Benje Patterson – ‘set your own boundaries’
Arrowtown-based economist Benje Patterson has been working remotely from Arrowtown for six years now – long before it was fashionable, and the young father of three wouldn’t have it any other way.
Articles written by leading NZ economist about Regional
Population growth flatlines, but some regions are still booming
People have been leaving New Zealand as the borders have reopened. But that isn’t the end of the story for regional population growth. Taking an even closer look at the regions shows that people are not only leaving New Zealand, but are also migrating within the country.
Regional entrepreneurship leads the charge
There was sharp lift in the number of businesses operating in New Zealand over the past year – […]
$139.8 million spent in Rotorua by mountain bikers who visited ...
A new Benje Patterson report commissioned by RotoruaNZ that assesses the contribution of mountain biking to the Rotorua Lakes Economy shows that $103.4m was spent in Rotorua last year by visitors who visited for the sole purpose of mountain biking. Other visitors who mountain biked while staying in Rotorua for other reasons spent a further $36.4m, a total contribution of $139.8m to the local economy.
Economic cohesion is improving across the regions
A key focus of regional economic development is to help ensure that economic opportunities are widespread throughout the regions. Ideally over the long term we want to see the gaps between economic performances in our regions close so that where you are located is no barrier to success.
Queenstown Lakes labour market insights to August 2022
The borders have reopened and visitors are returning to Queenstown-Lakes. The additional demand is a lifeline for tourism businesses starved of revenue over the past couple of years. However, finding workers to service this demand remains an acute challenge.
Biking’s contribution to the Queenstown-Lakes economy
Benje Patterson assessed the economic impact of biking and mountain biking in Queenstown Lakes. The report showed that biking accounts for $157.6 million of spending and is already more than a third the size of the ski economy.
Why Aussies are fleeing for the regions
Hordes of Sydney residents are upping sticks and heading for the good life in the regions. It’s interesting to see that the same trend is also happening on this side of the Tasman. What do we have in common?
Regional economic development: Budget 2022 cheat sheet
Here are a few points of note of relevant initiatives in Budget 2022 that might have direct implications for the work of people in economic development agencies.
Fleeing Auckland for the regions
People are leaving Auckland in their droves and making a life for themselves in the regions. Over the June 2021 year, Auckland lost a net 13,500 people to other parts of New Zealand. The exodus is being driven by a combination of ‘push’, ‘pull’, and ‘enabling’ factors.
Location of fastest job growth may surprise
54 of New Zealand's territorial authorities recorded positive jobs growth over the past year. The list was topped by places with a heavy orientation towards primary industries experiencing good returns, and areas attracting regional migrants seeking out lifestyle.
An oversupply of convention centres
Changes in demand due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as increased awareness about carbon emissions, may mean that New Zealand finds itself with an oversupply of convention centres.