ATEED Leading the successful transformation of Auckland's economy - 2015/16 HIGHLIGHTS - Aucklandnz.com
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ATEED Leading the successful transformation of Auckland’s economy aucklandnz.com/ateed 2015/16 HIGHLIGHTS
HE MIHI E tū noa ana nga maunga
The volcanic cones of Tāmaki Makaurau
stand as sheltering monoliths to the people
from an ancient heritage who have kept
whakahii i te riu o the home fires burning as a symbol of
Tāmaki Makaurau. remembrance of Mataoho whose rage
E whakaruruhau ana created this beautiful landscape.
i nga ahikaa mai tawhiti. To those who have passed into the night,
E maumahara ana may you find eternal rest.
i te nguha a Mataoho.
For those of us who have been left behind
Rātou kua poto ki tua ō te ārai, to build the most liveable city in the world,
e moe e okioki. greetings to us all.
Tātou te hunga ora e kawe ana i te
aronganui mō te pai me te whai rawa ō
Tamaki, tēna rā tātou katoa.
Introduction | 3
Contents 01
Build a culture of innovation
03
Grow and attract skilled talent 23
05
Build Auckland’s brand and identity 36
and entrepreneurship 8
Why & How? 24 Why & How? 37
Why & How? 9
Achievements 25 Achievements 38
Achievements 10
What’s next? 26 What’s next? 38
What’s next? 11
Fuelling youth employment 27 All Kiwis welcome (and Aussies too) 39
Innovation in the spotlight 12
JobFests prove popular 28
Abel Software sets sizeable global target 13
Conference focused on student growth 29
Big ideas take out DigMyIdea 14
Partnership key to talent search 29
02 04
Attract new business and investment 15 Grow the visitor economy 30
Why & How? 16 Why & How? 31
Achievements 17 Achievements 32
What’s next? 17 What’s next? 33
Summit delivers for Auckland 18 Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival a
great success 34
Garage doors open 19
ATEED supports successful Māori
Main Reactor goes out on a (severed) limb 20 tourism grant 35
It’s raining cephalopods 21 Pop-up Globe innovation wows audiences 35
Auckland hits right notes for Toonz 21
Project Palace progress 22
4 | ATEED Leading the successful transformation of Auckland’s economy
Our highlights this year reflect ATEED‘s continued organisations to design and bid for business Our strategy to attract high-value visitors
evolution and shifting focus areas. In our first two events which will boost both the industry in continues to mature, and we are increasingly
years, we prioritised growing the visitor economy Auckland, and the visitor economy. investigating ways to work with partners to
as a way to underwrite the amenity of the city Our work is driven by a strategic framework based achieve the region’s growth targets through
and improve its liveability. Having achieved on key priorities. This year, we tightened our alternative funding models. This reflects
excellent progress in that area, we focused on strategic framework from six to five pillars – given council’s directive to reduce our reliance on
developing Auckland’s culture of innovation and the natural overlap of our previous priorities to ratepayer funding, and deliver efficiencies
entrepreneurship – a crucial driver of economic ‘grow a skilled workforce’ and ‘enable education across the business.
growth – in specific advanced industries. and talent’, we designed a combined strategy: As part of council’s wider priorities, we this
We are making great strides. In January, ‘grow and attract skilled talent’. year increased our focus on programmes which
Foreword
Auckland’s growing international reputation as This highlights document is presented around help to reduce social inequality. We can make
a city on the move received further recognition, priorities, and includes just some of this year’s a significant contribution by accelerating the
being named for the first time in the respected JLL success stories in what was a great year of prospects of Auckland’s young people.
Top 20 City Momentum Index compiled by global delivering tangible results for Auckland’s This will come from delivering initiatives which
commercial real estate firm Jones Lang LaSalle in economy. This year, we’ve developed an encourage youth entrepreneurship and create
its 2016 report The Rise of the Innovation-
The hugely successful Tripartite Oriented City.
infographic snapshot of our highlights which is
designed to provide you with a quick insight into
employment pathways, raise living standards
for all Aucklanders in an innovation-based
Economic Summit Auckland 2016, Delivering on council’s goal for Auckland to the breadth of our work. export-focused economy, and enhance Māori
and the impressive line-up of become a major innovation hub of the Asia-Pacific Few of our achievements would have been business, tourism and major events and therefore
enables us to raise Auckland’s international significantly lift Māori social and economic
events in the inaugural Techweek profile, improve international connectivity
possible without the valued input of our
diverse partners. Our cornerstone principle of wellbeing.
AKL 2016, showcased our region’s through trade, and attract new business and kotahitanga – or shared purpose – drives our I am proud to present the economic growth
fresh talent. These outcomes drive Auckland’s
world-class capability in an brand and identity, which in turn attracts new
collaboration with an ever-increasing number of highlights we delivered on behalf of Auckland
private and public sector organisations. There is Council this year, and thank the ATEED team for
unprecedented way. investment, entrepreneurs, businesses, talent, no doubt that with shared resources, knowledge, its outstanding dedication and contribution to
high-value visitors and major events. skills and connections, we can achieve our region.
Cities around the world are increasingly the
drivers of global trade and investment, and as We have played a significant part in the pleasing exponential outcomes for our region.
our region’s economic growth agency, Auckland sustainable growth of key sectors where Auckland We are also committed to seizing opportunities David McConnell
Tourism, Events and Economic Development is globally competitive, including screen and which emerge through our connections and world ATEED Board Chairman
(ATEED) focuses on city to city relationships which digital, and food and beverage. trends. Our project to lead the development and
create opportunities for trade growth. This year, This growth will help us to attract companies and opening of a globally unique AR/VR facility was
we continued to foster our business-focused investors to the region. We take a comprehensive a prime example of how we focus on catalysts
relationships with cities including Guangzhou, approach that looks at every potential growth which will inspire our region’s globally competitive
Los Angeles, Brisbane, Singapore, San Francisco, angle for our advanced industries – from foreign advanced industries.
