Auckland
Auckland is the most populous urban area in New Zealand, making up around 31% of the county’s entire population. It is easily the country’s most cosmopolitan city with the 2013 census showing that almost two in five Aucklanders were born overseas. It isn’t hard to see why the city is so popular with its business hubs, world-class shopping, wine regions, beautiful beaches, and the Hauraki Gulf and Islands.
The location
Straddling a volcanic field, Auckland is one of the only cities in the world to have two separate harbours on two separate major bodies of water.
It benefits from a subtropical climate with warm summers and mild winters which is one of the many reasons why the 2014 Mercer Quality of Living Survey ranked the city as the third best place to live in the world, behind only Vienna and Zurich.
It is separated into a number of suburbs but the main areas of business include the following:
Looking for an office in Auckland
Current vacancy across prime space in the CBD is 2%, with total vacancy rates of other space averaging at 5%.
There are multiple developments in the pipeline, but none of significance that will be completed before the end of 2016.
The biggest development in the future is a 25+ storey office tower to go above the current Westfield site, due for completion in 2020.
Some of the biggest tenants that currently reside in Auckland are KPMG, Microsoft, Google, Apple, Accenture, Spark, Vodafone, Fonterra and ASB.
Costs
Pricing is generally differentiated by the Grade of building first, then the location of the building second.
For Prime/A Grade, serviced office prices are currently at about $900 per person, per month. For B Grade, approx. $600 per person, per month. C Grade, approx. $375 per person, per month.
However, when looking at serviced offices keep in mind that these costs usually cover a variety of amenities and as such can offer great value for money and lower outgoings.
Office sizes
Average size of office varies depending on the type of business and industry they are in.
Currently, the market is so saturated with demand that the availability of space is very low, so people are turning to serviced offices as a cost-effective and flexible solution for their immediate to long-term needs.
Coworking experienced a boom in popularity in 2014 that has slowed over the beginning of 2015, but is sure to continue to increase in trend.
Instant Offices are able to accommodate most enquiries, from one person through to 100 or more depending on the specifics.
Why choose Auckland?
Auckland is NZ’s largest city, a thriving economic hub that is also one of the world’s most business-friendly markets.
The city has a stable business environment, a growing economy, a diverse and skilled talent pool, a worldwide reputation for innovation and an enviable lifestyle.
Auckland is also your gateway to markets in the Asia-Pacific region, offering a wealth of investment and business opportunities.
As the largest city in a small country, Auckland is able to provide new businesses and investors opportunities that are truly world class.
Five things you probably didn't know about Auckland:
- Auckland was the capital of New Zealand from 1842-1865
- The nickname of the city ‘City of Sails’ due to approximately one in three residents owning a boat
- Standing at 328m the Sky Tower is the tallest structure in the southern hemisphere
- There are around 50 volcanoes in the Auckland area
- The city was initially known as ‘Tamaki Makau Rau,’ meaning a maiden with 100 lovers
A closer look at Auckland
Downtown/Harbour Front/Viaduct
- Most prime/A grade space located in this district
- Big centre for not only commercial space, but tourism and hospitality as well. Right by the city’s best dining district, the marina, the Cloud Event centre, etc.
- Best location for public transport (ferry’s, trains and buses) as well as best access to motorways
- Mostly financial and IT businesses based in this sector
- Plentiful parking options
- Mostly B Grade (character) space with some A Grade
- Short walk (5mins) from harbour front
- Great retail sector, with premium brands such as Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Prada
- Convenient to public transport and motorways
- Close to Auckland/NZ courts
- Sector made up of insurance, banking and legal professions
- Limited parking options
- Oldest part of Auckland city
- Dominated by Universities and other education facilities, hence mostly made up of education-focused companies
- Least convenient for public transport and motorways
- Convenient to Universities, SkyCity and SkyCity Convention Centre
- Filled with mainly B, C and D Grade buildings
- Very limited parking options
- Newest sector in Auckland
- Currently under rapid development
- Mostly retail and tourism space at the moment (predominantly dining), but ASB has their HQ here and Fonterra is in the process of building theirs, with other developments in place for the next 5 years
- Will be conveniently located to public transport and motorways
- Will be mainly A and B Grade buildings
- Limited parking options
- Newest commercial sector
- Very close to harbour front, has great dining/entertainment district right on its doorstep
- Very “trendy”
- Filled with character space and a scattering of B and C Grade
- Well located for public transport and motorways
- Plentiful parking options
Want to find out more?
If you’re looking to move into the area, or simply require more information, contact Instant Offices' specialist local consultants.
Email our team or call us and we'll be delighted to help you.