Manukau's strengths include an established and advanced infrastructure, which services a wide variety of product manufacturing and services, particularly distribution.

Manukau has also always enjoyed steady industrial growth, with a period of significant development in the 1980s in the two main industrial areas of Manukau Central and East Tamaki. Major New Zealand and multinational companies have moved to these areas to set up manufacturing plants. Strong industry groupings have developed, which facilitate efficient operations and further development.

Most Manukau companies were established within the last 20 years. Consequently they often have more up-to-date premises, plant and equipment than their competitors in other areas. They also excellent access to essential services, and freedom to expand when and where required. Related industries are located close by, and local service companies have set up to meet industry needs.

A significant rural sector includes diverse land uses such as agriculture, horticulture, wine growing and equine activities - breeding, racing, polo and event horses.

High Tech

The new Highbrook development is expected to generate between 9,000 and 15,000 new jobs in the electronics, software, telecom services and computer industries during the next 15 years, building upon those businesses already established in these fields in East Tamaki.

Primary Industries

Manukau has excellent access to rural southern Auckland and the Waikato, offering excellent opportunities for the processing of food, timber and other primary products. Manukau has a land area of more than 562 square kilometres with two thirds of this rural land which is used for dairy and pastoral farming, horticulture and forestry.

The New Zealand climate is temperate and is consequently able to support a diverse range of primary activities. Surrounded by ocean, the country largely has a marine climate and as a result extreme temperatures are unusual. Manukau summer temperatures range between 20 to 25 degrees Celsius, and winter temperatures between 5 to 15 degrees Celsius.

Agriculture
Major exports include meat, wool, fibre, fish, wood, hides and skins and each of these sectors are represented in Manukau.

The majority of farms have both sheep and beef cattle, which complement each other in pasture-based grazing systems. Some farms also run deer or have arable crops, with this diversification reducing the business risk associated with a single enterprise. All sheep and beef farms are run on low input pasture grazing systems, sometimes supplemented with hay, silage and fodder cropping. Beef and dairy cattle herds continue to increase.

Exotics
Manukau is home to a range of specialist horticultural crops including chestnuts, avocados and olives. HortResearch , New Zealand 's Horticultural Research body, is wo rking with exotic crop industries to help them to manage the product and increase profits. Existing research programmes include improving storage life, surveys into appropriate varieties for each New Zealand region, how to improve production, handling and processing techniques, and inhibit insect pests.

Forestry
A total of 4,467 hectares is in sustainably managed plantation production forestry in Manukau, mainly in radiata pine (Pinus Radiata), with a production volume of 793,000 cubic metres per annum.

Viticulture
With a land mass similar to the United Kingdom, but a population of only 4.054 million, New Zealand has an enviable clean and unpolluted environment which is evident in the clean, fresh flavours of New Zealand wine. Manukau is no exception. The soil is yellow clay loam. The area is integral to the Auckland Region viticultural industry. Producers in Manukau include major wine producer Villa Maria, along with several boutique winemakers. Currently the main varieties of grape are Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The New Zealand vintage runs from March to May, six months ahead of Europe.

Equestrian
Manukau, or more particularly Clevedon, hosts a burgeoning equestrian industry dedicated to horse breeding, riding centres, eventing and polo. The local branch of the New Zealand Polo Association located in Clevedon was formed in 1890.

Manufacturing

The growth of Manukau's economy has been driven by the expansion of the manufacturing industries in the Auckland region. By 2001 manufacturing was still positioned as the largest sector providing 23% of the city's employment. Production of machinery and equipment - or elaborately fabricated metal products - continues to be largest manufacturing industry in Manukau.

