaker 4 (05:29):
But but look, I think.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
I think, you know, there's where we're we're we've we've
seen quite a lot of development downtown, uh and and
some you know, with Civic Square and such like coming
on board where you know, I think I think Wellington
City is going to be regenerated. I think there's some
really good opportunities across the Wellington region as well. So look,
it's it's an area that I love and it's always
(05:53):
been on my radar that if this, if this role
ever came up, that I want to put my hand
up for because I think there's some really good opportunities ahead.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Do you think that people genuinely have the confidence that
the city is going to rise again and quickly?
Speaker 4 (06:07):
Yeah? I think I.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
Look again, as I said, I've spent the last month
really just going out and about it and listening. I've
been really really a sponge so so talking to hospitality sector,
talking to the accommodation sector, talking you know, across the
wider economic development sector. I think people genuinely feel that
that Wellington's on the turn, and I think that's great.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
I mean, obviously you're a very smart person, You've got
this big job. Who do you sort of hold accountable
for the problems in Wearrington? Do you think it's a
central government thing or you know, who do you think
what's caused the issue that we've got in a city
that you know, you're from an events based based background.
Speaker 4 (06:46):
We were it, Yeah, yeah, we were it.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
And you know, I'm still absolutely confident that we will
continue to be it, but you know, it's it's an
increasingly competitive environment in terms of major events. You know,
there's no doubt that Wellington's gone through some economic struggles
and and you know, again my sort of senses talking
to employers, talking to talking to providers that we're starting
(07:13):
to see a bit of a turn now. So you know,
I think again it's it's a great time to step
into this role and a great time to step up,
and it's a great time to tell our story. And
and you know, we've been doing some work internally at
Wellington and ZET about how we how we celebrate our
regional success is a bit smarter.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
So how are you going to do that?
Speaker 3 (07:34):
Yeah, look, I think it's again, I mean we we do.
We do a lot of great, great stuff and and
you know we I think I think media has been
has been very quick to jump on, you know, some
of the falls not across not across the Wellington region
but but but across New Zealand generally. So I think
I think the opportunity to continue to show what's going
(07:56):
on and what's going well for Wellington is a really
good opportunity for us. I think we do a really
good job at Wellington in zead of selling Wellington outside
of Wellington, I think we've got some opportunities. And again
we've recognized this and talked about this internally about how
we sell Wellington to Wellingtonians as well.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Right, joining us for the next few minutes before he
has to go, as Mark Oldershaw, who is the CEO
of Wellington in Z just had the job, as he said,
for a month. I want to talk about events. Lewis
Capelli is just obviously snob Wellington going to do christ
Church and Auckland. I mean, that's plain and simple. We
do not have a venue inside venue of anything more
(08:36):
than four thousand, five hundred at DSB. Is that an
issue for Willington?
Speaker 3 (08:40):
Look, it's a factor. It's certainly a factor in terms
of those decisions. You know my understanding is and again
you know, I'll stress my newness in this role in
terms of any any discussions that we've had in terms
of that particular concert, but we have been in very
much in contact with his promotion team. It's a shame
(09:04):
and I'm not quite on top of you know the
reason for that decision.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Talk to me about sky Stadium. Firstly, Sky's pulled at sponsorship.
Are we any closer to getting a new sponsor there?
Speaker 4 (09:17):
Do you know?
Speaker 3 (09:18):
Is that your area of expertise? No, it's not my
area of expertise. And the stadium sort of certainly falls
outside of Wellington and is dead from a venue perspective
that that's operated through through through a trust, but obviously
a pretty close relationship.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Right, So like getting the big events into sky Stadium
is not part of your mantra.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
Well I mean, we work very closely with Sky Stadium
in terms of in terms of you know, putting on
a Wellington experience and and you know, I'm really excited
to announce that there are a couple of pretty significant
announcements coming in the next week. While not not up
to me to announce those, but you know, again we
(09:58):
the working relationship with Sky Stadium is very close.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
To be fair, and I don't want to put pressure
on you, but last time we spoke to some body
from Wennington and said they said exactly the warrick dent.
I think it was said from the Sky Stadium. It
said exactly the same thing we're about to announce. We're
about to announce are they musical acts or more sporting acts.
Do we know what's coming.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
Or a bit of both to be honest, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
Will they be big events for the city.
Speaker 4 (10:25):
They're going to be great events of the city.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
Okay, why are we struggling so much to get those
events into sky Stadium now? I mean it's been nearly
two years since we've had a musical act. I think
it is over two years since we've had a big
musical act. When we were fighting when we started building
it to have six a year.
Speaker 3 (10:42):
Yeah, and look, I'm reluctant to speak on behalf of
Sky's Stadium.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
But as part of Wellington being a successful city.
Speaker 4 (10:50):
Is sure, Yeah, of course of this.
Speaker 3 (10:52):
Yeah, and look, the reality is that these are really
expensive acts to get over to New Zealand. You know,
at the end of the world and and touring acts,
particularly musical act are getting bigger and bigger, so so
freight components come into this. Ultimately, it's a it's a
it's an artist's choice in terms of where they where
(11:15):
they wish to play. We we have a very good
relationship with ticketing agencies and and and promotional agencies as well,
so it's not as though we're not working really really
hard to ensure that that Wellington gets their share at
the pie.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
Are you concerned with one stadium in christ Church opening
this time next year or before this time next year
early next year, whether having another indoor venue of huge numbers.
I mean, it's going to get harder and harder, isn't
It's not going to get easier.
