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September 2007
"Lights, camera, action" for new Henderson studio
Prime Minister Helen Clark opened New Zealand’s largest film sound stage in Henderson yesterday.
About 200 guests from the film industry and Auckland communities walked the red carpet to the opening celebrations (pictured), which were organised by Film Auckland, Waitakere City and Waitakere Properties Ltd. The Prime Minister used a film clapper board to declare the studio officially open.
Left: Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey and Film Auckland Chairman Peter Rive;
Right: Bob Harvey and Prime Minister Helen Clark are joined by local MPs Chris Carter and Lynne Pillay
The Henderson Valley Studios sound stage development is a major part of Auckland’s Screen Production Major Regional Initiative, for which AucklandPlus manages the contract on behalf of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.The 2000sq metre studio has enough clear space to the ceiling to create sets the size of a two storey building as well as separate production offices. It is a significant addition to the infrastructure that Film Auckland is able to market to international clients and presents a genuine progression in the Auckland region’s capacity and ability to deliver.
The studio is in demand from day one with a Korean / United States fantasy action movie "Laundry Warrior" already in production there.
The main objective of the Screen Production MRI is to increase the number of projects undertaken by the industry, and thereby to achieve greater stability of employment for the specialised teams involved.
In addition to the sound stage the MRI includes a project run by Film Auckland, the industry body to deliver a sustained regional marketing campaign and a significant training programme.
Film Auckland’s recent highlights include:
- Appointment of a full time executive manager (Michael Brook).
- Successful joint trade delegation to China and Korea (This included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Korean Film Producers Association.)
- Hosting filmmakers from Korea following the trade delegation.
- Capability programme commenced with funding provided to two individuals in June.
The regional marketing campaign will be enhanced by the launch later this year of a new Film Auckland website and DVD to showcase the Auckland region as a film destination.
A detailed economic impact report estimates the Screen Production MRI could see the region generating additional GDP of $32 - $34.7 million by 2010, as well as the addition of more than 250 jobs each year.
For more information on Auckland screen production download the AucklandPlus Screen Production MRI Fact Sheet or visit Film Auckland
AucklandPlus, Waitakere Enterprise and the Auckland Chamber of Commerce have joined forces to promote local job opportunities at the Opportunities New Zealand Expo in London in mid-October. Under the banner of Auckland Recruits, the three agencies will be promoting the lifestyle and work opportunities that Auckland has to offer to the more than 6000 people expected at the three day expo. Visitors to the Auckland Recruits stand will be able to view current job vacancies, register as a job seeker, be interviewed and possibly short listed, find out more about Auckland employers and learn more about living and working in the Auckland region. Yvette Hellyer, Project Manager for AucklandPlus says that the Auckland Recruits partnership is a new approach for Auckland. "Skill shortages continue to be an issue for many Auckland businesses, and tapping into international networks is one way of addressing these. Being in the UK is a first for us, and if it’s successful we’ll be considering how we can ensure that Auckland businesses have a presence at other similar expos. "People at the expo are already thinking about moving overseas and are considering New Zealand as an option, so it’s a fantastic opportunity to promote everything that Auckland has to offer. Going to an expo like this can be expensive exercise for businesses, with Auckland Recruits we are offering smaller businesses an opportunity to promote themselves, and their vacancies directly to UK job seekers." All visitors to the Auckland Recruits stand will receive a copy of a magazine style publication featuring profiles of local businesses and their vacancies, along with general information about living and working in Auckland. Leah Gates from the Chamber of Commerce says that the magazine is an affordable option for smaller businesses looking to fill vacancies: "The magazine is a great opportunity for businesses to put themselves in front of active job seekers - all for considerably less than the cost of physically being in London." Advertising in the Auckland Recruits magazine is still available. For more information about the expo or magazine, please contact Yvette Hellyer on 366 2000 ext 8298 or Yvette.hellyer@aucklandplus.com 1Mb/second, 5Mb/s, 10Mb/s, 100Mb/s - when it comes to broadband its speed that everyone talks about. But it’s not just about making things goes faster. Metro Broadband Project Champion, and business representative on the
