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Auckland Businesses and Council to Explore Global Opportunities

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Trip to LA to Talk Business

From The Office of the Mayor Len Brown

Auckland businesses explore global opportunities

Mayor Len Brown and Councillors Bill Cashmore and Denise Krum are to lead a delegation representing 43 Auckland businesses taking part in the inaugural Tripartite Economic Alliance Summit in Los Angeles.
The summit next week will give the delegates the opportunity to explore business and investment opportunities with contacts from Los Angeles and Guangzhou, with the aim of bringing greater investment to Auckland.
“Auckland is New Zealand’s only global city and we are fast becoming a significant innovation hub in the Asia-Pacific region. The summit gives us the chance to build our trade and economic relations; to create exciting export opportunities for the participating businesses: and share knowledge in the crucial areas of transport and housing.”

The delegation will include Auckland businesses from the sectors of education, innovation such as ICT, clean/green technologies, transportation and screen/creative.

The contribution to the Auckland economy in terms of GDP of these sectors is $10.8 billion (in 2010 dollars); accounting for 17 per cent of the total Auckland economy, and 36 per cent of Auckland’s employment (in 2013).

“The connections we will make on this trip in turn will lead to job creation and help grow our economy,” Mayor Brown adds.

ATEED Chief Executive Brett O’Riley says Auckland’s economic growth agency will implement a three-year business and investment attraction strategy to seize opportunities delivered by the Tripartite.

“It is not about a summit once a year. We aim to deliver long-term outcomes from an ongoing business programme. The 2013 America’s Cup regatta was the catalyst for an expanded emphasis on California for Auckland’s world-class emerging tech and screen and digital companies,” Mr O’Riley says.

The summit follows the signing in November 2014 of the historic Tripartite Economic Alliance, designed to boost economic co-operation between the three cities.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown says Guangzhou and Los Angeles are Auckland’s most well-established and economically important sister cities.

Prior to the summit, the Mayor will be attending a World Cities Summit mayoral forum in New York.

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Also

New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects – Auckland, Guangzhou & Los Angeles Tripartite Economic Alliance Summit

Auckland’s architecture and landscape architecture bodies are delighted to support Mayor Len Brown’s

promotion of a ‘Design Led City’ at the upcoming Tripartite Economic Alliance Summit in Los Angeles.

The summit, to be hosted by Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti, will also be attended by the Mayor of

Guangzhou, as well as business leaders and companies from all three cities. The theme, Innovation –

Commercialism and Connectivity, will explore a range of subjects including renewable energy, transportation

and infrastructure, of which architects and landscape architects have a keen interest in promoting.

New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects (NZILA) president, Shannon Bray, says that ‘the meeting is a

chance to support Auckland Council in the promotion of design–‐led outcomes for the advancement of our city.

The NZILA supports Auckland’s widely shared vision to become the world’s most liveable city, and believes that

this can be achieved through high standards of urban spatial design and architecture.’

Mr Bray will be attending the summit as joint representative of both the NZILA and the New Zealand Institute

of Architects, and sees this coming together of the professions as an important collaboration. ‘It is important

that as design professionals we work together with Auckland Council to find innovative and creative solutions

to the city’s transportation and infrastructure needs’.

The recent entering of the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize is an important step in the recognition of the exciting

work undertaken to date, including the development of vibrant public spaces such as the Wynyard Quarter,

shared spaced streets such as Elliot Street, and the advancement of Auckland transport initiatives such as train

electrification.

Mr Bray says that the collaborative involvement of members of both the architecture and landscape

architecture professions in the design of future Auckland projects, such as the City Rail Link, future Harbour

Crossing and public open spaces is crucial to the enhancement of the city. ‘Together we can create a city that is

both enjoyable to live in and functional to travel across’.

‘The tripartite initiative is a catalyst for the promotion of high quality design’ says Mr Bray. ‘We look forward

to being involved in the sharing of information with our sister cities, as well as developing stronger

relationships with our worldwide colleagues facing similar design considerations. Auckland, and New Zealand,

should be proud of the quality of our urban environments.’

