Latest news with #SimonBridges
Newsroom
3 days ago
- Business
- Newsroom
It's time to back Auckland's innovation moment
Opinion: I attended Mayor Wayne Brown's Innovation Forum, the day he updated his Manifesto for Auckland, and the proposal to form an Auckland Innovation Alliance. In it, he said the Government needed to focus on three areas: technology and innovation, housing and growth, and immigration and tourism. I came away encouraged that the leader of Auckland was putting innovation on the agenda, as crucial in the imagining and delivery of our city's future. I love Auckland and believe in its potential. I was born and raised in the Bombay Hills, back before we had a 'Super City', studied at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, met my husband working in the Viaduct during the America's Cup, and now live in Te Atatū. Over the past year, like many Aucklanders, my family and I have made the most of what this city offers: swimming at our beaches, bush walking in the Waitākeres, Eden Park concerts, scooter rides along the waterfront, and the playful chaos of the Dog Disco pop-up in Aotea Square. We joined 40,000 other 'geriatric millennials' in the Domain for the Synthony Festival and got behind the launch of Auckland FC. I share this not to age myself, but because I genuinely believe we live in a vibrant, creative, and world-class city. Yes, Auckland has problems. it also has enormous potential, and that potential hinges on people. The mayor's moves to put innovation and economic transformation at the heart of Auckland's agenda will go a long way towards attracting further talent. For years, different groups have published reports diagnosing our economic underperformance and pointing to untapped innovation capacity. The Committee for Auckland's State of the City reports have benchmarked us against global peers, while the Auckland Chamber Tech Council, led by Simon Bridges, has brought together business leaders who are investing time, capital, and energy to help Auckland step into its future. The proposed Auckland Innovation Alliance, a partnership between Auckland Council, the Government, business, and universities, could be the catalyst the city needs. In cities like Singapore, Dublin, and Copenhagen, similar alliances have driven bold, coordinated action. Why should everyday Aucklanders care? Because innovation isn't just about startups and tech, it's about people. A truly innovative city creates high paying, meaningful, and future-proof jobs, not just for software engineers, but for educators, health workers, tradespeople, and students. It leads to better services, smarter infrastructure, and more vibrant communities. Above all, it offers opportunity. The Time for Growth report identifies three globally competitive sectors where Auckland can lead: CreativeTech, FinTech, and HealthTech. Innovation in these areas, and further afield, is how we will keep people here and attract others. But we must do it on our own terms – we can't and don't need to mimic Silicon Valley. We can lead with a model shaped by Aotearoa's values, grounded in partnership, sustainability, and inclusion. Te Ao Māori values like kaitiakitanga (guardianship), manaakitanga (care), and whanaungatanga (connection) offer us a blueprint for innovation that puts long-term impact and intergenerational wellbeing ahead of short-term gains. The mayor's vision to make Auckland the innovation capital of the South Pacific is bold, and timely. His proposals—stronger government partnerships, targeted investment, and an Advanced Technology Institute—are the right moves. A key part of this vision is forging more intentional partnerships between universities and industry, not by expecting them to be and become the same, but by understanding their distinct roles. When they come together, we spark innovation, and build a pipeline of talent that powers the city's future. At the Mayor's Forum, a map of the city's innovation ecosystem showed just how much is already here, university incubators, research and development labs, startup hubs, and investors. Take Outset Ventures, once a garage for tinkerers, now a 5000 square metre deep tech campus backing world changing companies like Toku Eyes, Wellumio, and Zincovery. Add to that Icehouse Ventures, Bridgewest, and others who've invested in hundreds of early-stage ventures and it's clear: the foundations are strong, the momentum is real. Universities are central to this momentum, as both knowledge producers, and as anchor institutions in the civic and economic fabric of Auckland. At the University of Auckland, initiatives like UniServices, the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Product Accelerator, and MedTech iQ help turn research into real world impact. The Newmarket Innovation Precinct is fast becoming a hub for this work. AUT, through AUT Ventures and a new investment fund, is backing new emerging technologies into startups. Together, these institutions are not only developing ideas, but shaping the people who will drive them. And that's the point: innovation doesn't happen without people. It doesn't happen without belief in our talent, or commitment to supporting it. If we harness the current momentum, Auckland won't just be a great place to live. It will be a city where ideas take root, capital flows, and talent from around the world chooses to stay.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Businesses Struggling To Keep Doors Open As Energy Costs Surge
