Our partnership approach was exemplified by September’s signing of a ground-breaking agreement with Te Tai Tokerau Northland’s economic development agency Northland Inc.
The agreement, in the form of a memorandum of understanding (MOU), cements the natural geographical and economic bonds between Auckland and Northland. It reflects our regions’ shared aspirations around growing employment and prosperity, and our mutual focus on Māori economic development, supporting innovation, and investment attraction.
The agencies have already worked closely on tourism projects to support the regions’ fast-growing visitor economies, and that blueprint will be extended to help seize opportunities in other industries.
With roading links to be transformed by the Ara Tūhono Pūhoi to Wellsford SH1 project, opportunities around the 36th America’s Cup to boost each regions’ world-class marine industries, and the potential for new international education and business events collaboration, each agency sees the mutual benefits the MOU will provide.
Combining our efforts will bring scale and impact across a range of projects, from increasing digital capability to attracting international investment into high-end tourist accommodation.
Auckland and Whangarei will co-host Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 – part of a mega event year including APEC 2021 and the America’s Cup. While the tournament will attract global visitors, the two regions are focused on ensuring visitors find it easy to move between our regions, and that we make the most of the fantastic business leverage opportunities surrounding the event.
With the agreement signed, a working group is being formed to decide on key projects and move them forward with specific agreed targets.