The tripartite summit is being held in Los Angeles 10th – 12th June, and will be attended by a range of Auckland

Council, Government and private company representatives.

Further information on the summit can be found at http://laedc.org/ts/, on the New Zealand Institute of

Landscape Architects at www.nzila

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Rainbow Panel Members Sought

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Panel Member Applications Now Open

From Auckland Council:

Applications open for Rainbow Communities’ Advisory Panel

 

Auckland Council is inviting applications for positions for the first term of the Rainbow Communities’ Advisory Panel.

The purpose of the advisory panel is to provide strategic advice on issues of significance and help the council engage effectively with Auckland’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) communities and stakeholders.

Councillor Cathy Casey, who will be the liaison councillor for the panel, said a Rainbow Communities’ Advisory Panel was overdue. “It’s important this part of the community feels engaged and well represented. We want to make sure we have a very colourful Rainbow panel.”

She added: “It is interesting our initiative in establishing the panel coincides with the Lonely Planet’s new guide, Guide to Pride, which rates Auckland among the world’s most gay-friendly cities.”

Applicants, who must be permanent New Zealand residents and live in Auckland, will be assessed on how they demonstrate the following competencies:

  1. Ability to think strategically and critically on issues and trends specific to their area of interest
  2. Knowledge of the main issues for Rainbow communities, as well expertise in one or more issues of particular relevance/significance for those communities
  3. Sound understanding of community perspectives, dynamics, key organisations and networks
  4. Experience of a governance and advisory role.

Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed by a selection panel comprising Councillor Casey, a senior council manager, and three members of the community with appropriate expertise.

Applications are open from 9 June 2015 to 24 June 2015.

Application forms are available online from www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/advisorypanels and from council libraries and customer service centres.

Completed forms should be emailed to ACadvisorypanels@madison.co.nz or posted to Madison Recruitment Ltd, PO Box 105 675, Auckland 1143.

The appointed panel will comprise 10-13 members who will be paid a meeting fee of $250 (less withholding tax). The panel will meet six weekly.

For further information on the role of advisory panels visit the council website or call 09 3010101 (from 9 June).

Note:

  • Rainbow communities is a term that covers the diversity of sexual orientations and gender/sex identities. It is inclusive of, but not exclusive to: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual, Intersex, Takataapui, Whakawahine, Vakasalewalewa, Fakaleiti, Tangata Ira Tane, Tongzhu, Mahu, Palopa, Fa’afafine, Akavaine, Fakafifine, Queer, Questioning, Asexual, Genderqueer, Pansexual, and Genderfluid.

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New South Wales to Build Second Harbour Rail Crossing, While We Still Wait for the CRL to enable ONE! #Auckland2016

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NSW Conservative State Government Tunnels Ahead While our National Government Continues to Dither And we wonder why Auckland can often been seeing as struggling to compete with Sydney when you have this … Continue reading New South Wales to Build Second Harbour Rail Crossing, While We Still Wait for the CRL to enable ONE! #Auckland2016

Berry: Sell Surplus Auckland Stadiums. #Auckland2016

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Mayoral Candidate Stephen Berry says we should sell surplus stadiums

In the run up to #Auckand2016 and the Local Elections Talking Southern Auckland from time to time will look at some of the larger issues facing either Southern Auckland or wider Auckland. This morning mayoral candidate Stephen Berry has mentioned about the Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA) Stadium Strategy that has been dogged in controversy.

From Voxy:

Sell Auckland’s surplus stadiums – Berry

Tuesday, 2 June, 2015 – 21:01

“Auckland has too many stadiums and the Auckland Council should look at selling some of them,” Mayoral candidate Stephen Berry says.

The Affordable Auckland leader has described Auckland’s stadium situation as a “debacle,” after the council’s stadiums strategy was sent back to the drawing board yet again. Council-controlled Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA) has been given another year to consult on its strategy, which has upset the Warriors franchise over plans to move its games to QBE Stadium in Albany.

