Latest news with #CityandRegionalDeals
NZ Herald
14-07-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Auckland must boost transport, housing to stay competitive: Report
'We also are more car-dependent because we don't provide other transport options. So that's an example of one of the big consequences of our inability to solve this land-use planning challenge.' Thomas said the report mentioned that Brisbane had managed to snare hosting rights for the Olympic Games. Auckland's strengths are its quality of life and diversity, a new report has found, but these aren't enough to keep the city competitive. Photo / RNZ 'We won't have the Olympic Games in Auckland, but a Commonwealth Games, for example, is an example of a catalytic event that peer cities are doing and we can't even work out where to build a stadium.' Interest in hosting the 2034 Commonwealth Games was first floated by the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) in April 2023. The NZOC says its expression of interest still stands and work around a potential bid is ongoing. At the time, the Government said if a bid was to go ahead, the event would be nationwide – not confined to one city. Auckland risks 'falling further behind' The third annual State of the City benchmarking report identified strengths in sustainability, resilience and culture but also highlighted disadvantages in opportunity, experience and location. 'Weak economic performance, inadequate skills and innovation development and disjointed and delayed planning are causing Auckland to lose ground, with the risk of falling further behind,' Committee for Auckland's Thomas said in a statement. 'We must fix the productivity problem, back high-growth industries and innovation, actually deliver better transport and housing, and rebuild Auckland's reputation.' He endorsed an 'Auckland deal' under the Government's City and Regional Deals programme. Auckland's strengths were its quality of life and diversity, the report found, but these were not enough to keep the city competitive. 'This latest report shows Auckland isn't keeping up in key areas, but the green shoots of innovation and growth are a sign of what's possible if the city can drive higher productivity and create business conditions for sustained success,' Deloitte chief executive Mike Horne said. 'Auckland's productivity sets the pace for the rest of the country, so it has an opportunity - and a responsibility - to be bolder in lifting it.' The report recommends that the Government and local councils address land-use, housing, transport and regulatory settings which hinder productivity. It also recommended the council strengthen Auckland's international brand and 'develop a compelling story about Auckland's past, present and future that communicates its values, culture, and ambitions to the world'. Eden Park must be competitive with Australian cities, CEO says Eden Park chief executive Nick Sautner said Auckland was a great city but there was a need to align and prioritise. There was also a need to adapt and reuse existing infrastructure, such as converting offices into apartment buildings, while for the Eden Park 2.1 stadium upgrade, his organisation was looking to reuse the north stand, Sautner said. 'The CRL [City Rail Link] project is a $6 billion project, we need to intensify housing around [that] but also infrastructure in that area. 'Eden Park's going to be seven minutes from the CBD, there's no point in having a connection to the CBD if we don't have events, and we're advocating to ensure that we have event levies to ensure that we can compete with other cities like Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney for major content.' New Zealand's size meant there was only one option for a national stadium, Sautner said. 'We want to see that work and that investment done, that creates jobs but it also makes us competitive with cities like Brisbane who are spending $6.5 billion on their stadium infrastructure.' There were a number of reasons why big acts such as AC/DC, Oasis and Lady Gaga failed to come to New Zealand, Sautner said. 'The exchange rate, the freight costs but then also seed funding, at the moment there's no seed funding available, whether it be through MBIE [the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment] or local council.' The introduction of a bed-night visitor levy on short-term accommodation would enable a fund to attract major events, but without that, New Zealand would not get major concerts or sporting events, Sautner said. – RNZ
Scoop
03-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
City And Regional Deals A Good First Step Forward
Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) says councils are ready to "roll up their sleeves' to deliver on City and Regional Deals – so long as both central and local government are clear on expectations. Yesterday the Government announced the signing of the first Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) to negotiate deals with Auckland, the Otago Central Lakes region (Queenstown Lakes District, Central Otago District and Otago Regional councils) and the Western Bay of Plenty region (Tauranga City, Western Bay of Plenty District and Bay of Plenty Regional councils). Both sides will work together to finalise a strategic 10-year partnership, with the Government signalling the first City and Regional Deal will be in place by the end of year. LGNZ Chief Executive Susan Freeman-Greene says the partnership is an opportunity for local and central government to deliver joint priorities. 'This is a good first step, and these councils will want to move quickly to the next phase,' says Susan Freeman-Greene. 'City and Regional Deals are intended to drive economic growth, abundant housing, better utilisation of local assets, employment opportunities and the closing of the infrastructure deficit. These are all things councils are utterly committed to, so like the Government we think these deals are a good idea. 'There's a lot of complex components to work through, and we know what works for one council won't necessarily work for another. Ensuring there is open dialogue and transparency from both sides will be key.' Susan Freeman-Greene says while the Government has been clear in setting expectations for local government, councils need to be equally clear back. 'To close our infrastructure deficits, councils need new funding and financing tools and the Government needs to remove disincentives. 'We're keen to explore some of the tools the Government has mentioned, but others – such as a bed tax and the sharing of GST on new builds - could also be useful to achieve shared goals and unlock economic growth.'
