Auckland - The city gears up - In 2021 Auckland will host

 
CONTINUE READING
Auckland - The city gears up - In 2021 Auckland will host
PROJECT
                                 Friday, December 14, 2018

Auckland

           In 2021
          Auckland
          will host:
        The America’s Cup
       Apec Leaders’ Meeting
     Women’s Cricket World Cup
      Men’s Softball World Cup
        Te Matatini festival
          The city
          gears up
Auckland - The city gears up - In 2021 Auckland will host
D2                                                                                                                                                            nzherald.co.nz | The New Zealand Herald | Friday, December 14, 2018

     Project Auckland
Will Phil Goff lead the city in 2021? He’s thinking about it                                                                                                                    INSIDE

“I am thinking seriously of running for                                                  Other initiatives he wants to see        of the way I’m thinking,” he says.
the mayoralty again,” says Auckland                                                   progress further include cleaning up            Based on previous years, Goff
Mayor Phil Goff. “I don’t want to go                                                  Auckland’s harbours, making                 expects there to be around 12 other
into a job and leave it partly                                                        Waiheke predator-free and saving the        people vying for the mayoralty.
completed.”                                                                           kauri from dieback in the Waitakere             So far only John Palino — a two-
    Goff says he will make a formal                                                   Ranges.                                     time mayoral candidate — has
decision on whether to run again for                                                     “When you come into a job like this      formally announced his candidacy.
mayor early next year. But he adds                                                    — depending on the electorate’s             National MP for Tāmaki Simon
that three years is a very short space                                                willingness to re-elect you — you don’t     O’Connor is contemplating running,            Auckland in the spotlight — D5-D7
of time to change a city in the way                                                   want to say ‘I’ve done a stint there,       and has said he will make a formal
he’d like to see it happen.                                                           that was nice, now I’ll move on.’           decision in the New Year. Property
    “Particularly with our 10-year                                                       “You want to say: ‘this                  developer and brothel owner John
budget, it has been transformational,                                                 transformation is critical — not just for   Chow as well as Waipareira Trust
with the biggest ever level of capital    Phil Goff                                   me, but for my kids’ generation, for        chief executive John Tamihere are
investment in our infrastructure. But                                                 my grandkids’ generation’.                  also considering a tilt for the mayoral
that’s time-lagged.                       progress that is being made towards            “You want to see that through so         chains.
    “To actually see things you have      Auckland infrastructure: the City Rail      you feel that you have been part of
put in place develop, takes longer        Link, Skypath along the Harbour             something that has made Auckland            D4 — Tim McCready talks to Mayor
than a three-year term.”                  Bridge, Seapath between Takapuna            a better place to be in.                    Phil Goff about the 2021 challenge
    Goff talks about the significant      and Northcote Point and cycleways.             “So that gives you a bit of a hint       for Auckland.
                                                                                                                                                                                Simon Wilson on being locked out
                                                                                                                                                                                — D8

                                                                                                                                                                                Towards a smarter city
                                                                                                                                                                                — D9-D13

                                                                                                                                                                                What do Millennials want?
                                                                                                                                                                                — D14-D15

                                                                                                                                                       Crowds
                                                                                                                                                       celebrate the            Transport: new ways to go
                                                                                                                                                       Rugby World              — D18-D20
                                                                                                                                                       Cup in 2011.

Down memory lane
                      Fran O’Sullivan     the rival Alinghi team, he successfully                                                    ● The San Francisco trade
                                                                                      The accolades have

N
                                          challenged against Team NZ at that                                                      networking during the 2013
            aysayers who are sceptical    year’s regatta.                             flowed for Ateed                            America’s Cup laid the foundations            Green bonds and innovative funding
            that Auckland cannot             These major events took place            Here are just some:                         for Ateed’s team to hit the ground            — D21-D24
            successfully host a record    before the establishment of Ateed —         ● Second and third in “Best Sport           running into the Tripartite Economic
            number of major events in     the Auckland Tourism, Events and            City” at the International Sports           Alliance Auckland signed in 2014
2021 should take a look at the city’s     Economic Development agency                 Event Management awards (2012               with long-time sister cities Los
recent track record.                      which is a council-controlled               and 2013).                                  Angeles and Guangzhou, and the first
   In 2021, Auckland will not only        organisation.                               ● SportBusiness Ultimate Sports             summit in LA, six months later.
play host to major sporting events           As Ateed chief executive Nick Hill       Cities Awards 2018 — Best medium-              ● 2015 ushered in a spectacular
like yachting’s America’s Cup, the        related at the recent farewell for the      sized sporting city.                        sporting event year which included
Women’s Cricket World Cup and             agency’s first chairman, David              ● Sports Business Awards 2018: Best         ICC Cricket World Cup, and Fifa
Women’s Rugby World Cup but also          McConnell, much has happened                Match or Game days experience —             Under 20 World Cup football.
the major Asia-Pacific Economic Co-       since the momentous upheaval that           Gold (DHL New Zealand Lions Series             ● On the economic front, Ateed
operation meeting — Apec, with a          was the city’s amalgamation.                2017) and Best Participation event —        hosted the Tripartite Economic
bevy of the world’s most powerful            Said Hill: “The organisation’s initial   Silver (World Masters, Games 2017).         Summit in Auckland in 2016                    Panuku: where the land meets the
political leaders in town for their       focus was on delivering Rugby World                                                     attracting about 700 delegates from           sea — D26-D28
annual meeting.                           Cup 2011, an event which put our                                                        partner cities Los Angeles and
   Auckland has hosted Apec before.       newly amalgamated city on the               success, but it was only a springboard      Guangzhou and giving a huge boost
   In 1999, former National Prime         world map. After months of planning         for Auckland’s emergence as a world-        for Auckland businesses wanting to                Project Auckland 2018
Minister Dame Jenny Shipley hosted        and hard work, a stunning world-            class sports city.                          market to China and the US.                       Executive Editor: Fran O’Sullivan
Asia-Pacific leaders including former     class event marked the emergence of            ● The V8 supercars were brought             ● Techweek, held for the first time            Writers: Bill Bennett, Tim McCready,
US President Bill Clinton and Jiang       Auckland as a global city.                  back to their spiritual home at             during Tripartite, had been                       James Penn, Natalia Rimell, Graham
Zemin of China, the latter even              “At the same time, the Auckland          Pukekohe in 2013.                           developed to put a spotlight on                   Skellern, Simon Wilson
                                                                                                                                                                                    Subeditor: Isobel Marriner
delighting guests with an impromptu       Visitor Plan, and the Auckland Major           ● A 2013 trade mission to the            Auckland’s thriving tech industry,                Proofing: Natalia Rimell
piano performance at one business         Events Strategy set out the blueprint       America’s Cup challenge in San              and inspire the next generation. The              Cover: Richard Dale
gathering.                                for Auckland — with an innovation           Francisco made great connections for        programme’s success saw it expand                 Advertising: Neil Cording, Christine
   Many businesses closed down for        plan.”                                      Auckland into the important West            nationally the following year.                    Moxham
a period as a tight security cordon          The initial focus was to attract         Coast US tech industry. The team was           ● 2017 was also a massive year.                www.nzherald.co.nz
was wrapped around the city.              high-value visitors, and expand key         handed a bitter defeat, but the             The World Masters Games was a huge                Herald senior writer Simon Wilson hosts
   But it has been the major sporting     visitor markets.                            foundations were in place for victory       success. Hot on its heels came the red            a panel on Auckland’s readiness for 2021
events that have been the crowd              Ateed’s successes have been              a few years later.                          fan hordes, here for the DHL New                  at the Project Auckland luncheon today.
                                                                                                                                                                                    Joining him are: Auckland Airport CEO
pleasers.                                 many. “David McConnell’s                       ● The homegrown NRL Auckland             Zealand Lions Series.                             Adrian Littlewood; Ateed GM
   The delight when Russell Coutts’       catchphrase that the destination            Nines burst on to the sporting                                                                Destinations Steve Armitage, Auckland
Team New Zealand successfully             economy “grew the amenity of the            landscape in 2014, an event which           Fran O’Sullivan was a director of the             Transport chairman Lester Levy and
defended the America’s Cup in             city” became very familiar to               brought Eden Park alive and made            Apec CEO Summit board which hosted                Auckland Council “design champion”
Auckland in the year 2000. And the        Ateeders,” said Hill.                       Auckland the envy of the rugby              the 1999 chief executives’ summit in              Ludo Campbell-Reid.
anguish when, in 2003, as skipper for        Rugby World Cup 2011 was a huge          league world.                               Auckland.
Auckland - The city gears up - In 2021 Auckland will host
nzherald.co.nz | The New Zealand Herald | Friday, December 14, 2018                                                                                                                                                        D3

