Selwyn_Times: March 06, 2024

Selwyn Times Wednesday March 6 2024
14
NEWS
District’s resilient
economy still
going strong
SELWYN’S ECONOMY remains
resilient in the face of broader
economic challenges, with
new figures showing business
numbers increasing and business
and consumer confidence
remaining strong.
The latest data from economic
analysts, Infometrics, shows the
number of businesses in Selwyn
grew by 4.1 per cent for the year
to December 2023, outpacing
the national average (1.1 per
cent) and the average growth for
Canterbury (1.5 per cent).
The figures show Selwyn
had an annual average of 8077
businesses in 2023, up from 7762
the previous year, showing the
district is becoming a favourable
destination for business
opportunities.
GDP also increased 1.2 per cent
for the year ending December
2023, surpassing national (0.7 per
cent) and regional (0.8 per cent)
levels. While this growth was the
lowest recorded in over a decade,
consumer spending in the
district rose by an impressive 12.7
per cent, bucking the national
trend. This compares to 5.1 per
cent in the Canterbury region
and 4.3 per cent nationally. The
strong spending activity further
reflects confidence among
consumers and businesses.
Selwyn’s population grew at
5.2 per cent in the year to June
2023. An increase in employment
growth of 6 per cent for the
year to December 2023 and
the district’s growing number
of businesses suggests a shift
towards more local employment
opportunities.
“The increase in business
confidence reflects our
commitment to supporting local
entrepreneurship and economic
development,” said Mayor Sam
Broughton.
“We’re proud Selwyn continues
to be a district where people
thrive, and an environment that
supports business growth and
innovation.”
Through its economic
development strategy, the council
aims to further enhance the
district’s economic resilience and
prosperity.
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
• By Geoff Sloan
ROLLESTON man Jim Lapsley’s
seven-year labour of love has
finally hit the water.
Lapsley launched his replica of
Sir William Hamilton’s 70-yearold
original jet boat, Saucy Jane,
at the Waimakariri boat ramp.
Lapsley said he’s had a lot of
interest in the project.
“You can trace all of these jet
boats all back to this one boat.
You can trace every jet ski from
the success of this one boat. So
it’s pretty special.”
Lapsley was keen to resurrect
the big part of New Zealand’s
history to prove the world’s first
successful jet boat works like it
did in 1954.
He used photos to help recreate
the vessel, although few
original materials were used.
He said because it’s based
on the 1950s design, the boat’s
handling isn’t the best.
“Terrible. (It) could be described
as underwhelming. But
that’s 1954, that’s what started
it all.
“You know, you can’t expect it
to go like a modern jet boat with
30 horsepower, the modern ones
have got 400.”
He said Hamilton never
claimed to have invented the
POPULAR:
Jim Lapsley
launches his
replica of
the original
Hamilton jet
boat.
PHOTO:
GEOFF
SLOAN
•Watch
the video
at starnews.
co.nz
Replica jet boat launched
world’s first jet boat, but instead
refined the 1950s engine and
design of the boat enough to
produce the world’s first useful
modern jet boat.
“To bring this back to life is
pretty special, and especially
when people look in it and they
say: ‘Oh is this the original?’
“And that’s the reaction I was
looking for.”
Lapsley showed off his piece
of maritime history over the
weekend at the New Zealand
Antique and Classic Boat Show
in Nelson.
– Made with the support of NZ
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