Auckland Council agrees merger of facilities and tourism and events CCOs

Auckland Council has today approved the recommended merger of its Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA) and Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) organisations.

With the Auckland Council having earlier this month released a report from an independent panel that has been reviewing the operations of all Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs) over the past six months, today its Council’s Governing Body (consisting of Mayor Phil Goff and Councillors) approved the proposed merger.

The process to merge our two organisations will now begin, with a targeted ‘go-live’ date of 1st December 2020.

The Council report on the merger advised that the merged entity will undertake all the current functions and activities of RFA and ATEED, with RFA’s business units, venues, events and programming to operate as usual (taking into account Coronavirus and border restrictions).

Commenting on the decision, Mayor Goff stated "I would like to reassure all our partners and stakeholders that all current agreements for programmes, events, exhibitions and projects that are underway remain in place. Our staff will continue to work with you to enrich the lives of Aucklanders."

In a message to stakeholders, RFA Chief Executive, Chris Brooks advised “any potential changes to our new merged organisation’s functions, activities and service levels would be considered as part of Council’s process to finalise the new Long-Term Plan next year.

“RFA’s board and leadership team fully support the final decision made by elected members; and we are excited about the potential of our combined agency to deliver even greater outcomes for Auckland.”

On a personal note, Brooks added “thank you for your support for RFA and our business divisions over the last 10 years since our inception as a CCO. We are looking forward to a new era of collaboration with all our stakeholders as a merged entity.

“It has been a rollercoaster few months for Auckland and the wide variety of organisations who rely on visitors and events to keep us humming.”

Image: Fans at the RFA managed Mt Smart Stadium.