2005 media archives

Manager appointed for regional economic development unit

01 July 2005

Clyde Rogers has over two decades of experience in economic development and local government in the Auckland region, including the last 11 years as Chief Executive of Enterprise Waitakere - Waitakere City's economic development agency.

Mr Rogers is a past chair of the Economic Development Association of New Zealand (1997-2000), and is currently a member of the Association's Professional Development Committee.

He will officially take on the role of group manager of the new Auckland Regional Economic Development Unit on 1 August.

ARC Chief Executive Peter Winder says that Mr Rogers' significant local experience, particularly in the development and growth of Enterprise Waitakere, and well established contacts throughout the region will put the new regional economic development unit in good stead from the beginning.

"In the time Mr Rogers led Enterprise Waitakere the agency went from strength to strength. His experience in building an agency from the ground up will be incredibly valuable as we get this new unit up and running."

In addition to his role at Enterprise Waitakere, Mr Rogers has worked closely with a number of agencies throughout the region, fostering partnerships and building networks, including the Pacific Business Trust, and Te Puni Kokiri. He has also facilitated investment in boat building, screen production and education sectors throughout west Auckland.

The regional economic development unit will take on a key leadership role in the implementation of the Auckland Regional Economic Development Strategy, which was developed to improve the quality of Auckland's economic performance.

Specific functions of the unit will include:

*Acting as a single facilitation or contact point for investment in the region
*Attracting quality investment to the region
*Building regional collaboration to deliver major regional economic development projects

The unit replaces the former AREDS office, which was responsible for implementing parts of the region's economic development strategy.

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ARC's economic development unit taking shape

27 May 2006

The role of a new regional economic development unit, to be set up by the Auckland Regional Council, was confirmed earlier this week, signalling the beginning of a new approach to economic development in the Auckland region.

The Auckland Regional Economic Development Unit will take on a key role in the implementation of the Auckland Regional Economic Development Strategy, which was developed to improve the quality of Auckland's economic performance.

Specific functions of the unit, which will be a business unit of the ARC, will include:

• Acting as a single facilitation or contact point for the region

• Attracting quality investment to the region

• Building regional collaboration to deliver major regional projects

ARC Chairman Michael Lee says that the establishment of the unit signals the start of a new era for economic development in the Auckland region, and a new focus for the ARC.

"This is an important milestone for the ARC and the Auckland region. The establishment of the new unit, and the new regional forum which will also be up and running in another month or so, will help ensure that the region's economic strategy sits alongside other regional strategies aimed at ensuring that the overall quality of life in Auckland is both maintained and enhanced.

"This new unit will provide a truly regional focus that will add value to local and national initiatives, at the same time ensuring co-ordination and co-operation within the region itself.

"Having one unit that will essentially act as a 'one-stop-shop', and as a key contact point for those looking to invest in our region can only benefit the region in the long term, and will make it easier for investors to learn more about what the region has to offer. The new unit will also be tasked with making sure the needs of current businesses are being met. I am certain that this unit will add value from the start."

The unit will be up and running from 1 July.

Leadership, energy and expertise for the new unit will be provided by an independent advisory board. The advisory board will include four or five members, who will be appointed by 1 July.

The unit will liaise regularly with the Regional Economic Development Forum, which has been established as a committee of the ARC to oversee the implementation of the Auckland Regional Economic Development Strategy.

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New economic development forum for the Auckland region

27 May 2005

Details around the form and function of a new regional economic development forum were confirmed by the Auckland Regional Council earlier this week, signalling the beginning of a new approach to economic development in the Auckland region.

The Regional Economic Development Forum will be a partnership made up of representatives of the major players involved in the region's economy.

Its primary responsibility will be to oversee the implementation and review of the Auckland Regional Economic Development Strategy which was developed in 2002 by a broad partnership of agencies, including all councils in the region.

In addition, the forum will also play an advocacy and liaison role amongst key stakeholders throughout the region and will provide a regional voice on issues that affect Auckland's economy.

Chaired by ARC Councillor and CEO of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, Michael Barnett, the membership of the forum will reflect the range of agencies involved in the development of the strategy. It will include approximately 12 people, with representatives from the ARC, local councils, economic development agencies, business, education, labour organisations, infrastructure providers, Maori, and Pacific people.

ARC Councillor Craig Little will be the second ARC representative on the forum.

ARC Chairman Michael Lee says that the formation of the forum, and the confirmation of details around an economic development unit within the ARC, signals the start of a new approach to economic development in the Auckland region.

Cr Lee says that the new forum will help ensure that the region's economic development strategy sits alongside other regional strategies such as those for growth and transport.

"The establishment of this forum, and the new economic development unit, is an important milestone for the ARC and for the Auckland region. I am confident that by bringing together representatives from a number of sectors we will have a forum that can provide the leadership needed to ensure that the vision outlined in the Auckland Regional Economic Development Strategy - that Auckland is an "internationally competitive, dynamic and inclusive economy" is achieved."

The forum will be established by 1 July and will operate as a committee of the ARC.

The forum will work closely with the new economic development unit which has also been set up within the ARC, and will provide strategic direction to the unit on work priorities. The unit will report regularly to the forum on work programmes, new initiatives, and achievements.