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Business and industry events

Upcoming events | Recent events


Business and industry events contribute to the economic vitality of the city. They are a key platform that position Auckland both nationally and internationally as a desirable place to do business. They encourage business opportunities and growth, develop industry sectors, share innovation and showcase Auckland's industries.

We look to support business and industry events that:

  • profile Auckland city's business and industry sectors
  • align with our economic development goals
  • support business growth and networking
  • support and encourage innovation and creativity.

Upcoming events

 


Film world doyen Lorn Puttnam to address New Zealand industry at SPADA conference

Lord Puttnam, keynote speaker at the SPADA Conference 2010.

Lord Puttnam, keynote speaker at the SPADA Conference 2010

Britain's foremost advocate for the film industry, Academy Award winner and producer of Chariots of Fire, The Mission and The Killing Fields, Lord Puttnam, will be the keynote speaker at the 2010 SPADA Conference in Auckland on 11 and 12 November.

SPADA CEO Penelope Borland says: "We are very excited to host the inspiring and influential David Puttnam at our SPADA conference at a time when our screen industry is at a cross roads. Lord Puttnam's presence and views could be just the catalyst we need to transform thinking here, as we debate the future of public broadcasting, commitment to and production of local content and in implementing change following the release of the Government's Review of the New Zealand Film Commission.

Lord Puttnam has made a huge contribution to the film and television industries and the breadth of his experience across other fields such as education, science, the environment and the wider arts mean that his views will be widely sought."

Lord Puttnam's body of work as a film producer includes Palme d'Or winner The Mission and the iconic Chariots of Fire, for which he received the best picture Oscar in 1981. He also produced the acclaimed The Killing Fields and Bugsy Malone, Local Hero, Midnight Express and The Memphis Belle. He was awarded a BAFTA Fellowship for Lifetime Achievement in 2006, is Deputy Chairman of Channel Four and the Chairman of Futurelab.

Since his appointment to the House of Lords in 1997, his focus has been on political and policy work in relation to education, the creative industries and climate change. In 2009 Lord Puttnam produced, We are the People We've Been Waiting For, a thought-provoking documentary about the contemporary education system.

He was founding chair of the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts and in 2005 chaired the Hansard Society Commission on the Communication of Parliamentary Democracy, the final report of which urged all political parties to commit to renewal of parliamentary life in an attempt to reinvigorate representative democracy. Lord Puttnam chaired the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Draft Climate Change Bill and is a trustee of the Institute for Public Policy Research.

Formed in 1982, the Screen Production and Development Association of New Zealand (SPADA) represents the collective interests of independent producers and production companies on all issues affecting the business and creative aspects of screen production in New Zealand.

For more information and register for the SPADA Conference 2010 - 11-12 November, The Langham Hotel, Auckland visit www.spada.co.nz.

Auckland City Council is a partner of the SPADA Conference 2010.


Announcing the 2010 Qantas Film and Television Awards Finalists

Rugby World Cup 2011 Auckland Speaker Series.

2010 Qantas Film and Television Awards

The film finalists have been announced, and with 130 entries across 20 film categories, it was an extremely challenging job for the judges to narrow this down to 58 finalists.

The standard and number of entries in the feature film categories reflect the strength of New Zealand's creative sector and the truly dedicated and talented people working in our film industry.

The finalists in the general television, news and current affairs, and documentary categories were announced on 11 August and a full list of the film and television finalists can be viewed in full here.

Tickets to the Qantas Film and Television Awards 2010 award ceremonies are now available.

The Qantas Film and Television Craft Awards ceremony will be announced over an industry luncheon at the Auckland Town Hall on Friday, 17 September.

The red carpet Qantas Film and Television Gala Awards will be held at the Civic Theatre on Saturday, 18 September, followed by the 42BELOW After Party at the Auckland Town Hall.

For further information on ticketing and the award ceremonies please click here.

Auckland City Council is a major awards partner of the 2010 Qantas Film and Television Awards.


Rugby World Cup 2011 Auckland Speaker Seriess

Rugby World Cup 2011 Auckland Speaker Series.

Rugby World Cup 2011 Auckland Speaker Series

If you're looking to grow your business via investment you're about to have an audience. In just over 12 months, up to 85,000 rugby fans will be visiting New Zealand.

Most of them are likely to come to Auckland, and some will be looking to invest in New Zealand businesses.

If there was ever a time to be getting investment ready - it's now.

