27 June 2013

Brisbane business leaders to get a taste of Auckland’s innovation

Auckland’s innovation, attractive investment and growth opportunities will be presented to a delegation of Brisbane business leaders this weekend.

The two-way mayoral-led business exchange celebrates 25 years of the Auckland – Brisbane sister city relationship. Mayor Len Brown led a group of Auckland businesses to Brisbane at the start of this month and Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Graham Quirk leads the Brisbane delegation here this week.

Australia is New Zealand’s second largest bi-lateral trading partner and is of strategic significance to the region.

“Auckland and Brisbane continue to forge close trading relationships, capitalising on the cities’ similarities and unique business opportunities,” says Brett O’Riley, Chief Executive of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED).

“Trade between the two countries is worth around NZ$18 billion, based on exports of NZ$9.9 billion and imports of NZ$7.2 billion in 2012.

“Retaining and building on this trade success is crucial to achieving Auckland’s economic growth targets, set out in the council’s Economic Development Strategy. To achieve 6 per cent export growth, 5 per cent GDP growth and 2 per cent productivity growth, the region needs to attract substantial off-shore investment and further drive innovation growth in Auckland.”

Lord Mayor Quirk and delegates from 20 Brisbane companies, including Di Bella Coffee Australia, Servco, BDO, Australia United Energy Pty Ltd, Architecture Media Pty Ltd, Tianzuo Media Group and Excel Technology Group, will visit some of the region’s innovation hubs supporting two of the region’s priority business sectors – food and beverage, ICT and digital – during the three-day business exchange.

“The delegation will see firsthand the work of New Zealand Food Innovation Auckland (NZFIA) and its FoodBowl facility, and how this plant provides leading edge technology and expertise for food and beverage businesses developing new products and testing new processes,” says Brett O’Riley.

“The FoodBowl is unique internationally and is generating significant interest across New Zealand, Australia and Asia.”

Auckland’s newest innovation hub in support of the region’s thriving ICT and digital also features on the delegation’s tour.

“Stage one of the Wynyard Quarter innovation precinct on Auckland’s waterfront is underway and will feature significant new businesses like the Media Design Graduate School, positioning Auckland as an epicentre for high-tech ICT and digital media businesses, research and development,” says Brett O’Riley.

“The precinct will attract investment, collaboration and skilled migration while providing local budding innovation based entrepreneurs the ideal acceleration and incubation environment to start-up.”

· Media are invited to attend the delegations tour of the Wynyard Quarter Innovation Precinct and NZFIA’s FoodBowl facility on Saturday, 30 June. Please contact Chris Gregory on the details below to make arrangements.

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