Berry says the Auckland Council should kick the current strategy to touch and change its entire approach to managing Auckland’s stadiums. “The stadiums strategy will leave sports fans unhappy and ratepayers out of pocket, funding white elephants that sit empty for most of the year.

“Auckland has an oversupply of stadiums and the Auckland Council needs to think seriously about selling one or more of them. For those that remain, we need to make sure the sports codes that use them pay for their fair share of their upkeep.”

Berry says the council should appoint an independent panel to review the region’s stadiums, with a focus on reducing costs for ratepayers. “As an example, the council is planning to spend millions upgrading Western Springs to host one cricket match a year. This has all the makings of a white elephant, which is ironic considering its close proximity to Auckland Zoo. Cities around the world have got themselves into financial strife by spending too much on sports stadiums for little return. Auckland needs to avoid making the same mistakes.”

“Several of Auckland’s stadiums are in prime locations and would fetch attractive prices if sold,” Berry says. “The money raised from stadium sales could be used to pay off debt, reduce rates increases or even fund the infrastructure and transport improvements Auckland desperately needs.”

He says it’s “questionable” whether the council should even own stadiums. Eden Park, the largest stadium in the country, is run by a separate trust.

“At the very least, RFA should be merged with another council-controlled organisation, such as ATEED (Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development) to save costs.”

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Thoughts?

Check out your options for getting to the FIFA U-20 World Cup

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Know your options and plan ahead

From Auckland Transport

Transport options for the FIFA U-20 World Cup 

If you intend to travel to the FIFA U-20 World Cup at North Harbour Stadium on Tuesday night, plan your trip in advance and allow extra time as the roads will be busy due to peak traffic. Limited parking is available around the stadium.

Public transport is also a good option for Aucklanders to get to the football.

New Zealand plays USA tomorrow night at 7pm at North Harbour Stadium. Public transport to the event is included with your match ticket.

Auckland Transport’s Operations Manager – Special Events Logan Christian says special event buses will run from the central city, Takapuna and Henderson to get fans to and from the stadium. “The buses will generally run along the Northern Busway ensuring a smooth trip.”

Services will depart from Quay St in the city (stop 7301 near Queen St) from 5pm, as well as from Takapuna and Henderson.

Full details here: https://at.govt.nz/bus-train-ferry/events/fifa-u-20-world-cup-2015/#Matches 

After the match all event buses will depart from directly outside the stadium on Don McKinnon Drive.

Travel on trains to Britomart, to connect with a bus to the stadium, is also included with match tickets. You can travel from 3 hours prior to kick-off until the last train service of the night.

Mr Christian says: “Whether you are taking the bus or driving to the venue tomorrow night it is important that you allow plenty of time to get there because traffic will be heavy at that time of night.”

Check out the site for the FIFA U-20 World Cup: http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/

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Vandals on Rail Network Risk Their Lives

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The is a saying for that and it begins with ‘D’

From Auckland Transport

Graffiti attacks on trains are dangerous 

Auckland Transport is warning that someone will be seriously injured or killed if foolish young people continue to graffiti trains. The warning comes after an incident yesterday. CCTV footage shows a group of youths wearing balaclavas spraying paint on a train as it slowed and stopped before entering the Parnell tunnel.

Auckland Transport, Manager Rail Services, Craig Inger says being anywhere near train tracks, at any time, is stupid and dangerous. It’s also costly, with ratepayers and taxpayers forking out tens of thousands of dollars a year to cover up the damage.

Improved security at railway stabling yards has seen the problem move onto suburban rail lines in recent years, he says. Mr Inger adds that the region’s new fleet of electric trains are also faster and quieter than the old diesel units and this poses an even greater risk.

In an unrelated incident yesterday, a young man was struck while trespassing on tracks near Orakei station. CCTV footage shows him running away after the incident however services were delayed, and thousands of customers inconvenienced, until Police and the rail operator, Transdev, investigated as it was initially thought to be a fatality.

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