Government Urban and Economic Development Office
[ Last Updated 6 November 2006 ]
The Government Urban and Economic Development Office (GUEDO) is a cross-government initiative to improve the focus on Auckland-related policy development.
Four government agencies have established a shared policy office in Auckland to improve the incorporation of Auckland perspectives into the policy making process, and engagement with Auckland stakeholders.
Staff from the Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry for the Environment [link to MfE website], Department of Labour [link to DoL website], and the Ministry of Transport [link to MoT website] are now co-located in the heart of Auckland city. Known as the Government Urban and Economic Development Office, the office's shared focus will be on sustainable urban and economic development policy.
The four agencies will be working to ensure that Auckland business and local government views are heard and taken into account in sustainable urban and economic development policy. The office will act like a hub - sharing information, coordinating stakeholder engagement, working on projects that relate to Auckland, and the national interest - and it will be well connected to central government in Wellington.
Over time other central government agencies working in the area of urban and economic development policy may also join the office.
Auckland as an Engine for Growth
Auckland's economic performance is key to achieving the government's sustainable economic development objectives and returning New Zealand to the top half of the OECD rankings.
The Auckland region represents over one third of the economy - it is home to around a third of New Zealand's population, a third of our businesses, and contributes a third of national gross domestic product. A strong, sustainable business and economic environment in Auckland is critical to New Zealand's overall growth and prosperity.
The region faces many challenges to its development - some Auckland specific, while others are national issues, such as infrastructure and urban development, which have a particular impact on Auckland.
The establishment of the office will strengthen the policy focus on Auckland, and Auckland's contribution to national economic development.
The Value in a Cross-Government Approach
Economic development cuts across the whole business of government - environmental management, transport, regulation and improving productivity are all central to economic development.
It makes sense for the agencies working in these areas to be grouped together in Auckland - sharing ideas, information and premises, aligning priorities and effort, and improving central government's ability to tap into local expertise and experience.
The establishment of the office also responds to feedback from Auckland stakeholders who want better dialogue on policy issues, an improved central government understanding of Auckland perspectives and better co-ordination across government agencies.
While the four agencies have previously had staff in Auckland, their co-location will bring a new focus to cross-government policy development and make it easier for Auckland businesses and local government to engage with central government.
How the Agencies Will Work Together
While each agency will be responsible for its own work programme, there will be co-ordination across the agencies at the office.
The overall work programme will cover a wide range of projects including urban development, business law, infrastructure, transport, and sector development policy. Some projects will relate to the national interest while others will be Auckland-specific.
Examples of projects that the four agencies will work on together include:
- the Sustainable Cities programme
- the ownership and regulation of Watercare
- the Ministry of Transport-led review of the Regional Development Activity Class.
Other projects being undertaken by particular agencies include:
Ministry of Economic Development:
- review the key factors that influence foreign direct investment and the government's role in attracting quality investment
- develop a position on mitigating risks from key infrastructure failure such as the Wiri pipeline
- undertake a range of small business policy projects including access to capital
- work with the Department of Labour to provide advice to NZTE on critical issues facing the manufacturing sector
- work in particular areas of business law as it affects financial markets and institutions.
Ministry for the Environment:
- support regional partners to deliver commitments under the New Zealand Urban Design protocol
- develop projects and partnerships to assist industry to compete and grow sustainably
- facilitate and assist the Ministry's Sustainable Industry and Climate Change Group implement their work programmes and policy within the Auckland context
- continue to work with the Auckland region on better integrating transport and land use planning using the RMA and other mechanisms
- contribute to the on-going evolution and achievement of the region's Growth Strategy agenda
- promote better decision-making under the RMA with training and accreditation programmes.
Department of Labour:
- produce tailored labour market information for the Auckland region and its key industries
- contribute to regional and local labour market strategies and initiatives.
- identify how urban development affects how well the labour market functions
- undertake research into labour market issues such as the economic impact of immigration.
Ministry of Transport:
- work beyond an urban and economic development focus to deliver the wider objectives of the New Zealand Transport Strategy
- review the legislation relating to public transport procurement
- contribute to an Auckland road charging study
- consider regional road tolling initiatives
- contribute to regional planning issues including involvement in the Auckland Regional Land Transport Committee and Regional Transport Executive Group and input into the Auckland Regional Policy Statement and Auckland Growth Strategy
- implement the government's walking and cycling strategy
- contribute to the development of a national environmental standard for air quality
- contribute to local government initiatives around cities for climate change.
Coordinating Activity across the Office
The establishment of the Government Urban and Economic Development Office is a Ministry of Economic Development-led initiative and the Ministry has appointed Louise Marra as its Director, Auckland.
Louise's main focus will be on enhancing capability across the Ministry of Economic Development on Auckland issues, ensuring a link between national and regional initiatives that impact on Auckland's business environment, and engaging with Auckland stakeholders on behalf of the Ministry.
Staff from the Ministry for the Environment, Department of Labour and Ministry of Transport will report to their respective organisations, but Louise will play a key role co-ordinating activity across the office and, where appropriate, will provide a "whole-of-government" relationship management service in Auckland.
Louise brings considerable experience in Auckland's regional and local government to her new role from a number of senior roles with the Auckland Regional Council where most recently she has been Director, Strategy and Community. She has well established networks among Auckland stakeholders and a solid knowledge of the issues facing New Zealand's largest regional economy.
Contact Details
The Government Urban and Economic Development Office is located at:
Level 6
Tower Centre
45 Queen Street
Auckland.
Telephone: 09-985 4800
Fax: 09-985 4849
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