New Zealand coworking industry association, Coworking Aotearoa, is welcoming the return of coworking in Level 2, saying
it will help to boost businesses and support local economies.
The members of Coworking Aotearoa, a Facebook group of over 200 coworking owners and managers, have been supporting each
other to develop safe plans to reopen at Level 2, emphasising the importance of social distancing, utilising the right
systems to support contact tracing and implementing increased hygiene practices.
Association spokesperson Marie-Claire Andrews says the guidance from the government is that coworking spaces should
operate the same way as office spaces under level 2, wherever they are in a position to safely do so.
“It is incredibly positive to see our coworking spaces reopen again, many of which have been paying commercial rent
while having no income. We believe this will also be a great boost for other businesses as coworking spaces have
significant flow-on effects for local businesses and our regional economies,” says Marie-Claire Andrews, Coworking
Aotearoa Association spokesperson and owner of 3Mile Coworking in Carterton.Coworkers at Kapiti Collective in Paraparaumu Beach
She said that before COVID-19 coworking was on the rise, and expects the trend to continue, as some coworking spaces are
reporting an increase in enquiries.
“We are seeing some companies hesitating around renewing leases and are looking for options around flexible spaces to
move their teams into and wanting flexibility over long term commitments. Not all businesses have the space to
accommodate the physical distancing requirements and coworking spaces offer ideal overflow for those businesses. They
also offer respite for those workers still required to work from home, even on an occasional basis, to be back in a
professional environment,"” she says.
Owner of shared space Kapiti Collective, Hannah Delaney, says coworking is becoming a more accessible option as
businesses reassess working environments for their staff, as well as taking into account the worker’s desire to spend
more time and money within their local regions.
“Coworking spaces keep money in the regions they operate in and help to support local businesses such as cafes and
eateries. They also have positive benefits on a worker’s mental health, reducing travel time, and allowing workers to
spend more time with their families. The by-product is that productivity and output increases because of a healthier
work lifestyle, which is really a win-win for everyone,” she says.
Most coworking spaces in New Zealand are expected to reopen from the start of Level 2.