Scoop
02-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Government Signs First MOUs Kickstarting City And Regional Deal For Auckland
Press Release – New Zealand National Party This is a major opportunity to get real traction on the infrastructure and development Auckland needs. It means a stronger voice at the decision-making table, better coordination, and faster delivery of the projects that will make a difference, Upper Harbour MP … The Government has signed the first Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) to negotiate a City and Regional Deal with Auckland – marking a significant step towards delivering long-term growth and development opportunities for Auckland, Upper Harbour MP Cameron Brewer says. 'City and Regional Deals are designed to boost economic growth, unlock housing, and better manage local infrastructure. They bring central and local government together to agree on priorities, plan and implement the projects that will bring the most value to our city,' Mr Brewer says. 'This is about backing Auckland's potential. We can now negotiate a 10-year strategic partnership between local and central government in Auckland – focused on driving growth, cutting red tape, and investing in what matters most to our communities. 'The partnership will deliver tangible outcomes for Aucklanders, particularly in fast-growing areas like Upper Harbour. 'This is a major opportunity to get real traction on the infrastructure and development Auckland needs. It means a stronger voice at the decision-making table, better coordination, and faster delivery of the projects that will make a difference. 'It's a chance to shape Auckland's future – attracting investment, growing jobs, improving transport, and delivering better services for local families.' The Government and Auckland Council will work together to agree on priorities and deliver projects – including transport, water infrastructure, housing, and other services – that will support economic growth and improve quality of life. Negotiations are now underway, with the first City and Regional Deal expected to be finalised by the end of 2025.
Scoop
02-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Government Signs First MOUs Kickstarting City And Regional Deal For Auckland
The Government has signed the first Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) to negotiate a City and Regional Deal with Auckland – marking a significant step towards delivering long-term growth and development opportunities for Auckland, Upper Harbour MP Cameron Brewer says. 'City and Regional Deals are designed to boost economic growth, unlock housing, and better manage local infrastructure. They bring central and local government together to agree on priorities, plan and implement the projects that will bring the most value to our city,' Mr Brewer says. 'This is about backing Auckland's potential. We can now negotiate a 10-year strategic partnership between local and central government in Auckland – focused on driving growth, cutting red tape, and investing in what matters most to our communities. 'The partnership will deliver tangible outcomes for Aucklanders, particularly in fast-growing areas like Upper Harbour. 'This is a major opportunity to get real traction on the infrastructure and development Auckland needs. It means a stronger voice at the decision-making table, better coordination, and faster delivery of the projects that will make a difference. 'It's a chance to shape Auckland's future – attracting investment, growing jobs, improving transport, and delivering better services for local families.' The Government and Auckland Council will work together to agree on priorities and deliver projects – including transport, water infrastructure, housing, and other services – that will support economic growth and improve quality of life. Negotiations are now underway, with the first City and Regional Deal expected to be finalised by the end of 2025.
Scoop
02-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
City And Regional Deals Reflect ACT Policy Years In The Making
ACT MP Simon Court has welcomed today's announcement of the Government's expectations for City and Regional Deals and the signing of the first agreements to begin negotiations with three regions. 'For years ACT has championed the idea of genuine partnerships between central and local government to make sure important infrastructure actually gets built,' says Mr Court. 'Today's announcement puts that idea firmly into practice. By setting clear objectives for City and Regional Deals, the Government is taking a disciplined approach to solving New Zealand's infrastructure deficit without simply writing blank cheques from the taxpayer. 'These deals will mean local and central government can agree on joint priorities like enabling more housing, unlocking regional economic growth, and delivering better infrastructure. This is exactly the kind of long-term thinking that has been missing for too long in New Zealand. 'Before the 2020 election, ACT called for city and regional partnerships so infrastructure investment would be long term, coordinated between central and local government, and subject to robust cost-benefit analysis. That idea is now Government policy – straight from our Coalition Agreement. 'ACT has plenty more great ideas in this space, including sharing a portion of GST on new builds with councils – an ACT policy that our coalition partners have committed to explore. It would incentivise growth and development to occur while ensuring the infrastructure to support it can be funded properly. 'This is a great example of how ACT is making the Government better. We're delivering results for taxpayers and ratepayers who want value for money, certainty, and infrastructure that supports more housing, more jobs, and a stronger economy