Speaker 3 (11:45):
Well, I mean potentially it can get easier in terms
of how we align ourselves and work smarter together. You know,
if we can bring ACTS to New Zealand, then there's
the opportunity to bring AXT to Wellington as well, so
that that working relationship with with with christ Church as
as with other other centers is positive, remains positive and
needs to because we need to work actively in terms
(12:07):
of getting significant X to naw Zealand.
Speaker 2 (12:09):
How badly are we affected? And and I don't personally
think that's just a major major for Wellington. But not
having that big stadium indoors stadium like Auckland and christ
Church have, is that an issue for you?
Speaker 4 (12:22):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (12:22):
Look, I don't I don't know if it's a if
it's a defining issue. I mean, I you know, the
biggest issues is getting X to New Zealand and to
Wellington just because of you know, the geographical location.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
But there's a hell of a difference between four and
a half thousand and nine thousands.
Speaker 3 (12:38):
Yeah, I agree, I agree, And of course you know,
bigger facilities would would be great, but Wellington's limited, of
course by its geographical positioning. You know, space, space is
an issue in Wellington, and that's that's just.
Speaker 4 (12:52):
Something that we just need to work through.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
I know you've only been in the position a month,
but what's your gut about the future of Wellington's economy
because business is part of your you know, your field
as well.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, so so you know, part of our
responsibility is is is the oversight of the Wellington Regional
Economic Government Plan. You know, my my senses. As I
said at the beginning, I think we're starting to see
that turn now. You know, Wellington downtown is feeling busier,
it's you know, it's it's it's feeling more like a
(13:24):
capital city, which I think has great tourism numbers continue
to be strong. So from a visitor perspective, I think
I think Wellington's looking looking incredibly strong.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
Do we need to be more than a public service city?
I mean kind of like when when I think about
Heyday once again. I don't want to look back on
the history too much, but it was when we had
just so much happening, didn't we We were coffee, We we
were movies.
Speaker 4 (13:49):
You know. Yeah, that's right.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
We do need to be more than a public, public
service city. I think that's exactly right. And and you know,
we've got so much more to offer than that. So
so you know, I think from a tech sector, from
a screen sector's perspective, you know, we're we're we're we're
doing some really really good stuff.
Speaker 4 (14:07):
We just need to celebrate it.
Speaker 3 (14:09):
I think a bit more publicly as well.
Speaker 2 (14:11):
When you were interviewing for this job, right and you
were in front of presumably a few people, what was
your vision? How did you sell yourself to you know,
Wellington and Z and say I'm your man, Yes, this
is what I believe we can do and Wantington.
Speaker 4 (14:27):
Yeah, you know that's a really good point.
Speaker 3 (14:28):
And look at look a lot of it's around storytelling. Actually,
I think I think we do. We do a lot
of the basics quite well. We don't celebrate it as
a region as as well as we could as we should.
I think we've got a role to play on that
and we recognize that. I think we've all got a
role to play in that. So you know, I think
when Wellington was it, it's it's it's heyday, you know,
(14:48):
and and we reflect back on on on the good
old days, so to speak. You know, we celebrated success.
I don't think we do that particularly well now.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
And how is Wellington going to be in five years?
What do you where? Do you see us in five years?
Do you ever see us back to you know, world
premieres and movies and hundreds of thousands of people in
the streets and you know Seven's party weekend. Do you
ever see that all happening?
Speaker 1 (15:15):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (15:16):
Absolutely, you know.
Speaker 3 (15:17):
And I'm I'm I'm by nature and optimist, but I
think we need to be and certainly I need to
be in this role. I need to be absolutely an
optivist and a cheerleader for Wellington. That's a critical part
of my role. So so look I do and and again,
you know, as I say, a month into this role,
talking to allies, and there's plenty of them that love
(15:38):
Wellington to bits and prepared to invest in Wellington. So
you know, we need to bring the coalition of the
willing together and lead from the front.
Speaker 2 (15:47):
What's your favorite thing about Wellington? Once again, when you're
in that interview when people say what makes you love Wellington?
What do you think Wellington's got that nowhere else in
the country's got, and what you can promote.
Speaker 3 (15:59):
Yeah, look, it's it's interesting from a from a and
and our effect on that in terms of you know,
we've got mates in town and that sort of stuff,
and we look at what we do. But the one
thing that's really been driven home to me is how
close our nature is to our central city. You know,
and it's actually something I've never really really thought about,
but the ability to jump on a mountain bike or
(16:21):
go for a hike twenty minutes out of the city,
ten minutes out of the city, coming for a decent
feed and a beer and a coffee or whatever you're into,
you know, that's really really unique. The harbor, all those
sorts of things is absolutely really unique to Wellington. So
I think you know to me that those are the
(16:41):
sorts of things.
Speaker 4 (16:42):
That make Weunshon really special.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
And you are going to get us back to that.
Speaker 4 (16:46):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (16:47):
Absolutely, you can have me back on, Nick, and I'll
defend it.
Speaker 2 (16:50):
I'd definitely love to have you back on and I
appreciate you taking time and coming and talking to the
people of Wellington. That's smart oldership. Just good luck by
the way, you know.
Speaker 4 (17:00):
Thank you. It's a tough kid.
Speaker 3 (17:02):
Yeah, look at it's a tough gig, but I'm really
excited and I'm really excited for the future from the region.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
There you go, Mark Oldershaw. Now, Mark's just taken on
the job of CEO of Wellington in zid Near. Job
is to make Wellington thrive again. It's gonna make Wellington
great again. And we need to get some caps, don't we.
Let's make Wellington great again?
Speaker 4 (17:22):
Do you reckon?
Speaker 2 (17:22):
We get away with it. It is seven minutes to liven.
Thanks Marke, appreciate your time.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
For more from Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills, listen live
to news Talks It'd Be Wellington from nine am weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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