Media releases
Rugby World Cup 2011: Auckland bids for two quarter-finals and bronze final
18 July 2008
The Auckland region has come together to put forward a compelling case to host two quarter-finals and the bronze final in the world’s third largest sporting event - Rugby World Cup 2011.
In a show of regional unity, key Auckland organisations have jointly proposed Eden Park to host two quarter-finals and either Eden Park or North Harbour Stadium to host the bronze final (third and fourth play-off).
RWC 2011 tournament organisers Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd (RNZ 2011) requested comprehensive proposals from regions wishing to host these matches by 5pm yesterday in what is a nationally competitive process.
Auckland will be the hub of Rugby World Cup 2011, with the semifinals and final already confirmed for Eden Park.
Regional spokesperson for Auckland’s proposal Michael Barnett says hosting two quarter-finals and the bronze final will provide further opportunities to showcase Auckland to the world and maximise the return for ratepayers.
"These remaining knock-out matches are another chance to leave visitors with a lasting impression that Auckland is a world-class city that is building a reputation as a desirable major events destination."
Auckland’s proposal to host two quarter-finals and the bronze final is a collaborative effort by organisations across the region including all Auckland councils, Tourism Auckland, AucklandPlus, the Auckland Regional Transport Authority, major stadia and the three Auckland-based rugby unions. A Regional Steering Group is leading Auckland’s preparations for the tournament and the Regional Sustainable Development Forum (RSDF) is the political body overseeing the work.
"The Auckland region is working together to ensure Rugby World Cup 2011 is a success for Auckland, for our businesses, our residents, our visitors and for our reputation," says Barnett - Auckland Chamber of Commerce chief executive, RSDF member and Chair of AucklandPlus.
Auckland’s proposal highlights the region’s strengths, including:
- World-class venues (featuring the country’s biggest stadium - Eden Park with a 60,000 capacity for RWC 2011)
- A large and diverse population base of 1.4 million
- The country’s largest accommodation sector (featuring mainly high quality accommodation)
- Upgraded transport infrastructure
"Auckland’s success is New Zealand’s success and these strengths have Auckland ideally placed to help deliver on the national vision of a ‘unique and stunning festival with enduring impacts for New Zealand’," Barnett says.
He says staging more matches in Auckland, with Eden Park’s 60,000 RWC capacity, will allow more Aucklanders and visitors to experience a live match.
The region’s proposal also outlines initiatives such as sustainability and volunteer programmes, and festival-type activities including live sites.
"We want to make this an event that Aucklanders can be proud of, be involved in and benefit from," says Barnett.
"This tournament has the potential to generate $315 million* of additional expenditure in the Auckland region, and the long-term benefits of successfully showcasing Auckland to the world will be much, much greater,"
RWC will also be a catalyst for major infrastructure improvements across the region.
"We are investing in infrastructure and amenities so our proposal to host these matches is about maximising the return on this investment for ratepayers while contributing to New Zealand’s success in hosting the tournament."
Auckland expects to find out in September whether its proposal to host two quarter-finals and the bronze final is successful.
Ends
For further information, please contact:
Michael Barnett
0275 631 150
or visit www.auckland2011.com
For media assistance, please contact:
Simon Roche
(021) 656 380
* Sourced from RWC 2011 Regional Economic Impact Assessment report undertaken by Horwath HTL in June 2008
Visitor Economy is Auckland's $12 billion opportunity
Auckland has the opportunity to increase visitor expenditure in the region by $12 billion and deliver a host of additional benefits to its residents over the next decade, with the right investments in tourism.
That’s the finding of Bringing the World to Auckland, a newly released report by regional economic development agency AucklandPlus, which was endorsed by the Auckland Regional Economic Development Forum this week.
Bringing the World to Auckland outlines the case for investment in Auckland’s visitor economy, and outlines the critical investments and actions needed to reap the rewards for the region. The document is part of the implementation of Auckland’s Metro Project Action Plan.
David McConnell of McConnell International, who chaired the steering group which oversaw the development of the report, says a fundamental change is needed if Auckland is to capitalise on the potential of its visitor economy.
"Auckland must transform itself from a gateway into a world-class destination. It is doable and if we get it right the rewards will be a better place to live for Aucklanders and big dollars into the regional economy," Mr McConnell says.
The financial modelling in the report shows that visitors to Auckland currently increase the region’s base population by 5.5% but if that were to grow to 7.8% by 2018, the corresponding rise in direct visitor expenditure over that period (above forecast natural growth) would be $12b.
"But the dollars are only a small part of the story," Mr McConnell says. "The reason that the visitor economy is a fundamental driver for change is that the visitor economy underwrites Auckland’s amenity level. It can help to improve quality and range of goods and services that Aucklanders use regularly, provide activities that residents wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to take part in and deliver a spirited city-region.