                Project Auckland                                                                                                                                                                     Towards 2021

A world stage for our stories
Our big year is a great chance to put NZ on the map, writes Economic Development Minister David Parker

2
         021 is going to be a
         huge year for New

                                                        Big events on the 2021 calendar
         Zealand and Auckland
         with Apec, the 36th
America’s Cup — held at the
world class venue on
Auckland’s waterfront and on
the harbour — and the
Women’s Rugby World Cup as
                                                        EVENT                                              VENUE                                    DATE
well as a range of other
international events.
                                                        Prada Cup (America’s Cup                           Auckland                                 January/
   This isn’t a new experience                          Challenger Series                                                                           February
for us, however. New Zealand
knows how to host and
organise global events, and
                                                        America’s Cup                                      Auckland                                 6-21 March
Auckland has been a major
player in some of the biggest
we’ve had. Whether it’s the
                                                        2021 Women’s Cricket                               Nationwide                               February                               David Parker
World Masters Games, the                                World Cup
Rugby World Cup, major                                                                                                                                                                     programme has flowed through
international Fifa
tournaments, or previous
                                                        2021 Softball Men’s World                          Auckland                                 19-28 February                         to the general marine industry.
                                                                                                                                                                                               The New Zealand Government
America’s Cups — or Apec in                             Cup                                                (North Harbour)                                                                 has been a partner to Auckland
1999 — Kiwis extend warm                                                                                                                                                                   in many of these events,
welcomes to our international
visitors. In the case of Apec we
                                                        2021 ICF Junior/U23 canoe                          WERO Manukau,                            April                                  including through the New
                                                                                                                                                                                           Zealand Major Events Fund,
are also doing our part — taking                        slalom world championships                         Auckland                                                                        which promise significant
our turn if you like — hosting                                                                                                                                                             immediate and long-term
an organisation that is vitally
important to the economies of
                                                        2021 Women’s Rugby                                 Auckland-                                July-August (tbc)                      benefits to Auckland and the
                                                                                                                                                                                           whole country.
the Pacific Rim.                                        World Cup                                          Whangarei                                                                           Key to unlocking those
   Hosting major events is a                                                                                                                                                               benefits is how we leverage these
great chance to put Auckland                                                                                                                                                               meetings and fixtures, whether it
and New Zealand on the map.                                                                                                                                                                be as a shop front for New
The substantial international                                                                                                                                                              Zealand as a tourist destination
coverage that follows gives us a stage                        events can also provide economic      spent elsewhere and others criticise      economic benefit is between $550m        or as a country of smart, skilled
for us to tell our stories, celebrate our                     benefits, create jobs and show the    what they see as funding that is          and $1 billion. Many of the people who   workers and businesses.
history, and share what makes us tick.                        world what we’re capable of.          skewed towards “elite” sports and         developed Emirates Team NZ’s                This is what we should all be
They allow New Zealand to display                                Making the call to invest public   meetings. It is not always an easy call   carbon fibre technology have gone        looking to do in Auckland in 2021;
our manaakitanga, the uniquely New                            money in these events is always a     for politicians to make.                  on to develop carbon composites for      showcasing New Zealand as a vibrant
Zealand welcome we provide to                                 balancing act. Some question             But in the case of the America’s       Rocket Lab rockets and new               place to live, visit, and invest. I know
visitors from around the world. Major                         whether the cash could be better      Cup, for example, the estimated           technology from the R & D                Auckland is up for it.

                                                                                                                                         FINDING YOUR
                                                                                                                                       COMPETITIVE EDGE
                                                                                                                                                         NOW A LITTLE EASIER
                                                                                                                                                 At ANZ we understand how important it is to remain
                                                                                                                                                    competitive and progressive in an increasingly
                                                                                                                                                  demanding business environment. That’s why we
                                                                                                                                                have sector specialists, industry events, benchmarking
                                                                                                                                               and research papers providing you access to knowledge
                                                                                                                                                   and insights. So it’s a little easier to make better
                                                                                                                                                      decisions and stay on top of your business.

                                                                                                                                                                   ANZ Business Insights
        21-COMMERCI
   ANZ 421-COMM
   ANZ3               L NZH
                    ALL_N
                ERCIAL_N

                              ANZ Bank New Zealand Limited.
Auckland - The city gears up - In 2021 Auckland will host
D4                                                                                                                                                       nzherald.co.nz | The New Zealand Herald | Friday, December 14, 2018

     Project Auckland                                                                                                                                                                        Towards 2021

2021 — a city transformed
A
            uckland Mayor Phil Goff
            says the big events of 2021
            will not only put Auckland
                                           2021 is a chance to set a target for some of the things we can do
            on the world stage, but will
provide the impetus to expedite
                                           around the city, Auckland Mayor Phil Goff tells Tim McCready
Auckland’s transformation into a
truly international city.
   He likens the programme of events
— including the America’s Cup, Apec,
the Women’s Rugby World Cup, the
men’s Softball World Cup, the
Women’s Cricket World Cup and the
kapa haka Te Matatini Festival — to
royal visits of the past: “People would
get out and cut their hedges and paint
their fences. This is a chance for us
to set a target for some of the things
we can do around the city — particu-
larly our interface between the city
and the waterfront.”
   Goff says the events provide an
opportunity for Auckland to show
itself off to the world.
   Apec will receive massive interna-
tional     attention,     with    global
superpowers and representatives of
the largest economies expected to
attend — including leaders from
China, the United States, Russia and
Japan. An expected 10,000 visitors
will arrive for the Leaders’ meeting
over the Friday, Saturday and Sunday
(Nov 12-14, 2021).
   “We’re probably going to have to
encourage a few institutions to close
for the day on the Friday to compen-
sate for the congestion that is going
to occur,” says Goff.

