http://www.hotcity.co.nz Heart of the City news all on hotcity.co.nz en-uk Heart of the City paul.f@vendingdirect.co.nz Sat, 03 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/events/?v=l&y=2012&m=03 Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki is to present Degas to Dalí - an outstanding exhibition of international modern artists whose work spans 100 years. Travelling to New Zealand are seventy-nine works of art by influential and celebrated artists, such as Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir, Ernst, Magritte and Warhol. info@hotcity.co.nz Sat, 03 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/events http://www.hotcity.co.nz/events/?v=l&y=2012&m=04 The world-wide smash hit production of JERSEY BOYS - The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons will open at The Civic in Auckland in April 2012. JERSEY BOYS opened in Melbourne in July 2009 and played for 13 months before transferring to Sydney's Theatre Royal opening in September 2010. Over 1,000,000 people will have seen the show in Melbourne and Sydney by the end of the year. It then comes direct to Auckland. info@hotcity.co.nz Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/events http://www.hotcity.co.nz/events/?v=l&y=2012&m=04 The NZ International Comedy Festival is a highlight on the entertainment calendar. Its broad mainstream appeal has been demonstrated by consistently high audience attendance since it's inception in 1993. With an average ticket price of just over $24, the Festival is not only a hugely popular event, but also an extremely accessible one. With comedy performances ranging from stand up, sketch, improv, theatre, children's and musical comedy we aim to provide something for everyone to laugh at. info@hotcity.co.nz Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/events http://www.hotcity.co.nz/events/?v=l&y=2012&m=02 Kermadec showcases a diverse collection of artworks from nine leading South Pacific artists inspired by their voyage to the Kermadec region of New Zealand in May 2011. The artists were Niuean-born John Pule, painter John Reynolds, inter-media artist Phil Dadson, leading Australian sculptor/installation artist Fiona Hall, Wellington-based sculptor Elizabeth Thomson, one of New Zealand's most acclaimed artists Dame Robin White, documentary film maker Bruce Foster, photographer Jason O'Hara and text-based artist Gregory O'Brien. In May 2011 at the invitation of Pew Environment Group's Ocean Legacy Programme the artists travelled to the Kermadecs, a remote a part of New Zealand, located in the South Pacific Ocean, 1,000 km north of Auckland, on board the HMNZS Otago. The Kermadecs is an area the National Geographic Society identified in 2010 as one of the last pristine sites left in the world's oceans. Despite their natural and historical significance, our awareness of the islands and surrounding waters is slight. The voyage to the Kermadecs created a unique opportunity for this significant group of artists to encounter a region they themselves knew little of but which has intrigued and inspired. Based on Raoul, one of fifteen islands in the region, they explored and imagined the Polynesian voyagers, adventurers and scientists who had traversed this remote region before them. Each artist found their own "Kermadec voice", and in their respective mediums they have created an extraordinary story and exhibition. The resulting body of diverse work is a powerful statement of their unanimous commitment to first, confront the real issues that threaten this pristine environment and secondly, to alert New Zealanders and audiences throughout the world of the urgent need to safeguard this remarkable marine environment. We are reminded of the importance of the sea to our world. Come and discover the Kermadecs through this stunning collection of contemporary art in the Edmiston Gallery. View associated videos http://vimeo.com/kermadec info@hotcity.co.nz Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/events http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/376 A free opportunity for CBD events, attractions, restaurants, bars, hotels and shops Following its huge success last year, 48 Hour City will be returning in 2012 with American Express as its sponsor. 48 Hour City is a free opportunity for HOTCity Retail, Entertainment and Hospitality businesses to feature offers to promote themselves, and encourage visitation into the central city each week. Three offers will be promoted every 48 hours across a 12 week period from mid June to early September. 48 Hour City 2012 will be supported by its own advertising schedule including a heavyweight campaign through Facebook and use of the new 'Facebook Offers' channel, digital display on 3rd party websites, a main feature on the homepage of biglittlecity.co.nz (which saw 100,000 visits a month last winter), weekly email support to a database of 12,000, alerts to a database of 10,000 and social media marketing to 12,000. This year we have the added support of American Express and their communications to card holders. The concept is as follows: · 48 Hour City serves up three offers from different city businesses each 48 hour period · The promotion is suitable for CBD retail, entertainment and hospitality businesses and is free to participate in · All you need to do is provide details of your offer and your preferred redemption periods and HOTCity will look after the rest · All offers are to be exclusive or new to BIG little City's 48 Hour City promotion and need to be as compelling as possible. Examples of strong offers from 2011 were:        o $10 mains at Wagamama        o 50% off diamond