Auckland businesses' investment opportunities on the table

9 November 2011

Investment opportunities already on the table for Auckland businesses following RWC 2011

Auckland businesses are seeing some immediate benefits from showcasing their products and services to international investors during Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011), with several investment deals already in the pipeline.

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) aimed to use RWC 2011 to make international business connections and showcase investment opportunities in Auckland’s key sectors, resulting in a long-term business legacy for the city.

ATEED’s Business and Sector Development General Manager Clyde Rogers says it is very encouraging to see some significant negotiations already on the table.

“Our programmes were about establishing long-term relationships between Auckland businesses and overseas business visitors that will result in benefits for the region in years to come. As a result of NZ2011 Business Club activity and sector showcasing opportunities, deals within key sectors are already underway and could deliver up to $150 million to Auckland’s economy, the earliest of these expected to be finalised in March 2012.”

Leon Grice, Director of the NZ2011Office, which developed and managed the NZ2011 Business Club said, “Although the NZ2011 Business Club is a national programme, ATEED was a critical partner in the delivery of the programme in the Auckland region, which generated a large portion of the domestic Business Club activity.”

More than 8900 business people registered for the NZ2011 Business Club, of which half were internationals, with at least 8100 of its members attending the 285 casual networking events held in the NZ2011 Business Lounge in The Cloud at Queens Wharf.

Further to this, the Auckland arm of the NZ2011 Business Club held 51 events attended by more than 4500 club members and non-members. These events saw locals and internationals with common business interests mixing and mingling at a range of impressive Auckland locations and making valuable connections.

A number of high net worth individuals and potential investors were taken for trips on the Sealegs amphibious craft, paving the way for future investment in the innovative technology and New Zealand’s marine sector. A particular highlight was the launch of the BNZ Presents: The Virgin Business Challenge were Sealegs amphibious boats were used in a race between Virgin Group boss, Sir Richard Branson, Air New Zealand Chief Executive Rob Fyfe and BNZ Chief Executive Andrew Thorburn, at Takapuna Beach. Also, the BNZ Presents Sir Richard Branson Live in Auckland event raised over $350,000 for Outward Bound and attracted an audience of more than 1400 predominantly business men and women from around the country and the globe.

ATEED’s investment showcase programme featured events that showcased Auckland’s priority sectors – marine, food and beverage, health technology, screen, creative and ICT – and highlighted Auckland, and New Zealand, as a relevant, innovative business hub. The programme also acted as a catalyst to attract new trade and investment.

The New Zealand Food Innovation Showcase, held at the Viaduct Events Centre, featured 49 exhibitors and attracted 6000 visitors – 2500 registrants and up to 4000 members of the public – over its three days, many of them international investors interested in New Zealand’s food and beverage innovation story from farm gate to plate.

The marine sector maximized the opportunity RWC 2011 presented by moving its 13th Auckland International Boat Show from March to September – attendance was 15,000. The show attracted not only strong interest from the international marine industry but also international media from several Asian countries, South Africa and Australia. Exhibitors at the four day event reported healthy sales and strong leads with nearly one third of visitors indicating they are considering buying a new boat within the next year.

At the Angel Investment Showcase held by The ICEHOUSE on 18 October, 15 high-calibre growth companies from around New Zealand pitched to a crowd of 150, including significant high net worth individual investors from overseas and around New Zealand.

Chief Executive of The ICEHOUSE Andy Hamilton said, “The ICEHOUSE event was a stunning success because it was a great opportunity to showcase Kiwi technologies to national and international investors.

The feedback has been excellent and even better there was significant indication of investment commitment on the night which we are now following up and we are confident that close to a million dollars was raised from the evening.”

ENDS

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