Staff travel costs
Domestic
International
Analysis of total ATEED international travel – by staff
ATEED is responsible for delivering against five key priority areas:
• boost and promote Auckland’s international competitiveness
• enhance the productivity of Auckland businesses
• foster Auckland’s innovation ecosystem
• build Auckland’s brand value
• foster economic wellbeing and shared prosperity for all Aucklanders.
Some of the targets for these priority areas include: continuing to expand the more than $8.4 billion annual visitor economy including attracting major sporting and business events; attracting international business and investment including the screen sector; and attracting international students to Auckland.
To achieve its publically stated targets, ATEED staff were required to travel offshore to do business in our key markets. This travel includes being part of multi-agency trade delegations, and attending key global conferences or trade shows to grow connections and secure deals for Auckland’s key growth industry sectors which include international education, food and beverage, ICT and digital media, screen production, and high-value tourism. They are also required to travel to present bids for major sporting events.
ATEED staff also travel domestically, mainly for national industry conferences, and for crucial national policy meetings held in Wellington with government agency partners to ensure Auckland’s economic growth policies align with the Government’s economic agenda.
The annual spend by ATEED on international travel in 2018/19 equates to less than 1 per cent of ATEED’s annual operating expenditure.
Directors’ travel costs
All directors’ travel costs are approved by the ATEED Chair or acting chair.
ATEED director Mike Taitoko and former director Glenys Coughlan were based outside of Auckland. That was the case when they were appointed by an independent Council panel due to their high level of relevant expertise in governance, specialist sectors, and their unique skill sets. Both flew to Auckland to attend crucial ATEED governance meetings and represent ATEED at important business events.