Auckland's creative businesses are growing faster than anywhere else in New Zealand, according to a report launched by Auckland City in November 2005.

Auckland's creative businesses are growing faster than anywhere else in New Zealand, according to a report launched by Auckland City in November 2005. Of New Zealand's estimated 36,540 creative sector full-time employees, 18,730 are located in the Auckland region, with 73 per cent of these located in Auckland city.

"Auckland is a 360-degree city, one-and-a-half million people spread out over an area the size of London. It has huge and wonderful resources. You wouldn't have to do much to make it fantastic." - Gordon Moller

Full-time positions in these industries in Auckland city have been growing at twice the rate of other regions in New Zealand. "The research shows that Auckland city is very much the home of the creative industries, we are for example the national centre for advertising and television," said Councillor Northey, chairperson of the Economic Development and Sustainable Business Committee.

Auckland City's research report, Snapshot: Auckland's creative industries, is an economic view of the creative industries developed through both statistical analysis and feedback from over 400 businesses and agencies.

"In line with international trends, we need to improve our understanding of the creative industries in order to harness their value and make the economy work as hard as it can," said Mr Northey. "The strong correlation between successful creative industries developing a successful economy and dynamic, stimulating city has been globally recognised," said Mr Northey.

Auckland City spoke to over 400 stakeholders in the creative industries to understand the needs of the sector and to examine potential roles for the council and partners to support economic growth. The results provide insights into the nature, motivations and aspirations of those working in the creative industries in Auckland city.

Overall, the sector sees itself as having a great deal to contribute towards the city and specifically, it would like recognition of their potential as an even more important economic force. "The report will form the basis for Auckland City to develop an action plan that will outline opportunities for the city to collaborate and partner with others to better assist the creative industries in Auckland city," said Mr Northey. "We are a long-standing champion of the city's and region's creative industries and we are committed to supporting the city's economic growth across many industry sectors, including the creative industries," said Mr Northey.

Central government also has highlighted the creative industries in the Growth and Innovation Framework as a sector capable of helping to generate transformation in the New Zealand economy. Following accepted international classifications, Auckland City defines the creative industries as:

• design (including graphic design, architecture, advertising and designer fashion)
• publishing (book, periodical and newspaper)
• music
• performing arts
• visual arts, crafts and photography
• screen production and radio (film, television, video, radio and digital media). 

City action plan to support creative sector

Auckland City will develop an action plan to enhance and support the growth of the creative sector in the city. Councillor Richard Northey, chairperson of the Economic Development and Sustainable Development Committee says that Auckland City's recent economic research into the sector clearly demonstrates the creative industries are already an important economic driver for the city with great growth potential. "The sector is uniquely important because it drives growth across other sectors of the Auckland economy from manufacturing to services. The sector's potential economic impact could provide Auckland with a distinctive competitive advantage," said Mr Northey.

Auckland City's research provided important information and insights into the nature, motivations and aspirations of over 400 stakeholders in the creative industries in Auckland. "We have listened to what the creative sector has said. Now we are committed to producing an action plan that will support the growth of the creative industries and will help realise the vital contribution the sector can make to Auckland over the long-term," said Mr Northey.

The creative industries action plan will align with other Auckland City plans and strategies such as the CBD Into the Future strategy, the long-term planning process and Auckland City's other work to support economic development in the city. The council will collaborate with representatives from the creative industries and key external agencies to develop the action plan, which is due for completion in the middle of next year.

The creative sector contributed $1.17 billion in to Auckland city's economy in 2003. This is equivalent to 6.3 per cent of total city GDP of $19.8 billion and is on a par with the construction industry at 5.9 per cent.