Auckland’s 2024 State of the City report is candid regarding the strengths and weaknesses of this city: strong in our sense of place, its resilience and social cohesion; but with a major need to improve our productivity and prosperity. In other words, we need to sharpen our mahi, our work, to sustain our community. We need more people with a mindset to take on the world to win.
Confidence is what fuels Auckland Airport’s (AKL) infrastructure build to deliver the economic capacity for Auckland and Aotearoa for decades to come. AKL’s transformation is among 200 airport upgrades happening throughout the world right now. Global connections are the lifeblood of our economy. Currently, 400,000sq m of aeronautical-focused infrastructure is in development at AKL across major airfield, transport, and integrated terminal projects. These developments will create climate resiliency, expand airfield capacity, speed processing for travellers and their baggage, and provide greater experiences for everyone who travels through our aviation precinct, especially for airlines, our 50/50 partners in making travel happen.
AKL’s expanded capacity will be positive news for everyone who invests and works in tourism and trade. Currently, AKL contributes $35.1b of economic output from international and domestic travel and tourism, and handles over $26b in annual trade. Greater capacity brings airline competition, better fares and greater access to the bustling cultural vibrancy within our Hauraki Gulf. Auckland Airport works hard in partnership with Tātaki Auckland Unlimited to attract leisure travellers from Australia, business travellers from China, and a mix of both from the United States. Tourism generates over $4b of Auckland’s GDP in the form of events, attractions, hotels and restaurants, arts and culture, conferences, and our incredible regional parks. We should be unequivocal in our support of the role that tourism plays in New Zealand’s economy.
Investment in our country’s gateway airport will unlock even more economic potential. By 2032, our expansion will mean AKL will support around $55b in economic value from travel and tourism and $41b in trade.
My observation from leading a year-round operation is Aotearoa has a fantastic cohort of innovators who come through our doors to do business in the world and with New Zealand. One of my joys is seeing Kiwi exporters filling the bellies of aircraft bound for the world with their irresistible products, and travelling the world seeking distribution and deals. AKL is New Zealand’s second-largest export port by value after the Port of Tauranga, with $9.2b of high-value exports handled by a medley of freight forwarders, airlines and airport teams ensuring access to markets in the US, China, Australia and dozens of other destinations.
When you see a wide-body aircraft land at Auckland, it isn’t just bringing people – it’s driving economic opportunity for all of us. Over the course of a year, just one of these aircraft will transport half a billion dollars’ worth of high-value airfreight in and out of New Zealand.
An example is the story of Kaynemaile, a Wellington company with its origins in The Lord of The Rings that makes lightweight architectural mesh gracing building facades in Australia, the US, Middle East and Asia. In 2024, Kaynemaile made 24 airfreight shipments through AKL to markets in the world. Another is the stone fruit producers in Central Otago who are preparing for the Chinese New Year – in 2024, they shipped 3500 tonnes of produce through AKL for the festivities.
Like Auckland Airport, the city of Auckland is the sum of multiple moving parts and a bigger ecosystem, each seeking productive outcomes and a harmonious experience for everyone, whether they be visitors to the city, exporters, community members, or teams involved in delivering services. Auckland’s future needs will be achieved through collaboration and confidence around common goals. It is up to us. Mahia te mahi. We make it happen here.