Qingdao, Ningbo and Busan. investment attraction, to working with sector
Introduction | 5
ATEED’S ECONOMIC
CONTRIBUTION TO AUCKLAND
Build a culture of innovation Attract business Grow and retain Grow the visitor Build Auckland's
and entrepreneurship and investment skilled talent economy brand and identity
$1.5m Callaghan Innovation R&D 680+ delegates at Tripartite Economic $350m more GDP from the 283,000+ additional visitor nights 325,000+ video views of Beyond
grants administered Summit – Auckland 2016; 300+ international student economy with Your Backyard domestic tourism
business meetings ATEED’s help 11 new international business event campaign, helping create a $14m+
4,000+ businesses involved bids won by Auckland Convention increase in spending by Aucklanders
in/benefitted from ATEED 6 multi-nationals arrived in Auckland Bureau (worth future $17m+ to in the region during spring
41
programmes/interventions with ATEED’s help, 3 expanded their economy)
local operations 3.7m+ visits to aucklandnz.com
1,000+ actively managed businesses managed by ATEED, site named in
in the Regional Business Partner
$43.7m
world’s top 25 tourism websites
programme
$30m+ more companies signed to (skift.com)
the Youth Employer Pledge
10,000+ new deals for Auckland by
August 2016 as a result of the
Tripartite Economic Summit
3900+ job seekers and 140+
employers at 2 JobFests = 170+ job
new GDP from major events
portfolio investment
50,000+
attendees at inaugural offers to unemployed youth people engaged in the
ATEED-curated $300,000 saved from i-SITE network
1400+ students at 52 Auckland operating costs
Global Auckland project
Techweek AKL 2016 schools in Lion Foundation Young to define a new global
567 film permits issued to film in $250m+ new GDP injected by the
public open spaces for
Enterprise Scheme
cruise ship season with ATEED’s help,
identity for the region
productions worth $165m+ $1.6m of NZTE Capability supporting 4000+ jobs
130+ entrants in DigMyIdea Maori Development Vouchers facilitated
Innovation Challenge 81 multi-nationals and investors
actively managed in the 130+ entries in the inaugural
56 businesses in GridAKL, Auckland's Aroha Auckland programme IDEAstarter youth entrepreneurs
innovation precinct at Wynyard competition
Quarter $249.7m GDP from 11 deals affected
by ATEED
100 companies engaged with at
The FoodBowl – Te Ipu Kai food and
beverage innovation facility
Watch a video highlighting the growth of Auckland’s visitor economy
6 | ATEED Leading the successful transformation of Auckland’s economy
Introduction | 7
MAJOR ACCOLADES
FOR AUCKLAND
- WINNER -
- WINNER - - 4TH -
MOST INNOVATIVE
BEST MEDIUM BEST SPORTS
ECONOMIC GROWTH
SPORTS CITY CITY
STRATEGY
SportBusiness Ultimate SportBusiness Ultimate
Sports Cities Awards Sports Cities Awards Corporate LiveWire’s
Innovation & Excellence
2016 2016
Awards 2016
- SILVER - - SILVER -
ADVERTISING BEST MULTIMEDIA/ - WINNER - - WINNER -
CAMPAIGN VIDEO PROMOTION INNOVATION BEST MAJOR
EXCELLENCE EVENT STRATEGY
International Economic International Economic
Development Council’s Development Council’s New Zealand Sport and SportBusiness Ultimate
Excellence in Economic Excellence in Economic Recreation Awards Sports Cities Awards
Development Awards Development Awards 2016 2016
2016 2015
- BRONZE - - SILVER - - 5TH -
SPECIAL PURPOSE SPECIAL EVENT - WINNER -
FOREIGN DIRECT
WEBSITE CAMPAIGN BEST EVENT
INVESTMENT
SECURITY
International Economic International Economic STRATEGY
Development Council’s Development Council’s SportBusiness Ultimate
Excellence in Economic Excellence in Economic fDi Asia-Pacific Cities of Sports Cities Awards
Development Awards Development Awards the Future
2016
2016 2016 2015/2016
Build a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship
Section 1: Build a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship | 9
Why? How?
Auckland wants to be an innovation hub of the ATEED’s main role is to enable, facilitate
Asia-Pacific region. Our long-term prosperity and connect. We partner others – including
depends on being a place where smart thinkers corporates, industry clusters, government
want to be, and want to start innovation-driven agencies, universities and research
businesses which target global markets from institutions – to build an environment which
day one. supports innovation and collaboration, and
to expand and link locations across Auckland
We need a culture of innovation and an where innovation occurs.
environment which makes it easy for
entrepreneurs to start and grow a business We also invest Council funds in facilities
in Auckland’s globally competitive advanced and programmes which help innovative
industries. Innovation-driven businesses grow Auckland businesses start, thrive and get
faster and employ more skilled Aucklanders ready to export. Through our support of the
in higher paid jobs. They attract investment GridAKL community, including the Wynyard
from multi-national companies and individual Quarter precinct, the Uptown innovation hub
investors. and the AR/VR Garage, and The FoodBowl
– Te Ipu Kai, we are focused on developing
infrastructure which supports innovation and
entrepreneurship in key advanced industries
which invest in research and development,
and have workforces with higher levels of
science, technology, engineering and maths
(STEM) skills – these sectors typically grow
faster, export more and pay better at all
employment levels.
We work in partnership with Māori business
leaders to deliver a range of interventions
which develop Māori business capability and
grow Auckland’s Māori economy.