Echoes of 1999
Goff has been to many Apec meetings
in his time as Minister of Foreign
Affairs and Trade.
   “They are unique opportunities to
get key people together in one place,      Phil Goff (below) recalls 1999, when Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea were able to combine an Apec trip with a visit to the US America’s Cup contenders.
and in 2021 Auckland will be the focal
point of extensive media coverage                                                                                            separated from it, there is no public         and the dynamic lane trial in
that will go right across the world,”                                                                                        access.”                                      Whangaparāoa.
he says.                                                                                                                        Goff’s eyes light up as he talks               “Twelve months ago, if you had
   Reminiscing about the last time                                                                                           about his vision for downtown Auck-           asked me whether scooters could be
Auckland hosted Apec in 1999, Goff                                                                                           land, as it begins its transition into a      a form of transport around Auckland
acknowledges that while he thought                                                                                           place where people want to go, relax          I’d have said ‘I don’t think so’, but you
it was a big event then, it was only                                                                                         and enjoy the surroundings.                   see how quickly that technology
a fraction of what Apec has become.                                                                                             Quay Street will be reduced to two         changes.”
   His standout memory from 1999                                                                                             lanes of traffic — with plans for wide            The Whangaparāoa Road Dy-
was meeting with then-US President                                                                                           footpaths, trees and plazas —                 namic Lane project uses LED lights
Bill Clinton. Goff briefed him on what                                                                                       connecting to a car-free lower Queen          embedded into the road surface to
was happening in East Timor, where                                                                                           Street, the first part of Auckland’s          mark traffic lanes instead of painted
he had been an international ob-                                                                                             “golden mile” to be pedestrianised.           lines.
server of the vote for freedom, where                                                                                           The tanks at Wynyard Point, which              Changing the lights, along with
the so-called referendum disinteg-                                                                                           have held a variety of hazardous              traffic control gantries that display
rated into violence throughout the                                                                                           substances and been a longstanding            lanes, creates temporary lanes during
country, with anti-independence                                                                                              feature of Auckland’s skyline since           heavy congestion to ensure free-
militants creating chaos.                                                                                                    the 1980s are being removed.                  flowing traffic. The project won Best
   “It was a chance — even as an                                                                                                “The America’s Cup will use this           Technical Solution at the Association
opposition MP at that time — to meet                                                                                         area for bases in the first instance, and     of Local Government Information
some of the key world leaders, be-                                                                                           start to open that area up.                   Management Awards.
cause of the unique role I had in                                                                                               “You’ll see further developments               Similar systems are used in Auck-
relation to East Timor which was at                                                                                          of Wynyard Quarter and Britomart              land along the Panmure Bridge and
the forefront of that particular gath-                                                                                       that will make them fantastic places          Auckland Harbour Bridge. The sys-
ering,” says Goff.                                                                                                           to be,” says Goff.                            tem is quick to build and around one-
   He notes the world has changed                                                                                               “These are all places that will make       tenth the cost of alternative solutions.
a lot since 1999 — and so has New                                                                                            our city a destination, not just a place          “Auckland Transport is going to
Zealand. “Auckland is now projecting                                                                                         to pass through.”                             use that same technology in probably
New Zealand onto the international                                                                                                                                         another half a dozen sites around the
scene as a really global city. One that                                                                                      Smart cities                                  city,” says Goff.
is high-tech, moving ahead, one that                                                                                         Goff sees technological solutions as              “We can use technology to im-
people want to do business in.”                                                                                              a key component of Auckland’s trans-          prove our transport systems. We can
                                                                                                                             formation into an international city.         predict when something is going to
A packed schedule                                                                                                               He points to the Safeswim pro-             happen or is starting to happen, and
Goff says that 2021 will provide a                                                                                           gramme as an example, which earlier           make changes that make it easier to
platform for Auckland to impress the                                                                                         this year won the Smart Water cat-            get around the city.”
people that are visiting — and all those                                                                                     egory of the IDC Smart Cities Asia/               Goff says technology can be used
watching from afar — that New Zea-                                                                                           Pacific Awards 2018. A joint initiative       to make every aspect of life better for
land is a small but highly competent,                                                                                        between Auckland Council, Surf Life-          Aucklanders: from biological nutrient
efficient country with high-tech inno-                                                                                       saving Northern Region and Auck-              removal plants for more environ-
vation and a high quality of life.                                                                                           land Regional Public Health Service,          mentally friendly wastewater treat-
   “The America’s Cup will showcase        people — something that gives Auck-      Bucknall Crane Index, there are 90       Safeswim provides up to date in-              ment, to automatically resettable
the beauty of our environment with         land its identify.                       cranes in Auckland — an increase of      formation to the public about Auck-           possum traps, to online resource con-
the broadcasting of the harbour, as           “Our ability to leverage off the      8.4 per cent over the past six months.   land’s beaches — including water              sent filing, dog registration and rates
well as our sporting skills and cutting-   events in 2021 for investment, tour-     Construction of new apartment            quality, safety, and long-term health         payments.
edge technology in yachting,” he says.     ism and human capital is very import-    towers, hotels, and shopping centres     warnings.                                         “Council      is    tapping       into
   And while the Men’s Softball World      ant.”                                    are contributing to the count.              “We’re the first city in New Zealand       innovations which enable us to do
Cup and the Women’s Rugby World               One of Goff’s slogans for Auckland       “We’ll see a transformation of our    that can tell you — in real time — what       more for less — providing better
Cup won’t be as big as the America’s       is ‘the place where talent wants to      skyline in Auckland, and we’ll start     the water quality is in beaches this          services at a lower cost,” he says.
Cup in terms of audience numbers,          live’.                                   to look much more like a global city     morning, this afternoon, and                      “It means we’ve been able to have
he says they are international events         “That means retaining and             than a traditional New Zealand city,”    tomorrow morning,” says Goff.                 a city that is growing by 30,000 —
that will play to different markets:       attracting talent, and to do that,       says Goff.                                  “We’re world-leading in that area,         40,000 a year, but we haven’t had the
“Different people will pay attention to    you’ve got to look like an interna-         He is looking forward to that         and we’re using it for the benefit of         growth in staffing that is proportion-
different aspects of what Auckland is      tional city humming with action.         growth, and seeing the city merge        the people in Auckland.”                      ate to the growth in population.
doing that year. The Te Matatini              “The centre of the city will epito-   with the waterfront precinct.               Other smart technologies are                   “Our per capita staffing levels are
Festival will be a great chance to         mise that for Auckland — but with           “For most of this city’s history,     quickly — and dramatically —                  actually dropping — we’re providing
showcase Auckland as the world’s           impacts across the whole city.”          we’ve had the red fence along the        revolutionising transport in Auck-            better services at a lower cost to our
largest city for Māori and Pasifika          According to the Rider Levett         waterfront. The public have been         land, including electronic scooters           rate payers.”
Auckland - The city gears up - In 2021 Auckland will host
nzherald.co.nz | The New Zealand Herald | Friday, December 14, 2018                                                                                                                                                          D5

     Project Auckland                                                                                                                                                                                  Towards 2021

Auckland in the spotlight
                                                                                                                                                                      Tim McCready        will descend on the City of Sails.

                                                                                                                                               2
                                                                                                                                                                                             Apec was last held in Auckland in
                                                                                                                                                      021 is shaping up to be a major     1999, and saw US President Bill Clin-
                                                                                                                                                      year on the Auckland calen-         ton arrive to a ‘rock star’ welcome and
                                                                                                                                                      dar, with major political, busi-    also marked the first visit to New
                                                                                                                                                      ness, sporting and cultural         Zealand by a Head of State from China
                                                                                                                                               events taking place.                       — then-President Jiang Zemin.
                                                                                                                                                  The annual Asia-Pacific Economic           While in Auckland in 1999, the
                                                                                                                                               Co-operation (Apec) will be held in        world’s two biggest powers — China
                                                                                                                                               Auckland for the first time in 22 years.   and the United States — resumed talks
                                                                                                                                               Hosting Apec involves a 12-month           during an hour-long meeting, after
                                                                                                                                               period from December 2020 to               heightened tensions following the ac-
                                                                                                                            Team New           November 2021, culminating in the          cidental bombing of the Chinese Em-
                                                                                                                            Zealand will       leaders’ meeting where political           bassy in Belgrade during the NATO
                                                                                                                            be defending       leaders, their ministers of trade and      bombing of Yugoslavia.
                                                                                                                            the                foreign affairs, CEOs, youth leaders,         This time around will no doubt
                                                                                                                            America’s          business leaders and international         prove just as political, with President
                                                                                                                            Cup in 2021.       media from 21 Asia-Pacific economies       Donald Trump potentially in his
                                                                                                                                                                                          second term in office, and the status
                                                                                                                                                                                          of the relationship between the US,