Attracting investment is a matter of presenting the right information to the right people. Our speakers will present simple practical ways to do both for small to medium-sized businesses.

Clyde Rogers from Auckland's economic development agency, AucklandPlus, will tell you how the 2011 Business Club may assist you in identifying, then getting in front of, your potential investor among the throngs visiting Auckland during RWC 2011.

Kim Crawford Wines have grown from humble beginnings in 1996 to a staple on tables all over the world. Co-founder, Erica Crawford will share how the company shaped itself to attract investment from Canadian giant Vincor International.

Don't miss this practical session that may really open doors for your business. Seats are limited so register now to avoid disappointment.

Date: Tuesday, 31 August 2010
Registration: 2.45pm (parking available under building)
Time: 3pm - 5pm
Venue: University of Auckland Business School, Owen Genn Building - Decima Glen Room
Tickets: RWC 2011 Auckland Business Opportunities Members: $37 + GST, General admission: $47 +GST

To find out more and register for this event please click here.


Pixar Masterclass for 2010 Semi-Permanent New Zealand

Thursday 19 August 2010
8.30am - 5.30pm
Media Design School, Level 10, 242 Queen Street, Auckland
$290 per person (inc lunch)
**Groups of 5 or more receive a 10 per cent discount on tickets
**Buy a general ticket to Semi-Permanent for $290 and get this masterclass for $210
**Spaces are limited.

Semi-Permanent is excited to offer a unique professional development opportunity to the New Zealand animation industry - a day-long masterclass with Pixar's Andrew Gordon.

Andrew Gordon has been animating characters professionally for over 15 years. He joined Pixar Animation Studios in 1997 where he has been an Animator on A Bug's Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, The Incredibles and Ratatouille.

For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.semipermanent.co.nz/#masterclasss

Pixar Masterclass is proudly brought to you by Auckland City Council, Media Design School, CDC Auckland and Semi Permanent.


Speakers unveiled for 2010 Semi-Permanent New Zealand

2010 Semi-Permanent New Zealand.

2010 Semi-Permanent New Zealand

Now in its seventh year, and once again sponsored by Auckland City Council, the annual design symposium brings together speakers from a broad range of disciplines including graphic design, fashion, animation, illustration, motion graphics, typography, sound design, interactive and experiential marketing, fine art, music, product design and more.

With sister events held in Sydney, Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne, Semi-Permanent New Zealand is part of a unique series of events in Australasia. New Zealand organisers The Church describe it as "a global gathering of pure talent, new ideas, conversation and visual splendour".

"This year's line up is the biggest yet. It is two ‘big days out' for the creative industry with powerful talent, inspiration, fresh ideas and fantastic industry networking opportunities," says event producer Anna Cameron of The Church.

The 2010 UK contingent features legendary graphic designer and film maker Storm Thorgerson, often referred to as the sixth member of Pink Floyd. Storm will be joined by his collaborator Peter Curzon; Christopher Thomas Allen, founder of multi-media company The Light Surgeons; creative interactive firm founder Nicolas Roope of Poke London; graphic designer and author Adrian Shaughnessy and sound designer Duncan Speakman of Subtlemob.

From the USA comes New York based illustrator and typographer Jessica Hische and motion graphics company Buck, featuring Kiwis Gareth O'Brien and Orion Tait. Pixar's Andrew Gordon who has just finished production on Toy Story 3 will talk about his animation experience and German product designer Katrin Sonnleitner completes the line-up.

Also launched this year is Semi-Opinionated, a social media site for the industry that invites participation from creative, media and design commentators. A virtual soapbox to address industry colleagues, Semi-Opinionated encourages on-line debate and discussion.

Tickets are $290, with a student rate of $150. A VIP ticket for $495 means you can also meet the speakers. Tickets are available through The Edge ticketing service, www.buytickets.co.nz, 09 357 3355 or 0800 BUY TICKETS (0800 289 842).

For more information, visit www.semipermanent.co.nz.

Get into www.semi-opinionated.co.nz.

The event in New Zealand is proudly sponsored by British Council, Spicers Paper, AUT University, Media Design School, Unitec and Auckland City Council.


The First Wednesday Programme e

On the first Wednesday of every month THE ICEHOUSE opens up to ambitious entrepreneurs who are hungry to understand the steps to understand the steps to start up business success.

  • 3 5pm - Attend a seminar to learn the Five Rules for Successful Start-Ups
  • 5-6pm - Stay and network - get matched up with ICEHOUSE experts and angel investors. Talk with current and past ICEHOUSE incubator residents and other members of the ICEHOUSE network.