10 | ATEED Leading the successful transformation of Auckland’s economy
Left Tech-for-non-Tech
at TechWeek AKL 2016
involving Massey University and BNZ, and The company booked the freeze drier facility
Smales Farm. for the entire second half of this financial year,
continuing work at The FoodBowl since late 2014
In late 2015, GridAKL moved to the refurbished to develop an ingredient which has enabled
character Lysaght Building, which is leased from Manuka Health to commercialise its product
Pānuku Development Auckland, and features CycloPower.
smart technology provided by GridAKL foundation
partner Huawei. It now houses nearly 60 In another boost to Auckland’s food and beverage
businesses, including GridAKL partner BizDojo’s sector, we involved 26 emerging businesses in our
incubation operations and the Auckland operation ‘Made of Auckland’ pop-up space at The Auckland
of InnoHub, the Guangzhou-based incubator Food Show 2016; and we helped four companies
which signed an agreement with ATEED (on behalf gain a place on Auckland’s stand at the influential
of Auckland) during the year. Fine Food Australia trade show in September 2015.
Construction is underway for the Wynyard We hosted Auckland’s first Sports Technology
Quarter precinct’s first new building, and interest Forum in March 2016, in partnership with
Virtual and augmented reality showcases, and from prospective tenants is high. Preliminary Callaghan Innovation and High Performance
start-up competitions were highlights among the planning is taking place for a second new GridAKL Sport New Zealand. This forum was the start of a
Achievements more than 55 great innovation-focused events building to be completed in 2019. significant focus on growing the sports technology
held in Auckland during May’s Techweek AKL (see sector opportunity, in partnership with the AUT
more on page 12). The event was a catalyst and The inaugural DigMyIdea Māori Innovation
Auckland’s journey towards created momentum for our work with partners Challenge took place in late 2015 (see more on
Millennium Centre and other key partners.
being a major innovation hub to drive the establishment of the AR/VR Garage, page 14). This year, our research and development
specialists helped Auckland companies
Auckland’s internationally connected AR/VR
of the Asia-Pacific region made commercial test bed in Eden Tce which opened
The FoodBowl – Te Ipu Kai, a state-of-the-art successfully apply for $1.5 million in Callaghan
food and beverage production and test facility
major strides this year with just three months later (see more on page 19). near Auckland Airport (our joint venture with
Innovation grants through the Government’s
Regional Business Partner Network (RBP)
more significant milestones for Innovation clusters continued to emerge across Callaghan Innovation), continued to fuel growth in programme. We have been re-appointed as
Auckland during the year, highlighting the way Auckland’s world-class food and beverage sector.
GridAKL – Auckland Council’s one significant intervention – Council’s ATEED-led Nearly 100 companies held a total of about 380
the Government’s RBP delivery partner across
Auckland until mid-2019.
innovation precinct at Wynyard investment and facilitation of GridAKL – can trials or production runs during the year. Nearly
help to drive a regional culture of innovation 250 people attended workshops at the facility,
Quarter – and the inaugural and entrepreneurship. We have a programme and it delivered several record months of
Techweek AKL 2016, which designed to build on that momentum by revenue earned.
expanding the GridAKL community and partner
shone a spotlight on the region’s with emerging hubs at Uptown (Eden Tce),
A prominent example of The FoodBowl’s value
was Manuka Health, one of the country’s most
thriving innovation ecosystem. Devonport Wharf, Motat, the Grow North hub promising high-value food producers.Section 1: Build a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship | 11
What’s next?
The opening of GridAKL’s first
new building in mid-2017 with
us as head lessee, will be
another fantastic milestone for
GridAKL and the wider Auckland
innovation community.
In addition, we will lease space to expand GridAKL
into the refurbished Mason Brothers building,
which is scheduled to open next July. Each
building will house a mixture of start-ups, small
and medium-sized businesses, and corporates,
and – along with a planned second new building –
will form a much larger GridAKL precinct by 2020.
We will continue to develop collaborative
initiatives to grow Auckland’s advanced
industries.
We will collaborate on the second Techweek.
Following the success of the inaugural event, the
Government announced its intention to make this
a national event from 2017.
Further DigMyIdea Māori Innovation Challenges
will keep inspiring Aotearoa’s top emerging
entrepreneurs to turn their innovative ideas
into reality.
Left AR/VR Garage12 | ATEED Leading the successful transformation of Auckland’s economy
INNOVATION IN THE SPOTLIGHT
The inaugural Techweek AKL 2016 was a huge
success with more than 10,000 Aucklanders
and visitors attending 55 events focused on tech
topics including virtual and augmented reality,
nanotech, biotech, big data and gaming.
The May event attracted 86 speakers – including
30 from overseas who are world leaders in their
fields – and achieved our goal of showcasing the
technological expertise that Auckland and New
Zealand is home to, and provide a means for
innovators and entrepreneurs to connect.
We curated Techweek AKL 2016 in association with
the New Zealand Technology Industry Association
(NZ Tech) and Callaghan Innovation.
The Minister for Economic Development, Steven
Joyce, was impressed with the event and the
Techweek concept has now become a national
event. We will work with other regions and
Government agencies to deliver this in 2017.
The Hi-tech Awards and Magnify events were
highlights of the week and dovetailed nicely
with the Tripartite Economic Summit – Auckland
2016 (see more on page 18). Magnify superbly
demonstrated the world-class capability of
Watch a highlights video from Techweek AKL 2016 Auckland’s augmented and virtual reality (AR/
VR) sector, and created the momentum for a new
facility which opened just three months later (see
more on page 19).
More than 10,000
Aucklanders and visitors
attended 55 events.Section 1: Build a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship | 13
and mid-sized businesses and achieving the half services contacts and market knowledge with
billion dollar mark will take two generations.” Abel.
Mattsen’s co-founder Allan Baird, the coding whiz, We also arranged for Abel to participate in San
calculates that when $500 million is struck Abel Diego University’s executive MBA programme
would have 1500 staff, including 350 software which resulted in free market research.
developers, and its distributors would be handling
sales, installation and first-line customer support Mattsen says “the research confirmed what we
around the world. thought and highlighted areas we needed to focus
on for further expansion into the US. The research
Baird’s son Callum, Abel’s Software Development provided us a list and breakdown of potential
Manager now, would be firmly entrenched as distribution partners, and the demographics -
joint Managing Director. The distributors would even one of the MBA attendees is interested in
be based in United States, Britain, Australia and taking a distributorship.
