Experience the charm & splendour of a coastal setting at North Shore City Lifestyle City - just a short ferry ride from Downtown Auckland or drive across the harbour bridge. Discover beautiful beaches, lush native bush & spectacular views of the Hauraki Gulf. From lively cafes & restaurants to great sports & leisure pursuits, a thriving arts scene to walk in the park, you'll be sure to discover it all in North Shore City

Stay in beautiful historic villas, enjoy unspoiled sea views, or camp by the beach, and just a stones throw away from downtown Auckland. Use the site to search for accommodation, attractions & activities. Check out the dining guide & visit the what's on page for city events,.

Just an hour from Auckland International Airport, seven minutes and a drive over the Harbour Bridge from Auckland City or a short ferry ride away from downtown, you'll find North Shore City, New Zealand's fourth largest city. North Shore City boasts a lifestyle and environment that set it apart as a destination for homemakers, pleasure-seekers and business people.

The natural advantages of a warm climate, beautiful beaches and spectacular scenery contribute to the popularity of one of the most vibrant cities in New Zealand.

NORTH SHORE CITY ECONOMY AT A GLANCE

The North Shore City average annual growth rate for the APR index grew by 1.6 per cent for the year ended June 2008, which was slower than the 2.1 per cent annual growth rate in New Zealand's index over the same period.

Results from the 2006 census put North Shore's population at 220,300. Population growth in the city is in line with that of the Auckland region (12.4%) and above the national rate (7.8%). North Shore has 5.1% of the NZ population.

A total of 86,080 employees worked in North Shore City as at February 2007. This represented 4.5% of the total employees in New Zealand. The largest industry in terms of employees was the retail trade, which employed 16.1% of all employees in the city. The property and business services employed a further 15.2% of total employees in the city.

A total of 26,398 businesses were located within North Shore City as at February 2007, representing 5.3% of all businesses in New Zealand. The principal industry within North Shore City was the property and business services industry, which accounted for 41.2% of all businesses within the city. The next most significant industry within the city was the construction industry.

A total of 230 houses were sold in North Shore City during July 2008, less than the 271 houses sold in June 2008. The median sale price also declined from $510,000 in June 2008 to $483,500 in July 2008. The annual average growth in the number of houses sold in North Shore City was negative 42.6% for the year ended July 2008.

Only 24 consents were issued for the North Shore for new dwellings during July 2008. This was less than the 38 consents issued in June 2008 and the lowest level of consents recorded since February 2005. The annual average growth rate in the number of new building consents issued for residential dwellings in North Shore City was negative 24.9% for the year ended July 2008.

During July 2008 1410 consents valued at around $393.5 million were issued for new dwellings. The volume of consents issued for new dwellings in July 2008 represented an increase of 48 consents compared with the level of consents issued in June 2008, but represented a decrease of 750 (34.7%) consents compared with July 2007. As a result, the annual average growth rate in building consents was negative 15.5% for the year ended July 2008.

There were 508 building consents issued in North Shore City for the construction and alteration of non-residential buildings, a rise of 30.9% from the year ended March 2007, compared with a 1.5 percent decrease nationally during the same period. The value of non-residential building consents was $226.7 million, up 8.4% from the previous year.

Summary:

The New Zealand economy has endured a difficult economic situation over the first half of 2008 with significant rises in food and fuel prices, a stagnant housing market, drought, electricity shortages and the failure of some financial institutions. As a consequence New Zealand's GDP contracted over the first half of 2008.

High commodity prices, especially for dairy products, are a positive for the New Zealand economy. In spite of losing some momentum, domestic demand is still strong, the labour market remains tight and interest and exchange rates have started to ease.

According to the National Bank's (NB) August 2008 Business Outlook Survey, firms' expectations of their own real business activity in 12 months' time improved from a net negative 8% in July 2008 to a net 5%. As petrol prices come off the highs of previous months and with expected interest rate cuts to come, firms appear to be regaining some confidence.

Useful link:

• Business and Economy Auckland Region 2008
  
• Business and Economy Auckland Region 2007 (1.28 MB)
  
• AucklandPlus - The official investment agency of the Auckland region website
  

Economic Development Strategy

North Shore City Council follows the 2006 Economic Development Strategy as it manages the city's growth.

This strategy aims to grow and develop the North Shore City economy to create sustainable wealth and quality of life for all, while protecting and respecting our environment. Although the strategy touches on the interwoven aspects of social, cultural and environmental well-being, it is focused on economic well-being.

The Vision

In 2020 North Shore City will be a world-class business setting that is recognised domestically and internationally as a sustainable centre of business excellence.

It will have a self-sufficient economy with growth built around its strengths:

• finance and business services
• Information and communications technology
• niche manufacturing
• education
• health
• retail
• sport and leisure.

The city will have highvalue, high-skill and job-rich enterprises that are innovative and sustainable, focusing on exporting.
A life-long learning pathway to ensure residents have relevant local education and work opportunities will support it.
The Council will work in partnership with government agencies, the community, Iwi and commercial organisations to achieve city-wide economic development objectives.
There will be consistent regulatory processes, a world-class telecommunications platform and high quality infrastructure and planning.

