New Zealand’s third annual National Coworking Day

Thursday 16 May 2019

Thursday 22 May - New Zealand’s third annual National Coworking Day: 30 coworking spaces from Kerikeri to Dunedin open their doors in a celebration of coworking.

On Thursday 22 May 2019, coworking venues all over NZ, in large centres and regional towns from Kerikeri to Dunedin are opening their doors for free, inviting those curious about coworking to tour their spaces and experience first-hand what these collaborative knowledge-sharing working environments are really about.

There has been a rapid increase in the number of coworking spaces available to New Zealander’s since the first National Coworking Day celebrations began in 2017. In addition to large multinational coworking companies moving into New Zealand, the last two years has seen an increasing number of smaller independent coworking spaces opening up, often in New Zealand’s regional towns, allowing people to find affordable housing outside of the traditional centres, and still have a place to ‘go to work’ rather than having to work from home.

There has also been a change in coworkers themselves, with more and more being employed by national companies or companies based in other parts of the country. Employers are recognising that securing the perfect talent for a role in New Zealand no longer limits them to looking locally or providing expensive relocation packages. Many roles, particularly those using digital technology, mean employers can place staff in coworking spaces. Doing so provides the employee with a professional, social and safe environment in which to work, and the employer with a hassle free, flexible and cost-effective way of maintaining a larger workforce, often with the added benefit of a regional presence for their business.

“Being able to maintain my work life balance is important to me, so having a work space to come to as opposed to being in my home is key.” Says Ilona, who has been coworking since January this year. “I wasn’t super aware of it until the need arose.” Which happened for Ilona when her employer, a recruitment agency, started talking about taking on an office space in the town where she lives. “We’re still in growth mode, so it does not make sense to setup a dedicated office, and equally inviting clients into my home was not an option.” But since discovering a local coworking space, Ilona can see the potential for other employers with remote staff. “I don’t need to worry about my workplace, I just come in as I need to, and do my work. It’s also great to have the facilities and space suited to seeing clients here.” she concludes.

Coworking spaces provide all the amenities and technologies a modern working environment needs, and they tend to be equipped with higher quality and newer items such as stand-up desks, coffee machines, and the fastest internet speeds. Importantly, they also counter the isolation many remote and home-based workers experience, improving mental health.

National coworking day is an event organised by Double Farley in association with The Coworking Hui. For the third year running it is also registered as an official Techweek event. Techweek is a series of national events that celebrate technology and the future of work, so celebrating and encouraging coworking is a natural fit for many current and emerging business sectors. The synergy extends to many Techweek events also taking place within coworking spaces up and down the country.

“Coworking is all about working around other people in a non-competitive, social, and supportive, way. We adopted the paperclip as the symbol of the event, something that is universally known as bringing things together, especially in the business world. “, says Kevin Double, national coordinator and creator of the event.

Visitors to the spaces taking part will be welcomed throughout the day on the 22 May, and there is no need to book or have any commitment to becoming a member.
The event is free, and spaces will be open 9 am to 5pm, and over half of the spaces offering the entire working week from 20 May, for free.
To find coworking spaces near you, visit www.nationalcoworkingday.nz or search for @NationalCoworkingDay on Facebook.

TechWeek http://techweek.co.nz/ a nationwide movement to celebrate New Zealand grown Technology and innovation on a global scale.    
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