Watch an interview and read the full Abel story New Zealand but Baird and Mattsen are confident
the head office will remain in Auckland in bigger “ATEED helped us with training, contacts,
premises. working smarter and growing the business. They
understand our business and product and they
The privately-owned company operates out of have become a valued partner. They even pass
ABEL SOFTWARE SETS SIZEABLE two neighbouring properties on the North Shore. possible new clients our way when they believe
GLOBAL TARGET With valuable help from our business advisors, there will be a good fit,” she says.
Abel has developed a clear business plan – it has
Auckland-based Abel Software, which delivers a strong belief in its product and it knows where
a world-class, integrated business management it’s heading.
system, believes it’s on track to become a $500 Abel became a founding member of iTEC (IT
million business within 35 to 40 years. Export Cluster) on the North Shore, and we
After completing development of its Abel® organised a facilitator and presentations on
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) business specialist areas such as exporting, intellectual
management software in 2006, the innovative property, human resources, sales and marketing,
Auckland firm’s revenue has grown an average 20 governance and strategic planning.
per cent a year since then. About 50 per cent of We have provided Abel with vital networking
its revenue comes from exporting. opportunities and business connections,
“If we can keep growing at this pace, we will including NZTE, and it organised a meeting with
achieve our goal,” says Abel’s Business and two prominent businesses, which are already
Channels Manager, Jane Mattsen. “We know our operating in the United States market. These
product offering is right for the growing small companies were happy to share professional14 | ATEED Leading the successful transformation of Auckland’s economy
More than 130 people
entered DigMyIdea,
submitting almost 100
ideas.
BIG IDEAS TAKE OUT DIGMYIDEA A financial educational software program, an
‘app’ that encourages people to socialise with
A handful of big digital ideas stood out from their friends in real life, and a digital consultancy
the pack to win the inaugural DigMyIdea Māori for small and medium companies, were judged
Innovation Challenge. the best ideas.
We launched DigMyIdea – which called for Brittany Teei (Ngai Tahu) of Auckland won
Aotearoa’s top emerging entrepreneurs to submit the mauri tū category, pitching KidsCoin – a
a digital business idea with the potential to go software program that teaches successful money
Watch the DigMyIdea finals weekend global – in partnership with Ngā Pū Waea, the management skills to students.
National Māori Broadband Working Group (now
Hang (an app which encourages users to socialise
disbanded), and with the support of Poutama
with their friends in real life pitched by Josh
Trust and Callaghan Innovation.
Arnold (Ngā Puhi) of Auckland), and Kokiri Digital
Entrants were required to outline a digital (a digital consultancy for small and medium
business idea with a focus on economic outcomes companies pitched by a team from Te Puke) were
for Māori, and economic outcomes that may joint winners in the mauri oho category.
include opportunities for New Zealanders to earn
The winners received a business start-up services
income, create new business or export.
package and support to the value of $10,000, and
More than 130 people entered DigMyIdea, technology packages from sponsors including
submitting almost 100 ideas. The top five entries 2Degrees.
in two categories – 19 years and over (‘mauri
The standard of ideas was high, and the workshop
tū’) and 15-18 years (‘mauri oho’) – took part in
weekend led to some of the competitors
workshops at Manukau Institute of Technology.
collaborating on new business ideas.
The finalists – from Auckland all the way south to
Clyde – received advice and mentoring to further
develop their ideas before presenting their final
pitches to a panel of judges.Attract new business and investment
16 | ATEED Leading the successful transformation of Auckland’s economy
Why? How?
Attracting overseas companies and investors Auckland competes with cities world-wide
to Auckland will create jobs and increase to attract multi-national companies and
capital available to spend on innovation investors. We take a proactive, professional,
and business expansion in industries where approach to marketing Auckland’s investment
Auckland is globally competitive. case and building global connections:
Some of those industries need major • We identify opportunities in Auckland’s
infrastructure development. International advanced industries which will appeal to
investors and companies can help. multi-national companies and investors
(our target is to attract at least five multi-
national or New Zealand companies to the
region each year, or help those already here
to significantly expand)
• We collaborate with other agencies,
international partner cities, and industry
organisations to showcase Auckland’s
most dynamic sectors and infrastructure
opportunities. This approach includes
both in-bound hosting and external trade
missions
• We engage and assist the top multi-
national companies and investors already
in Auckland through a highly targeted
programme.Section 2: Attract new business and investment | 17
During the year, we hosted a number of Gulf Harbour, and the Tamaki Strait at Waitawa
international business and investment delegations Bay, on Auckland’s south-east coast.
Achievements from key target markets. Singapore is one of the
world’s busiest travel and commercial hubs and During the year, we worked with the screen What’s next?
its investors and high net worth individuals are an industry and other stakeholders to find a solution
The Tripartite Economic Alliance increasingly important target for us. In a two-day to a major issue for Auckland – the lack of world- We will continue our lead
class studio infrastructure. A wider council group
Auckland 2016 we delivered programme this year we introduced visiting
discussion with developers and key local industry generation programme to attract
representatives of a Singapore-based investment
in May on behalf of Auckland company to key managers of seven growing and players about other possible sites and operating productive investment into
models made significant progress.
Council was the culmination of a globalising Auckland companies to understand Auckland’s advanced industries,
the possible future investment opportunities
year’s planning and engagement they offer.
By November 2016, ATEED had entered into
discussions with the owners of the Kumeu site
plus key projects and initiatives.
with industry organisations and Our Screen Auckland team issued a record 567 used for MEG about ways the land and current Our screen team is negotiating with several major
officials in all three tripartite permits for filming on open public spaces across facilities could be secured for Auckland’s screen
industry as a long-term site for feature filming. A
international film productions about them using
the region. Those shoots were worth an estimated Auckland as a base.
cities. It attracted about 700 $165 million to the region’s economy. This year, key to that would be ATEED leasing the site.
