About the Auckland region

Few would deny that Auckland occupies a pre-eminent role in the business, social and cultural life of New Zealand. While the region occupies only two percent of New Zealand's land mass, it is home to nearly 32 percent of the nation's population (over 1.2 million people). 

A great place to live and work

That so many New Zealanders choose to make Auckland their home is testimony to the region's appeal and this is only reinforced by the fact that about 70 percent of migrants to New Zealand settle here, giving Auckland the special vibrancy that comes from wide ethnic diversity. Around 30 percent of Aucklanders were born outside New Zealand; 55 percent of these come from Asia and the Pacific. 

Auckland was ranked fifth in the 2006 Mercer Quality of Life Survey, ahead of Melbourne and Sydney. The survey compares cities around the world in terms of 22 quality of life indicators, including personal safety, public services, health and education, housing, the natural environment and the political, social and economic environment. Another 2006 Mercer survey placed Auckland 100^th in the list of most expensive cities in which to live – in other words, well down the rankings! 

Some more facts about Auckland

 Auckland is New Zealand's largest single economy with over 35 percent of national GDP.

• Auckland is home to about two-thirds of New Zealand's top 200 companies, and is New Zealand’s business and financial capital, being home to about 40 percent of New Zealand’s financial institutions and business services companies
• About a quarter of Fortune 500 companies have a presence in Auckland.
• The World Bank ranks New Zealand second of 155 countries for overall Ease of Doing Business, including a number one ranking for Protecting Investors
• Almost 40 percent of New Zealand's manufacturing output originates in Auckland.
• The region's port and airport handle 40 percent of New Zealand's exports and around two thirds of all imports. 
• Seventy percent of overseas visitors to New Zealand arrive in Auckland, making tourism a vital part of the regional economy.
• Auckland is well served by infrastructure for future business needs - utility services and telecommunications are of the highest standards and are cost competitive
• Auckland’s low unemployment rate of around 4% is expected to continue well into the future.

Nearly 30 international airlines provide direct passenger and freight services from Auckland. There are also eight domestic airlines. 

The Ports of Auckland is New Zealand's largest and busiest, providing shipping links to 160 ports in 73 countries and handling over 40 percent of the country's total container trade. 

The Auckland Regional Transport Authority was set up in 2004, and recent initiatives have included an overhaul of public transport (bus, ferry, rail and road) systems to facilitate quicker, easier movement throughout the greater Auckland region and effective long-term traffic management.  

Regional economic development

The Auckland region encompasses five cities; North Shore, Auckland, Waitakere, Papakura and Manukau as well as two largely rural districts - Rodney and Franklin, falling under the auspices of the Auckland Regional Council. Although each has its own unique character, it is increasingly recognised that Auckland's future as a world-class economy depends on strategies developed and implemented at the regional level. 

In 2006, Auckland Regional Council launched its ambitious Metro Project, to entrench Auckland as an internationally competitive, inclusive and dynamic economy, a great place to live and conduct business and a place buzzing with innovation, where skilled people work in world-class enterprises. 

Also driving progress in the greater Auckland region is The Committee for Auckland Limited, a not-for-profit organisation set up to contribute to making Auckland one of the world's great places to live and work. It is an independent alliance of corporate directors and chief executives, tertiary sector, not-for-profit leaders and Mayors, working in the public interest. 

How Enterprise North Shore can help
Auckland Regional Council has established AucklandPlus to facilitate investment in the Auckland region. Enterprise North Shore works closely with AucklandPlus to enhance investment opportunities in North Shore City.  

More information:

The Auckland Regional Council has overall responsibility for managing the Auckland region. It publishes detailed information about the region’s economy: Business and Economy 2006.

Statistics New Zealand publishes regular information about the economy, including the main economic performance indicators, statistics about business, industry, primary production, innovation and science, labour market, imports and exports, and government finance. It also published population and census data. 

The Department of Labour publishes regular Labour Market reports.