Pacific Helmets is a fine example of the diverse small, medium-size and large businesses that provide employment to locals, New Zealand nationals and immigrants.
The company started small in 1960 and has expanded to its current staff of 60.
Ninety per cent of its business comes from overseas orders and it is one of a handful of companies worldwide that makes an extensive range of helmets.
Specialised staff can be hard to find in New Zealand, Bennett says, so the company has people relocating from overseas -- China, England, Australia, keen to bring up families in a relatively safe environment with good schools and affordable lifestyle.
Pacific Helmets has a productivity/ profit share scheme with staff; it runs a "lean" operation that uses staff suggestions for working smarter, and it employs people with disabilities and long-term unemployed when the right candidate presents.
Pacific Helmets was a finalist in the ACC Attitude Awards last year.
It devised semi-automated machines for a one-armed employee.
"It made us look at our processes and how to make jobs more efficient. That equipment has helped everybody so it's been good for us in general," Bennett says.
Next door at 305 Heads Rd -- the road is the industry hub of Wanganui -- Raewyn Overton-Stuart runs a nationwide business that has grown in leaps and bounds since she moved from Christchurch 12 years ago.
Paua Early Childhood Home-Based Care Service employs 50 people in Wanganui and around New Zealand.
Paua has an office in Auckland, but would she relocate?
Well no, because a traffic queue in Wanganui is only three cars long and Paua can do business remotely using ultra-fast broadband.
The quality and pace of life and cost of living is also hugely appealing.
Overton-Stuart, who is the president of the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce, says many businesses come from out of town, set up and "fly under the radar, just getting on and doing it".
She says the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce, along with other Chambers of Commerce around the country, is looking to increase support for younger generations in areas of business and employment.
"If all the businesses added one or two staff a year that would be massive. I think there are [also] a lot of businesses thinking outside the box and bringing in expertise."
There is unemployment in Wanganui and there are some desperate situations.
In the last quarter 178 jobseekers on a benefit for more than six months found work.
The city also has established training programmes through various organisations and got new initiatives up and running.
The 100 per cent Sweet programme involves employers and out-of-work youth, identifying skill gaps and supporting young people to stay in work or training.
Wanganui District Council and others also work closely with iwi on economic, employment and tourism initiatives.
The broadband economy in Wanganui (New Zealand's only Smart21 community, a globally benchmarked award) creates potential for growth and employment.
"The completion of our ultra-fast fibre network is attracting businesses and families to Wanganui where they can balance work commitments with time for family and a wealth of recreational and sporting choices," says Mayor Annette Main. "The availability of the fibre network is also helping our existing businesses connect with new customers globally."
Chris Heywood, economic development and projects officer for the Wanganui District Council, says there is huge potential in agribusiness, particularly in high-value crops and value-added products in agriculture/horticulture.
Heywood says the health sector and government sector are big employers, as is manufacturing.
In Wanganui every business that creates employment counts.
"In Wanganui it's not always necessary to have tertiary qualifications. Top of the season Affco [meat processing] employs 500-600 people and trains them in a range of skills."
Boat building is another successful, project-driven industry that employs highly skilled people.
The expansion of Open Country Dairy is also likely to create more jobs.
Well-established businesses, many founded by local families, that started out small and grew, such as Amtec (medical supplies), Tasman (leather) and Contour Kitchens, provide steady employment.
Tasman has made high-end leather goods since 1953 and currently employs 275 staff.
"Anyone who is self-employed is great; the challenge is to have them employing others," says Heywood.
"Ultra-fast broadband is a huge plus and is attracting people to Wanganui.
"It would be great if we could grow the technology sector and have large corporates setting up their head offices here."
