Enhancing commercial and cultural success
The Chairperson of the Council’s Strategy and Governance Committee, Councillor Mark Donnelly, welcomes today’s release
of the Starkwhite Report – Rethinking Auckland as a Creative City.
The report examines how best to use Auckland’s arts and cultural community in a way that positions Auckland as a
creative city located at the creative edge of the knowledge economy.
“The report is a timely reminder that our city’s economic development is intrinsically linked to creativity and
innovation. The creative spirit of our arts community very much complements Auckland’s business endeavours.
“Auckland is already internationally recognised as a home for artists and entrepreneurs. Creative and capital value
abound here and we have a proud history of commercial sponsorship of the arts. The Starkwhite Report provides the
Council with an excellent opportunity to further develop its role and enhance Auckland’s economic and cultural success.
“We have studied the report’s recommendations to identify how best they can be incorporated into Council’s strategy of
‘Moving Auckland Forward’. The workshop announced today by Councillor Scott Milne is only the first of many steps that
we will now take to ensure Auckland City is New Zealand’s commerce and culture capital,” Councillor Donnelly says.