Leading questions: Stride's Peter Alexander

Stride's Peter Alexander. Photo/Richard Robinson.

Peter Alexander, chief executive of NZX listed landlord Stride Property, is optimistic about the upcoming general election and how it will help foster a more positive, ambitious attitude.

Q: What is 2017 looking like for your business?

A: Highly promising, Stride built a very strong real estate investment management platform during 2016 and has a great opportunity to build on that platform in 2017.

Q: How does that compare to 2016? How did last year shape up for you and your staff?

A: 2016 was big for our whole team and they delivered some great outcomes across the business. Highlights were the completion of NorthWest stage two, the demerger and listing of Investore Property Limited, creating New Zealand's first stapled security - Stride Property Group - and the acquisition of two shopping centres by Diversified Property Trust, which the group manages. Most importantly, our team had the opportunity to learn and grow and we created significant value for shareholders and investors.

Q: What are the issues affecting your industry and what impact are these likely to have over the next 12 months?

A: Our industry has many opportunities because New Zealand's economy and business sectors have been performing incredibly well relative to many other countries. The obvious constraints for our industry are infrastructure development and construction sector capacity. We are also going to see more volatility in local and global investment markets which brings both challenges and opportunities.

Q: Going into an election year, what are the three biggest issues the Government needs to solve?

A: If you look at the big picture, from a global perspective, New Zealand doesn't really have too many major problems to solve. We can of course do better. I'd like to see the Government lead New Zealand and New Zealanders be more optimistic and more ambitious. Those sentiments promote investment, innovation, productivity and prosperity. I hope the election focuses on real issues and real policies that can deliver sustained improvements to our well being.
Q: What role does the business community have in tackling these problems?
A: Ultimately much of Government policy is implemented by the business community so it is important that there is collaboration between the two. I think a hallmark of the current Government is accessibility. The leadership is incredibly approachable, available and engaged. There has been a very constructive dialogue between Government and the business community and I think the role of both is to maintain that dialogue.