Category: Auckland Council

Source: Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development (ATEED)

Headline: Auckland’s Major Events Portfolio 2018/19

A diverse range of cultural, lifestyle and sporting events happening in Auckland over the coming financial year will receive public investment as part of Auckland’s Major Events Portfolio.

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) invests in major events on behalf of Auckland Counci…

Published
11 APR 2018

A diverse range of cultural, lifestyle and sporting events happening in Auckland over the coming financial year will receive public investment as part of Auckland’s Major Events Portfolio.

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) invests in major events on behalf of Auckland Council to generate economic and social benefits for the region and its people.

ATEED is investing in 20 major events in 2018/19, including 14 events that successfully applied for sponsorship through the annual contestable funding round.

The latest funding round saw ATEED receive 49 applications requesting a total of $8.9 million in sponsorship funding, with approximately $1.35 million available to allocate for contestable major events sponsorship.

Since Auckland’s Major Events Strategy was approved by Auckland Council in 2011, ATEED-sponsored major events have contributed $360 million to the regional economy and 2.2m visitor nights (from 2011/12 FY – 2016/17 FY).

ATEED Head of Major Events Stuart Turner says major events – defined by their scale and projected benefits – are recognised internationally as a means deliver significant social and economic outcomes for cities and their populations.

“Festivals like Tāmaki Herenga Waka and Pasifika help celebrate and demonstrate to Aucklanders and visitors what is unique about this place and its people.

“Events like the ITM Auckland SuperSprint and ASB Classic draw visitors from outside Auckland to come and enjoy what’s on offer here, and international broadcast coverage of them highlights Auckland as a host city and destination. And all these events provide work for local event operators, suppliers, services and workers.”

Auckland’s Major Events Portfolio 2018/19

* Confirmed events at 11 April 2017, details may be subject to change.

Of the 20 events confirmed for the 2018/19 portfolio, 14 are arts, lifestyle and cultural events, with the balance being sporting events.

Negotiations are now underway with event organisers/promoters/owners to confirm investment details and conditions. All ATEED funding for major events is subject to performance-based contracts.

All sponsored events in Auckland’s Major Events Portfolio are assessed for their ability to generate new money (GDP) for Auckland, grow domestic and international visitor nights, build awareness of Auckland internationally, and provide Aucklanders with the chance to enjoy world-class events.

ATEED takes a portfolio approach to major events. This sees the value of Auckland’s Major Events Portfolio as the combined results it delivers for generating visitor nights, regional GDP and liveability – making Auckland an interesting and desirable place to live, work, visit, play, study and invest.

Auckland’s Major Events Portfolio complements regional and community events, supported by other parts of the Auckland Council family, as well as the region’s arts, sporting and cultural organisations, and private-sector funded events.

Source: Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development (ATEED)

Headline: Kia Ora. The Insider’s Guide to Auckland

Auckland – an exhilarating mix of sights and sounds – is home to some of the best experiences in the country.

Whether you’re here on a day trip or for the week, Auckland’s full of fun ways to fill your time. This city busily bustles by day, and hosts a vibrant night-life at sundown. 

Even if you’r…

Published
09 APR 2018

In for a laugh.

From belly-filling to belly-laughing, you can tick dinner and a show off your list thanks to the range of Auckland theatres in the central city. See local and international comedians, musical acts and dance performances at the Q Theatre, The Civic or the newly opened ASB Waterfront Theatre – all have great eateries nearby. And if you want to venture out beyond the city, you can always have a quick search for local events happening across the Auckland region, such as cultural festivals, concerts and sports events.

Choose your poison.

The night’s not over yet. Add the finishing touches to your evening in the glitz and glam of Ponsonby Road. The bars, restaurants and clubs shift into overdrive as local night owls pop bottles of fine champagne and groove to the resident DJ. Make a sharp turn left and you’ll find yourself amongst the eccentric and colourful nightlife of Karangahape Road. This is the place for quirky live performances, underground bars and an alternative scene that can’t be replicated anywhere else.

Morning markets.

If you find yourself adventurous enough for an early morning start after a night out, be sure to experience Auckland’s markets. La Cigale offers a slice of France in the heart of the city – serving up authentic warm goods, pastries, cheeses and much more. If you’re up for the trip north, the sunny Matakana Village Farmers’ Market is in full swing on Saturdays until 1pm and afterwards there are many charming beaches and wineries nearby. And in the rural south, The Clevedon Village Farmer’s market is a must-do on a Sunday morning.

Garments & galleries.

There’s no better way to finish your trip to Auckland than by picking up a little treat for yourself on the Parnell strip. There’s something for everyone – with countless fashion boutiques, a boutique just for babies, and even a boutique dedicated to chocolate. And if you need a break from all the shopping, take in a bit of culture at one of the many galleries displaying some of New Zealand’s finest art.

If that’s not enough to keep you busy, don’t worry, we’ve only just scraped the surface of what Auckland can put on. Scroll through our Visit Auckland Facebook page to discover more places to go, events to attend and delicious things to eat!

Ka kite.

Source: Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development (ATEED)

Headline: Auckland wins bid to host major international education conference

International education policy-makers, practitioners and experts from around the world will descend on Auckland in 2021 for the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) Annual Conference and Exhibition.