   What’s in it for business?
                                                                                                                                                                                          China, and Russia anyone’s guess.
                                                                                                                                                                                             Apec 2021 is being planned, organ-
                                                                                                                                                                                          ised and delivered by an All-of-
                                                                                                                                                                                          Government Apec 2021 Programme,
                                                                                                                                                                                          led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
   Tim McCready asks the Ministry                     is with Apec economies. Apec is also       involved in the event delivery itself by                                                 and Trade (Mfat) in collaboration with
   of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s                     the only international forum where we      supplying goods and services. Overall,                                                   a wide range of stakeholders and
   Andrea Smith why Apec 2021                         have the opportunity to host 21 leaders    it’s a fantastic opportunity for New                                                     partners.
   matters for NZ business.                           at the same time. In 2021 we have a        Zealand businesses, and a chance to tell                                                    Mfat says Apec will be the biggest
                                                      huge opportunity to showcase New           the story to the world about who we                                                      event ever hosted by the Govern-
   Mfat Deputy Secretary Andrea Smith is              Zealand and Auckland to the world that     are as a country and what we have to                                                     ment.
   leading the All-of-Government                      only comes along once every 20 years.”     offer.                                                                                      “With that comes an enormous
   planning and delivery for Apec 2021,                   So what’s in this for business?             “At the Apec Leaders Meeting in Port                                                amount of logistics and co-ordination
   working closely with local bodies                      “Apec 2021 offers opportunities to     Moresby last month, economies failed                                                     that we are actively working on. We
   including Auckland Tourism, Events &               connect New Zealand businesses with        to reach consensus on their                                                              are working closely with a range of
   Economic Development (Ateed).                      international visitors and help drive      declaration, so business may be                                                          partners, including central and local
      “Trade matters. One in every four               economic growth,” says Smith.              wondering about the future of such                                                       government agencies, iwi, commer-
   New Zealanders in work today depends                   “We’re working with business to run    meetings. In these ‘turbulent times for                                                  cial partners and business interests to
   on exports for their livelihoods,” she             a successful CEO Summit, to develop        trade,’ institutions like Apec — that have                                               showcase New Zealand to the world,”
   says.                                              policy initiatives and theme, on           served us so well — are more important                                                   says Andrea Smith, Mfat deputy
      “The Asia-Pacific region is the                 leveraging and legacy activities, and on   than ever to bring leaders together and                                                  secretary for Apec 2021.
   fastest-growing economic region in the             sponsorship.                               discuss meaningfully their vision for        Andrea Smith                                   Earlier the same year, Auckland
   world and most of our two-way trade                    “A range of businesses will also be    the rules-based trading system.”
                                                                                                                                                                                                            continued on D6

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              PG16750

     Auckland Light Rail.
     It’s reliable. It’s frequent. It’s coming soon.

                                           Auckland Light Rail                                                   www.nzta.govt.nz/light-rail
Auckland - The city gears up - In 2021 Auckland will host
D6                                                                                                                                                                nzherald.co.nz | The New Zealand Herald | Friday, December 14, 2018

     Project Auckland                                                                                                                                                                                 Towards 2021

  Women’s Rugby                                          America’s Cup                                          Apec Leaders’                                             Other events hosted
  World Cup 2021                                         competition 2021                                       Meeting 2021                                              by Auckland in 2021
  Victory for the Black Ferns as Auckland set            The City of Sails will host yachting’s biggest         The annual Apec Meeting is to be held in                  Women’s Cricket World Cup
  to host 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup.                  event, the 36th America’s Cup in March 2021.           New Zealand for the first time in 22 years.               The 12th edition of the ICC Women’s World
     2021 will see Auckland and Whangarei                    The racing area is set out across the wider           The 2021 Asia-Pacific Economic                         Cup is to be held in the city in November,
  co-host the 9th Women’s Rugby World Cup                Hauraki Gulf; running past the North Shore             Cooperation (Apec) Leaders’ Meeting will be               making it a great year not only for Auckland,
  (WRWC) – which will be the first time the              beaches, around North Head and the inner               the largest event ever hosted by the                      but for women in sport.
  sporting event has been held in the                    Waitemata harbour, up to the harbour                   Government in New Zealand’s history.                         New Zealand became the automatic host
  Southern Hemisphere.                                   bridge and downtown CBD, across                           Welcoming leaders, ministers, senior                   qualifiers for the tournament which will see
     New Zealand’s bid for hosting the cup               Auckland’s Eastern suburbs and out to the              officials, business leaders and media from                the White Ferns play to a home crowd.
  trumped rivalry neighbour Australia’s,                 Tamaki Strait between Waiheke Island and               the group’s 21 economies, there will be 12                   The cup is competed for every four years.
  scoring 25 votes to 17. The 2021 tournament            Maraetai.                                              events held throughout the year in
  received a record of hosting interest with                 In a best of 13 — or first to seven points         Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland,
  six unions formally expressing interest.               — the defending Royal New Zealand Yacht                culminating in the pinnacle Apec Leaders’                 Men’s Softball World Cup
     The bid was supported by Auckland                   Squadron team Emirates Team New                        Week in Auckland where 10,000 delegates                   Men’s Softball World Cup will be held at
  Tourism, Events and Economic                           Zealand will race the winner of the Prada              are expected to descend into the city across              North Harbour's Rosedale Park stadium in
  Development (Ateed), on behalf of Auckland             Cup, the Challenger Selection Series Circolo           the week alongside a further 3000 media                   Albany in July.
  Council and alongside New Zealand Rugby                della Vela Sicilia, who will be represented            representatives.                                              Chief executive of Softball New Zealand
  (NZR), the Government and Whangarei                    by their team Luna Rossa Challenge.                       The Leaders’ Week will be held from 8-14               Tony Giles said of the event coming back
  District Council. It was presented by NZR                  The Italian director and skipper Max               August 2021 and aims to promote its                       to New Zealand: “A lot of hard work has gone
  board member and ex-Black Fern Farah                   Sirena said of the city’s hosting: “Having the         economic interests with trading nations                   into preparing the bid and this outcome is
  Palmer, ex-All Black star and fellow NZR               race course so close to the coast will give            including the United States, Japan and                    testament to the support the organisation
  board member Mark Robinson, NZR chief                  spectators the opportunity to follow the               China.                                                    has received from both central and local
  executive Steve Tew and a video from Prime             racing even from the shore with the                       This will be the first year that New                   government agencies in collaboration with
  Minister Jacinda Ardern.                               spectacular backdrop of Auckland.”                     Zealand has hosted the annual Cooperation                 North Harbour Softball Association in
     Since the tournament began in 1991, New                 The event is expected to raise from                meeting since 1999 when Prime Minister                    bringing the pinnacle of the men's world
  Zealand’s Black Ferns team has been                    $600m to $1 billion for New Zealand’s                  Jenny Shipley led the New Zealand                         game back to our shores.”
  victorious in five of the eight world cups             economy with an expected 20,000 to                     Government, and then-US President Bill                        The cup was last hosted in New Zealand
  (the US took victory in 1991, the event’s first        40,000 spectators each day.                            Clinton came ashore to attend the event.                  in 2013, and had previously been hosted in
  year) and England (in 1994 and 2014). The                  It is expected the race will also entice              Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said of the next              1976 and 2004.
  event is held every four years but was                 better waterfront infrastructure, grow                 New Zealand-hosted Apec meeting: “We last
  brought forward a year in 2017 to avoid                global tourism interest, forge new business            hosted Apec in 1999 but this time it will be
  conflicting with the Olympics. The 2021                links across the country and the world,                much bigger.                                              Te Matatini Festival
  matches will be held at Waitakere Stadium              enhance local pride and build on the already              “We will be looking to work with central               Held every two years, the Te Matatini
  and Northland Events Centre, Albany                    strong volunteer network for future events.            Government to bring forward to the extent                 Festival also falls in the mammoth year of
  Stadium and the semi-finals and final will                 Mana Whenua, America’s Cup Events Ltd              possible, any infrastructure projects that will           events in Auckland.
  be held at Auckland’s Eden Park.                       (a subsidiary of Emirates Team New Zealand             help Auckland deal effectively with Apec                     Started in 1972, the festival was last held
     There will be significant changes to the            established to run the event), the Auckland            and the America’s Cup.”                                   in Auckland in 2002.
  2021 event, which will see it extended from            Council Group, Ministry of Business,                      According to the Ministry of Foreign                      The national Māori performing arts
  23 to 35 days, the addition of quarter-finals,         Innovation and Employment and a number                 Affairs and Trade, 71 per cent of New                     festival sees kapa haka performers from all
  the promotion of player welfare, and an                of Crown agencies and other partners will              Zealand’s two-way trade — exports and                     over the country compete to be crowned
  increase in squads from 28 to 30 players,              work together to prepare and manage all                imports of goods and services — is with Apec              Toa Whakaihuwaka (the overall winner) and
  reflecting World Rugby’s commitment to                 aspects of the event which also                        economies.                                                usually draws around 30,000 participants
  accelerating the development of the                    encompasses a series of other events in the               Apec economies will account for 61 per                 and spectators.
  women’s game.                                          run up to the Cup.                                     cent of global GDP by 2021.                                                              — Natalia Rimell

