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Source: Marketview. Not for Reproduction. Out-of-towners flocked to country superstar Luke Combs and the Auckland debut of the SailGP one weekend in January. Valentine’s Day 2025 saw lovers boost overall spend compared to the previous year, and...

Unacceptable challenges for business – city centre should be accessible for everyone Gutted at the news Smith & Caughey has announced it will be closing its doors at the end of July, Heart of the City expects Auckland Council to step up and...

Our submission to the Time of Use Charging (TOUC) Bill - which provides the legal basis for local authorities, such as Auckland Council, to implement time-of-use charging schemes - highlights the need to increase local representation through the...

Enjoy a feast of city-only experiences, global flavours and unmissable dining in the heart of the city. This August marks a major milestone as the iconic Heart of the City Auckland Restaurant Month returns to the city for its 15th year -...

2025 marks 50 years of Pat Menzies in the city centre! We sat down with Pat himself and  Retail Care Manager Andy (Pat's right-hand man for over 30 years). Together, they told the tale of Pat Menzies - how it came to be, their...

The opening of a permanent police station is a key milestone in the strong effort to boost safety in the city centre - our international gateway, which delivers 20% of Auckland’s and 10% of New Zealand’s GDP.  Heart of the City Chief Executive...

CCTV can be a useful tool in addressing crime and supporting a safer city centre. Below is detail about making footage available for investigations and providing information about private CCTV coverage of public spaces as part of a wider network....

Auckland’s city centre is at a crossroads and it’s time for central government to come together with local government and the private sector to chart a clear path forward. After a decade of disruptive public construction, the harshest Covid impacts...

84% of tickets snapped up, already surpassing last year’s total. Diners have shown their appetite for unique dining experiences is as strong as ever, with Heart of the City Auckland Restaurant Month 2025 off to a great start. 84% of all available...

Sent to Auckland Council via email, 18 August 2025 Heart of the City represents the interests of businesses and property owners in Auckland's city centre. We advocate for a vibrant, accessible, safe, and welcoming city centre that is a great place to do...

The June quarter was challenging for many city centre street trading businesses, reflecting persistent trends.   The latest State of the Nation report highlights the city centre’s great potential, but urgent, coordinated action is essential to...

Free public event to light up the tree Saturday 22 November hosted by Sharyn Casey and headlined by Drax Project, supported by the Auckland Youth Choir.   The magical tree that brought Auckland...

After a four-year lobby brought to a head with the release of a business survey seven weeks ago, Chief Executive of city centre business association Heart of the City Viv Beck, is delighted that both the government and Auckland Council have heard and...

The September 2025 quarter reflected ongoing challenges, with overall spend and transactions both down 6% year-on-year.  The value of events shone through. 83% of participating businesses that responded to our survey said that our...

There were notable positives in the final quarter of 2025, despite what has been a challenging year nationwide. More people were out and about in the city centre compared with the same time the previous year, and major events drove standout results. A...

Submitted to Auckland Council via email, 13 March 2026 Heart of the City (HOTC) represents the interests of businesses and property owners in Auckland's city centre. We advocate for a vibrant, accessible, safe, and welcoming city centre that is a...

Submitted via email, 4 February 2026 Safer Retail, Smarter Technology Heart of the City (HOTC) represents the interests of businesses and property owners in Auckland's city centre. We advocate for a vibrant, accessible, safe, and welcoming city...

Strengthening the Security Industry – Targeted Consultation Sent via email, January 2026. Heart of the City (HOTC) represents the interests of businesses and property owners in Auckland's city centre. We advocate for a vibrant, accessible, safe, and...

For more than 25 years, Crane Brothers has helped shape the look of modern New Zealand menswear. Renowned for its contemporary tailoring and meticulous craftsmanship, the bespoke brand was founded in 1999 by Murray Crane, before opening its flagship...

 When Max Mamaev founded the Spacefor concept in 2023, he was betting on a specific idea: that place matters. More precisely, the right environment can change how brands, customers, and cities connect. That place was Britomart, and more broadly,...

Restaurant Month returns from 1 to 31 August 2026 Now in its 16th year, Restaurant Month is a much-anticipated celebration of Auckland’s city centre dining scene. It continues to help restaurants reach new audiences, boost visibility...

The inaugural Wharf to Wharf Live Art Trail brought a dynamic new cultural experience to Auckland’s waterfront, transforming key public spaces into a series of open-air studios. Designed to attract visitors, support the creative sector, and...

Welcoming students to Auckland Auckland is New Zealand’s largest student city, with around 50,000 students at the University of Auckland and AUT. Students contribute significantly to the city centre economy, with non-tuition spending reaching...

Instead of sitting idle between leases, shopfronts are being reimagined through the Vacant Spaces initiative, bringing fresh energy and interest to the city centre.  Led by Heart of the City, with support from Auckland Councill and the City...

Heart of the City has revealed the official lineup for Restaurant Month 2026, with more than 100 city centre restaurants, exclusive dining offers, one-off chef collaborations, cultural food experiences and special events set to take over...

It's all happening in Auckland City this Christmas and to keep you informed below is a summary of everything we have planned. For more details our Christmas website will be live from 23 November, 2009 visit http://www.biglittlecity.co.nz/ Farmers Santa...

Our submission asked Council to retain the Interim Transport Levy, as it currently is - $114 for residential properties and $183 for commercial properties for each of the remaining two years.   Heart of the City Submission to Auckland Council...

It’s been a great start in my new role at Heart of the City. My early weeks have been spent getting to know our team and the work we do, meeting as many people as possible and learning about the projects planned to transform the city centre in the coming...

GENERAL TENDERS Heart of the City has registered to receive alerts for new TENDERS for business as they are announced. This service is now available to you, our Heart of the City members through this website. If you click the link below,...

The City hosted the ITU Triathlon last Sunday, 20 November, and with Kiwi wins in both the men’s and the woman’s event, and a good number of spectators, the event can be considered a success. Heart of the City is interested in understanding how...

Heart of the City is a member of the Mayoral Taskforce on Alcohol and Central City Safety. The taskforce is made up of key stakeholders, including the council, police, and Hospitality New Zealand, and has been formed at the direction of Mayor Len Brown...

Auckland’s Draft Local Alcohol Policy is currently being debated as it is now open for public comment. Without a doubt Alcohol & Safety are inextricably linked. It is critical that the Auckland policy can find a balance in managing and...

Auckland Council is deciding where psychoactive substances, commonly known as legal highs, can be sold once they are licensed by central government. Council is seeking feedback on their draft policy which looks to ensure that vulnerable people in the...

Feedback closes on Sunday, Have your Say Now!The Waitemata Local Board and Auckland Council are seeking feedback on the proposed concept designs for Freyberg Square and Ellen Melville Hall. The aim of the project is to revitalise the square – an...

Auckland Council are proposing to change the way they raise funding for the Interim Transport Levy (ITL) - introduced last year for three years to fund additional transport infrastructure.We have significant concerns about the proposed changes as it’s...

Auckland's city centre retailers to celebrate fashion with four days of diverse experiences Auckland city centre's marquee fashion moment is here again with four days of creative retail experiences in the heart of Auckland City. Now into its 7th year,...