Farming, IT 'key to exports'

The Whanganui region's best options for export growth are products from the land as well as IT and professional services easily transported by ultrafast broadband, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise regional manager Nick Fleming says.

He is coming to Wanganui next week to talk about exports and how important they are to New Zealand's economy.

His talk is at the business breakfast of a new Whanganui Employers Chamber of Commerce initiative - an export hub. There were others in New Zealand but none in neighbouring regions Taranaki and Manawatu, Mr Fleming said.

Mr Fleming has been the regional trade and enterprise manager for the Taranaki/ Whanganui/ Manawatu region for nearly two years, having spent the previous 20 years in export and business development.

He said starting a new export business was hard.

"It takes three to five years to get an export market going and paying for itself. If what the chamber has put together is going to help companies learn off each other, then it's great."

Wanganui's business scene was a pleasant surprise when he started his new job.

"There's a very strong business community, and some really excellent well established exporters, in Heads Rd in particular."

The big operations were Tasman Tanning, Open Country, Silver Fern Farms and Mars Petcare. Manufacturers included GDM Group, Pacific Helmets and Q-West Boat Builders, which was growing into the Australian market.

Axiam Industries was exporting some products and also making components for other New Zealand manufacturers to export.

Mr Fleming noted that Wanganui businesses co-operated and encouraged each other.

"You need that positive encouragement for companies to take the step to get into export."

Primary products such as meat, wool and wood were likely to remain Wanganui's mainstay.

The other area of potential was providing knowledge-intensive manufacturing, as Axiam Plastics did with for "Be" chair in 2010, winning an award. Providing IT skills was another possibility.