Free to attend but limited to 25 places.

Register today at www.theicehouse.co.nz/start-up


Recent events

 

Results straight from the Pitch

Taniwha Toys 'n' Tales at The Pitch.

Taniwha Toys 'n' Tales at The Pitch

The Pitch was an Auckland City Council initiative and part of the wider regional Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011) Business Opportunities programme to encourage SME business owners to plan for and participate in the business opportunities the tournament will bring to Auckland, and the country.

LIM is the master licensee for merchandise for RWC 2011. The contracts will see the companies' products on show alongside official merchandise, opening sales channels previously closed.

'The Pitch Campaign has been a wonderful initiative for us as a small business. It has driven us to focus on creating specific goals for RWC 2011, and most importantly it has provided us with a real and direct opportunity to grow our business,' said Yvonne from Taniwha Toys 'n' Tales.

Canine Spirit (www.caninespirit.co.nz) and Taniwha Toys 'n' Tales (www.tututaniwha.co.nz) met with a LIM representative at The Pitch.

Canine Spirit exports canine adventure wear including life jackets and boots and supplies to the UK Fire service and the New Zealand Police.

Taniwha Toys 'n Tales aim to create an iconic New Zealand toy that represents Maori culture and identity.

The Pitch at Bizzone saw 77 applications whittled down to 25 pre-selected participants over three days, each meeting with RWC 2011 organisers and business advisors from the ICEHOUSE or regional Economic Development Agencies.

For more information on the RWC 2011 Business Opportunities programme, please follow www.auckland2011.com/business.


Survive & Thrive | fuelling the business of creativity

Survive & Thrive.

Survive & Thrive

Thursday, 8 July 2010
10.30am - 7pm
The University of Auckland Business School
12 Grafton Road, Auckland

Fuel the business of creativity by connecting with creative producers and entrepreneurial people from across the region, learning from and being inspired by home-grown success stories and arming people with practical tips and tools to make their creative projects and businesses fly.

Held at The University of Auckland Business School, Survive & Thrive 2010 includes a programme of short workshops, networking and an ‘expo' of people and organisations working in support and as part of Auckland's creative sector as well as a presentation from Ray Avery, New Zealander of the Year.

Register online here www.thebigidea.co.nz/survive-thrive-registration.

For more information visit www.thebigidea.co.nz/survive-thrive.


Auckland ICT and the Product Development and Management Association (PDMA NZ) Joint Networking Event

Date: Thursday 24 June 2010
Time: 5pm
Venue: Level 22, PricewaterhouseCoopers Tower, 188 Quay Street, Auckland 
Keynote presentation: NextWindow's Journey - Al Monro, CEO, NextWindow
Cost: $15 PDMA-NZ and Auckland ICT paid-up members, $25 non-members
Registration: RSVP name, company, contact number to events@pdma-nz.org by 21 June 2010 or go to www.aucklandict.org.nz to register.

Keynote speaker Al Monro will discuss how NextWindow went from a typical ICT start-up trying to develop new innovative technology and raise capital, to now engaging in global markets with major brand customers and the lessons learned along the way.

Other topics include::

  • World Computer Congress - Learn more about the World Computer Congress which will be held in Brisbane from 20-23 September 2010.
  • Trans-Tasman ICT Link-up - Learn more about a virtual Trade Mission that will allow Auckland ICT companies to hear from Australian companies which are looking for NZ Technology partners.
  • PDMA-NZ - Find out more about the Product Development and Management Association and provide the Committee with ideas for future events and the newsletter.

Tickets for Bizzone and 'The Pitch'

The Pitch.

The Pitch

This year at the Bizzone Expo, small businesses will have the opportunity to pitch the business ideas that they think will see their businesses benefit from Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011). Auckland City Council have a limited number of tickets to give away to attend the Bizzone event where 'The Pitch' (a RWC 2011 business opportunities concept) will take place.

With hundreds of great potential business opportunities waiting to be tapped into for RWC 2011, 'The Pitch' has been designed to encourage local businesses to unleash their Kiwi entrepreneurial spirit.

"Make no mistake: RWC 2011 offers an enormous range of opportunities," says Rachael Dacy, chairperson of the RWC 2011 Auckland Regional Steering Group. All you need to do is complete an online submission briefly summarising your business idea for RWC 2011.

"The Pitch" is currently seeking winning business ideas for RWC 2011. Businesses of all types and sizes are welcome to take part. There is still time to submit your ideas, but places are limited, so make sure you visit www.thepitch.co.nz for more information.

