Wellington's revival will come from people

Originally published: The Post, 12 September 2026.

A few weeks ago, a bunch of Wellington business leaders came together for a night at The Gods, the beautifully restored venue inside Wellington's old Paramount Theatre on Courtenay Place.

More than 130 business owners, retail leaders, wealth managers, tertiary representatives, property investors, hospitality operators, developers, community leaders and people who care about Wellington gathered on a cold winter evening.

To me, it showed a deep curiosity about what is happening in Wellington and how we, as a business community, can contribute.

After 10 months in this role, one thing is clear. Plenty of people want Wellington to thrive. What has been missing at times is the chance to bring them together.

Business conditions remain tough. Many operators are dealing with cautious consumer spending, public sector job losses, higher costs and changing patterns of work in the CBD. We shouldn't pretend otherwise.

But I don't see a city in decline. I see a city in transition.

The challenge is not to recreate the Wellington of five or 10 years ago. It is to shape what comes next.

Every week I meet business owners adapting, investing, testing ideas and finding new ways to attract customers.

That's not the behaviour of a city giving up. It's the behaviour of a city evolving.

That spirit was on display at The Gods.

What made the evening encouraging wasn't just the number of people in the room. It was the mix: different sectors, industries and backgrounds, all recognising that Wellington's future is our shared responsibility.

That's why the business-led CBD revitalisation projects underway are encouraging.

Businesses tell us Wellington needs to feel easy, safe and welcoming.

People want clean streets, better lighting, reliable transport, cared-for public spaces and a city centre they enjoy spending time in. More foot traffic matters, especially for hospitality and retail, but businesses need that activity to turn into spending.

Groups such as Te Aro Hā - Courtenay, led by organisations including Willis Bond, LT McGuinness and others, are focused on practical improvements such as better lighting, refreshed facades and projects that help the area feel more welcoming.

You can already see some of this work taking shape. Next time you're walking past Winner Winner on Courtenay Place, look up and you'll spot a newly painted fascia bringing a fresh look to the precinct.

We're also supporting groups like Vitalise Wellington, a group of hospitality operators who have developed their own ideas for bringing more energy back into the city.

These groups aren't waiting for someone else to rescue Wellington. They're getting on with it.

We also need to be thoughtful about the stories we tell about our city.

We should be honest about the challenges, while championing what is working and supporting the businesses that continue to back Wellington. I hear consistently that we need to improve the way we talk about our city.

When people feel positive about a place, they visit, stay longer and spend more. That strengthens local businesses and the wider economy.

At Business Central and the Wellington Chamber, our role is to connect businesses, investors, community groups and decision makers so local energy becomes practical action.

Wellington will not be revived by one project, one organisation or one investment acting alone. It will come back because people choose to back it. We need a stronger shared story about this city, and we need Wellingtonians ready to tell it.

Ask people what they love about Wellington, then say it out loud. Say this is a creative, energetic capital unlike anywhere else. Say that within 10 minutes, we can walk from cafés, theatres and city streets into hills alive with tūī and kākā. Say that nature is not on the edge of Wellington. It is woven through it.

The cafés, restaurants, bars, bookshops, retailers and specialist stores that give Wellington its character exist because people choose to invest here, take risks and build.

Wellington's challenges are real, but the city is moving into its next chapter, led and being shaped by people who still believe in it.

That’s why I believe Wellington is coming back. People are showing up, making connections and backing their city. They care deeply about its future and are ready to do the work to shape it. We want future generations to love Wellington too, and that responsibility sits with all of us. Business matters, and community matters.