swirl necklace at Walker and Hall        o 2 for 1 pizza at Rebo        o $5 glass of pinot noir at Smith        o 50% off absolutely everything at Smoove        o 1/2 price coffee at Holy Beans · The customer will print the offer details or show to the vendor on a smartphone then the transaction will take place directly with the vendor · All offers will be accompanied by the terms and conditions you supply (Subject to availability, while stocks last etc) · 1 of the 3 advertised offers for each 48 hour period will be an AMEX offer. If you are an AMEX merchant you will have two opportunities to provide an offer, directly to us or to AMEX as a 'merchant offer'. A representative from AMEX will be in touch with you shortly to discuss this option. Next Steps: This is a FREE advertising opportunity to assist Heart of the City businesses to drive business, so if you would like to participate please contact Erin at HOTCity, via email erin@hotcity.co.nz or phone (09) 379 8000. Offers will be added to the schedule on a first in, first served basis - so if you are interested please let us know so that we can reserve your space. info@hotcity.co.nz Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/376 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/377 A free opportunity for CBD restaurants Auckland Restaurant Month returns in 2012 from 1-31 August. Heart of the City's signature dining event is being run in partnership with Brand Events & Festivals (the organisers of Taste of Auckland) with headline sponsor American Express. HOTCity restaurants are invited to serve up special set menus that create extra value and encourage dining over a traditionally quiet period. The results for the 2011 event were strong, with spending the 2011 Restaurant Month participants increasing by 11.4% over the same period for 2010, and we expect to deliver results that are as good, if not better, this year! This year we will have over 100 restaurants participating in the month long celebration of dining in the city. We are also expanding the event to include a high profile ticketed launch party plus the addition of international celebrity chefs cooking at a selection of central city restaurants. It's going to be fantastic! So here's how to get involved… The Details · Runs from 1-31 August 2012· Restaurants offer special set menus that offer create extra value and encourage dining in August· In addition to the great dining offers, there will be three additional consumer incentives, including:       o a $10,000 dining experience in Auckland - for those dining in one of the participating restaurants       o an American Express $20 cash back offer when you dine at 2 or more participating restaurants and pay with           your American Express card       o and a special discounted Co-Op Taxi rate, when you order a taxi to or from any of the participating restaurants           and quote: Auckland Restaurant Month· The event will be supported by a comprehensive Auckland Restaurant Month and BIG little City marketing and PR    plan targeting a national and Auckland audience, and will include TV, print, digital display ads, paid search and    point of sale.· There will also be an Auckland Restaurant Month editorial feature in association with the NZ Herald, featuring all    participating restaurants. How can my Restaurant get involved? · It is free for restaurants to participate in Auckland Restaurant Month· Participating restaurants must create a special set dinner menu (additional lunch menu is optional), that is    compelling and offers great value, in one (or more) of three different price ranges - under $20, $21 - $30 and $31· The set menus must be available on each day of the promotional period· Participating restaurants will be required to display Auckland Restaurant Month Point of Sale material during the    event, ensuring customers can identify your restaurant as a participating business. This will include an entry box    for the $10k prize draw, entry form pads, a card for table display detailing the 3 promotions, a billfold leaflet with    promotional details, a decal or similar to be visible from outside your business. Next steps: If you wish to participate please contact Shardae Mitha as soon as possible - promotions@befestivals.co.nz, 09 531 5524 For any further queries please contact Jane Stewart/Natalie Donze at Heart of the City - 09 379 8000 info@hotcity.co.nz Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/377 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/374 Heart of the City's major winter consumer campaign is now well into its development. It is due to go live in mid-June and will continue through until late August.The campaign is designed to drive visitation and spend in the city over the traditionally more quiet winter months. Key components of the campaign are:Auckland Restaurant Month - returning for a second year in August, the event will feature a wide range of HOTC restaurants - see more information hereThe 48 Hour City tactical promotion, whereby businesses can offer exclusive offers to our 10,000 strong database for 48 Hour periods - see more information hereA 12 week television, print and digital advertising campaign, highlighting the depth and breadth of the inner city's event, hospitality and retail offeringsIf you would like to discuss opportunities for your business or find out more, please contact us. info@hotcity.co.nz Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/374 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/375 Consumer spending results for the March Quarter from BNZ Marketview are now in. Results summary:In a relatively flat