Auckland City Council is giving away a limited number of tickets to attend the Bizzone Expo which is being held in the ASB Showgrounds from 2-4 June. If you are interested in free tickets, please send us an email and write 'Bizzone' in the subject line.


Inaugural Family Business Forum set to stimulate growth and prosperity

Family Business Forum.

Family Business Forum

The Family Business Forum: Sustaining and Growing New Zealand Family Business will bring together international and local speakers, presenting on topics confronting business owners planning the future of their family business, such as:

  • maintaining entrepreneurial momentum and growth
  • succeeding across generations
  • getting the best from governance and advisory structures
  • addressing the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Places at the event are limited to give those attending plenty of opportunity to discuss common issues with other business owners and the speakers.

For full details of the forum and how to register visit www.fambiz.auckland.ac.nz or for further information please contact Darsel Keane on (09) 923 8725 or d.keane@auckland.ac.nz.


Advancing a bio based economy

Auckland city Mayor John Banks is speaking at the conference opening.

Auckland city Mayor John Banks is speaking at the conference opening

The conference attracted a talented line up of speakers, including the return of San Francisco based Dr Ben Chen, International Director, Burrill & Co. Dr Chen spoke about international developments and Dr Alan Robertson, Chief Executive Officer of Pharmaxis spoke of successful commercialisation paths for bioscience companies.

Numbers were up this year from 350 last year, with 500 attendees. This included a delegation from our partner city of 22 years, Brisbane. Auckland City Council organised a networking function on 23 March to connect industry representatives in Auckland with their peers in Brisbane.

"We were delighted to host a networking function during this year's NZBIO Conference to connect trans-Tasman industry representatives. The growth of such events and the conference itself reflects the importance of the bioscience sector to economic development in both Auckland and Brisbane", said Gareth Stiven, Economic development group manager Auckland City Council.

Wayne Mapp, the Minister for Research Science and Technology, attended the conference and announced the winner of the NZBIO Emerging Company of the year. The prize was awarded to Argenta, an Auckland research provider and manufacturer exporting to over 40 countries.

Bioscience, including food innovation, human health, biofuels and medical devices, is a key sector in the Auckland economy. Fifty-four per cent of New Zealand's bioscience employees work in Auckland (Statistics New Zealand 2009).


Anzac Tasker wins Best HP Future Designer at Urbis Designday 2010

Urbis Editor Nicole Stock, Anzac Tasker and Hewlett Packard’s Jess Rangi.

Urbis Editor Nicole Stock, Anzac Tasker and Hewlett Packard's Jess Rangi

Seven stunning installations captured the attention and imaginations of attendees at the 2010 Urbis Designday held on 20 March. Attendees voted for their favourite HP Future Designer as they deliberated over the outstanding work of recent AUT design graduates.

Auckland based graphic designer Anzac Tasker walked away with the top prize and a unique HP touchscreen laptop - one of only two in the country.

The award was announced at the Urbis Designday Wrap Party held at the Steel Works, Auckland on Wednesday 24 March. The votes were close but it was Anzac's unique and fun approach to typography that captivated the audience.

Bringing type 'away from the computer and back into the craft' was the concept behind Anzac's installation and this was demonstrated with white panels and 3D type; some rotating, some only making sense from certain angles, but all fresh, innovative and intriguing.

Urbis Designday Wrap Party guests were unanimous in agreeing that the new HP Future Designer competition was a great new addition to the event demonstrating fresh ideas across five design disciplines: fashion, graphic, product, spatial, and digital design. Other works set up at the Simon James showroom included life size fashion illustrations, composited digital video, suspended and rotating garments, animated and futuristic illustrations, architectural studies - even a lizard trap!

Editor of Urbis, Nicole Stock, helped choose the final seven students and is proud to have the HP Future Designers competition an integral part of the day. She says, "Urbis is very supportive of young designers and we felt Designday was a great opportunity to showcase great young talent to a discerning and design loving audience. The standard of the seven installations was very high and congratulations to Anzac for winning this award."

Organisers and guests of the fifth Urbis Designday enjoyed the new and exciting changes to the format - including young designers and creative practitioners from the worlds of architecture, fashion, graphic design, landscaping, and multimedia. Designday was held on Saturday 20 March and was the most successful in its five year history with a huge turnout on the day.