"This in turn leads to attraction and retention of talent, greater wealth and employment, improved labour productivity and regional pride. It creates a spiralling positive climate for continued investment, growth and success for Auckland and New Zealand’s economy."
AucklandPlus Chair Michael Barnett says the investment proposition outlined in Bringing the World to Auckland is realistic.
It recommends a regional investment of $5m per year for the establishment of a regional tourism agency backed up by a $1.5b central government investment in infrastructure and attractors.
"The payoff over 10 years would be an additional $1.8b in government tax take and an additional $7.21b in regional GDP for Auckland. That’s a great return by anybody’s standards.
Mr Barnett says the establishment of a regional visitor agency is the critical first investment needed to start the ball rolling.
"We need a regional visitor agency to lead destination marketing and destination management for the region. The agency would also include a convention bureau and an associated regional major events office," Mr Barnett says. "It’s a realistic short term goal and it’s a ‘must have’ for Auckland."
Other critical investments highlighted in Bringing the World to Auckland would include a national convention centre, signature attractions on strategic waterfront sites, harbour and gulf island access and cruise ship infrastructure.
"If we do these things we will create an incentive for the private sector to invest in Auckland’s visitor economy," Mr Barnett says.
Bringing the World to Auckland has had the benefit of input from the public and private sectors. Tourism Holdings Limited’s Sean Murray believes the steps outlined in the document may hold the key to unlocking Auckland’s potential as a destination.
"The investigation and thinking that has gone into Bringing the World to Auckland has finally broken the mould. It has gone past the usual glib standard words about marketing concepts as they apply to the visitor industry and has not fallen into the trap of leaping straight into notions of brand and logo and campaign," Mr Murray says.
"The plan recognises that a positive visitor experience is much more than looking at the scenery, the meal on the boat or the comfort of the bed. It’s about the things you see around you that define your impressions of a place; the differences; buildings; recreation zones; the people you meet; the ease with which you can get around; and so on."
"It is also important to emphasise that planning and investment within the visitor industry is mutually beneficial to those people who live here," Mr Murray says.
He predicts a willingness from the private sector to get involved with the implementation of Bringing the World to Auckland.
Ends.
For further information please contact :
David McConnell, McConnell International, Ph 0275 087 820
Michael Barnett, Chair, AucklandPlus, Ph 0275 631 150
Sean Murray, Tourism Holdings Limited, Ph 021 912 772
Simon Roche, Communications and Marketing Manager, AucklandPlus, Ph 021 656 380.
Background Information
About Bringing the World to Auckland
Bringing the World to Auckland has been developed in response to the Metro Project Action Plan action to develop a regional visitor plan for Auckland
It is not an ARC policy document but rather is intended to stimulate discussion and inform investment in Auckland visitor economy by a range of public sector agencies.
Organisations involved in its development include Air New Zealand, Auckland City Council, Auckland International Airport Limited, Auckland Regional Council, Conventions and Incentives New Zealand, Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Tourism, Tourism Auckland, Tourism Holdings Limited and University of Auckland.
All diagrams used in the summary and full document are available to media on request.
Auckland welcomes Government announcement on economic development priorities
Auckland regional economic development agency AucklandPlus has welcomed the Government’s announcement of six future economic development priorities.
Auckland featured prominently in Economic Development Minster Pete Hodgson’s Advancing Economic Transformation speech today.
AucklandPlus Chair Michael Barnett says all six national priorities outlined in the Minister’s speech are critical for Auckland and the region is already working to progress them.
The six priorities are:
- Improving access to quality, fast, reliable broadband services;
- Positioning New Zealand as a world-leading exponent of smart and innovative responses to environmental issues;
- Developing workplace skills, with an emphasis on basic literacy and numeracy;
- Supporting New Zealand businesses to go global and extract full value from the global supply chain;
- Focussing government investment in six proposed areas that reflect and extend New Zealand’s strengths; and
- Making Auckland a world-class hub of innovation and internationalisation.
"The priorities reflect objectives from Auckland’s Metro Project Action Plan which was launched in late 2006 and is being implemented," Mr Barnett says.
In particular we are working closely with the Government in the areas of broadband, workplace skills and innovation, which have come into sharper focus nationally through today’s announcement."
Mr Barnett says innovation came through load and clear as the key to Auckland’s future in the Minister’s speech and cabinet papers also released today.
"A focus on innovation in Auckland reflects where we have been going with the Metro Project Action Plan over the past two years," Mr Barnett says. "It is critical if we are to boost our export strength."
He particularly welcomed the Government’s signal that is was moving to towards an expanded role in getting an Auckland Innovation Centre at the University of Auckland’s Tamaki campus off the ground.
"Establishing an Auckland Innovation Centre at Tamaki would show that Auckland is serious about research, development and innovation," Mr Barnett says.