market, Heart of the City businesses are performing well compared to other retail areas. Spending for HOTCity remained steady with an increase of 3.3% compared to an increase of only 2.1% for other comparable retail areas.Year on Year results for the year ending March saw an increase in spending of 4.5% for HOTCity and a 0.6% increase for other retail areas over the 12 month period.Retail category performance:For the March Quarter, retail categories that performed particularly well in HOTCity were Apparel (+19.7%, compared to +5.2% in other areas), Bars, Cafes and Restaurants (+9.2%,  compared to +1.0% in other areas and far above the national average), Department Stores (+7.7% compared to +5.9% in other areas) and Furniture, Houseware and Appliance Retailing (+7.8% compared to +4.9% in other areas).HOTC precinct performance*:The difference in spend for the March quarter, compared to the same period last year, for CBD precincts is as follows:Victoria Quarter: -5.1%Waterfront: -4.3%Queen Street Valley: +5.7% (including Britomart: +44.2%, Fort Street Area: +4.6%, High Street District: +5.5%, Queen Street: +4.8%, Other Queen Street Valley: -0.7%)*The CBD precincts area includes streets in the CBD that sit outside the HOTC Members Boundary, particularly in the Victoria, Waterfront and Fort Street Precinct Areas.Information Source: BNZ Marketview, Produced by Marketview Limited. Please contact us for more information. info@hotcity.co.nz Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/375 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/373 The world's best rally drivers head down-under in June for Brother Rally New Zealand 2012. This is the seventh round of the FIA World Rally Championship, and several of Auckland Waterfront areas will be activated between 21 - 24 June. The Viaduct Events Centre will host the Service Park for WRC teams, a MotorExpo and the rally headquarters and Queens Wharf will host competitors from the Possum Bourne Memorial Rally field. The Brother Rally New Zealand comprises four days taking competitors to Northland, Waikato and into the northwest of the Auckland region as well as a special stage at Auckland's domain. The event offers fans numerous opportunities to watch world-class rally action and meet drivers and teams. Spectator viewing points feature on virtually every stage across the three days, and around central Auckland, fans can head to the service park to watch the WRC team technicians in action, and experience the WRC. Brother Rally of New Zealand is also viewed by an estimated 50,000 million passionate rally fans around the world - it's easy to see why this event profiles New Zealand in a unique and special way. In preparation for the event, rally teams will start arriving in Auckland from 15 June and will be based at the Service Park area on Halsey Street Wharf surrounding the Viaduct Events Centre. The number of international and domestic teams registered will not be confirmed until four weeks before the event, but in addition to up to 800 team personnel accessing the service parks, several hundred rally staff and officials will also be based in this area during this period. We're keen to show off the city and what it has to offer - There is an opportunity for restaurants and cafes which would like to participate and provide a discount for rally teams and officials to encourage our international visitors to experience Auckland's local cuisine. If you are interested in taking up this opportunity, please contact Tania Loveridge at Heart of the City, by Friday 4 May to discuss how this can be facilitated with the event organisers.For more information about the rally, visit the Brother Rally New Zealand website.  info@hotcity.co.nz Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/373 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/371 Wake-up and smell the Fairtrade coffee with comedian and Opinionist Te Radar at Auckland's inner city secret garden, the Britomart Country Club.Enjoy some light, healthy Fairtrade breakfast fare from Caffe L'affare, Kokako and All Good including unlimited Fairtrade coffee and hot chocolate. Chill out with some early morning live music and hear from a coffee grower from Papua New Guinea about how choosing fair makes a real difference for his community.This event sold out last year so make sure you get your tickets now!Don't miss this unique insight into a global movement that is creating a real impact on the lives of developing country farmers, and find out how you can be part of that change.Where: Britomart Country Club, 31 Galway Street, AucklandWhen: Friday 4th MayTime: 7.00 - 9.00amPrice: $17 (including booking fee) gets you a light breakfast, unlimited hot drinks, a free copy of Good magazine and a Fairtrade goodie bag.Tickets on sale now from EventopiaProudly supported by Heart of the City. info@hotcity.co.nz Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/371 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/365 The ITU World Triathlon Series returns to Auckland over Labour weekend in October for its Grand Final. Whilst last years event was considered successful, we are highly aware of the challenges that it presented to a number of Central City businesses. The event itself is locked in, including its course, so we are committed to working with the event organisers, and Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development (ATEED) to try and find ways to maximise benefits and minimise losses for central city retailers.Planning around this is currently underway, and includes - Getting advanced information about the central city as a shopping/dining/entertainment destination