Underpinning the City's success will be a series of town centres that each makes a signifi cant contribution to the distinctive identity of North Shore City.
Vibrant and diverse lifestyle centres where entertainment and a range of lifestyle choices 'outside of work' complement the business success.

Usefull Links:

• The full 2006 North Shore City Economic Development strategy PDF (1.43 MB)
  
• Strategies and plans

For more information click HERE

Enterprise North Shore

 

Information courtesy of Enterprise North Shore

Enterprise North Shore is North Shore City's economic development agency.  We were established in 1993 by the North Shore City Council, and work closely with local, regional and national stakeholders to add value to the North Shore community through the implementation of the city's Economic Development Strategy. 

In simple terms, we are committed to creating a vibrant, world-class economic environment in which our residents can happily live, work, learn and play.

Above is a diagram of how we achieve our aims.  Enterprise North Shore tailors its services to both grow the local economy and cater for the needs of enterprise, and we focus on key economic sector groups wishing to develop within North Shore City.

 

Our City and Strategies:

North Shore City has excelled in its economic success over the past 10 years, eclipsing the performance of its surrounding regional neighbours and growing economically at nearly double the rate of New Zealand. We now have:

•  209,000 residents, with 90,800 full-time equivalent workers
•  26,400 businesses, with more than 20,000 workers commuting daily from other parts of Auckland
•  More than 60% of all North Shore full-time employees living and working on the Shore (up 4% in the past six years)
•  Annual GDP of $8.3 billion.

 

Since 1997 (according to the March 2008 BERL North Shore City Economic Performance 1997-2007 report), the North Shore has seen:

• GDP growth of 5.5% per annum (national rate 3%)
• GDP per capita growth of 3.5% (national rate 1.8%)
• Employment growth of 4.4% (national rate 2.4%)
• A 1.9% population growth (national rate 1.2%)

We should expect 1000 more businesses each year, 3000 more people annually and a GDP expected to rise to $13.14 billion by 2021.

 

 

Business Support Agencies

 

This information courtesy of Auckland City Council supplemented by TBBA research

The following extensive list of links is a valuable resource for small-to-medium businesses looking for more information on starting or growing a business.

Business support organisations (38 listed) (Also see  BIZ (Business Information Zone) website for a directory with hundreds of contacts and links to business-related organisations throughout New Zealand) Central government departments Regional and local government links Creative sector specialists (film, design and fashion) Maori and Pacific Islands business groups Training providers - university, polytech and priivate providers of business education and training. (Also see  BIZ (Business Information Zone) website for extensive links to classroom, at-work and online training in all aspects of daily business operations.)

Business Mentors NZ offers support services for small-to-medium businesses Business and industry events (Auckland-wide) Business media - national and regional media with business news and articles Commercial property specialists

 

Government Agencies

Information courtesy of www.newzealand.govt.nz

Click on the links below to take you to an external government department directory.

Arts and Events Business, Finance and Tax Economy, Industry and Trade Education and Training Emergencies Employment and Jobs Environment, Energy and Conservation Families and Communities Government - Local, Central and Regional Health History and Heritage

Housing and Property Immigration Kids and Youth Law and Justice MÄori Research, Science and Technology 60s Plus Social Welfare & Support Sport and Recreation Tourism and Travellers Transport and Roads

 

Auckland Regional Council

 

Information courtesy of Auckland Regional Council

 

The Auckland Reginal Council manages the region's air and water quality, its growth and development, regional parks, public transport, the coastal and marine environment, and natural and cultural heritage sites.

For the ARC website click HERE, or follow a quick link below.

Useful Links

• Council 
  Home to over 1.3 million people and the fastest growing region in New Zealand, the Auckland region is culturally diverse and dynamic. On these pages you can find more about the people of the Auckland region and how you can be involved in making our region a great place to live.
• Parks 
  The Auckland Regional Council Parks network was established in 1965 and is made up of 25 different parks, covering nearly 40,000 hectares of land with recreational, historic and ecological value. Access to all our parks is free of charge.
• Plans 
  Here you can find plans, policies, strategies and technical publications.
• Economy 
  Through the region's economic development strategy and its implementation, the ARC aims to make the region an internationally competitive, inclusive and dynamic economy. These pages outline programmes designed to build a skilled labour force, business innovation, and to attract visitors and investors.
• Environment 
  The ARC protects the region's natural environment by seeking to minimise the effects of development and pollution on the region's air, land and water. In these pages you can find out more about our environmental protection, monitoring and conservation programmes.
• Transport 
  A successful transport system is vital in every vibrant city. These pages explain the role of the ARC and other agencies in improving the transport system, especially public transport.
• Heritage 
  The ARC protects Auckland's geological features, historic buildings and cultural heritage. On these pages you can find out about the preservation and protection of Auckland's historic heritage.