Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development
Name	Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development
Type	Council-controlled organisation
Founded	2010
Headquarters	Auckland, New Zealand
Region served	Auckland Region
Parent organization	Auckland Council

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development is a council-controlled organisation established to promote Auckland Region as a destination for visitors, investors and events, and to support regional economic development. It operates at the intersection of municipal strategy in Auckland Council, visitor attraction in Viaduct Harbour, cultural promotion in Auckland War Memorial Museum, and event delivery exemplified by work with Auckland Festival and Auckland Marathon.

History

ATEED emerged from the reorganisation that followed the 2010 amalgamation which created Auckland Council by merging Auckland City Council, Manukau City Council, North Shore City Council, Waitakere City Council, Rodney District Council, Papakura District Council, and Franklin District Council. Its formation paralleled other local initiatives such as the creation of Wynyard Quarter regeneration projects and aligned with national strategies like those of Tourism New Zealand and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. Early projects connected to landmarks and institutions including Sky Tower, Auckland Domain, Britomart Transport Centre, Queens Wharf, and collaborations with cultural entities such as Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki and Silo Theatre. Over subsequent years ATEED adapted to crises affecting Rugby World Cup hosting contexts, the Global Financial Crisis aftermath, and public health disruptions that impacted international arrivals to Auckland Airport.

Structure and Governance

ATEED is constituted as a council-controlled organisation under the statutory framework that includes the Local Government Act 2002 and oversight by the Auckland Council Governing Body and local boards such as Waitematā Local Board, Waiheke Local Board, and Manurewa Local Board. Its board has included directors with experience at institutions like Air New Zealand, Fletcher Building, Spark New Zealand, Auckland Museum Foundation, and representatives linked to entities such as New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Executive leadership coordinates with central government agencies including Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Te Puni Kōkiri, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to align regional initiatives with national policy priorities such as those reflected in frameworks connected to Auckland Plan and Regional Economic Development strategies.

Functions and Programs

ATEED delivers programs in visitor attraction, major event facilitation, business growth services, and investment promotion, interfacing with venues and precincts such as Eden Park, Vector Arena, Auckland Domain Wintergardens, Māngere Arts Centre, Takarunga / Mount Victoria, and Auckland Botanic Gardens. Its visitor marketing work leverages platforms and collaborations with Air New Zealand, SkyCity Auckland, Auckland Zoo, Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium, and the hospitality sector including Viaduct Harbour operators and Ponsonby Road businesses. Business and innovation programs engage startups, incubators, and accelerators linked to University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology, Callaghan Innovation, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, and corporate partners such as Xero and Fonterra. ATEED’s event services team supports organizers of cultural festivals like Matariki Festival, international conferences held at ASB Showgrounds, and sporting fixtures at Mt Smart Stadium by coordinating consents, logistics, and promotion.

Economic Impact and Performance

ATEED measures outcomes through indicators tied to visitor spend at gateways like Auckland Airport, international student enrolments connected to AUT, export outcomes referencing Ports of Auckland, and business growth metrics akin to those tracked by Stats NZ. Performance reporting relates to targets in the Auckland Plan and to regional Gross Domestic Product influences from sectors including aviation, accommodation, and creative industries represented by partners such as SkyCity Entertainment Group, MediaWorks New Zealand, and NZ On Air. Economic assessments have examined impacts of mega-events such as the America's Cup and the UCI World Cycling Championships on local supply chains involving companies like Fletcher Building and service providers in CBD Auckland, while also addressing workforce implications for occupations registered with Immigration New Zealand and training pathways through institutions like Winstone Park initiatives and tertiary providers.

Major Events and Initiatives

ATEED has supported delivery and bidding for high-profile events and initiatives including the America's Cup, Rugby World Cup 2011 legacy activities, the Auckland Lantern Festival, the Auckland Arts Festival, and business events such as conventions hosted by Auckland International Convention Centre (AICC). It has facilitated precinct transformation projects in Wynyard Quarter and supported activation of public spaces like Queens Wharf and Silo Park, while backing campaigns to raise Auckland’s profile alongside national promotion by Tourism New Zealand and trade missions coordinated with Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Event partnerships have linked to international federations such as Fédération Internationale de Football Association and sporting bodies including New Zealand Rugby.

Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement

ATEED operates through partnerships with commercial partners such as Air New Zealand, SkyCity Auckland, and Auckland Transport, cultural institutions like Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki and Auckland Museum, education providers including University of Auckland and AUT, industry groups such as Business New Zealand and Auckland Business Chamber, and iwi and hapū representatives including Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and Ngāti Pāoa. Stakeholder engagement extends to regional authorities like Waikato Regional Council for subregional coordination, to central agencies including Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and to international partners represented by overseas consulates and agencies connected to United Nations World Tourism Organization dialogues. These collaborations underpin initiatives in destination management, major event bidding, investment attraction, skills development with Careerforce, and cultural programming with groups such as Toi Māori Aotearoa.

Category:Organisations based in Auckland