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 Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/events/?v=l&y=2012&m=01 Bottled Lightning highlights Reuben Paterson's lively exploration of materials, starting with his glitter-on-canvas depictions of kowhaiwhai and fabric designs, and diversifying into a range of media including sequins, foil, diamond dust, shoes, gourds, video and installation. Fusing liquid, light and metal, his cultural patterns have evoked sacred diamonds, the social and ecological aftermath of gold mining, and the tidal pull of lunar forces. These remind us of the underlying power that ripples beneath the land we stand on with its ever-changing layers of history. Guiding this is Paterson's ongoing conceptual investigation into aspects of time and energy through the properties of light, which reflects the power of history, memory, whakapapa, spirituality and place. His work is a celebration of the future, interwoven with a melancholic consideration of the present as it slips into the past - like the faded glory of a much-anticipated party, gleefully recalled the morning after. Paterson completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Elam School of Fine Arts in 1997, followed by a Post Graduate Diploma of Teaching at The University of Auckland's Faculty of Education. Although he has exhibited widely internationally and in New Zealand, this is his first solo public gallery exhibition in Auckland since Cameo Project in 2001. info@hotcity.co.nz Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/events http://www.hotcity.co.nz/events/?v=l&y=2012&m=02 The in-season collection shows at NZ Fashion Festival feature a range of designers and popular high street retailers and run between 30 - 40 minutes. There will be many free activities around Auckland CBD, including our BIG little City Fashion Day Out on Saturday 3 March. info@hotcity.co.nz Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/events http://www.hotcity.co.nz/events/?v=l&y=2012&m=01 Hutton and Cotton is an installation that investigates taxonomies and threatened species with references to The University of Auckland's own museum history. Artist Christine Hellyar makes use of the chaos and order of the partly demolished McGregor Museum in the School of Biological Sciences. Her work considers the divisions of animal, vegetable and mineral, and combines the history of museums and the history of art. The names in the title refer to Hutton, the 19th Century author of the first reference book on New Zealand native animals, and Cotton, the 20th century geomorphologist who had a great influence on painter Colin McCahon. Hellyar has held a life-long love for private and public museums. Many of her works explore our relationships with objects and collections, particularly how they are kept, valued and displayed. The McGregor Museum's collections were started in 1884, and in 1939 moved into purpose-built spaces in the Old Biology Building on Symonds Street, designed by Roy Lippincott. info@hotcity.co.nz Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/events http://www.hotcity.co.nz/events/?v=l&y=2012&m=02 Celebrating the launch of the Autumn/Winter 2012 collections, the first 'First Light' for 2012 will take place on Friday 24th February in the High St District. info@hotcity.co.nz Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/events http://www.hotcity.co.nz/events/?v=l&y=2012&m=03 As part of the NZ Fashion Festival 2012, BIG little City and Resene is bringing you "Fashion in the BIG little City". Happening on Saturday the 3rd of March, 2012 all around the BIG little City. Fashion in the BIG little City will be a day of fashionable people, great offers and in-store events from over 100 retailers, 8 FREE on the street fashion shows, a best dressed competition and awards ceremony and the chance for some lucky shopper to win a $10,000 Ultimate Fashion Weekend for 2! info@hotcity.co.nz Sat, 03 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/events http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/351 Heart of the City's first Fashion in the BIG little City is being held on Saturday 3 March. Find out more about this great event, where more than 100 HOTCity stores are participating... info@hotcity.co.nz Sat, 03 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/351 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/350 Robert Gibbs is considered one of the foremost Urban Retail Design Specialist in America. For more than two decades, his expertise has been sought by some of the most respected mayors, renowned architects, and successful real-estate developers in the USA.As part of the AUCKLAND CONVERSATIONS Series, we are pleased to announced that we have secured an exclusive workshop with Heart of the City Members.  We are still finalising the content of the workshop , although likely areas of discussion will include New trends and Techniques in Urban Retail Planning, how Mainstreets can learn from the Mall, and examples of how overseas Retail Precincts have been successfully revitalised.  We hope that the workshop will be thought provoking, and bring new ideas for greater success to Central City Retail.  