A key focus will be on achieving outcomes
delegates, including more than our screen attraction specialist played a key role There is strong interest from international contained in NZTE’s Project Palace report
in bringing new productions to the region worth
150 in Mayor-led delegations $47 million.
productions to use the site in the future, if it is
secured. The discussions included the possibility
into New Zealand’s shortage of quality hotel
accommodation – particularly to attract
from Auckland’s sister cities and During the year, we helped facilitate many of of the land owners designing and building at least international investment into new hotels.
alliance members Los Angeles the numerous productions based in Auckland one sound stage – which could effectively double
Auckland’s screen studio assets. A site of this kind We will continue to help Auckland companies
and Guangzhou. including the second season of hit Australian
TV series 800 Words – a co-production with would attract companies involved in supporting identify and progress opportunities created by
screen production and give Auckland a world- the Tripartite Economic Alliance, particularly
Auckland’s outstanding summit followed on from Auckland’s South Pacific Pictures, the country’s
class point of difference in the international aiming towards the third summit in Guangzhou
the inaugural event in Los Angeles in June 2015. largest production company – and the second
market. next year.
(Read more about our summit on page 18). season of Executive Producer Rob Tapert and
Starz Entertainment’s cult TV show Ash vs Evil
Our Business Attraction and Investment (BA&I) Dead. Auckland-based animation company
unit facilitated the establishment or expansion HuHu Studios is working on the 3D movie Beast
in Auckland of nine multi-national or domestic of Burden, a co-production with China Film
companies, and secured investment deals worth Animation.
an estimated $328.5 million. Read about how we
helped a new international company come to The BBC filmed a new season of Wanted Down
Auckland on page 21. Under around Auckland, with British families Our Screen Auckland team
The Aroha Auckland programme – which
considering immigrating being shown what a new issued a record 567 permits
life in Auckland could be like.
promotes regular engagement with the top for filming on open public
The filming of Warner Brothers and China’s Gravity
multi-national companies and investors in
Auckland – made major strides during the year. Pictures feature film MEG began during the year spaces across the region.
The programme now includes 81 companies being – a massive boost for Auckland’s screen industry.
actively managed, with our investment specialists Our screen team helped the production come
helping to meet their needs. This has huge to Auckland, where it was shot at Auckland Film
potential for growing jobs and investment into Studios, a specially constructed site in Kumeu,
the region. and on location in the Hauraki Gulf out from18 | ATEED Leading the successful transformation of Auckland’s economy
The direct foreign
investment generated by
the summit at this point
stands at $30 million, with
more forecast to come.
SUMMIT DELIVERS FOR AUCKLAND unique business matching programme enabled
companies to progress deals and partnerships.
The numbers tell the Tripartite Economic Summit
The fact that Prime Minister John Key, three
Auckland 2016’s success story: the number of
New Zealand Government ministers, and senior
delegates (nearly 700) exceeded the expected
Chinese trade official Madam Li Xiaolin attended
attendance of 300, and the international
Watch a video from Tripartite Economic Summit Auckland 2016 and spoke, showed the level of credibility
delegations (90 from China and 60 from the US)
achieved by the summit.
exceeded our targets of 50 from each.
It was a major catalyst for new export
The 300 formal business matched meetings held
opportunities for Auckland companies, and
at the BNZ Business Activation Lounge was a great
we also anticipate significant future inbound
result in terms of one of the key summit aims
investment by entrepreneurs and companies
and its theme – making connections. There were
which were part of the visiting business
many more informal connections made between
delegations and were excited about Auckland’s
businesses.
proposition.
The direct foreign investment generated by the
We have a programme in place to help Auckland
summit at this point stands at $30 million, with
companies convert the business opportunities
more forecast to come.
created by the summit into actual deals and
The summit focused on five sectors where partnerships, and maintain momentum towards
Auckland has world-leading companies and the third summit in Guangzhou 2017.
expertise, significant opportunity for growth, and
is globally competitive: advanced materials (such
as composites); high-value foods; new media
(entertainment/digital); smart data; and
urban design.
We were able to secure an outstanding line-up
of speakers and expert panellists, and theSection 2: Attract new business and investment | 19
GARAGE DOORS OPEN With the support of the AR/VR Garage’s partners,
including corporate partners Datacom and
The Magnify event during Techweek AKL 2016 Microsoft, its tenants have subsidised access to
demonstrated the world-class capability of technology and tools which they would not be
Auckland’s augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) able to otherwise afford; they can easily connect
industry. We seized on the momentum created with potential partners in the co-working space;
to work with partners to find an infrastructure source local and international contacts, and the
solution which could help the sector thrive and wider support services they need.
connect internationally.
The Garage enables companies to have a global
The AR/VR Garage is the result. Opened by Hon advantage from day one – they can scale up much
Steven Joyce and Auckland Mayor Len Brown faster, connect with the big international industry
just three months after Techweek, it establishes players, and showcase their work to major
Auckland as an international hub for this hot international tech investors.
Watch the launch of the AR/VR Garage technology. It has strong working alliances with
The two buildings had 12 tenant companies
global industry leaders, being the Oceania base
by November 2016 benefitting from a globally
of the influential US-based VR Society, which also
unique collaborative operating model involving
has chapters in Beijing and Canada. The society
industry, major corporates, tertiary and research
last year secured about US$170 million of VR
institutions, local and central government
projects for its global member studios including
agencies and key international players.
Walt Disney Studios, Pixar, Marvel, Universal
Studios and DreamWorks Animation. Importantly, the Garage includes project research
and development space where virtual teams
The VR/AR Association, a New York-based
from around the world can collaborate on a
organisation with satellite sites in London,
commercial project pipeline.
