Our central proposal for economic and cultural development

Our cultural institutions, events and economic enterprises (ventures that make money) are important regional facilities and activities that enrich the lives of Aucklanders, attract tourism and keep the region’s economy thriving.

They include:

However, more work is needed to achieve value and ensure the financial sustainability of these facilities.

Our stadium venues like Go Media Stadium, Western Springs and North Harbour Stadium face large maintenance and renewal costs.

Some of these venues are underused and do not make enough money to cover their operating costs.

As part of our proposed long-term plan we are consulting on options to get the best community outcome for the North Harbour Stadium precinct.

Visit North Harbour Stadium precinct for more information.

Under the central proposal, we will continue to fund economic development and initiatives like destination marketing (promoting specific locations) and major events such as the Diwali festival, but at a reduced level compared to pre-COVID-19 funding levels.

We will look for funding either from central government or other external sources to fill a $5 million gap from expiring government funding in 2024. We will use this new funding to invest in economic development and visitor attractions.

Over the longer term we will look for alternative funding, such as a levy (charge) for visitors based on the nights they stay in accommodation (bed per night visitor levy).

Without this funding we will have to limit:

  • our support to attract more major events, shows and exhibitions
  • our involvement in projects that provide training in industries with skills and talent shortages.

Decorative image of a portrait from the art gallery, a museum building and a rhinoceros at the zoo.

Highlights of our central proposal for economic and cultural development

Under our central proposal we will:

  • continue providing natural and cultural heritage experiences for visitors to the Auckland Zoo, Auckland Art Gallery and New Zealand Maritime Museum, and continue supporting ongoing wildlife, visual arts and heritage conservation and development of the zoo
  • support international and domestic musicals, concerts, sporting events and art exhibitions for Auckland residents and to attract:
    • visitors from outside of Auckland
    • investment in Auckland’s economy
  • continue to provide free and subsidised (discounted through funding) entry to programmes and events across a wide range of facilities, events and venues
  • continue maintenance and renewal of assets with a focus on reducing carbon emissions from heritage assets like the Auckland Art Gallery and other initiatives to reduce carbon emissions.

Trade-offs

We have developed other options to show you what to expect for economic and cultural development should we pay less or pay more for it through rates.

Pay more, get more

A pay more, get more scenario could reinstate major events and economic development funding to pre-COVID-19 levels.

This would mean we could:

  • expand our annual schedule of events
  • resume active bidding for major events and concerts
  • resume visitor and overseas investment attraction initiatives like supporting trade missions (promoting trade and economic relations between countries or regions)
  • expand employment initiatives
  • reinstate further support for local board economic development projects
  • increase support for technology, screen and creative industries.

Increased capital expenditure (spending on assets) would fund the central proposal, plus an additional $90 million of capital expenditure over 10 years to develop other new initiatives, such as Aotea Entertainment Precinct.

Pay less, get less

A pay less, get less scenario would mean spending much less on economic development and reducing many of our visitor attraction initiatives.

The only investment for these areas would come from non-rates revenue.

This scenario would see less spending on:

  • support for economic growth areas and attracting events to the region
  • bidding for events including business events
  • support to grow the creative and screen industries, technology and advanced manufacturing (like robotics, automation and artificial intelligence).

Reducing capital spend would see:

  • less funding in the short-term to complete contracted works and urgent renewals
  • a delay to other developments and delays in renewals for lower-priority assets (non-critical parts of some council venues)
  • possible reduction in facility opening hours to save costs
  • lower levels of service to save costs.

Decorative image of a woman weighing a lot of books in one hand and fewer books in her other hand.

You should know

The information on this page is an edited version of the proposed Long-term Plan 2024-2034 Consultation Document.

For more information about our proposals for economic and cultural development, see page 47-49 of the Long-term Plan 2024-2034 Consultation Document [PDF 17MB].