to race participants and their entourages - Exploring way in which we can get race spectators and athlete entourages around central city sights and shopping destinations during the week that they are in auckland - Establishing a facebook relationship with the event - BIG little City has done this and individual businesses can too. This will enable a social connection with visitors to the page. Working closely with the event organisers, ATEED, and Auckland Transport to ensure that the event and traffic management messages do not act as a deterrent to visitation We will continue to update you as these initiatives are followed through and new ones are developed. We are advocating hard on your behalf to try and ensure that the Central City hosts the 'right events, in the right location' . We want to see events in city held in locations that will complement the adjacent business activity, and are working with Council, along with the Waitemata Local Board to try and get traction on this. If you have ideas or suggestions about how we can make the World Triathlon Series Grand Final work for city retail, please contact us. info@hotcity.co.nz Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/365 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/366 The results are in for the recent Fashion in the BIG little City event, run by Heart of the City to encourage retail spending in central Auckland. The one-day event included value-add offers from over 100 participating retailers, two great fashion competitions and 7 fashion shows in public spaces. Fashion in the BIG little City was held as part of the week-long New Zealand Fashion Festival, held in various central city venues and sponsored by HOTcity. As part of our event post-analysis, we commissioned Marketview Limited, who measure spend via BNZ credit cards, to analyse how consumer spending was impacted by the event. The results were positive. On Saturday 3 March, when Fashion in the BIG little City was held, spend with the participating retailers was up 19.6% compared to an average Saturday spend across the last 12 months. The spend on apparel (clothing, footwear and jewellery) in the central city as a whole over the course of the week of the festival was up 36.2% compared to an average week's spend, while non-CBD shopping areas were down -13% in this category. Apparel spend with Fashion in the BIG little City-participating retailers during the week was up by a very respectable 52.9%. The event also achieved some good Web/social media/database results. This is all good news as it gives us stronger channels for our on-going BIG little City marketing messages and campaigns. A survey with HOTCity retailers who participated in the Fashion in the BIG little City event, with a 25% response rate, also returned positive results. 60% of respondents noted an increase in customer numbers, and 53% noted an increase in sales. 66% would participate in the event again, and the greater portion of these people would support extending it across a whole weekend. We will be reviewing the success of this year's event to determine how we may do it again next year. info@hotcity.co.nz Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/366 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/367 Westpac Auckland Central Business Awards, presented by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, reward excellence in business and celebrate the greater value it brings to Auckland city. "Awards like this highlight true excellence in business and lift benchmarks for everyone," Auckland Chamber of Commerce's Chief Executive Michael Barnett says. Award categories will cover a range of aspects of business performance, capped off by the Supreme Business Excellence Award. Businesses that enter will help their employees to see the value of their work and celebrate their successes. The Awards are open to any company, no matter how large or small. Categorywinners will be automatically entered to compete in the Auckland regional awards. Entering the Awards has a business value of its own: it encourages you to review your performance and identify your business strengths that can lead to future growth. The Awards will also provide new benchmarks for businesses to reach for by raising the profile of the finalists and winners through recognition and media coverage.For more information about the awards and how to enter, visit the Auckland Chamber of Commerce website. info@hotcity.co.nz Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/367 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/368 Auckland Council's Business Advisory Panel, of which HOTCity CEO Alex Swney is a member, has voiced a single preference on the 10 proposed alternative transport funding options that have been out for public consultation to help fund transport development including the proposed central city rail loop. The 10 alternative transport funding options out for consultation in the 'Getting Auckland Moving - Alternative Funding for Transport' document were: General rates, targeted rates, development contributions, tax increment financing, new regional fuel tax and road user charge/diesel levy, tolling new roads, road pricing on existing roads, additional car parking charges, visitor taxes, and an airport departure tax. The Panel has resolved to support in principle the option of 'network charging' across the Auckland motorway system, wherein road users may face fees to use certain roads, with variable pricing at peak and non-peak times. Chair of the Business Advisory Panel, Cameron Brewer, says the network charging option seems to be gaining momentum from the business