Executive Director Report
Issues surrounding the long term location of the Ports of Auckland continue to occupy centre stage in Auckland’s social discourse. And rightfully so. This is a major issue that will impact the liveability of our future city. Yet it has taken several years of concerted effort by diverse organisations including the Committee for Auckland to get our civic leaders to act in response to the growing concerns of Aucklanders over the Port's expansion plans.
As part of our efforts, I will be appearing before the Auckland Unitary Plan Independent Hearings Panel on May 13, accompanied by Peter Menzies, Committee for Auckland member, and Dr. Aaron Schiff, the independent economist we commissioned for expert comment on the economic evidence provided by the Ports of Auckland and Auckland Council. His compelling evidence illustrates why a long term study is so important and that the terms of reference need to be wide-ranging and robust. I will continue to keep members informed of our progress.
Late last month I attended the bi-annual Committee for Cities and Regions meeting in Melbourne. This meeting provides an opportunity for the 13 committees across Australia and New Zealand to come together on a regular basis and discuss areas of common interest and exchange ideas. It is also an opportunity for the hosts to showcase significant projects or activities being undertaken by their members.
At the meeting, Gerald Dalbosco, Managing Partner of EY in Melbourne presented ‘Mega trends 2015’.
This international report highlighted the large, transformative, global trends that will define our future: Digital Disruption, Entrepreneurship, Global Marketplace, Urban World, Resourceful Planet and Health Reimagined. Individually and in an interconnected sense – all will have far-reaching impacts on our businesses, culture and economies as well as us, as individuals. These same topics, in the context of Auckland, are very relevant to this year’s event programme, commencing with our up and coming forum, Building Better Cities.
While in Melbourne, members also had the opportunity to tour the Melbourne Park redevelopment where stage 1 is completed and stage 2 now underway. The combined developments have a total budget of around AUD$700 million accommodating plans for the growing popularity of the Australian tennis open and world-class, multi-use event centres which includes both the Rod Laver and Margaret Court Arenas. For me, this investment illustrates just how committed the Victorian State Government is to building their wide range of international event offerings. Although these arenas are primarily known for the Australian Open, that event only accounts for two weeks or so of activity. The rest of the year they are venues in use for a variety of cultural events.
My visit to Melbourne was a timely reminder that Auckland is in a globally competitive market for talent and investment dollars. It is critical to retain what we have here and to attract those with the capability to advance our economy and add richly to our social fabric. Our offering as a city must be multi-dimensional. It requires strong leadership and strength of purpose to get us there. The Committee for Auckland has a significant role to play in ensuring we continue the momentum.
Heather Shotter
Executive Director
Committee for Auckland
Photo: Committees for Cities and Regions conference delegates, Melbourne, Australia, March 2015
News in Brief
Cities of Migration
An interview with Frank Cui – BNZ’s Head of Migrant and Asian Banking talks about the value of diversity in the work place. He and his team have developed some practical ideas to make Asian migrants feel welcome:
http://citiesofmigration.ca/ezine_stories/beyond-banking-making-migration-a-business-issue/
A ‘Good Ideas’ article about the Elizabeth Knox Home and Hospital’s volunteer programme that connects migrants to relevant work experience while fostering a caring intercultural environment for workers and residents.
http://citiesofmigration.ca/good_idea/volunteering-for-health-home-and-life/
Member News
 Committee for Auckland welcomes new member Progressive Enterprises
Progressive Enterprises has 174 Countdown supermarkets from Keri Keri to Invercargill. Progressive is also the franchisor for another 59 Super Value and Fresh Choice supermarkets, which are locally owned and operated. On average, 2.7 million Kiwis walk through our doors every week. We work with 4,000 suppliers, and we are one of largest employers in the country.
Progressive Enterprises is based in Mangere in Auckland. In Auckland, we have 61 stores, two meat facilities, a seafood facility and two distribution centres. Of the 18,000 Kiwis we employ nationwide, almost 7,000 are Aucklanders.
Some of Countdown’s biggest retail developments are currently happening in Auckland, to meet population growth. For instance, we have major developments happening across the city, in Ponsonby, Hobsonville, Westgate (Northwest), Waiheke and shortly at Beachlands. These developments will bring Aucklanders new retail facilities in growing areas, as well as new job opportunities.
 Auckland War Memorial Museum
Committee for Auckland member, Auckland War Memorial Museum, has released their annual plan. Doing more “beyond the walls” to serve the growing and diverse communities of Auckland is a recurring theme in Auckland War Memorial Museum’s Draft Annual Plan for 2015/16.
Click here to read more.
Upcoming Events
Date: Thursday 21 May
Time: 4pm - 7pm
Venue: Beca, 21 Pitt Street, Auckland
Cost: Complimentary for Committee for Auckland members and invited guests
Date: Wednesday 24 June
Time: 4pm - 7pm
Venue: TBC
Cost: Complimentary for Committee for Auckland members and invited guests
Date: Tuesday 14 July
Time: 12:15pm - 2pm
Venue: TBC
Cost: Complimentary for Committee for Auckland members and invited guests
Date: Tuesday 28 July
Time: 12pm - 2pm
Venue: TBC
Cost: Complimentary for Committee for Auckland members and invited guests
Please contact Chyenne Carroll by email or phone 09 303 3974 for further information about these events.
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