Amsterdam and Singapore, is setting up a New
Zealand chapter in the AR/VR Garage; and the
International Game Developers Association also
has a presence.
Auckland’s growing AR/VR community includes
game developers, screen and film producers,
animators, educators and digital storytellers, and
the AR/VR Garage will help grow New Zealand’s
global digital industry footprint, jobs and
investment.20 | ATEED Leading the successful transformation of Auckland’s economy
MAIN REACTOR GOES OUT ON A The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, Avatar,
and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon II: The Green
(SEVERED) LIMB Destiny and continues to shock, thrill and excite
Behind the unremarkable door of a nondescript worldwide audiences through its work.
industrial precinct building in the Auckland The company is a key contributor to Auckland’s
suburb of Henderson, is a disturbing scene – one screen production industry, which delivered more
part alien birthing unit; one part abattoir; and one than $900 million revenue to Auckland’s economy
part medieval torture chamber. in 2015 according to Statistics NZ.
Watch a video about Main Reactor
But rather than prompting screams and a call to Main Reactor is renowned for its work on the
emergency services, the gruesome pile of innards television series Spartacus for Starz – with its
from a large bovine and the grimacing severed signature bloody gladiator fights lent brutal ATEED is also helping Main Reactor explore
head of a large bald gentleman is just another realism by the magic created in the workshop. potential research and development grants from
day at the office for Roger Murray and his wife The legacy of that work is a ‘library’ of scars which government agency Callaghan Innovation which
Felicity Letcher. new clients can select from, like a macabre menu. could help the company’s work in this area.
They are the creative and business brains behind Felicity says ATEED has helped Main Reactor Main Reactor’s hugely realistic prosthetics are
world-class special effects workshop Main achieve its growth ambitions. ideal for testing and training emergency room
Reactor. With their team of up to 20 technicians, staff team work. They have already been used
they have contributed incredibly realistic props, “Word of mouth is incredibly important in our
industry, and it has been great to have Screen at Auckland Hospital and there are plans for the
costumes and stage sets for a growing list of local training to be rolled out at North Shore Hospital.
and international feature films, television shows Auckland explain what we have done and can
and commercials. do to visiting producers scouting the region. Roger has used his ingenious methods to produce
ATEED has also done a lot of work on proposals three scenarios for emergency room teams to
The Shannara Chronicles (MTV and Sonar to improve Auckland’s screen infrastructure, be confronted with: a nasty stab wound, a burst
Entertainment) and Ash v Evil Dead (Starz which is crucial for attracting larger international appendix, and a leg severed by an explosion.
Entertainment) are two new names proudly added productions.”
to the company’s lengthening list of credits. “We are quite excited about the potential
Main Reactor’s current focus are opportunities for growth. It’s massive really. The medical
Roger is right at home supervising the use of in the global medical industry – particularly for simulation market globally is huge,” says Roger.
buckets and buckets of fake blood. For Ash v Evil their world-leading work on prosthetics which
Dead, that meant up to 150 litres in big scenes, has attracted the interest of the University of Adds Felicity: “It’s the great cross over between
and new ways of chain saws being used to cut Auckland. ATEED’s international investment the make believe of the film world and the very
things which are a lot softer than a pine log. specialists have helped connect Main Reactor real medical world, and something that can
with potential overseas markets for this actually save lives.”
Main Reactor, founded in 2002, forged its
reputation through a succession of feature film new venture.
productions including The Last Samurai,Section 2: Attract new business and investment | 21
IT’S RAINING CEPHALOPODS AUCKLAND HITS RIGHT Toonz Entertainment NZ engaged Wellington-
based Mechanic Animation to complete the
Our Screen Auckland team facilitated a unique
NOTES FOR TOONZ pre-production work for the animated feature
commercial this year for General Electric with a The arrival of one of world’s largest animation film, Beijing Safari. The work took 11 months and
theme of raining octopuses. production companies in Auckland has provided involved up to 30 artists with an internationally-
a major boost for the fast-growing industry in recognised director based in Boston, a line
Many global TV commercials are filmed in producer from Europe. The animation production
Auckland, with producers taking advantage of the this country.
was completed in India.
diverse locations, expert fast-turnaround crews, Toonz Entertainment New Zealand, part of the
and often the seasons being opposite those in Toonz Media Group, set up here with the help of The company was introduced to another Kiwi
the Northern Hemisphere. General Electric’s our business attraction specialists to develop project called Darwin And Newts, a TV series of
commercial was shot in Auckland at locations and produce content for local and international 40 eleven-minute episodes which encourages a
including Monte Cecilia Park, Britomart, Avondale markets. pre-school brother and sister to explore simple
and Mt Eden. science ideas to fix things.
After establishing its Auckland office in 2015,
Specialised equipment was required to make the Toonz quickly formed partnerships with local Toonz Entertainment NZ has established a studio
rain and octopus effects. Cannons were used companies for pre-production work on an of artists in Auckland for pre-production for
to shoot octopus in the air and fall with the rain animated feature film and a television series. Darwin And Newts. The directors are Janine
effects, and basketball players were brought Morrell-Gunn and Emma Gribble, and the series
in especially for their accurate octopus tossing Mark Nicholls, director of Toonz Entertainment will be completed in mid-2017.
skills. NZ, says: “Toonz wanted to extend its reach into
Australasia and use the large pool of New Zealand Toonz has invested in the project, along with the
No real octopuses where harmed in the filming talent.” New Zealand Film Commission, NZ On Air, and
of this commercial, which screened in the huge Whitebait Media, and it will screen on TV2 in
US market. Nicholls says ATEED provided great support for New Zealand.
the introduction of company’s arrival: “Whether
it’s connecting us to industry partners, hosting “This was one of the key reasons we started the
international executives at the ICC Cricket World office in New Zealand – to find New Zealand-
Cup 2015, or just supporting us with industry based IP that we can co-fund, co-produce and
events, ATEED are always connecting with us then take them to the world,’’ says Nicholls.