The three-day conference and exhibition will be held at the New Zealand Inte…

Published
29 MAR 2018

International education policy-makers, practitioners and experts from around the world will descend on Auckland in 2021 for the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) Annual Conference and Exhibition.

The three-day conference and exhibition will be held at the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) and is expected to attract more than 1,700 delegates and 200 exhibitors, who will stay a total of  8,700 visitor nights and contribute an estimated spend of $3.3 million while they are here.

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development’s Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB) helped secure the winning bid for New Zealand, working in partnership with Education New Zealand, Tourism New Zealand and a consortium of the country’s leading universities, led by Auckland University.

Mayor Phil Goff says, “International education is a valuable contributor to the Auckland economy and the country’s fourth largest export industry.

“It is great news that Auckland will play host to such a major international education conference. It will showcase our region and illustrate the value of this important sector to New Zealand.

“Auckland attracts more than 80,000 international students each year. Beyond the economic value of the sector, these students improve our connections to the world, bring vibrancy and diversity to our city, and fill skills shortages in areas of high demand,” said Mayor Goff.

The APAIE seeks to bring together international educators, universities and related organisations active in Asia-Pacific higher education to promote communication, networking, professional development and learn about new developments in international education.

Head of ACB Anna Hayward says 2021 is shaping up to be an exciting year for Auckland, with a number of major convention wins along with the city hosting the America’s Cup and APEC throughout the course of the year.

“This is a fantastic result for Auckland and New Zealand and is another example of how Auckland is able to compete for events like APAIE at this larger scale with the additional capacity that the NZICC brings,” she says.

“International and domestic business events play an important role in fuelling the value of Auckland, and New Zealand’s visitor economy as well as being valuable contributors to growing the region’s knowledge economy.”

Lisa Gardiner, Manager Business Events and Premium at Tourism New Zealand says: “Conferences such as this one support Tourism New Zealand’s strategy to grow the value of international tourism to New Zealand. The knowledge these delegates will bring to the country has the potential to help grow the country’s international education sector and create more jobs in this area.”

Source: Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development (ATEED)

Headline: #BuildAKL attracts 4,500 young Aucklanders into construction and infrastructure sector

A novel and ambitious social media campaign has attracted 4,500 young Aucklanders into the thriving construction and infrastructure sector where they have started jobs, education and training.

The industry-led #BuildAKL campaign – the first of its kind in New Zealand – aimed to increase the number…

Published
28 MAR 2018

A novel and ambitious social media campaign has attracted 4,500 young Aucklanders into the thriving construction and infrastructure sector where they have started jobs, education and training.

The industry-led #BuildAKL campaign – the first of its kind in New Zealand – aimed to increase the number of young Aucklanders considering or starting careers in the booming, yet ageing, sector.

#BuildAKL, facilitated by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), finished in September last year and offered 16-24 year olds’ the chance to win four weeks paid work experience through a social media competition.

“#BuildAKL worked to lift the lid on the diverse range of job opportunities, including how technology has transformed the sector, by using social media channels popular with under-25-year-olds,” says Pam Ford, ATEED’s acting General Manager Business, Innovation and Skills.

“There’s no better way to connect with young people than to have them share their real-life experiences with each other, becoming advocates for the sector and dispelling outdated perceptions,” she says.

“Hundreds of thousands of people were exposed to the campaign with Māori and Pacific youth, and girls and women well represented in these new industry recruits and students. This outstanding result wouldn’t have been possible without the industry working together collectively,” Pam Ford says.

The wave of young people attracted to the construction and infrastructure sector include 25 year-old Rawiri Norman-Pakinga, aka Ra, from Mt Wellington.

Ra works full time at Citycare as a Structures Serviceperson fixing outdoor equipment in parks and playgrounds. “I have the best office in the world because I’m always working outside, my job is really hands on, and I get to engage with the public,” he says.

Ra, who has family and friends in the industry, is soon to start a carpentry qualification and says there’s plenty of training opportunities. “Since working for Citycare Property I have secured my EWP licence (to operate on Elevated Work Platforms) and am working towards my WTR (Wheels, Tracks and Roller Licence) driving licence endorsement.

“Longer term, I aim to work my way up to becoming a team supervisor,” he says.

The #BuildAKL campaign has not only brought the industry together around the table,but has also had a positive impact on the way young people are recruited.

#BuildAKL partner, Fletcher Building, used learnings from the campaign to help develop its award-winning online job hunting and application platform, SwitchUp, designed to help young people transition from school or unemployment to the work force.

“One of the main appeals of both SwitchUp and the #BuildAKL campaign is the focus on video content to promote opportunities in the sector as opposed to the traditional wordy job descriptions. This allows young people to visualise themselves in roles and can take the fear out of applying for a job,” says Simon Valentine Fletcher Building Group Talent Acquisition Manager.

ATEED is also supporting employers in the construction and infrastructure industry through its partnership with central government agencies, construction sector stakeholders and industry training organisations in the CBD Jobs and Skills Hub.

The Hub, based in the Wynyard Quarter Innovation Precinct, has placed more than 150 people into employment – largely at city centre construction sites – since it launched a year ago. Almost half of those employed were under 25 years old, and two thirds from Māori and or Pacific Island heritage.

The insights from the #BuildAKL youth recruitment campaign are being shared with construction and infrastructure employers and industry and will guide future industry-led campaign activity. Insights are also being shared with other key industries that need to attract young people – such as tourism and hospitality.