Construction

The future looks encouraging for new businesses and property investors. Real estate company Bayleys Research and Bayleys Manukau office have identified key developments and trends which are likely to shape the future of Manukau property:

Industrial

• Low occupancy costs and choice of location will continue to draw new businesses to the region from more expensive locations, as companies rationalise their fixed costs to enhance bottom line profitability. Low vacancy rates and plentiful land supply will lead to a new wave of "design build" developments.
• The development of distribution centres will continue to be buoyed by Manukau's access to the airport, abundant large sites and a network of major roading systems.
• The airport will continue to develop - as Auckland, and particularly Manukau, continues to establish itself as New Zealand's most popular freight and distribution centre.
• Investor interest in well-leased property will become even stronger led by group syndicates and listed property companies attracted by the level of return in relation to risk in a growing industrial zone.
• As land is competitively priced, new companies will seek larger allotments as security for future expansion.
• Creation of new and refurbishment of existing unit developments. Approximately 89% of all businesses in Manukau currently employ less than 10 people and unit type properties are seen as an integral part of the business infrastructure.

Commercial

• The development of the Botany Centre will lead to a reconfiguration of retailing. Strongholds like Botany, Manukau City Centre, the Airport, and the major bulk retail centres will attain premier status by attracting the larger retail chains. The remaining shopping centres, eg Howick, are likely to adopt more of a village flavour encompassing specialist-boutique shops and café style outlets.
• Showroom and service retail type developments are likely to replace traditional industrial premises along major arterial routes such as Ti Rakau and Harris Roads. This also includes anticipated development on sites which back onto Te Irirangi Drive as retailers and service-type businesses take advantage of high profile vacant land available for development
• Manukau City Centre will develop to incorporate inner city apartment living with associated retail well supported by a major hotel.

Business Services

There are a wide variety of opportunities for companies and professionals providing business services to clients in Manukau, and as demand for information technology professionals continues to increase, the prospects for the business and financial services sector over the next couple of years are positive.

Distribution
Manukau's easy transport access, freedom of movement, and supporting infrastructure in terms of freight and transport companies, provide significant advantages for the distribution industry. Distribution services - namely wholesale, retail and transport and storage activities - are now the largest sector in Manukau in terms of employment creation (33.8%).

Retail
There has been extensive retail development in Manukau over the past decade covering all general and niche sectors to service the continually growing population and new and emerging urban developments.

Tourism in Manukau

Vibrant – Diverse – Unique

PLACES – SPACES – ATTRACTIONS – ADVENTURE – ARTS & CRAFTS
HERITAGE & HISTORY – SHOPS – RESTAURANTS – HOTELS
VINEYARDS – GARDENS GALORE AND GOLF!

Our Culture our heritage

• Manukau is a Multicultural Centre of the South Pacific and famous for vibrant cultural diversity, music, authentic food, original art and crafts. Home to more than 150 different ethnic groups, with just over 40% of the population under 25 years of age.

• Situated minutes form Auckland International Airport , gateway to New Zealand , Manukau is New Zealand ’s third largest and fastest growing city, promoting a welcoming environment where businesses enjoy an inexpensive infrastructure, and a very progressive business climate.
  

• There is an appealing blend of city and rural spaces encompassing forests, lakes and waterfalls, gently rolling countryside, and 300 kilometres of picturesque coastline. The vibrant city living includes quality shopping and entertainment centres, international luxury accommodation, award winning dining and world-class attractions.
  

• 42,500 Maori people live here representing 17% of Manukau’s population and there are 22 Marae in the region.
  

• Pacific Island people make up 27% of Manukau’s population, the largest centre in the world for Pacific people.

• Otuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve is only minutes from Auckland International Airport in Mangere. This sacred site is an untouched natural archaeological, cultural and natural historic treasure of international significance, created by volcanic eruptions more than 20,000 years ago.
  

• Howick Historical Village.  Enjoy the ‘The romance of the past’ with this award winning living museum presenting life in a Fencible Village during the early settlement of Europeans in Auckland. With trained costumed historical interpreters, you will see an extensive collection of early colonial buildings and memorabilia. There are English, Japanese, Korean and Mandarin guides – onsite café and village shop.
  

