I was recently asked during a panel discussion “Has Auckland got its mojo back?”
When you look at the events the city has hosted in the past month; Olivia Dean, All Blacks, Black Caps, Silver Ferns, Diwali, Picasso designed by Paul Smith, to what we have to look forward to, Robbie Williams, Sculpture in the Gardens, Guns N' Roses (to name a few) the feeling of optimism in the city is hard to miss.
The variety of events on our calendar give Aucklanders a reason to get out and enjoy their city. Having attended a number of these events, and talking to many of my Ponsonby friends, everyone is feeling the buzz.
This is not just about providing entertainment and bringing people into the region it is also creating opportunities for local businesses. Putting on my Value For Money Chair's hat, events not only enrich us but also inject a huge amount of money into our local economy (events through to March next year are expected to contribute $50m to the regional GDP!)
The newly opened CRL has been a gamechanger for getting around Auckland, improving connections and access. In its first month of operation, it carried two million passengers! It's been a big investment, but it is paying off big time.
The city has just finished celebrating the BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival, the city's iconic Festival of Lights. While the Mayor has been promoting Auckland offshore, I have had the honour and pleasure of attending many of the exciting events in his place as Acting Mayor of Auckland. It is always a vibrant and wonderful celebration of culture. As well as Diwali, and sitting alongside the Black Caps v India cricket series, this month Auckland is hosting the New Zealand-India Business, Sport and Innovation Summit (Nov 12th &13th). Delivered by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited in partnership with Sport New Zealand, the Summit brings together influential leaders from business, government, sport and culture.
This is a great time to celebrate our 175,000 strong Indian community which plays an important role in our region's cultural and economic success and helps make Auckland the multicultural city we all love. The Summit programme explores everything from artificial intelligence and digital transformation to tourism, investment and the role of sport in driving economic sign up to get involved! https://www.nzindiasummit.com/registration
As this issue of Ponsonby News comes out, the election is just around the corner. Whatever the outcome it’s imperative local and central Government continue to closely work together. We all agree, when Auckland succeeds, New Zealand succeeds. We all want the same thing; to make this city the best it can be, a city that embraces the arts, culture, and heritage, a city that is vibrant and safe and a city that is prosperous for all. Let's continue to be ambitious and positive. (DESLEY SIMPSON)
*Census 2023
https://www.desleysimpson.co.nz