Auckland in the spotlight
                  continued from D5                                                                                                                                                 major sporting events in 2021: the

will host its first America’s Cup in
almost two decades, after Emirates
                                               Preparation under way                                                                                                                Men’s Softball World Cup in July, the
                                                                                                                                                                                    Women’s Rugby World Cup in July
                                                                                                                                                                                    and August, and the Women’s Cricket
Team New Zealand won the Cup in                                                                                                                                                     World Cup in November.
Bermuda in 2017.                               Auckland’s hotel market is expected      rooms in the city by January 2021         accommodation sector can meet                        The Te Matatini Kapa Haka
   Along with the defence of the               to be in better shape in 2021 for the    — just before the scheduled               demand during 2021.                               performing arts festival is held every
oldest trophy in international sport,          36th America’s Cup compared to the       America’s Cup race — on top of the           “Apec Leaders’ Week takes place                two years at different locations in
Auckland hopes to stage a successful           2000 or 2003 Cup defences in             current supply of 10,000 rooms.           for a short time during the off-peak              New Zealand. In February 2021 it will
event in March.                                Auckland.                                   But as international and domestic      period in early November,” says                   also take place in Auckland, and is
   According to a report prepared for             The city’s newest hotel, the five-    tourism markets continue to grow,         Ateed’s GM Destination Steve                      expected to draw in around 30,000
the Ministry of Business, Innovation           star SO Sofitel, opened last month       hotel room demand will increase           Armitage. “There are a number of                  participants and spectators.
and Employment by Market Econom-               offering a volcanic theme                over the next three years. Even with      infrastructure projects underway to                  Says Armitage: “We see 2021 as a
ics, the America’s Cup is expected to          throughout the hotel’s 130 rooms         the new builds taking place, demand       support Auckland’s growth and                     significant opportunity to advance
deliver between $600m-$1b in value-            that range from $469 to $4500 a          will likely exceed supply by the time     improve the visitor experience,                   the outcomes of the city’s destination
add to the New Zealand economy                 night.                                   Team New Zealand set sail.                many of which are in the CBD and                  strategy — Destination AKL2025 —
over the 2018-2021 period and an                  Other hotels under way include           However, Peter Hamilton, director      waterfront area and will be complete              which has an increased focus on
employment boost of between 4700               the five-star Park Hyatt (195 rooms,     hotels, valuation and advisory            or well advanced by 2021.                         destination       management       and
and 8300 jobs.                                 opening 2019), SKYCITY Horizon           services at CBRE New Zealand said            “An important legacy of the major              sustainability that will add value for
   The race will showcase New Zea-             (300 rooms, opening 2019), the           other accommodation providers —           events the city has successfully                  Aucklanders and our visitors.
land on a global stage, forge new              Cordis extension (additional 250         such as private rooms through the         hosted is that we have significantly                 “Over the past decade Auckland
business links and be the catalyst             rooms, opening 2020), Novotel (310       likes of Airbnb — would ease              increased our capacity and                        has built an enviable reputation for
behind the development of better               rooms, opening 2020).                    accommodation pressures while the         capability. The city is better placed             hosting a diverse range of global
waterfront infrastructure.                        But there are still concerns from     Cup is contested.                         to ensure the success of 2021.                    major events, showcasing the city,
   The previous America’s Cup                  some in the tourism industry that a         Over leaders’ week, Apec will see         “The most important message is                 delivering an outstanding experience
regattas held in Auckland in 2000              shortage of hotel accommodation is       an estimated 10,000-13,500                to plan ahead for Leaders’ Week. We               for visitors and leaving a favourable,
and 2003 each generated around half            likely.                                  attendees arrive. It is likely that the   are working closely with Mfat and                 lasting impression.”
a billion dollars of economic activity.           Research from commercial real         US, China and Russia will each take       our partners in the tourism and                      New Zealand certainly left an im-
   Auckland Tourism, Events &                  estate firm CBRE has found, based        over entire hotels with officials,        accommodation sector to help                      pression on President Clinton. Before
Economic Development (Ateed) says              on the current pipeline of hotels        business delegations, and security.       people do exactly that.”                          departing in 1999, he said: “This has
collaboration will be critical for both        planned or under construction, that         With events spread throughout                                                            been a magical trip.
major events: “2021 will certainly be          there will be an additional 2200         the year, Ateed is confident that the                            - Tim McCready                “I think every person, when he or
a bumper year with major events                                                                                                                                                     she is young, dreams of finding some
spread throughout the year and                                                                                                                                                      enchanted place, of beautiful
Auckland will be ready to welcome           between the Auckland Council               Ltd is already well established and         Understanding and are working                    mountains and breathtaking coast-
these events,” says Steve Armitage,         Group, the Ministry of Business, Inno-     working diligently to prepare for the       together with other government                   line, clear lakes and amazing wildlife.
General Manager Destination.                vation and Employment, Mana                36th America’s Cup, while Ateed and         agencies to prepare for Apec 2021.”                 “Most people give up on it because
   “A     collaborative    programme        Whenua and America’s Cup Event             Mfat have signed a Memorandum of               Auckland will also host three other           they never get to New Zealand.”
Auckland - The city gears up - In 2021 Auckland will host
nzherald.co.nz | The New Zealand Herald | Friday, December 14, 2018                                                                                                                                                        D7

     Project Auckland                                                                                                                                                                              Towards 2021

   Auckland is at                                                                                                 Delivering the city
   tipping point                                                                                                  Aucklanders want
                                        Denise Lee                                                                                              Desley Simpson
                          National spokesperson for                                                                                         Auckland Councillor
                       Local Government (Auckland)                                                                                  representing the Orakei Ward