"There are huge work and lifestyle opportunities that come with high speed internet, some of which we’re already seeing - virtual businesses with globally dispersed staff collaborating online, innovative remote diagnostics and interventions in health, faster and more efficient online financial and procurement services, improved flows of massive data sets between research and tertiary institutes, integrated broadcast/webcast media offerings, and simply very fast download of rich graphics, video and music files - the possibilities seem endless." Recently the forum agreed on an overarching framework that maps out what needs to be done to ensure that all businesses and residents can enjoy the benefits of what broadband has to offer, and how different agencies will work together. "Everyone agrees that having widely available, competitively priced, high speed internet is essential for people who live, work and do business here, and the framework we have adopted sets out specific deliverables for making this happen. There is a lot of work already underway, and a key element of the framework is bringing this all together to ensure consistency and buy-in across the region." Ross says that while broadband technology is a must have, equally important is that Auckland, and New Zealand, gets it right. "Speeds of 1 or 2 Mb/s simply won’t deliver the huge range of benefits and opportunities that broadband offers, but we need to be clear that it’s not just about having the right technology. It’s also about having the right strategy, the right delivery models and the right resources to make it all happen." The regional framework outlines five pillars of work, and specific activities include: Economic Development Minister Trevor Mallard has announced a government contribution of $2million to a superyacht construction precinct in Hobsonville. The money will come from the Major Regional Initiative (MRI) fund and will help purchase equipment that will allow large boats to be transported into the water. The Hobsonville marine precinct project has been developed by Waitakere City Council (WCC). Key partners in the region include the Marine Industry Association and AucklandPlus. AucklandPlus will hold the contract with government economic development agency New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) to deliver the project. The development will be delivered by WCC’s property development company (Waitakere Properties Ltd.). AucklandPlus Chair Michael Barnett says this initiative is critical for Auckland’s future because it represents the type of innovative, high end, high technology export focus needed to transform the Auckland region’s economy. "We know that our domestic market is small. We know that the way to grow business and the economy in Auckland is through exporting - difficult as that may seem at the moment," Mr Barnett says. "The marine industry is an example of a sector where Auckland has the opportunity to compete globally as an exporter of innovative high value products and services that are permanently in demand for their quality and brand recognition." "The focus of this initiative announced by the Minister today is to grow high end, high technology exports in a rapidly growing market. The announcement is timely because 2007 is Export Year and this initiative sends a clear signal about the type of exports that represent the Auckland region’s economic future." With large NZ superyachts now generating as much as $50 million each, Hobsonville is likely to bring about a significant change in Auckland’s and New Zealand’s export receipts. There are also the widespread benefits of the vast value chain associated with this development - from innovative design and materials to high technology equipment, luxurious furnishings, skilled labour - so many of our companies and our communities around the Auckland region will benefit from the Hobsonville development." The Hobsonville Marine Precinct development fits with the objectives of Auckland’s Metro Project Action Plan. AucklandPlus is leading a workstream dedicated to boosting Auckland’s business innovation and export strength to create more success stories like the marine industry. The challenge, which AucklandPlus and others have taken up, is to develop a co-ordinated regional approach to nurturing innovation that will pave the way for many more success stories in high end, high technology exports and play a major role in transforming the Auckland regional economy. For further information download the Hobsonville Marine MRI Fact sheetTapping into UK skills
Regional approach to broadband
Regional Economic Development Forum, Ross Peat (pictured) says that broadband needs to be considered as essential infrastructure if the Auckland region is to have the level of broadband capability that is on par with other cities around the world.
Mallard announces government marine money
Left: AucklandPlus Chair Michael Barnett speaking at the MRI announcement;
Centre: MIA's Ian Cook and Economic Development Minister Trevor Mallard;
Right: MIA's Peter Busfield, Michael Barnett and Trevor Mallard.
Logical pathway for potential exporters
Nearly 50 businesses are navigating their course towards exporting having joined the Export Navigator programme. More than 120 businesses have enquired about the Auckland-focused programme that provides a logical pathway for companies to initiate, accelerate and improve export market development.
"The response we have had to date has been fantastic, well above our aim of getting 50 businesses on board before the end of the year," says Clyde Rogers of AucklandPlus, who chairs the Auckland Export Year Group which has been formed to provide a coordinated regional approach to Export Year 2007.
The Export Navigator programme connects businesses into the existing framework of export related services and support available to help them start exporting or if they are already doing so, improve their existing export performance. The key element of the programme is the development of an action plan outlining activities to help make the move into exporting as smooth as possible. The pilot programme is expected to finish in late October/early November and depending on the outcomes identified, a permanent programme could be put in place.
In addition to Export Navigator, the Auckland export year group is supporting Smales Farm Technology Office Park and Massey University to develop a secondary schools robotics project. Modelled on a US based robotics competition, the project aims to inspire students to become our technology and science heroes of the future. It also links strongly to career choice and New Zealand’s ability to become a creative, technology and knowledge driven economy.