Workshop DetailsPlaces are strictly limited, and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis, so get in quick!Date and Time: Wednesday, 21 March, 9.00 to 11.30amCost: FreeRSVP: By Friday 9 March on09 379 8000, or by email info@hotcity.co.nzThe Workshop is restricted to HOTCity members only, so when you RSVP please let us know your business and location details.Some Background on Robert GibbsRobert has been profiled in The New York Times,The Wall Street Journal,andUrban Land: Gibbs has commercial sensibility unlike anything possessed by the urban planners who usually design downtown-renewal efforts." He is also a recognized leader in the New Urbanism, having pioneered the implementation of its environmentally sustainable principles of Traditional Town Planning and Smart Growth as an antidote to the formless, wasteful sprawl of suburbiaFor the past 25 years, Robert has been active in developing innovative yet practical methods for applying modern trends in commercial development to more than 300 town centers and historic cities here and abroad.Before establishing the Gibbs Planning Group in 1988, he gained invaluable expertise in retail planning by advising shopping center developers on the psychology of commerce--the practical science of analyzing and adjusting all elements known to affect a shopper's mood in the marketplace. From this experience, Robert distilled the fundamental retail and merchandising principles for reviving retail in moribund downtowns and for instilling successful commerce in new ones. ·  info@hotcity.co.nz Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/350 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/346 With crime in New Zealand's retail sector estimated at over $600 million per year, stores seriously need to improve their defences against theft and 'shrinkage' (even if they can't really calculate how much they are losing). Learn how one group lifted their bottom line by 60% by declaring 'war on theft'. Steve Davis of Davis Consulting in association with the New Zealand Retailers Association presents: "Stop Shoplifting", a seminar: Date: Friday 2nd March 10.00am to 12.00pm. Morning tea served from 9.30am Venue: Level 6, Westpac on Takutai Square, 16 Takutai Square, Auckland CBD Public Parking: Britomart Car Park (Cnr Quay St & Britomart Pl) Click here for map "Stop Shoplifting" will assist retailers to improve their defences against shop-theft by providing: · 'Success-and failure-factors' in modern shoplifting prevention · How to ID shoplifters - 50 warning signs · Numerous low-cost shoplifting controls and options · Anti-theft devices and systems · And much more … Spaces are limited so don't delay. Register today at: http://www.retail.org.nz/nzraevents.html Registrations close 24th February 2012 NZRA Member rate: $65 incl. GST Non-member rate: $95 incl. GST Registration and payments online only. Refunds not available.For further information call 09 845 3550 info@hotcity.co.nz Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/346 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/345 What you need to know:The Volvo Ocean Race comes to the Waterfront between 8-18 March 2012. The event is focused around the Viaduct Events Centre, with daily events and entertainment happening between 9am and 9pm. The boats are due to arrive in Auckland on Thursday 8 March and will depart on Sunday 18 March. The Pro-Am Race is scheduled for the Friday 16 March with the In-Port Race on Saturday 17 March.This is going to be a busy weekend for the City, with the Volvo, Round the Bays and St Patrick's Day all rolled into oneThere will be limited hospitality on offer at the event venue itself, with the event organisers acknowledging there is already a wealth of offerings in and around the Waterfront areas for event visitors to enjoy, so it's a great opportunity for city businesses Business Ready Kit: Volvo have prepared a 'business ready kit' for businesses with all the info you need, and this is available for downloading from the Volvo website http://www.volvooceanraceauckland.com/news.php?id=47 Business Collateral: If you are interested in having event related collateral for your business contact Grant@mayoand.com Businesses Contact: If you have any queries related to event please contact info@mayoand.com Road Closures: There will be some limited road closures for the event on the weekend of the 17 March, please refer to the Auckland Transport website closer to the time.  More information on the event can be found on the http://www.volvooceanraceauckland.com/ info@hotcity.co.nz Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/345 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/344 Auckland City Centre is one the main docking points in New Zealand for cruise ships. With Princes Wharf the primary cruise berth which processes cruise ship passengers and the adjacent Queens Wharf used as a secondary facility when there is more than one cruise ship in port.Cruise Ships will be docking approximately every 2-3 days throughout the months of February, March, April. Bringing with them plenty of international tourists. We recommend businesses familiarise themselves with the below 2012 Cruise Ship timetable. To download a copy of the 2012 Cruise Ship Timetable click here... info@hotcity.co.nz Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/344 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/340 Ports of Auckland plans to add the equivalent of 16 Eden Park #1 fields to its container wharves - and most of the new space juts out in to the Waitemata harbour. A publicity campaign titled "Your Port, Your Call" is urging Aucklanders to find out more about the "extraordinary" plans by the port to expand its operations. The port's plans, which are buried in technical documents supporting the Auckland Draft Waterfront Plan, have been graphically represented in the campaign to show the impact they will have on the harbour. The pictures demonstrate how Ports of Auckland wants to grow container wharf space by adding 267,000 sq. m. in area to its wharves - with an associated 400 per cent increase in container traffic. Ports of Auckland