Ateed’s $3.2m office fit-out ‘wasteful’
Auckland Council has agreed to give its economic development agency up to $3.2 million to fit-out a new head office.
Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (Ateed) is negotiating a new lease for its head office with the lease for its current headquarters at 139 Quay Street expiring at the end of the year.
Ateed’s preferred option of four possibilities would require a fit-out cost of up to $3.2 million.
The council-controlled organisation told council’s finance and performance committee that the preferred option offered the best value for money in terms of rent over the proposed nine-year lease term, costing $4.7 million less than staying in its current premise.
The preferred, but undisclosed, site is closer to Auckland Council, other council-controlled organisations, commercial partners and the Wynyard Quarter innovation precinct.
Councillor Greg Sayers voted against the proposal.
Mayor Phil Goff should have directed Ateed to find more modest accommodation preferably they could save on both rent and fit-out costs, he said.
Auckland Ratepayers Alliance spokeswoman Jo Holmes said Ateed’s planned fit-out showed Goff was failing to curb the council’s ‘‘wasteful spending habits’’.
Ateed chief executive Nick Hill said for commercial reasons he would not elaborate on potential locations or the preferred location. Staying at its existing site, was also one of the four options. However, this was also due for a fit-out, he said.
A final decision on its new lease would be made in March, he said.