Press Release – Auckland Business Chamber New Zealand businesses are suffering under the yoke of rising energy costs, with many reluctant to speak out for fear of commercial retaliation from major energy suppliers. That's the main take-out from a new survey carried out by the Auckland Business Chamber, together with policy and advocacy organisation the Northern Infrastructure Forum (NIF). Survey responses were garnered mainly from SMEs in the Upper North Island, with manufacturing the most heavily represented sector. Chamber CEO Simon Bridges says the survey findings show that energy costs are right at the top of the list of concerns for businesses, in what is a very challenging operating environment. 'Nearly 90% of respondents say that energy costs have increased in the past year, and just under 50% describe those costs as highly concerning. When energy costs combine with the pressure from weak market demand, inflation and increased compliance costs, the result is that many businesses are struggling to keep their doors open.' Mr Bridges says one unexpected, and troubling, insight from the survey was the reluctance on the part of businesses to be identified when sharing their struggles with energy costs, for fear of commercial repercussions. 'Many of the businesses we spoke to – especially those dependent on gas supply – were really uneasy about speaking publicly, for fear that it could jeorpardise their ability to secure future energy contracts with the gentailers, who control close to 85% of the retail market. Whether this fear reflects an actual or perceived risk, it points to serious issues with the way market power is being exercised, and is really worrying. 'It's high time the Government had a good, hard look at the vertically integrated gentailer model, and the impact it's having on the performance of the sector.' NIF Executive Director Barney Irvine says the survey results also underline the drag that energy costs are placing on New Zealand's growth and productivity, and on people's livelihoods. 'As a response to rising energy costs, 52% of business surveyed say they have increased the prices they charge to customers; a quarter say they cut back production; the same proportion say they have laid off staff; and just under 20% have cancelled or deferred investment. Unnecessarily high energy costs impact on everyone.' Businesses are looking to the Government for leadership, he adds. 'Over three-quarters of survey respondents believe that the Government should treat addressing energy costs as a high or very high priority, and they're absolutely right. 'The Government has a good sense of what needs to be done to turn the performance of the sector around for the long-term; what's needed now is swift, decisive action.' In particular, the Chamber and NIF want to see the ten-point Energy Action Plan they launched in February this year – which focused on strengthening sector stewardship, improving resilience, and increasing generation and competition – incorporated into government policy. Key findings from the survey include: Nearly 90% of respondents say that energy costs have increased over the past year, with over 40% reporting that the increase has been large or very large Just under 50% of respondents describe energy costs as highly concerning (i.e., a rating of 8-10 out of 10), similar to the level in concern in relation to market demand, inflationary pressure and compliance costs Over 60%% report an impact on their business as a result of rising costs, with 34% describing the impact has as large or very large As a response to rising costs, 52% of respondents say they have increased their own prices, while 25% report having cut back production, and the same proportion report having laid off staff. Just under 20% have cancelled or deferred investment Over 80% expect prices to increase again in the year ahead
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Businesses Struggling To Keep Doors Open As Energy Costs Surge
New Zealand businesses are suffering under the yoke of rising energy costs, with many reluctant to speak out for fear of commercial retaliation from major energy suppliers. That's the main take-out from a new survey carried out by the Auckland Business Chamber, together with policy and advocacy organisation the Northern Infrastructure Forum (NIF). Survey responses were garnered mainly from SMEs in the Upper North Island, with manufacturing the most heavily represented sector. Chamber CEO Simon Bridges says the survey findings show that energy costs are right at the top of the list of concerns for businesses, in what is a very challenging operating environment. 'Nearly 90% of respondents say that energy costs have increased in the past year, and just under 50% describe those costs as highly concerning. When energy costs combine with the pressure from weak market demand, inflation and increased compliance costs, the result is that many businesses are struggling to keep their doors open.' Mr Bridges says one unexpected, and troubling, insight from the survey was the reluctance on the part of businesses to be identified when sharing their struggles with energy costs, for fear of commercial repercussions. 'Many of the businesses we spoke to – especially those dependent on gas supply – were really uneasy about speaking publicly, for fear that it could jeorpardise their ability to secure future energy contracts with the gentailers, who control close to 85% of the retail market. Whether this fear reflects an actual or perceived risk, it points to serious issues with the way market power is being exercised, and is really worrying. 'It's high time the Government had a good, hard look at the vertically integrated gentailer model, and the impact it's having on the performance of the sector.' NIF Executive Director Barney Irvine says the survey results also underline the drag that energy costs are placing on New Zealand's growth and productivity, and on people's livelihoods. 'As a response to rising energy costs, 52% of business surveyed say they have increased the prices they charge to customers; a quarter say they cut back production; the same proportion say they have laid off staff; and just under 20% have cancelled or deferred investment. Unnecessarily high energy costs impact on everyone.' Businesses are looking to the Government for leadership, he adds. 'Over three-quarters of survey respondents believe that the Government should treat addressing energy costs as a high or very high priority, and they're absolutely right. 