January 2009

In this newsletter:

• Regatta shows Auckland’s major event potential
• Virtual Auckland created
• Potential investors targeted
• Auckland City Wi-Fi goes live

Regatta shows Auckland’s major event potential

The Louis Vuitton Pacific Series highlights the many and varied benefits of major events - but none more so than global profile for the host.

AucklandPlus Chairman Michael Barnett says that the profile Auckland is receiving from the event is huge. That is largely a result of key agencies - Tourism Auckland, AucklandPlus and Auckland City Council - working together to support the event under the new Auckland Brand.

Credit: Bob Grieser Outsideimages.co.nz

"When I see the yachts racing around the harbour with the Auckland brand standing out on their hulls and think about the pictures going around the world it is really exciting for Auckland."

The demand from the world’s media for on-the-water images was ramping up even before racing started and will intensify hugely over the next two weeks.

"We know mega media outlets such as Canal Plus in France and RAI in Italy are broadcasting daily highlights packages of the series on television and there will be hundreds of other broadcast, print and online media channels carrying images of the event. The Auckland brand on the race boats will be front and centre around the world."

"Melbourne has set the standard with the use of its brand in events like the Australian Open tennis but this event shows the value and potential of Auckland’s new brand."

Mr Barnett says that the global economy today is about cities competing for visitors, investment and talent, so major events such as the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series are critical for putting the hosts in the international spotlight.

"Add to that the Auckland stories that will be relayed around the world by visiting media, the opportunities for us to get alongside existing and potential investors (see story below), the influx of visitors from around New Zealand and overseas, and you start to get a feel for the benefits and the importance of major events.

"For me the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series ticks all the boxes and shows exactly why Auckland must embrace major events

Virtual Auckland created

Auckland’s CBD has been brought to life in 3D as part of the virtual coverage of the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series.

AucklandPlus, together with partners Tourism Auckland and Auckland City Council have worked with Ian Taylor of Taylormade Media Ltd on the detailed 3D model of the Auckland CBD, waterfront and North Head, which will be part of the online and television coverage of the event.

AucklandPlus Strategic Projects Manager Tracy Moyes says the initiative will be great for Auckland during the event and has a raft of potential benefits in the years ahead.

"Obviously for online spectators to be able to get a feel for Auckland as a spectacular major events destination is wonderful profile for us. The detail of the model means they will get a true picture of Auckland as a buzzing city-region.

Ms Moyes says the virtual coverage of the event will feature on several websites. It will include interviews and stories about key Auckland initiatives and be broadcast live on TVNZ Freeview as well as on the big screen at the Viaduct Basin.

"The 3D model is very detailed and has the potential to be used for planning infrastructure. It could even be used as an information source for Aucklanders by linking in transport routes, schedules etc. And there is the potential to expand the model for Rugby World Cup 2011 to include match venues and other key sites around the region."

Visit www.tvnz.co.nz/sailing to watch live streaming of the 3D animation coverage.

Potential investors targeted

AucklandPlus has joined forces with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise to roll out an investor attraction programme around the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series.

Group Manager Clyde Rogers says the regatta and other similar major events are golden opportunities to get alongside existing and potential investors.

"With the timing of this regatta coinciding with the Millennium Cup Superyacht event it means that there are a number potential investors coming to Auckland anyway. It means we can host them, introduce them to key contacts in Auckland industries and work towards future opportunities to bring business to Auckland.

Mr Rogers says that the line up of potential investors being targeted includes players in the marine, biotech and digital content sectors all of which are critical to Auckland’s economic future.

He says in addition to the potential investments that could come to Auckland as a result of this event, it is an opportunity to gauge where we are at in the lead up to Rugby World Cup 2011.

"Rugby World Cup will be an unprecedented opportunity for investor attraction and in many ways events like the Louis Vuitton regatta are a practice run for that so we can evaluate and refine our investor attraction initiatives for 2011."

Auckland City Wi-Fi goes live

Fast, affordable broadband took a major step forward this month with the launch of the Auckland City Wi-Fi service across seven key zones of the Auckland CBD and fringe.

Auckland City Wi-Fi is the result of a public-private partnership between the Auckland City Council; Kordia, one of New Zealand’s leading providers of broadcast and telecommunications networks, and network services; and Tomizone, Australasia’s largest provider of Wi-Fi services.

"This initiative enables users to easily access the internet on their laptop or smart phone without the need to sign long term contracts or install special equipment or programs" says Jill Garing, Auckland City Council Broadband Project Manager in Economic Development. "This truly allows users the freedom to stay connected while on the move."

"We are delighted that Auckland City Wi-Fi is up and running just in time to welcome the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series. We have chosen to coincide our launch with this event as it demonstrates a clear economic benefit to our city and region. Delivering wireless internet will help to develop the economy, many businesses have been expecting the service and will benefit greatly."

Currently, active Wi-Fi hot zones include Aotea Square, Newmarket, Karangahape Road, Ponsonby, Remuera, and Parnell, as well as the Viaduct Harbour and Westhaven Marina. Further areas are due to launch over the next few months.