sector as arguably the fairest, the most likely one to generate significant revenue to close the $11.7b transport funding gap, influence driver behaviour, and improve Auckland's economic performance. "After looking at the 10 options the Panel's preference is decisive and singular, and we trust we'll be heard. We appreciate that a network charge would cost most Aucklanders a few dollars a week, but doing nothing costs the region at least $1.3b every year in wasted time, productivity and fuel," says Mr Brewer. info@hotcity.co.nz Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/368 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/364 Auckland Transport have advised us that they will be undertaking critical maintenance work on the Shortland Street and High Street Intersection in the central city this weekend. Works will take place from 7am - midnight on Sunday 22 April, and from 7pm - midnight onMonday 23 & Tuesday 24 April. Thursday 26 April from 7pm - midnight isbeing held as a contingency date. Access During working hours, High Street will be closed to regular vehicular traffic from Shortland Street to Freyberg Place, Shortland Street will be closed from Queen Street to High Street and Jean Batten Place will also be closed. The detour route will be clearly sign-posted, and an electronic message board will convey that businesses are open. Vehicles will be able to exit O'Connell Street via Shortland Street with a right hand turn only. Traffic Controllers will be on site and stationed at key access points to assist with any access issues. Pedestrians will have continued access. Goods vehicles will have access to High Street (Freyberg Place to Shortland Street) via Freyberg Place. If you require access, please speak to the Site Traffic Management Supervisor (STMS) on site, or call Eddie Hayman, the Project Manager, on the number below. Parking Parking will not be possible on High Street, from Shortland Street to Freyberg Place, and on Shortland Street between High Street and Queen Street while work is taking place. If yourequire access to parking on the remainder of High Street or Shortland Street, please speak to the Traffic Controllers on site. Contact Eddie Hayman - Project Manager: 027 450 5484 Auckland Transport Call Centre: 09 355 3553 info@hotcity.co.nz Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/364 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/363 We are excited to announce that we are taking real steps towards understanding how people use the Auckland City Centre at all times of the day with our new high tech counting equipment. The new 24/7 monitoring system charts pedestrian numbers and provides meaningful performance data to assist property owners and retailers and track the impact of events and other activities that occur in the city. The previous 'snapshot' system provided data gathered on a Wednesday in mid-October every year - rain, hail or shine. Of course the weather, or road works or a cruise ship or even a blockbuster sale all had huge impacts on the results. but a lot can happen over a year in such a vibrant place like the City Centre, so getting better data was essential. With this new technology, we now have automated pedestrian counts on a 24/7 basis, which enables us to better understand the pedestrian numbers at any time or day of the year, and compare current and long term trends in the City Centre. Understanding pedestrian counts is also key determinant for setting rental values, as well assisting businesses in determining where they want to locate, and even their opening hours. On Saturday 17 March when the city centre hosted both the Volvo Ocean Race and St Patrick's Day celebration, pedestrian numbers at the bottom of Queen Street increased by 63% on the previous four Saturdays. Four locations in the City Centre have the automated counting technology - three in Queen Street and one in High Street. The data is instantly sent back over the 3G network to a server at HOTCity offices, where 'real time reports' can be downloaded over the web at any time. Heart of the City members will be the first to see the counts. One of the important ways of keeping a tab on a city centre's progress is to monitor and report on pedestrian foot traffic. The system is already proving it's worth and we hope, in partnership with others, to be able to expand the number of locations over time to cover the whole City Centre.Summary monthly reports will be available soon from www.hotcity.co.nz info@hotcity.co.nz Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/363 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/359 Here at Heart of the City we are currently undertaking a major effort to make sure we have the most up to date details on record for all of our members and businesses within our area.We will be reaching out to CBD businesses and property owners through a combination of email, phone and in person visits to make sure we are reaching the right people within each organisation.Staying in touch with you so we can keep you up to date with our activities and how we can help your business is very important to us, so if any of your details change, or if you don't receive regular email communications from us, please contact us. info@hotcity.co.nz Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/359 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/214 Find out about the latest events in Auckland City. Places to shop, dine, drink and stay. The best events, attractions, live music, stores, markets, festivals, hotels and more! To find out more click here... info@hotcity.co.nz Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/214