'The Government has a good sense of what needs to be done to turn the performance of the sector around for the long-term; what's needed now is swift, decisive action.' In particular, the Chamber and NIF want to see the ten-point Energy Action Plan they launched in February this year – which focused on strengthening sector stewardship, improving resilience, and increasing generation and competition – incorporated into government policy. Key findings from the survey include: Nearly 90% of respondents say that energy costs have increased over the past year, with over 40% reporting that the increase has been large or very large Just under 50% of respondents describe energy costs as highly concerning (i.e., a rating of 8-10 out of 10), similar to the level in concern in relation to market demand, inflationary pressure and compliance costs Over 60%% report an impact on their business as a result of rising costs, with 34% describing the impact has as large or very large As a response to rising costs, 52% of respondents say they have increased their own prices, while 25% report having cut back production, and the same proportion report having laid off staff. Just under 20% have cancelled or deferred investment Over 80% expect prices to increase again in the year ahead
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Survey reveals businesses fear upsetting gentailers if they complain about high energy costs
Auckland Business Chamber chief executive Simon Bridges Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Businesses say they are struggling to keep their doors open as energy costs surge, but they're reluctant to speak up in fear of retaliation from energy suppliers. An Auckland Business Chamber and Northern Infrastructure Forum (NIF) survey of small and medium sized businesses, heavily represented by manufacturers, found 90 percent identified energy costs as a primary concern, while half said the costs were highly concerning. Chamber chief executive Simon Bridges said energy costs combined with pressure from weak market demand, inflation and increased compliance costs had left many businesses struggling to keep their doors open. Bridges said one unexpected and troubling insight from the survey was the reluctance on the part of businesses to be identified when sharing their struggles with energy costs. "Many of the businesses we spoke to - especially those dependent on gas supply - were really uneasy about speaking publicly, for fear that it could jeopardise their ability to secure future energy contracts with the gentailers, who control close to 85 percent of the retail market. "Whether this fear reflects an actual or perceived risk, it points to serious issues with the way market power is being exercised, and is really worrying," he said. "It's high time the government had a good, hard look at the vertically integrated gentailer model, and the impact it's having on the performance of the sector." NIF executive director Barney Irvine said the survey results also underlined the drag that energy costs were placing on New Zealand's growth and productivity. "As a response to rising energy costs, 52 percent of business surveyed say they have increased the prices they charge to customers," Irvine said. "A quarter say they cut back production. The same proportion say they have laid off staff and just under 20 percent have cancelled or deferred investment." The survey found more than three-quarters of respondents believed the government should treat addressing energy costs as a high or very high priority. "The government has a good sense of what needs to be done to turn the performance of the sector around for the long-term," Irvine said. The Chamber and NIF wanted to see the government implement a 10-point energy action plan they launched in February to address the issues raised by the survey. The four big energy companies have been asked for comment.
RNZ News
26-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Councils vent frustration at Otaki-Levin expressway downgrade to government
Photo: Supplied / NZTA / Mark Coote Councils at the bottom of the North Island have written to the government to say changes to the Ōtaki to North of Levin (02NL) expressway are short-sighted. Months out from work beginning, a revised design for the highway has seen on-ramps and overbridges removed and the northern end reduced from four lanes to two. The design also canceled the bridge that would link Manakau Heights to the rest of Manukau. The four councils which work together under the Wellington Leadership Forum - Greater Wellington and Horizons regional councils and the Horowhenua and Kāpiti Coast district councils - said the changes would curtail development. In a letter, they told Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Waka Kotahi chair Simon Bridges the proposals were retrograde and undermined the government's growth strategy. They said the downgraded proposals announced by the NZ Transport Agency reduced 02NL to what they described as a "minimum viable project". Significant new residential development was expected as a result of the development of Transmission Gully and the Kāpiti Expressway, the councils said. "We request an opportunity to meet on this issue, to understand what options you have to intervene as the Minister of Transport and the Chair: Waka Kotahi, to give the Lower North Island the quality of roading infrastructure that it is going to require to cater for the urban and industrial growth that is already materialising on this corridor." Waka Kotahi has said the design changes were primarily driven by the government's drive to save money. But Project Director Glen Prince said eighty percent of the design remained intact and the road would still be of significant benefit to the region. He said more work would have to be done before the agency could say how much money would be saved by the changes. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
