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2007 media archives

Flower show must stay in Auckland

9 November 2007

Auckland must retain the Ellerslie Flower Show and work to develop a far greater portfolio of major events according to economic development agency AucklandPlus.

AucklandPlus Chair Michael Barnett says the Ellerslie Flower Show and events like it are critical for Auckland’s economic development.

"The Ellerslie International Flower Show is much more than simply a nice-to-have event at the Auckland Botanic Gardens," Mr Barnett says.

An economic impact report commissioned by Manukau City Council on the 2005 EIFS indicated that the show generated $6.147 million in value to the City, and an estimated $8 million in value to Auckland City. Total attendance was 63,493, with 56% of visitors being from the Auckland region. The estimated total spend by visitors to the show was $6.62 million, with an average spend per head of $165.

But Mr Barnett says these numbers don’t tell the full story.

"The EIFS is one of the few major events that take place in the outskirts of Auckland. It provides economic benefit to a part of the region that does not usually benefit from such events, including the provision of employment opportunities.

"It has also attracted a huge amount of international media profile for the Auckland region and is recognised as a world-class event."
Mr Barnett says that if Auckland is to boost its regional economy a key platform is to transform itself into a world class destination and major events play a key role in that.

"Seasonality is a key issue for Auckland as a destination and major events such as the springtime Ellerslie Flower Show have the potential to bring visitors to Auckland in the shoulder and off peak times, making the region’s visitor economy a year-round investment prospect," Mr Barnett says.

"If Auckland has an enhanced portfolio of major events attracting visitors all year round, both the public and private sectors will look to invest in amenities and commercial operations to cater to Auckland’s more lucrative visitor market. And these improved amenities will be here for Aucklanders to enjoy."

Mr Barnett says major events and the subsequent investment in an augmented visitor market will lead to more employment opportunities for Aucklanders and greater opportunity for the vast range of businesses that benefit from the visitor economy.

"The Ellerslie International Flower Show is an Auckland event. We need it and more authentic Auckland events to make the region a desirable destination rather than simply a gateway to other parts of the country," Mr Barnett says.

Ends

For further information please contact:

Michael Barnett, Chair, AucklandPlus, Ph 0275 631 150

Simon Roche, Communications and Marketing Manager, AucklandPlus, Ph 021 656 380

Hobsonville marine announcement a timely boost for auckland’s economy

9 August 2007

The Government’s $2 million contribution to a superyacht building precinct at Hobsonville is a significant step forward for the region’s economy says AucklandPlus Chairman Michael Barnett.

Economic Development Minister Trevor Mallard announced the Major Regional Initiative (MRI) and the Government’s contribution in Auckland today.

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."

Mr Barnett says 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."

Mr Barnett says 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. And this initiative is an example of that concept in action," he says.

"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."

Mr Barnett says the government should be applauded for its announcement today, as should the Marine Industry Association, Waitakere City Council and NZTE, who all worked with AucklandPlus to develop the MRI business case supporting this initiative.

Ends.

For further information please contact:

Michael Barnett, Chair, AucklandPlus - Ph 0275 631 150

Simon Roche, Communications and Marketing Manager - Ph 09 366 2077 or 021 656 380.

Innovation and export strength will boost Auckland's economy

26 June 2007

Boosting Auckland’s innovation and export strength is the key theme of the 2007 Auckland Region Business and Economy report, released today.

The Auckland Region Business and Economy report, produced by the Auckland Regional Council, shows Auckland’s GDP grew at an annual rate of 3.1% for the year ending 2006 compared to New Zealand’s growth rate of 2% for the same year. This is a continuation of recent trends which have seen the Auckland region’s growth (averaging 3.5% per annum) outpace New Zealand’s growth (3.1%) since 1999.

The trend of Auckland’s economy moving in similar directions to the national economy from year to year is also reflected in the labour market, where the region’s participation rate rose from 66.7% to 67.4% in 2006, in line with the national rise from 67.8% to 68.4%. The report also notes that Auckland retains its place as the 5th ranked lifestyle city in the world on the Mercer Index.

"As a region and as a country, we are enjoying the longest period of sustained economic growth in 40 years, and Auckland is tracking just ahead of or in line with the rest of New Zealand in the key areas," ARC councillor and AucklandPlus Chair Michael Barnett says.

Cr Barnett says the skills development and business innovation and export strength initiatives in Auckland’s Metro Project Action Plan are critical steps to build on these positive trends, a point reflected throughout the report released today.

"Our domestic market is small. The way to grow business and the economy in Auckland is through exporting," Cr Barnett says.

He acknowledges that times are very tough for exporters currently but underlines the report’s commentary that Auckland and New Zealand will never compete on cost.

"Where we have the opportunity to compete globally and become world-class is in the area of knowledge and innovation, as an exporter of high value products and services that are permanently in demand for their quality and brand recognition.

"We need to ensure Auckland’s innovation system is up to the task and that we have people with the right skills to participate in it."

Auckland Mayor Dick Hubbard agrees that the wide ranging actions in Auckland’s Metro Project Action Plan are hugely important for Auckland’s economic development.

He says an Auckland City Business and Economy 2007 report, also released today, shows that while we may be the star of New Zealand's economy we still have a long way to go to catch up to our Australian cousins.

"Developing world-class infrastructure is key to transforming Auckland into a world-class city. While we have made progress we need substantially more investment in transport, energy and broadband, Mayor Dick Hubbard says.

Mayor Hubbard also says climate change will definitely affect the future of Auckland's economy. It is clear that we need to take climate change seriously otherwise we will certainly be disadvantaged. He says our geographic distance from international markets is one factor that may create some risks but he says the changes required to adapt to climate change may provide new commercial opportunities for Auckland companies if we are smart.

"The outlook is good for Auckland," he says, "Business and consumer confidence will return next year, tourist numbers, particularly from Asia, are expected to bounce back and consumer spending will remain solid. We have Rugby World Cup in 2011 which will provide a huge boost to Auckland's economy and, who knows, maybe an America's Cup here in 2010, estimated to be worth half a billion dollars to the region.