Powerhouse Auckland is NZ's only hope - mayor

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Any hope New Zealand has of rebuilding its economic prowess and clawing its way back into the top half of the OECD post-recession sit firmly on the shoulders of Auckland, the city's mayor says.

John Banks' sly swipe at the rest of New Zealand overshadowed the unveiling of DHL's new $14 million warehouse facility at Auckland International Airport, during which the logistic company pledged its long-term commitment to the country.

"There's only one truly international city in this country. There's only one inspirational capital in this country, and that's Auckland. We must build on our strengths and raise our game for the sake of New Zealand," said Banks.

"Take nothing away from `farm gate' producers. Take nothing away from mums and dads who work on the farm, but Auckland is the mercantile capital of New Zealand."

In laying down the gauntlet the mayor claimed it was "no accident" that two-thirds of the county's top 200 companies have positioned themselves in Auckland, while more than 40 per cent of all exports departed from the region.

Banks told journalists that New Zealand was tied sixth with Australia in the OECD rankings when he left school, but in the passing years the neighbours had enjoyed contrasting fortunes, with Australia now 13th and New Zealand 22nd.

"New Zealand's success is dependent on Auckland's success," he said. "Auckland will be the powerhouse and drive that push to get New Zealand back into the top half of the OECD."

Critical to Auckland's growth was mass investment in infrastructure, with the mayor citing the startling figure of $75 billion as what was needed if the city was to make up ground on the likes of Brisbane and Sydney.

"We need infrastructure commitment of $3 billion a year for the next 25 years. It's a lot of money but the [equivalent of] the population of the Wellington region will come and live in Auckland in the next 15 years."

Key infrastructure musts included: completion of the city's fractured rail network and airport link, completion of the city's motorway system, a revamped waterfront with six-star hotel and international convention centre, and an international standard ferry terminal.

Asked how the city might realistically fund such an extravagant wish list, Banks said much of the expenditure would have to be met by Public Private Partnerships topped up with local authority spending.

DHL's new 11,000-square-metre facility and ongoing commitment to Auckland infrastructure sent a clear message to New Zealand Inc. that international players were in it for the long haul, he said.

- © Fairfax NZ News