Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Mayoral contender wants GDP boost

Updated at 6:05 am on 29 August 2010

A contender for the Auckland mayoralty has set an ambitious target for boosting the region's economy.

The Auckland region contributes about a third of New Zealand's Gross Domestic Product and Len Brown wants to lift that to 50%.

Mr Brown says tourism and a major drive to host big events in Auckland would be key elements.

He says using public assets such as land and the transport network can also generate economic growth, citing a polytechnic being build above an underground railway station in Manukau.

Mr Brown says he would form a business advisory group to have a direct link into the work of the new Auckland Council.

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