   A                                                                                                              T
               uckland is at tipping point. It can                                                                           he spotlight of the world’s stage will
               either carry on with business as                                                                              be on Auckland in 2021. We want that
               usual, trudging through the next                                                                              light to shine on Auckland’s best
               few years and risk falling off the                                                                            attributes and enhance our reputation.
   world stage, or it can address the current                                                                     In addition to the obvious infrastructure
   crisis of governance, rise above council                                                                       investment, I see Council needing to focus on
   infighting and central government tensions,                                                                    three things to achieve success.
   and turn the ship around.                                                                                          First, we need to invest to deliver a city that
       Auckland isn’t slowing down anytime                                                                        Aucklanders want and will continue to work
   soon, and 2021 will be a big year for our city                                                                 for them well after 2021. We’ve done this well
   with major events including Apec, the                                                                          in the past — the Viaduct Basin, for example
   America’s Cup, and the Women’s Rugby                                                                           — but there are overseas examples of
   World Cup. We have a real chance to prove                                                                      investments which have become white
   that our city can compete with the best of                                                                     elephants after ‘the event’… let’s learn from that.
   them on the world stage.                                                                                           Second, we must work to deliver a clean,
       But will Auckland Council rise to the                                                                      green and safe Auckland that highlights our
   challenge?                                                    that would gut the Ports of Auckland, it is      cultural identity. Our clean, green image needs       the mayor this term. To date, discussions have
       The track record could prove otherwise.                   clear that Wellington’s voice on Auckland        significant investment to truly show our point        been between a select few.
   Tensions surrounding the recent stadium                       policy has expanded unchecked.                   of difference. To swim in our beaches, have no           The views of that few are not necessarily
   strategy and waterfront stadium report have                      Now more than ever is the time for            overflows into our harbours, accessible-to-all        shared by the majority. We need to ensure
   boiled over, and any future decision-making                   council’s cogs to start turning with the right   litter-free well-lit parks and public spaces and      Aucklanders’ priorities are heard too; is light rail
   for major events will undoubtedly be rife                     people pulling the levers. There are 21 people   infrastructure that uses environmental designs        down Dominion Road more important than
   with conflict.                                                that sit around the council table, many of       to better deliver outcomes should be the norm.        water quality?
       Throughout my time I never experienced                    whom aren’t held as accountable as they              We need to be proven to be safe, especially          The central Government/Auckland Council
   the level of lingering dissent that has now                   should be. That needs to change. I am            in light of the Grace Millane case and its            partnership is hugely beneficial to Auckland,
   hit Albert Street. Even Len Brown’s fiasco                    ambitious for Auckland and believe we can        international exposure.                               but we need to set clear financial guidelines.
   cannot compare to the toxicity and                            pull off these events as a great host, but we        Hard work is required to deliver a safe           Significant budget overruns for large projects
   irreparable damage that has divided the                       need the right approaches to leadership that     Auckland; safe transport, CCTV in key locations       must stop. Aucklanders are losing confidence
   current council table.                                        are as bold and ambitious as the city itself.    (an Apec requirement) complemented by a               and we need to regain it with transparency,
       The misalignment with the Government                         Everyone has their Christmas wish list for    justice system that comes down hard on                accountability, and evidence that we can stick
   is only pushing the Council’s stability further               our city, whether better infrastructure, or a    offenders.                                            to agreed budgets.
   off-balance. Between Labour’s Urban                           new stadium, but there’s only one thing that         Third, we need to work better with central           At the end of the day, Council must not be
   Development Authority creating uncertainty                    truly matters right now.                         Government both as a team and financially,            afraid to say no. We are not an eftpos machine.
   over council responsibilities, potentially                       Unless Council can sort out its gaping hole   acknowledging that its Auckland Council that          We are accountable for every dollar we spend.
   overriding the Auckland Plan, and NZ First’s                  in governance, we will be waking up to an        governs Auckland. We have yet to have central         We need to deliver value for money for all
   half-baked plans for a national port strategy                 empty Santa sack come 2021.                      Government ministers meet all councillors and         Auckland communities and residents.

                                                                                                                   Incredible
                                                                                                                   things are
                                                                                                                   happening
                                                                                                                   at Auckland
                                                                                                                   Airport.
                                                                                                                   Go to airportofthefuture.co.nz to find out more.
Auckland - The city gears up - In 2021 Auckland will host
D8                                                                                                                                                                nzherald.co.nz | The New Zealand Herald | Friday, December 14, 2018

     Project Auckland                                                                                                                                        Smart city — Auckland’s challenge

City that’s smart for everyone
What’s the use of a bright, shining
Auckland if most of the population are
                                                                                            Sharpen up: 4 paths to a smarter city
locked out of it, asks Simon Wilson                                                         A truly smart city engages all sectors
                                                                                            of the economy and society. We need
                                                                                                                                      Learn from Lime
                                                                                                                                      E-scooters could turn out to be a
                                                                                                                                                                                   created by new-tech industries, an
                                                                                                                                                                                   equitable approach to tax is