– and making sure they can support us to help
create a sustainable business here in
New Zealand.’’
A key shift for the company is to concentrate
on developing, and often jointly owning, new
intellectual property (IP) in New Zealand. Through
co-productions, Kiwi companies can access the
Toonz platform and distribute jointly-owned
content around the world.
“New Zealand has some great (animation) talent,
and we are excited by the opportunities the
New Zealand office can bring to the group
Watch the Toonz animation show reel Watch the General Electric commercial
overall,’’ he says.22 | ATEED Leading the successful transformation of Auckland’s economy
PROJECT PALACE PROGRESS We have been working closely with investors
and property owners to coordinate demand and
While Auckland’s, and New Zealand’s, visitor supply options. In the initial programme phase we
economy is booming, it’s clear there is a shortage concentrated our search for suitable hotel sites in
of major hotel accommodation options in the Auckland’s CBD.
nation’s tourism and business event focal points.
The leads were passed to NZTE, with further
We worked with NZTE to find a solution to that qualification work underway to develop a more
shortage and enable inbound investment, and detailed opportunity profile on each site. NZTE
this developed into the ‘Project Palace’ hotel held an international investment roadshow
investment and attraction project in combination through Australia and Asia to showcase the
with central government and partner agencies opportunities for investors.
in Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurch and
Queenstown.
Economic Development Minister Steven
Joyce announced the project findings which
identified the demand profile for new hotels and
incorporates input from various stakeholders.Grow and attract skilled talent
24 | ATEED Leading the successful transformation of Auckland’s economy
Why? How?
Talent is the lifeblood of any successful city, We work with agencies such as Immigration
and nurturing a talented workforce with a New Zealand, Auckland Chamber of
strong skills base is identified internationally Commerce and key employers to support the
as key to developing an innovation and attraction of migrant and expat talent into
knowledge-based economy. Auckland industries where there are clear
skills gaps.
We need to ensure Auckland (and the rest of
the country) produces skilled future workers We partner government and tertiary
and attracts the right international talent to education providers to identify and support
support high-growth innovative businesses. training in industries with shortages such as
science, engineering and ICT. This starts with
We also need to ensure talented students
digital learning in schools.
(both school and tertiary) have clear
pathways into our region’s advanced and We collaborate with a range of partners to
growing industries. support youth employment through various
initiatives and programmes, and partner
Education New Zealand to retain talented
international students and provide pathways
into Auckland’s advanced industries.Section 3: Grow and attract skilled talent | 25
In partnership with the Auckland Chamber
of Commerce, we hosted stands at Working
Achievements International’s Perth job expo focused on
construction, engineering and infrastructure
roles – two sectors in Auckland with significant
ATEED’s ground-breaking skills shortages as an unprecedented wave of new
Auckland Regional Partnership building activity continues.
Agreement with Immigration Our International Education unit organised the
International Education Conference in Auckland,
New Zealand helped drive which attracted more than 150 education
initiatives to attract talented providers to discuss ways to develop the region’s
value proposition for international students.
migrants for Auckland’s key
growth sectors this year, with a Our team delivered three important six-month
projects in partnership with Education
particular focus on the skilled New Zealand. The first, which also involved
workers needed to help to grow Immigration New Zealand, was focused on
enhancing the international student experience in
Auckland’s ICT sector. Auckland and targeting students looking to find
employment after graduating.
Our project to develop a value The second focussed on initiatives to tell the
proposition for skilled migrants Auckland international education story. We have
developed the first group of four promotional
was completed by the end of videos featuring international students who have Watch one of four videos promoting international education in Auckland
February 2016, and was tested studied in Auckland and completed a pathway
into employment in New Zealand.
with businesses and skilled Tackling significant youth unemployment across
Increasing the capability of Auckland’s Auckland is a major focus for Auckland Council –
migrants. It forms the basis of international education sector was the focus of through its Youth Connections unit in partnership
digital content and our sector the final project. We help the industry to develop with ATEED. Our programmes supported by The
new products to attract more international Tindall Foundation include the success of the
recruitment campaigns for students into Auckland, including an opportunity Youth Employer Pledge project which makes
Auckland’s advanced industries to offer a Māori tourism product for the USA Study the employment process much easier for both
Abroad market that combines education, tourism employers and young people.
in partnership with business and cultural elements. We finalised a series of
By the end of June 2016, our team had secured
and industry. promotional videos just after the financial
more than 50 companies to the pledge, including
year ended.
a number of major Auckland construction and
We facilitated Study Auckland, which has a base hospitality companies which are now fully
of more than 150 education provider members, engaged in the employment of young talented
and led a number of capability workshops for Aucklanders.
members in collaboration with Immigration New
Zealand, Education New Zealand, New Zealand
Qualifications Authority, and the Ministry of
Education.26 | ATEED Leading the successful transformation of Auckland’s economy
Building on the successful launch of JobFests in Through our delivery of the Regional Business
February 2015, there were two highly successful Partner Network, we actively managed 1042
JobFest events during the 2015/16 year and businesses, and facilitated more than $1.6 million
one after the reporting period finished, each in NZTE Capability Development Vouchers to
delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Social improve the management skills of small to
Development, and Careers New Zealand. (See medium enterprises.
more on page 28).
During the year, ATEED worked with industry
to develop a construction and infrastructure
recruitment campaign to raise awareness of
opportunities in the sector, where there are What’s next?
significant shortages due to the major building
projects underway in Auckland. Called #buildAKL, In 2016/17, we will continue
the social media-based campaign was launched to work with our partners to
at the fourth JobFest after year end.
build on the success of the
Our delivery of the Lion Foundation Young
Enterprise Scheme (YES) in the 2015 school JobFest and Employer Pledge
year saw more than 1400 students from 52 programmes.
