Media release 5 April 2004

New Business Startups Continuing In Manukau

Continuing growth in the Manukau economy led to 480 new businesses setting up or moving to the main commercial and industrial areas of the city during 2003. Demand for land and floor space was high but there remains a large supply of vacant land.

The reasons behind the decision to move to Manukau include availability of land and proximity of customers, suppliers, and other businesses.

Storage services account for the biggest increase in floor space occupancy in terms of area units in 2003, according to the latest survey of industrial business areas conducted by Manukau City Council.

The business service sector is the fastest growing industry of significant and increasing importance in Manukau with 30% growth in occupied business floor space. This sector is high-value-added, and that is helping the local economy towards high and sustainable growth.

Total occupied floor space in Manukau's main commercial centres increased by 8% over the year 2002.

The newcomers to Manukau include Ullrich Aluminium and the Sutton Group.

The combined available land in the key areas of East Tamaki, Waiouru Peninsula, Manukau Central and around Auckland Airport ensures there will be enough vacant land for business growth throughout the city over the next 15 years.

Mayor Sir Barry Curtis says the continuing economic growth is good news because it means thousands of new jobs. "Around 8,000 new jobs were created in Manukau last year. We need those jobs to provide employment for the young people of the city as well as our newcomers coming here from overseas and from other parts of New Zealand. It's also one reason why we as a Council put such emphasis on attracting businesses and strongly promote Manukau as a great place for them to locate.

"The new Waiouru East Tamaki connection to be built beside the Otara Power Station will bring many more businesses here, and more jobs. Construction will begin in October. It will provide a fast route from the Southern Motorway to East Tamaki via a new road across the Waiouru Peninsula. It will also kick off the development of the Highbrook Business Park, which I believe is the single most exciting development in the city's immediate future. There will be nothing like it in the Auckland region or in the rest of the country."

ENDS

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