"It would not only help our goal of boosting Auckland’s innovation and export strength but would also send a signal to international markets and potentially attract greater foreign investment in Auckland,"
Mr Barnett says the close alignment of regional and national priorities reflects Central Government’s more co-ordinated presence in Auckland through the Government Urban and Economic Development Office and a close day to day working relationship with Auckland’s key agencies and business leaders.
"Clearly the Government cannot deliver on these future priorities alone and we look forward to working with them to build on the successes so far and make more headway for Auckland and New Zealand in 2008."
Ends
Auckland’s transformation begins today
6 October 2006
Today marks a turning point for Auckland with the launch of a comprehensive action plan to transform Auckland into a world-class city region.
Michael Barnett, Chair of the Auckland Regional Economic Development Forum, says the plan’s unifying, collaborative and transformational approach provides an unprecedented opportunity to catapult Auckland into a world-class of its own: the top class.
"This has profound consequences for New Zealand as a whole because Auckland is by far New Zealand’s largest population and economic base, and it is a major commercial hub, education centre and gateway to the world.
"The Government’s economic transformation agenda recognises these strengths. There is a general acknowledgement that Auckland has this country’s greatest potential for becoming a world-class city-region and competing effectively in a global market."
The 30 actions in the Metro Project Action Plan is the culmination of nine months of intensive consultation with a wide range of business, central, local and regional government, Maori, Pacific peoples, education, migrant community and economic development agency leaders. The action items arise from their feedback and the recommendations of an international team of experts commissioned to evaluate Auckland’s challenges and opportunities.
Mr Barnett has met with thousands of Aucklanders since embarking on the Metro Project and found: "a growing appetite for change and an increasing momentum for action. I believe the time is well and truly ripe to start work on boosting Auckland’s performance."
The Metro Project Action Plan launch in Auckland this afternoon, was attended by the Prime Minister Helen Clark, Minister for Economic Development Trevor Mallard, the Auckland Issues Minister Judith Tizard, and more than 170 Auckland leaders.
Mr Barnett says the plan reflects international best practice based on five primary objectives:
1. Take effective and efficient action to transform Auckland’s economy.
2. Develop world-class infrastructure and world-class urban centres.
3. Transform Auckland into a world-class destination.
4. Develop a skilled and responsive labour force.
5. Increase Auckland’s business innovation and export strength.
The action plan clearly specifies what must be done to achieve these objectives, including defining exactly what will be delivered; and specifying the organisations responsible for taking action, and the delivery timeframes. It recognises how the 2011 Rugby World Cup can be used to create long-term benefits, and specifies actions to deliver additional infrastructure projects, and develop a major event portfolio to build world-class capability and profile.
Mr Barnett says the plan’s high degree of accountability is a strong catalyst for progress, avoiding the likelihood of never-ending debate about the best way forward.
"Auckland and New Zealand have embarked upon an exciting journey to create an internationally competitive, inclusive and dynamic economy. Achieving success requires new ways of thinking and new ways of doing.
"These are exciting times for Auckland and New Zealand."
The Metro Project’s founding partners agree. Sir Ron Carter, The Committee for Auckland’s Chairman, says the sustained alliance from a wide range of leaders, coupled with new approaches to funding and delivery, will drive the action plan’s success.
"It provides a consistency of purpose and leadership that Auckland has been waiting for."
AUT Chancellor Sir Paul Reeves says the university is pleased to see the Metro Project move to the next stage: "Let us remember that the key to Auckland's greatness lies in its people. So let us plan, let us implement, but most importantly let us remember why we are doing this - for our children and the generations to come."
For more information visit Current Initiatives
or contact:
Michael Barnett, Chair, Auckland Regional Economic Development Forum. Ph: (027) 563 1150
Simon Roche, Communications and Marketing Manager, AucklandPlus. Ph:(09) 366 2077
- Metro Project Action Plan - Summary document ( 2.3 MB PDF )
- Metro Project Action Plan ( 2.3 MB PDF )
'Auckland, do big things or remain small fry' - international report'
19 June 2006
If the Auckland region wants to become an economic powerhouse in Asia Pacific and an international destination with real pull, it has to plan on a grand scale. That's the message delivered today in a draft report by an international team of development experts to the leaders of the Auckland region.
Michael Barnett, chair of the Auckland Regional Economic Development Forum and chief executive of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, says the draft report confirms the need for the region to think and act big and bold.
'If we are to get economic transformation, we must do things on a grand scale, linking up big brains and big bucks to take advantage of the opportunities out there,' he says.
'Success breeds success; it's a cliche but its true. We've won the bid for the rugby world cup; now we must do a superb job, making it the best cup event ever. That will be the catalyst for infrastructure and social investments - leaving the region with a legacy beyond the event itself. It will also mean we will be well placed to win other large-scale events. There is the America's Cup, there is the Cricket World Cup and there is the Commonwealth Games.
But the report makes it