For more information on Export Navigator and other Auckland initiatives, call 0800 EY2007 (0800 39 2007) or email exportnavigator@aucklandplus.com
Global perceptions of Auckland
Two international surveys about Auckland have delivered some fascinating results with respondents describing Auckland as everything from "invisible" to "the most beautiful place they’ve seen in their lives".
The research was done as part of the project to develop a regional brand for Auckland and is also being used to inform the Regional Visitor Plan and Regional Major Events Strategy. The mixed results (with negative and positive perceptions mixed with a generally low awareness of Auckland) are a reality check and underline the need for a regional brand as emphasised by the Metro Project international review panel last year.
The two surveys captured perceptions of Auckland from approximately 250 people from 35 cities around the world. Typical comments included:
"Very little chatter about New Zealand, much less Auckland." (New York)
"Laid back people with a sense of humour. Great quality of life. Multicultural society." (Bangalore)
"I don’t know anything about Auckland." (Hamburg)
"Move it closer to Europe! Felt quite remote, very far away from everything." (Dublin)
"I know several people who have gone there and said it was the most beautiful place they’ve seen in their lives." (New York)
"Big city, no soul, beautiful harbour." (Australia)
"From Beijing Auckland is invisible."
"Great food, natural beauty, warm people, leisurely pace in a young and growing urban environment. Emerging fashion designers" (Dublin)
"Oh Gosh. I’ve never been and know nothing about it. My only perception is that it is less boring than Wellington. Sorry." (London)
"Auckland’s lifestyle appeals but weather and job opportunities are a concern." (Jo Burg)
"Great harbour city, great Pacific representation, city centre is dull." (Netherlands)
"The little big city, relaxed, friendly, a city by the sea. Relatively safe by world standards, affordable and relaxed." (USA)
Tourism Auckland, Air New Zealand, Auckland City, other Auckland councils, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and the Ministry of Economic Development are working with AucklandPlus on the development of a regional brand for Auckland, as part of the Metro Project Action Plan implementation.
The international research has been combined with the results of domestic research, vox pops, interviews, workshops and audits to come up with a brand strategy for Auckland which is nearing completion. From there the Auckland brand expression (visuals, stories, messages) will be developed and rolled out.
Watch this space!
For further information on the regional brand, regional visitor plan and regional major events strategy projects please contact Tracy Moyes on 09 366 2071 or tracy.moyes@aucklandplus.com.
Rugby World Cup - Next stop Auckland
As all eyes turn to Paris for the Rugby World Cup 2007 opening ceremony next week, Auckland is busy preparing for its role as the hub of Rugby World Cup 2011.
Auckland is confirmed as the host of the final and Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd has indicated we are in line to host both semi finals and the bronze final (a la Paris for RWC 2007 and Sydney at RWC 2003).
Work is underway on a number of fronts to ensure the success of the tournament for New Zealand and Auckland. A Regional Steering Group (see story below) is well established to ensure Auckland’s readiness.
Economic development is a central theme of Cup preparations and AucklandPlus Group Manager Clyde Rogers is on the Regional Steering Group to head up this workstream.
"We want to make this an event that takes advantage of Auckland’s opportunity on the world stage and delivers maximum economic and community benefit throughout the region," he says.
Clyde says that’s about promoting Auckland and about putting the infrastructure and programmes in place to deliver on the tournament’s potential for Auckland and to leave a legacy for future events.
The promotion of Auckland’s role in Rugby World Cup 2011 begins in Paris
with an event in the 100% Pure New Zealand giant rugby ball in front of the Eiffel Tower. AucklandPlus, Tourism Auckland and Auckland City are working in partnership with Tourism New Zealand to host the event, which, while promoting New Zealand as a whole, will have a distinctly Auckland flavour.
"It’s an opportunity for us to get alongside key international contacts and international media who are in Paris and start to get them excited about Auckland and New Zealand as the next Rugby World Cup hosts," Clyde says
AucklandPlus is also working closely with the Ministry of Economic Development which is co-ordinating a comprehensive legacy and leverage programme to maximise the benefit to New Zealand from major events including Rugby World Cup 2011.
"Central Government are pulling out all the stops on this which reflects the scale of the opportunity Rugby World Cup 2011 presents for Auckland and New Zealand," Clyde says.
"The tournament will put Auckland and New Zealand in the global spotlight. There will be upward of 70,000 visitors and a global television audience of 3.5 billion. The final two weeks of the tournament will see the world focusing on Auckland."
"It is an opportunity to showcase the Auckland region to international visitors, media and television viewers and leave them all with a lasting impression as well as to gain long term benefits for the Auckland region’s communities."
Aussie leads Auckland’s world cup preparations