has supplied one visual of the proposed expansion for the council's consideration. But the information does nothing to show the extent of the company's intentions a lobby group says. Once the expansion is consented the ability to overturn the consent can be extremely difficult and expensive. A wide range of supporters have set up a Facebook page under the banner "Your Port, Your Call". Click here to view... They are asking New Zealanders to 'like' the page to show their support for closer examination of the port's plans. It's their strongly held view that Aucklanders - and New Zealanders - deserve to know the facts -. it's their port, so it's their call they say. The container wharves are to be consolidated and will extend far out in to the Waitemata Harbour. To compensate the city, Ports of Auckland is offering to sell Aucklanders Captain Cook wharf; provided consent is given for the extension. "This is a joke," says Alex Swney of Heart of the City, "when you can fit 16 or so Captain Cook wharves into the area the port plans to expand on. "We're not opposed to the port increasing its business but we are opposed to the expansion plans as currently proposed. To make matters more complicated, the Auckland Council owns the port company and is also the governing body that must approve the port's plans. "We are simply asking citizens to take notice and ask themselves if this is what they want for their harbour and waterfront," Mr Swney says. Deputy chairman of the Westhaven marina users association, Barry Holton, says he was "shocked" when he learned of the port's plans in late December. "We're completely opposed to the plans. They will significantly narrow the entrance to the harbour and will affect tidal flows and wind patterns. I can't believe we've never seen these plans before; they're conspicuously absent from the waterfront plan and city centre masterplans. They will have a grave effect on the harbour," Mr Holton says. Graeme Scott of the Urban Design Forum said he also viewed the plans with "considerable concern". "I think the port has filled in enough of the harbour already. Where do you draw the line?" The Auckland Council's waterfront plan claims "the port will continue to develop largely on its current footprint". "Perhaps the accent should be on the word 'largely'," Alex Swney says, "because the plans we have uncovered on the port's own website tell a different story. When Council has gone to such extraordinary lengths to produce such comprehensive plans one can only speculate as to why they have not provided the same level of detail around the proposed ports expansion.  "The harbour is a jewel in Auckland's crown - we all know that," Mr Swney says. "It's our playground as well as a commercial pathway. We all share a responsibility to enhance and protect our natural assets and pass them on as best we can to future generations. "While the port's plans are important for the ports and the role they play in our trading success, they also have a wider responsibility that needs to acknowledge what so many Aucklanders hold dear to their hearts - access to the waterfront; recreational use of the harbour; views of the harbour from the city and Parnell and city views from the North Shore. "We cannot allow this unbridled expansion of the port to go ahead without Aucklanders having a say on one of its precious assets. "All YPYC asks is that council act as much for the port as it does as trustees and good guardians of our city. Council should be demanding of the port a wider range of options that protect the commercial viability of our port while also restricting this grotesque expansion into one of the world's most beautiful city harbours. "We would like an independent review that explores the range of options available for ports efficiency in the North Island," Mr Swney says. Public submissions on the draft Auckland waterfront plan closed on 31 October however the council is due to consider the plan in February with a final vote in late March. To find out more and to have your say about the Ports of Auckland plans go to www.facebook.com/yourportyourcall and 'Like' the page, leave a comment, read more about the plans and see the video. info@hotcity.co.nz Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/340 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/339 The December Marketview CBD Retail Expenditure Report is now available for downloading, which saw spending and transactions in Auckland's CBD up in the December Quarter from the same time last year. There was a pleasing result for the Central City versus the same time in 2010, and against other competitor areas. Highlights include: Spending was up 3.9% and transactions were up 4.4% against the same quarter the prior year. This can be comparedto the competitor landscape, where for the same quarter spending was up 1.1% and transactions down -0.2% Spend for the month of Dec was +1.9% (v competitor total +0.8%) Categories that had the best performance for HOTC were Food retailing +5.4% v competitors -1.3% Dept Stores +4.2% v competitors +3.9% Clothing & Soft Good Retailing +8.6% v competitors +2.0% &Furniture, Houseware & Appliance retail +25.3% v competitor 1.9% Pubs, Taverns, Bars, Cafes & Restaurants +22.8% v competitors +0.5% To download a summary of the December CBD Consumer Retail Expenditure Report click here...For more information on the full reports, please contact us via (09) 379 8000 or via email info@hotcity.co.nz info@hotcity.co.nz Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.hotcity.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/66/pi_newsitemid/339 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