W
                                                                                            to get a lot sharper at how we do         genuinely disruptive technology,             essential.
                hen the taskforce          the South, not for the poorest among             that. Here are four suggestions.          transforming the way we do short             Look at it this way: every new
                conducting the             us. The intractable question is, what                                                      hop journeys. And they’re fun.               iteration of the iPhone is a hospital
                Government’s               are we going to do about that?                   Better business leadership                But their introduction here has been         that doesn’t get built because
                Tomorrow’s Schools             By “South”, I mean Southside —               When we talk about how Auckland           absurd. Although they raise                  nobody collected the tax that should
Review reported last week, Brent           from Mangere to Manurewa and in                  might become fit for purpose in the       important questions about city-              have been due.
Lewis, the principal of Avondale           all the other parts of South Auckland            21st century, why does it so often feel   building and how we use our urban            Capital gains? Exactly the same
College, called it “Stalinist”. Tim        — but I also mean it metaphorically.             like the big end of town has gone         space, about safety and about                thing.
O’Connor, headmaster at Auckland           The South is where the people who                awol? Clinging to old ideas, ducking      revenue, they’ve been treated only
Grammar, vowed to resist the report        are missing out live, and work, or can’t         debates about new ones. Two               as a traffic management problem.             Put ourselves on the map
“at all costs”.                            find work. The South exists not only             examples:                                 Officials deep in the bowels of              Every city in the world wants to be
    What disgraceful things to say.        in the south but also in the west, also          ● Company car parks. You know             Auckland Transport and the Ministry          a smart city with a low carbon
    What they were concerned about,        in parts of the east and the north too.          about climate change, traffic             of Transport have applied the                footprint, and many are way further
it seems, is that their schools might          Nothing will happen in this city             congestion, public health and             existing regulations mechanically,           down the track than Auckland. How
“lose their character” or parents might    unless it happens in the South. We               making better urban spaces not            even to the extent of declaring they         do we get ahead of the pack? Create
get “less choice”. These are               will not become the smart city we                dominated by cars, right? So why          cannot be used in cycle lanes.               something no one else has. Among
euphemisms. A selfish, thinly coded        need to be until the smartness is                have so few corporates done               Worse, although the Lime company             the possibilities:
message about preserving an elitism        available to all.                                anything to reduce their employees’       is worth billions internationally,           ● A waterfront stadium sunk into
they think is under threat.                    Auckland has a thousand                      reliance on cars and company car          they’ve been allowed to use our              the seabed. The marvel factor:
    And why? The report hasn’t solved      programmes aimed at making that                  parks? Are you waiting for the law        public space to enrich themselves            enormous.
all the problems of the school system      happen, in the public and private                to force you to do it?                    while paying almost nothing in fees.         ● A Museum of the Sea on Wynyard
and there’s much in it that deserves       sectors, and there are so many                   ● The trucking lobby. Transport           How they must be laughing at us.             Point, bringing to life, with world-
careful scrutiny. But it proposes some     success stories. The Southern                    debates, especially in South              Could it be more plain that creating         beating technologies, everything
new ways to address the most               Initiative, a council outfit operating           Auckland, are dominated by the            a smart city, where disruptive               from Kupe’s astonishing astral
intractable and important question         out of Manukau, is responsible for               trucking lobby. Why? The future for       technologies will become more                navigation to the wizardry of foiling
we confront in education — and it          some of them. Ateed, the Council’s               diesel-powered freight is clearly         common, is going to require much             monohulls and beyond. A thrilling
implies that high-achieving state          economic development agency, has                 limited, as some leading freight firms    faster, smarter and more flexible            celebration of us.
schools, like Avondale and Grammar,        a specific Southern focus. Many                  have been telling us, so when are         decision-making?                             ● And that policy to close the streets
might have something to contribute.        companies are also engaged with the              business leaders as a whole going to                                                   to cars in order to open them to
    That intractable question is not the           South.                                   step up and lead the call for             Tax fairness                                 everyone and everything else. If it’s
perennial dinner-party debate                               But it’s not enough, not        environmentally and economically          In a smart city, where a growing             good, really good, that will put us on
about whether Grammar is                                    nearly enough.                  sustainable alternatives?                 proportion of economy activity is            the map, too.
better than Kings, or Dio tops                                    Diseases of
EGGS. That’s utterly                                             poverty have taken
irrelevant, either to your                                        stubborn hold.          prosper. And the tax system invites         grow the boat-building industry;              running anywhere else until after the
child’s chances of success in                                      Jobs available to      the already prosperous to take up           provide jobs for thousands; be a              Cup. The City Rail Link will not be
life or to the wellbeing of                                       the poor and semi-      easy tax-free ways to become even           tourism magnet; make Auckland “a              open until after. There’s not going to
the nation.                                                      skilled are so badly     more so. The education gap is               place where talent wants to live”, as         be a big new cultural centre; there’s
    It’s about the other end                                    paid, many workers        growing, not shrinking, and who             Sir Paul Callaghan used to say. And           certainly not going to be a new
of the school system.                                         have to hold down           would be surprised? Salary top-ups          beyond all that, to revel in the fun.         stadium.
There’s a mantra everyone                                    more than one just to        and enormously greater resources                And beyond that again, the Cup is            With the current state of planning,
knows: education is a                                       get by. Domestic              entice too many good teachers to the        scaffolding to help us with city-             the America’s Cup will showcase a
ladder to help you climb                                   violence is a society-         so-called elite schools. In the poorest,    building: it’s a chance to make               smart city: smart tech, smart sport,
out of poverty. But it’s                                  wide problem but it’s           teachers are dreadfully under-              Auckland what we want it to be.               smart nightlife. The predictable
not true, not in                                          more prevalent among            resourced and are blamed for not                So are there plans to transform the       things.
                                                                the poor.                 solving deep and complex social             city in any particular ways?                     We could have one new thing,
                                                                        Meanwhile,        problems.                                   Curiously, beyond the Cup bases and           though: a city centre where, if the
                                                                       in the well-           Making all that worse, they have        the Wynyard precinct they’re located          theory holds, private motor vehicles
                                                                        paid, high-       been undermined by a badly                  in, the answer is No. At least, not yet.      have been relegated to the margins
                                                                         skills sectors   misconceived measuring system.                  A big redesign of Quay Street is          and city life has been improved for
                                                                          of the          Tellingly, when the Government              already under way, but that was               everyone in the process. If the
                                                                           economy,       abolished National Standards late last      going to happen anyway. Light rail            trialling goes well, that will be in place
                                                                           citizens       year there was barely a complaint           will not come to Queen Street or be           well before the Cup.
                                                                                          from anyone. Including the National
                                                                                          Party.
                                                                                              Despite the best efforts of many
                                                                                          gifted and dedicated teachers and
                                                                                          principals, the education system fails
                                                                                          too many people. We have to
                                                                                          confront this, which means we have
                                                                                          to change the way it works.
                                                                                              It comes down to this. What use
                                                                                          is a bright shining city, if most of the
                                                                                          population are locked out? And who
                                                                                          wants to spend their life on either side

                                                                                                                                         It’s not too late . . .
                                                                                          of a locked gate?

                                                                                          I
                                                                                                 t’s not just education. We’re
                                                                                                 really not good, as a city, at
                                                                                                 talking about this. Again and
                                                                                                 again, the debate is dominated
                                                                                          by the fears of those who have the
                                                                                          least to worry about.                          for more ideas, so here’s one: why don’t we get
                                                                                             It happens in housing, in health, in        the kids in?
                                                                                          transport, you name it.                        Require Emirates Team NZ to commit to a
                                                                                             Neglecting the South came to a
                                                                                          head at a special meeting of the               whole-of-city engagement with schoolkids. All
                                                                                          governing body of Auckland Council             those kids from the Shore who sail already, and
                                                                                          last week, called to consider a request        especially all those kids from the South, who
                                                                                          for increased funding to build the
                                                                                          bases for the America’s Cup in 2021.           don’t.
                                                                                             Most councillors made it clear they         Get them down to Wynyard and introduce them
                                                                                          welcomed the Cup campaign and                  to the wonder of the technologies, the thrills of
                                                                                          they voted for the extra money. But
                                                                                          they were also worried.                        the sport, the inspiration of the heroic people
                                                                                             They wanted to see stronger                 who do it. Require the challenger teams to take
                                                                                          evidence the event really would                part too, so those kids can also discover the
                                                                                          provide economic benefits beyond
                                                                                          the scope of boat-builders,                    marvels of foreign cultures.
                                                                                          professional sailors and their mega-           Using the Cup to lift the aspirations of the whole
                                                                                          wealthy sponsors. They did not                 city. Doing it through kids. Doing it for the South,
                                                                                          believe Emirates Team NZ or the
                                                                                          council officials had made the case.           which means doing it for all of Auckland.
                                                                                             The America’s Cup is our moment             Somebody should be writing a curriculum for it
                                                                                          to discover just how smart Auckland            now.
                                                                                          wants to be.CWe can use it to show
                                                                                          off world-leading tech innovations;
Auckland - The city gears up - In 2021 Auckland will host
nzherald.co.nz | The New Zealand Herald | Friday, December 14, 2018                                                                                                                                                    D9

     Project Auckland                                                                                                                                           Smart city — Auckland’s challenge

                 Smart planning is
                connecting people
                          Auckland can become a global
                          smart city in its own authentic
                          way, writes Graham Skellern

