MEDIA RELEASE
6 April 2005

Major events strategy one step closer

Auckland city’s major events strategy came a step closer to finalisation today.

The council’s Economic Development and Sustainable Business Committee and the Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee agreed that the Auckland City Events Strategy will now be made available to events industry people and other interested parties for their feedback.

“The strategy has been drafted with the help of people in the industry so we’d like to get their feedback before the strategy is finalised and adopted next month,” said Councillor Richard Northey, chairperson of the Economic Development and Sustainable Business Committee.

The strategy will enhance Auckland City’s ability to be more proactive, collaborative and supportive of events that enliven the city.

“Events have substantial positive economic and social impacts for the city,” said Mr Northey.

“We want to ensure Auckland can enjoy all the benefits of having a full and exciting events calendar,” he said.

“The strategy will help us retain, grow and attract events that support Auckland’s unique identity and create a strong sense of place while providing social and economic benefits to the city.”

As part of the annual planning process Auckland City Council has proposed an additional $500,000 be added to the budget for supporting major events.

“The additional funding will be used to retain and grow existing events and attract and initiate new events that are in line with our strategic approach,” Mr Northey added.

“Auckland City will also help event organisers cut through the red-tape involved in staging events in the city by amending parts of the district plan and developing Auckland City as an event-friendly and facilitating organisation,” he says.

The strategy is complemented by a CBD Public Activity Strategy which highlights the importance of events to the life of the central city.

“We want to enliven the streets of the CBD by developing the infrastructure needed to support street level activities,” says Councillor Penny Sefuiva, chairperson of the Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee.

“It’s quite obvious that people are attracted to busy, happening and entertaining spaces.
The public activity strategy will help to make the CBD the true heart and soul of Auckland and make it a compelling place to work and visit,” she says.

The strategy contributes to Auckland’s CBD Into the future vision to become a vibrant and dynamic business and cultural centre.

Ends