Auckland schools compete in another successful Watch the YES Dragon’s Den style event
programme, with Auckland teams placing first There will be an expansion of the activity with
and third overall at the nationals, and gaining five Immigration New Zealand focused on attracting
excellence awards. Check out some of the great migrants and returning expats into skills gaps
work at this year’s Dragon’s Den style event and in Auckland.
budding young food entrepreneurs taking part
in YES were this year given an opportunity of a We will work with COMET, another council-
lifetime: to take their food products to market at controlled organisation and also an independent
Auckland’s premier food show thanks to ATEED charitable trust whose role is to support
and the Auckland Food Show. education and skills across Auckland, to deliver
the Science in Society pilot in South Auckland.
Six winners of the second annual IDEAStarter, an
ATEED-supported competition for entrepreneurial We will work with Council and a number of
Aucklanders aged 15-24 which had a highly government agencies on initiatives to improve
successful pilot in 2014/15, were announced in international student safety and wellbeing.
May 2016. The popular challenge received nearly We will take part in a Study Auckland trade
140 entries. Business mentors work with the mission to Japan as part of our ongoing work
winners – which included an app to help young with the member organisations to develop the
people share their feelings through colours, a international education market.
pocket water meter, and an idea to attract more
school girls into science, technology, engineering
and maths – to gauge if the ideas can be
commercialised.
Watch the YES food entreprenuers at the Auckland Food ShowSection 3: Grow and attract skilled talent | 27 FUELLING YOUTH EMPLOYMENT Auckland‘s Youth Employer Pledge initiative, which we deliver as part of the Tindall Foundation-funded Auckland Council Youth Connections programme, reached its target of 50 Youth Employer Pledge partners by the end of June 2016. Some of Auckland’s largest employers are now on board with the pledge, and between them, they have committed to more than 450 entry- level jobs and work experience opportunities for young people in Auckland. Pledge partner representatives participated in two Youth Employer Pledge networking events hosted by partner businesses (The Warehouse and EY), which focussed on new school to employment pathways and workforce planning, respectively. A number of pledge partner employers also participated in the south Auckland Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment co-design lab Youth Attitudes project, and co-design initiatives to increase youth employment in the retail, construction/infrastructure, and digital/ ICT sectors.
28 | ATEED Leading the successful transformation of Auckland’s economy
JOBFESTS PROVE POPULAR The latest event saw the launch of #BuildAKL, an
exciting interactive social media campaign which
The second and third very successful JobFests aimed to get 4,000 young people into Auckland’s
were held in the 2015/16 year, and another after booming construction and infrastructure sector,
the reporting period. The latter two packed which is a key driver of Auckland’s economic
out The Cloud on Queens Wharf in downtown growth but is suffering a serious skills shortage.
Auckland.
Jobseekers were encouraged to register for
The two JobFests held during the reporting year #BuildAKL to learn more about the construction
attracted more than 3,900 job seekers and more and infrastructure sector via content shared on
than 140 employers, resulting in more than 170 Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram.
offers to unemployed youth for jobs greater than
Twenty finalists will be selected to compete for
30 hours a week.
10 four-week paid work placements within the
We deliver JobFests with Youth Connections. sector.
The Ministry of Social Development and Careers
With nearly 25,000 young Aucklanders not in
New Zealand are also partners on JobFest, with
employment, training or education, we want to lift
the support of the Tindall Foundation. Auckland
the lid on the diverse range of job opportunities
Transport provides free public transport to
within the sector by using social media channels
JobFests, allowing young people from across
which are popular with under 25 year olds.
Auckland to attend.
Watch this video to hear what job seekers and employers had to say about the 2016 eventSection 3: Grow and attract skilled talent | 29
CONFERENCE FOCUSED ON PARTNERSHIP KEY TO
STUDENT GROWTH TALENT SEARCH
Auckland continues to attract the largest number The regional partnership ATEED signed with
of international students in New Zealand, with a Immigration New Zealand in 2014 continues to
15 per cent increase in the 2015 calendar year – make significant progress towards remedying the
growth we help to fuel by a range of initiatives and skills shortage for high growth potential Auckland
by delivering the Study Auckland programme for companies.
more than 130 member organisations.
The partnership enables Auckland businesses to
The annual ATEED Auckland International attract and retain migrants who have the skills
Education Conference at The Hilton Auckland and inward investment that Auckland needs to
attracted more than 160 delegates from Study enhance its economy.
Auckland member schools who heard from an
exciting line-up of presenters. Immigration NZ provides a customised service to
support businesses that can deliver high-value
Immigration NZ helped Innova navigate the
The theme of the conference was building jobs in Auckland’s competitive and technology
immigration process and facilitated the two
Auckland’s reputation as a destination for enabled sectors, where skills are in global
successful applications.
international students and finding ways to demand and the competition for talent is strong.
support this record growth in student numbers Grinding Gear Games, one of Auckland’s most
sustainably. Our role is to help tell the Auckland ‘business’
innovative game developers with more than 14
story, and profile Auckland as a great place to
million international players, was able to recruit a
This year, the conference included breakout live and work for talented people with in-demand
Polish composer to provide world-class expertise,
sessions facilitated by industry experts, such as skills.
and a French technical advisor, through the
‘making the transition from international student
Two Auckland companies helped by ATEED and partnership.
to successful Aucklander’ – an important focus
for ATEED as we try to ensure international talent Immigration NZ are aircraft manufacturer Innova
can help fill the region’s skill shortages. Composite Helicopters NZ and games developer
Grinding Gear Games.
That session featured panellists who were all
originally international students and have gone on Innova employed a Briton and a Texan through the
to become business leaders in Auckland. regional partnership agreement – two experts
who will play a crucial part in ensuring Innova’s
Another conference focus was a discussion about new, state-of-the-art composite helicopter is
the need for the growth in international student certified for general aviation by the Civil Aviation
numbers being matched with equal attention to Authority in New Zealand and US Federal Aviation
managing Auckland’s reputation overseas. Administration.You can also read