L
           udo Campbell-Reid is fo-
           cused on creating a design-
           led      Auckland.      Matt              Guiding principles
           Montgomery is focusing on a               We must identify what makes us
technology-driven Auckland.                          unique, how we want to enhance
    Put them together and you might                  what it means to be Aucklanders,
think there’d be some professional                   and how technology can support this
tension and suspicion. Actually, they                vision. By including diversity in our
are yin and yang.                                    conversations, we will enable social
    Campbell-Reid, the general mana-                 inclusion and truly equitable
ger of Auckland Council’s Design                     outcomes. We must tell our story so
Office, firmly believes technology is                that all may see the benefit and
the servant, not the master.                         create space for a different way of
    “In creating a smarter city, people              working, open, connected and in
must be at the epicentre of the whole                charge of our own destiny.
design and decision-making process.                  Source: Matt Montgomery in his
    “The smart city concept pushed by                Innovate Auckland presentation
technology companies is to sell their
tech solutions to the city. But who’s               tramways in 1956.”
the customer of the city? It’s people,                 He believes Auckland has made
not technology.”                                    strong progress. “Building the                                                                                                         Pedestrian-friendly streets
    Montgomery, head of innovation                  Lightpath (cycleway) on a redundant
at Auckland Council, says a smart city              piece of motorway is smart thinking.                                                                                                   Traffic Zone
uses technology to gain data and                    It ensures the asset is utilised.
make better decisions, and communi-                    Achieving a $22 million targeted                                                                                                    Motorway (Ring Road)
ties and individuals use the data to                business rate — that’s smart money
make their lives better.”                           being used for developing the down-                                                                                                    Queen St valley
    He says there is a privacy concern              town.
and “first we must understand the                      “The City Centre Masterplan 2040
data properly to protect the city and               delivers a vision that is smart. We are
citizens from unwanted intrusions.                  living in a city where demand is               Campbell-Reid and his team are         around the city, and if we reduce the
Some data can have unintended con-                  infinite but land is finite. Creating a     now designing Access for Everyone         non-discretionary trips we can re-
sequences.”                                         quality compact city centre and put-        that will reduce and control traffic      duce traffic in the city centre by 30
    Campbell-Reid and Montgomery                    ting a green belt around it is smart        flows in the city centre, create more     per cent,” says Campbell-Reid.
both accept that when “smart city”                  thinking,” says Campbell-Reid.              public spaces, and pedestrianise             If he had his way, Campbell-Reid
technology is included in urban plan-                  “The Destination AKL 2025 is a           Queen Street and adjoining streets.       would like to see the whole city
ning and executed successfully, it can              smart strategy. We are not just a              The innovative concept that            centre free of cars. “Access for Every-
positively affect many areas of the                 gateway to the rest of New Zealand.         includes modern trams along Queen         one is preparing for the future — the
city’s future growth and develop-                   We are a destination with a big story       Street has the backing of Auckland        streets don’t need to operate as car
ment.                                               for New Zealand and visitors spend          Council’s Planning Committee.             parks, and we want to reclaim our city
    The most powerful approach is                   13-14 times more than locals.                  Motorists will choose to park their    for the people,” he says.
getting city leaders, citizens and busi-               “The way we chase major events           cars in eight designated zones around        “Before O’Connell Street became a
nesses including technology com-                    like the Rugby World Cup and                the city centre fringe. The zones are     shared space it was a car park with
panies to collaborate and identify                  America’s Cup, that’s smart. The Com-       linked to the central motorway junc-      small pavements. Now the street is
smart city needs and applications,                  monwealth Games must happen                 tion and the motorists must drive out     used as public space and dining in
and propose solutions to the city’s                 within 10 years, as it will be a powerful   the same way they came in. Only           front of buildings and businesses for
unique problems.                                    catalyst for speeding up further urban      servicing and emergency vehicles          a commercial benefit.
    For Campbell-Reid, a smarter city               renewal in Auckland.                        and drivers with disabilities will be        “Deliveries can be made between
means developing long term inte-                       “The world can watch us as we            allowed to make trips across the city     7-9am when no-one is around, so at           We can use technology
grated plans and injecting innovative               prepare for the event. Civic and urban      centre.                                   different times of the day the street
and creative thinking.                              renewal planned over 30 years can              “We want to prioritise buses, light    becomes a flexi space. A courier van          changes for delivering
    “It’s thinking about the future and
making decisions that solve problems
                                                    be done in six years. We can’t wriggle
                                                    out of the deadline.”
                                                                                                rail, walking and cycling, and ferries
                                                                                                as more efficient ways to move
                                                                                                                                          may make 50 to 60 drop-offs a day
                                                                                                                                          to a high-rise. Why can’t they be done
                                                                                                                                                                                    infrastructure that makes
for multi-years, not one year.                                                                                                            on an e-bike? There are a lot of                  Auckland a world-
    “If Auckland had been smart, it                                                                                                       unnecessary trips in the city centre,”      leading sustainable city.
would not have made some of the                      Steps to becoming a smarter city                                                     says Campbell-Reid.
decisions it did — like ripping up the               After starting his new role as Head of Innovation for Auckland Council earlier          Back on the technology front,                                Matt Montgomery
                                                     this year, Matt Montgomery has focused on identifying what a smart city              Auckland Council has developed the
                                                     means to Auckland.                                                                   award-winning Safeswim website,           land schools and other community
                                                     He has conducted one-on-one interviews with city and business leaders, and           with digital signage, that enables        members, and it builds digital skills
                                                     held workshops with industry, communities and council organisations about            Aucklanders to make informed              and promotes civic participation,
                                                     potential opportunities and risks.                                                   decisions about where and when to         especially amongst marginalised
                                                     Montgomery has scoped out a strategic direction to make Auckland a smarter           swim.                                     youth.
                                                     city. Here are some key themes in the Smart City programme:                             Safeswim combines real-time data           Montgomery says people assume
                                                     * Connection between people is vital — if connection is central to the smart idea,   on the performance of the                 Auckland is a little bit behind the
                                                     then the users of the system become the vital connecting components.                 wastewater and stormwater net-            curve in using smart technology but
                                                     * Genuinely embracing diversity will help ensure social inclusion and equitable      works with predictive models to gen-      “I think we are a little bit above par.
                                                     outcomes and Auckland will become truly unique and authentic.                        erate forecasts of water quality at 92    We are not over-selling ourselves.
                                                     * Use data wisely to make better decisions that can deliver better outcomes for      beaches and other swimming sites          There is a genuineness here about
                                                     Aucklanders.                                                                         around the Auckland region.               doing things in a smart way and not
                                                     * Protect Aucklanders from some of the potential risks surrounding technology,          It is complemented by advice from      just using technology for techno-
                                                     data use and incursion of privacy.                                                   Surf Lifesaving Northern Region and       logy’s sake.
                                                     * Create an environment of education, entrepreneurship and leadership that is        the Auckland Regional Public Health           “We have to focus on what makes
                                                     accessible to all people, not restricted by barriers related to social status,       Service. The Safeswim programme           Auckland unique, our connection to
                                                     culture, language or education.                                                      won the Smart Water Category at the       the environment, our community
                                                     * City government has a dual role to play in Smart City initiatives — to execute     IDC Smart Cities Asia Pacific awards.     identity and culturalism, and our link
                                                     some intelligent solutions on its own and to orchestrate and enable the
    If Auckland had been                             evolution of a broader ecosystem.
                                                                                                                                             The council has created a digital      to the past.
                                                                                                                                          platform called Upsouth that                  “We can use technology changes
  smart, it would not have                           * Business is a willing partner for Smart City initiatives, forming private-public   connects the South Auckland com-          for delivering infrastructure that
                                                     partnerships (the vendor works with the city to map out a viable business
        made some of the                             model and take an active role in keeping the project going).
                                                                                                                                          munity by sharing creative ideas and
                                                                                                                                          feedback about local topics.
                                                                                                                                                                                    makes Auckland a world-leading
                                                                                                                                                                                    sustainable city.
     decisions it did — like                         * Auckland tells its own story, tapping into those already doing things well in         Council and businesses pose                “We have the opportunity of being
                                                     their own specialties to help shape the city’s vision and providing inspirational    questions relating to civic issues and    entirely self-sufficient. Auckland has
 ripping up the tramways                             leadership.                                                                          the users post creative feedback (po-     a strong, vibrant young population,
                    in 1956.                         The Smart City programme will focus on resource optimisation, asset                  etry, spoken word, videos, music,         most global cities are ageing, and we
                                                     utilisation, organisational effectiveness, and community empowerment and             drawings), and can be paid for it.        have to invest in our young people,”
                       Ludo Campbell-Reid            interaction.                                                                            Upsouth is used by South Auck-         Montgomery says.
Auckland - The city gears up - In 2021 Auckland will host
You can also read