Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s two annual reports published today reflect one of the busiest and most successful years since the merger that created the organisation in 2020.
The highlights achieved by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) – as it delivered a diverse range of cultural experiences and economic development programmes – included $331.7 million in investment attracted to the region; a record 2.29 million ticketed attendees to TAU venues and events; $89.3 million GDP contribution from major and business events the organisation supported; and the delivery of three hugely popular cultural festivals on behalf of Auckland Council.
TAU Chief Executive Nick Hill says: “I am immensely proud of the outstanding results we delivered for Aucklanders this reporting year. We played a crucial role alongside many diverse partners in enriching Auckland’s cultural and economic life, and our annual reports reflect the success of that kotahitanga.”
TAU produces dual annual reports because it consists of two separate statutory reporting entities: TAU Trust, which owns and operates some of the region’s best-loved venues including Auckland Zoo, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, New Zealand Maritime Museum Hui Te Ananu a Tangaroa, Aotea Centre, The Civic, and three major stadiums; and TAU Limited, which invests in, attracts or delivers a diverse range of major and business events on behalf of Auckland Council, operates two film studios, helps to attract direct investment to the region, supports the visitor economy, innovation and skills development, and is the guardian of the regional brand.
TAU reported against 12 key performance indicators (KPIs) agreed with the council in the TAU Statement of Intent 2024-2027 – two related to TAU Limited’s activities, and 10 for TAU Trust. TAU Limited achieved both of its KPIs; while TAU Trust achieved eight of 10, with one of the other two results being an improvement on the previous year.
Nick Hill says: “Our KPIs reflect the bottom line of what the council expects us to deliver on its behalf, and our achievement of almost all of them indicates a successful organisation-wide focus on council’s core priorities.”
This year, the council carried out major reforms of its council-controlled organisations, with the main impact for TAU being the transfer at the financial year end of its highly effective economic development function into the council’s new Economic Development Office; and TAU becoming Auckland’s lead agency for event programming and promotion of all regional, major and mega events – including some activity previously delivered by the council.
Alongside those changes, which will be reflected in the 2025/26 financial year, council will also now take a lead role in policy and strategy development in key areas which TAU delivers on the council’s behalf.
Nick Hill says: “The reforms ushered in an exciting next era for Tātaki Auckland Unlimited with a new purpose and focus on Auckland’s cultural vibrancy. We welcome council’s commitment to providing the CCOs with clearer policy and strategic direction – while we focus on our expertise in delivering great outcomes for our region, and developing new opportunities to reduce our reliance on ratepayer funding.
“As an organisation, we retain our love for Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, and our ambition to seize opportunities to invest in our region’s potential as a global events and visitor destination.”
TAU Trust report can be found here
The financial year saw:
- more than 2.29 million tickets issued to attend TAU Trust venues
- record-breaking visitation at the Zoo for the second year in a row, and more than 40,000 students engaged with learning activities
- New Zealand Maritime Museum digitised 30,000 collection objects, and featured two popular exhibitions, Sentinel and Into Ocean & Ice
- 18,411 school students visited Auckland Art Gallery and more than 30,000 visitors enjoyed the Gallery’s Olafur Eliasson: Your curious journey ticketed exhibition
- Auckland Live attract more than 840,000 visitors to its venues across 500 events, including the return of Auckland Live Cabaret Festival
- more than 60,000 fans rocked Go Media Stadium for two Pearl Jam concerts; while Auckland FC’s debut season saw six sell-outs, alongside the regular huge crowds for One NZ Warriors’ NRL home matches.
Non-rates sources provided 56 per cent of TAU Trust’s $134.1m total operating revenue, with most of that from fees and user charges. TAU Trust’s capital works programme to improve existing facilities and experiences included the Aotea Centre, The Civic, and North Harbour Stadium, and the Gallery’s heritage restoration project.
The TAU Ltd report can be found here
TAU Limited’s highlights included:
- delivered the Diwali, Lantern and Pasifika cultural festivals – with BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival attracting more than 200,000 attendees – in addition to the second six-week-long Moana Auckland – New Zealand’s Ocean Festival
- $82.4 million GDP contribution from major and business events the organisation supported, including the 13th World Choir Games, ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix: Auckland (SailGP), and Mānuka Phuel Synthony in the Domain
- attracted nearly $332 million new screen production investment to the region
- launched the ClimateWise digital platform for businesses through Climate Connect Aotearoa
- helped Pacific workers gain more than 1100 skills credentials through the Project Ikuna programme.
Delivering for mana whenua and matāwaka
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is a ‘city of culture’, with Māori taonga, stories, and partnerships at its heart. Both TAU Limited and TAU Trust have a focus on achieving the strategic priorities in Te Mahere Aronga – the organisation’s Māori outcomes plan. Their successful delivery of outcomes for Māori are captured in the annual reports.
They were achieved through kura kaupapa and mainstream school programmes, iwi collaborations, rangatahi gaining NCEA credits and industry pathways, and long-term investment commitments.
In 2024/25, TAU Trust delivered 101 programmes and initiatives contributing to the visibility and presence of Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
TAU Trust again provided significant support for the M9 series of speaking event, extensive Matariki-focussed education programmes and celebrations, internal capability building programmes for kaimahi, and a supported Autaia – the fourth annual haka theatre programme for 650 school students at TAU’s Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre.
TAU Limited’s programmes and interventions included the first year of $3.36m funding to three Māori innovation hubs: Te Puna (Henderson); ReserveTMK (Glen Innes) and Te Ngahere (Manukau). Positive engagement with iwi, hāpu and industry an indigenous film protocol for Auckland finalised, and approval of a Unitary Plan change related to filming on Sites and Places of Significance to Mana Whenua.
For the fourth year, TAU Limited participated in the TupuToa Intern Programme, hosting university students during summer so they could gain work experience to help their careers.