The bar has been set extremely high for 2011 Urbis Designday and no doubt will yet again include world class New Zealand designers and creative practitioners working with Auckland's finest showrooms - leaving every Designday guest feeling inspired and entertained.

For more information visit www.urbismagazine.com/designday.


Students receive head start with business of fashion workshop

Students receive head start with business of fashion workshop Auckland City Council hosted students from AUT University and Whitecliffe College of Art and Design at the third Business of Fashion workshop in October.

The intensive one-day workshop, focusing on the critical success factors of the fashion business world, assisted students with developing business acumen and commercial savvy. Topics included costing and pricing, marketing and selling, getting paid and funding, the importance of media and brand and exporting models.

Dianne Ludwig, an advisor and mentor in the fashion industry for over 15 years, facilitated the workshop. She shared her experience as a board member of FINZ (Fashion Industry New Zealand) and a mentor to many of New Zealand's young and existing designers.

Guest speakers included Murray Bevan, director of Showroom 22, and leading New Zealand designers Marc Moore and Luke Harwood from Stolen Girlfriends Club. Their real life experiences in the global market were extremely beneficial to the participants and a great opportunity to get up close and personal with some fresh New Zealand talent.

This year, the introduction of a special lunch format gave students an opportunity to meet and network with some key people from the Auckland fashion industry. Groups of students circulated amongst lunch tables seating an industry representative, including Chris Lorimar, Cybele Wirren, Juliette Hogan, Mapihi Opai and Zoe Walker.

Auckland City Council has been making an investment in young design talent as part of its contribution to the city's Economic Development Strategy under the action plan: Blueprint: Growing Auckland's creative industries. The wider fashion industry is a key area of focus for council because of the significant contribution to the city's economy, with over a third of New Zealand's clothing stores found in the Auckland region.


Young entrepreneurs gather for Auckland Central Regional Awards

Gareth Stiven (Economic Development group manager) with G.Y.O from St Cuthbert’s College, winners of the Auckland City Council High Growth Potential Award.

Gareth Stiven (Economic Development group manager) with G.Y.O from St Cuthbert's College, winners of the Auckland City Council High Growth Potential Award

The Young Enterprise Scheme, with support from Auckland City Council gives young people the opportunity to learn the practical, hands-on experience of running their own businesses and creating real products or services, developing real budgets, implementing real marketing plans, earning real money and keeping the profits.

This year, over 30 companies from 12 Auckland city schools competed in the YES competition. Top performing schools for 2009 included Diocesan School for Girls (taking home 5 awards), St Mary's College (4), St Cuthberts's College (3), Onehunga High School (2) Waiheke High School (2) and Kings College (1).

The Auckland Chamber of Commerce 2009 Top Company of the Year Award went to Spick SCH - Specialised Corporate Hygienists from Diocesan School for Girls (a fridge cleaning company) with the runner-up going to G.YO. from St Cuthbert's College for their sustainable gardening book promoting environmental awareness for young kiwis. G.Y.O was also the winner of Auckland City Council's High Growth Potential Award.

Young Enterprise Trust's Auckland Regional Manger, Ewan McLeod was impressed with the calibre of the young entrepreneurs in this year's competition.

"The Lion Foundation YES programme is all about developing skills in our young people that will allow them to contribute positively to our local Auckland economy in the future. We are really thrilled to have Auckland City Council's support in helping us to achieve this vision, and hope that this will continue in the future."

Ewan is interested in hearing from business people who have experience in leadership, marketing, sales, IT/design and production. If you would like to contribute your knowledge and expertise to the YES programme or sponsor the 2010 local awards, contact Ewan McLeod at ewan.mcleod@yetrust.co.nz.


Digital careers off to a flying start

The expo, run by Accelerating Auckland, in partnership with the Department of Labour, Career Services and NZICT offered ICT graduates the opportunity to connect with industry representatives and career experts through seminars and face-to-face interaction.

It was a chance for international and domestic ICT students to make their study and career choices align with New Zealand's future skills needs and become "work ready" for the New Zealand labour market.

ICT is a key sector for employment, with over 18,000 employees and 2500 companies in Auckland. Skilled, trained ICT professionals are required for a digital economy and vital for New Zealand's future. In 2008, more than 5900 students completed a formal qualification in ICT from a tertiary education provider in Auckland.

NZICT is a new industry association with more than 60 of the country's leading ICT companies as members. The association aims to increase the number of internships available within its membership, develop a mentoring programme and increase awareness of the contribution of ICT to the productivity, competitiveness and ultimately economic growth of the country.

Updated August 2010