Te Puna: Cloudy Vision for Henderson’s Creative Future

Plans for Te Puna Creative Innovation Quarter, a proposed new creative hub in Auckland’s Henderson suburb, are shrouded in ambiguity, raising questions about its potential and cost.

While marketed by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited as an exciting venture, the project’s details remain unclear. The New Zealand Herald investigation reveals a council-funded initiative seemingly lacking concrete plans, with public funds increasingly invested without a clear public return.

A Purchase Without Clarity

Perhaps the most perplexing element of Te Puna is the recent acquisition of a $2.75 million piece of land directly adjacent to Whoa! Studios, a facility Tātaki now leases and is currently renovating into a co-working space. Yet, despite the substantial purchase, the project’s overall scope remains vague, with even the agency’s director of economic development, Pam Ford, admitting there are no finalized plans.

The purchase was made without a formal business case or cost-benefit analysis being made publicly available to council members, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.

A Spending Spree without a Business Plan

Tātaki has committed to spending at least $250,000 on Te Puna so far, and the total cost continues to increase. The agency revealed that this figure includes land acquisition costs and the refurbishment of Whoa! Studios. The project also aims to secure funding from Auckland Council’s Māori Outcomes Fund, totaling approximately $1.8 million.

However, despite these significant figures, the project lacks a clear economic rationale. The agency has yet to provide a comprehensive business case outlining the expected return on investment or the specific goals it aims to achieve.

Questions Remain Abound Te Puna’s Influences

The project appears to be driven by a desire to boost creative industries, but the exact nature of the industry and the type of businesses expected to benefit remain unclear. While the project website highlights “creative and creative tech businesses," the lack of detail raises questions about its feasibility and effectiveness.

Members of the screen industry, particularly those involved with film production, expressed skepticism about the project’s relevance and claimed Tahuikana makers might be better suited to sit within the council-owned Screen Auckland. Former Chair of the NZ Writers Guild, Alice Shearman, who participated in the project’s initial planning stages, echoed these sentiments, describing the process as "unique" but ultimately inconclusive.

A Round-the-World Trip Raises Eyebrows

Last year, Tātaki’s head of creative industries, Jasmine Millet, took a $26,000 round-the-world trip, with Auckland taxpayers footing the bill. This trip included destinations like Singapore, France, and the United States, where Millet attended the renowned Cannes Film Market.

While the agency claimed the trip was aimed at promoting Auckland as a film destination, many in the industry call the trip’s intended purpose dubious. Given that