Why Auckland
Since 2010 Auckland has experienced continuous economic growth. Auckland’s GDP growth rate has outpaced the likes of Sydney, Melbourne and Vancouver. The population has grown dramatically creating a housing boom and impressive investments in infrastructure. This picturesque city has transformed into a truly dynamic global city. We are more connected than ever with 14 new airlines arriving in the last year alone. Auckland is culturally diverse, with a young, educated and innovative workforce driving exciting new technologies, IT, fashion, and the creative industries. It is recognised globally as a city to watch by the City Momentum Index, Auckland is more than ever, the place to do business, to live and enjoy.
Great reasons to invest in Auckland
1. New Zealand is the No.1 country to do business in
In its 2017 Doing Business report, the World Bank ranked New Zealand as the easiest place to do business. Our tax system is competitive and low-compliance. Tax is simple here: there’s no payroll tax, no social security tax, no stamp duties, no estate tax and no capital gains tax. Interacting with public authorities is also easy and transparent. In 2015, Transparency International ranked us as the fourth least corrupt country in the world to do business in.
2. Australasia’s fastest growing city
New Zealand’s and Auckland’s economic growth has been faster than most developed countries since 2010. Auckland makes up more than a third of New Zealand’s population and is projected to go from just over 1.6 million in 2017 to 2.2 million in 2043 (medium projection). Investors can take advantage of the new business, commercial and industrial spaces and services being built in Auckland to support our growing population and globally competitive industries.
3. The world’s 3rd most liveable city
The annual Mercer Quality of Living Survey has consistently ranked us the third most liveable city in the world since 2011, while the 2017 Economist’s Global Liveability Survey ranks us eighth.
4. A creative talent hub
Investors can tap into our highly educated and experienced workforce. Auckland has one of Australasia’s largest recruitment bases of highly-skilled employees, as well as New Zealand’s biggest pool of private and public sector researchers.
5. The 4th most multicultural city in the world
Half a million-people born overseas now live in Auckland and over 29% of Aucklanders can speak two or more languages. This makes us sensitive to diverse cultural customs and able to provide services in multiple languages. New Zealand offers a range of visa categories catering for investors, entrepreneurs and business managers, and active government support for investment.
6. The gateway to booming Asia-Pacific markets
With Asia set to significantly shape global trade and investment flows for years to come, Auckland is a strategic place to set up your business. Here you can serve both the Asia-Pacific and Western economies and gain preferential access to international markets thanks to nine Free Trade Agreements New Zealand has signed with major Asia-Pacific economies.
7. Globally connected
Auckland is New Zealand’s major hub for international air travel, with most major international airlines flying frequently in and out of Auckland Airport. The city’s deep water port serves more than 30 global and regional shipping lines at internationally competitive stevedoring costs.
Our ultra-fast broadband extends across the country and internationally, as Auckland is a landing point for a number of submarine fibre optic cable systems, including the Southern Cross Cable. The Southern Cross Cable currently delivers 240GB/second and the capacity can be doubled to 480GB/second as demand increases.
8. A highly developed financial hub
New Zealand has one of the most developed financial systems in the world. In Auckland, you can be first on the stock market – our stock exchange is the first to open worldwide each trading day. Several major trading banks and numerous other banking institutions are based here. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand supervises our banking system to ensure the country is financially stable. New Zealand’s total public debt remains well under control at around 32.7 per cent of GDP in 2015.
9. A fair labour environment and competitive costs
Our labour market is also flexible and mobile - Auckland offers highly competitive wage rates and lowon-costs and overheads. New Zealand’s labour laws support both business owners and employees. New Zealand's Pay As You Earn (PAYE) deductions are simple and include income tax and accident compensation cover. Employees can choose whether they want to join a union or not. Employees cantake paid and unpaid parental leave.
10. Ideal for tests and demonstrations
Our high-tech environment is ideal for trialling proof of concept, high-tech test beds, and prototypingand business model validation. We have an unrivalled stable business environment, a diversified and growing economy, a global, highly skilled talent pool, and a proven reputation for innovation, entrepreneurial activity.
Focus industries
Auckland is a major center for Information Technology, Creative, Marketing & Media, Food & Beverages and Business Services.
Learn about our Focus industries.