• Standing tall in Manukau, at the heart of this multi-cultural community, is Mangere Mountain, rising 100 meters and overlooking Manukau harbour, it is an important geological and spiritual landmark steeped in Maori history. With fabulous 360˚ vistas of Puketutu Isalnd to the west, pockets of market gardens to the south east, and the profile of Auckland City with the backdrop of Rangitoto Island in the distance.
  

• There are Galleries, Museums, Historical buildings, memorabilia and artefacts, Pacific arts and much more scattered throughout Manukau. Many of the Churches and buildings have a protected status and are formally registered with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.

Spend some time….

• There is over 300 kilometres of sparkling coastline including the famous Pohutukawa Coastal Drive, and the Bucklands Beach Yacht Club, host to the 1999 and 2002 Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Races for the America ’s Cup. Try the beautiful safe swimming beaches, to go diving, boating, sailing, windsurfing with world champions, kite surfing, surf casting and line fishing. There are many picnic areas with barbeque and toilet facilities.
  

• Over 550 square kilometres of rural and urban land featuring over 90 parks and reserves, and 6 public swimming pools.
  

• Enjoy 2100 sunshine hours every year in Manukau, higher than the national average.
  

• So many birds…. The waters edge walkway around the Kiwi Esplanade in Mangere provides spectacular harbour vistas, and an up close experience of the lava flows erupted from volcanic cones more than 20,000 years ago.  See magnificent flocks of up to 15,000 seabirds resting and feeding on the harbour foreshore and wetland areas, 85 different species are represented – simply awesome!
  

• Butterfly Creek… internationally acclaimed world-class attraction and home to over 600 gorgeous tropical butterflies covering 70 species; large aviaries and aquaria exhibits; Papillon Bar and Café incorporating conference/seminar/function rooms constructed over a working wetland; children’s play area and party room; Buttermilk Farm interactive farmyard animals; Red Admiral Express Train and Flutterbuys retail shop.
  

• Rainbows End… a family fun theme park featuring 23 acres of world-class attractions and entertainment. Try ‘fear fall’ – an 18 storey high tower featuring an 80km/h free fall - wow!
  

• National and international award winning wines - a growing Manukau industry sector, spearheaded by Villa Maria Estate winery, and Clevedon vineyards.

• 18 shopping centres and malls.  Visit Howick Shopping Village for unique atmosphere and owner/operator quality specialty stores, Botany Town Centre, New Zealand’s newest and largest entertainment and retail centre, or ‘the shopping experience’ at any Westfield Shoppingtown.
  

• Auckland International Airport is the gateway to New Zealand and offers a comprehensive range of facilities and international style shopping.
  

• Over 250 restaurants and cafes to choose from, including award winning dining in historic homesteads, magnificent town and country locations, or Cock & Bull, an international award winning English style Pub and Brewery.
  

• Clevedon Coast Oysters fresh, juicy and succulent, grown locally in the Hauraki Gulf and exported around the world.
  

• Otara & Mangere Markets are famous for their vibrant cultural diversity. Come and enjoy the colourful traditions, authentic music, food, original art and craft, and much more …

Calling all garden lovers….

• Gardens Galore… Auckland Regional Botanic Gardens, features 65 hectares of plant collections, with over 10,000 different plants. There are also many private gardens featuring seasonal themes full of vibrant colours, fragrant perfume, outstanding beauty!
  

• The Ellerslie Flower Show is held each November, and is the largest gardening and outdoor event in the Southern Hemisphere with over 300 exhibits and more than 75,000 national and international visitors.

Golf anyone?

• Home to 9 Golf courses including premier international courses, set in the countryside, beautiful gardens or with stunning harbour vistas.

• Clevedon Valley is just 20 minutes from the airport you can indulge in excellent accommodation and dining, some of New Zealand ’s best golf courses, wineries and unique art and craft. Visit stunning private gardens and historic landmarks, marinas, beaches and much more….

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