7 July 2004

Auckland City supports development of the digital media industry

Auckland City is proud to join creative industry organisations and businesses to co-sponsor the Girls + Games Symposium held in Auckland today.

The symposium is part of the first New Zealand Innovation Festival and aims to highlight career opportunities for women in the area of digital games and interactive digital media.

Digital media has been identified as a key sub-sector of the creative industries sector that Auckland City is looking to help develop.

“We recognise that the creative industries are important to the overall economic development of Auckland city,” said Councillor Scott Milne, chairperson of Auckland City Council’s Recreation and Events Committee.

“We work with industry groups and organisations like the Media Design School and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise to support the sustainable development of creative businesses in Auckland.

“Interactive digital media and games are an exciting industry sub-sector and Auckland City Council wholeheartedly supports this symposium and its messages to encourage women to explore the industry as a career option,” said Mr Milne.

“New Zealanders’ proven ability in the creative industries means we’re in a unique position to seize the opportunity to find a niche and develop the interactive digital media industry, particularly digital games.”

Some of the countries leading digital media businesses are located in Auckland city.

Some 18,000 people are employed in creative industries in the Auckland region with the majority of creative industry business located in the Auckland city area.

The council is currently undertaking research to better understand the creative industry sector which includes the digital media industry.

ENDS

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