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Government Urban and Economic Development Office (GUEDO)

GUEDO is a shared office in Auckland which was established to ensure greater alignment and engagement by central government towards sustainable economic and urban development of the Auckland region. Four government departments share the office: Ministry for the Environment, Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Transport and the Department of Labour.

Photo of Auckland central business district. The office aims to:

  • Provide a central government base for stakeholders on sustainable economic and urban development issues.
  • Build an understanding of Auckland by working with key businesses, local government and other stakeholders so their perspectives are heard and taken into account when developing policy.
  • Ensure that central government understands and is addressing the key issues affecting Auckland’s sustainable economic and urban development.
  • Have a key role in facilitating regional central government relationships and ensure better communication to central government on Auckland issues.

The office has now been in operation since July 2005 . The Ministry for the Environment has three different groups working at the GUEDO office. They include Urban, Sustainable Industry and Working with Local Government groups.

The Urban Team’s key work areas within Auckland include:

  • Auckland Long Term Sustainability Framework
    This is a collaborative programme that aims to develop a long term sustainability framework for the Auckland region involving local authorities in Auckland and central government agencies. The framework is being developed to inform, influence and guide existing and future regional strategies relating to land-use and transportation, the environment, social and cultural needs, and economic performance. The framework was initiated though a programme called Sustaining the Auckland Region Together (START).
  • Leading and co-ordinating government input into the Auckland Regional Growth Strategy review. The Auckland Regional Growth Forum has endorsed an implementation focused approach to this Review which is due for completion by 30 June 2007.
  • The Auckland Economic Transformation agenda is part of the National Economic Transformation agenda. The Urban Team is leading work relating to Auckland’s international image which is focusing on the region’s urban form, the CBD,waterfront, and the sustainable management and identity of Auckland’s natural features.
  • The Auckland METRO project, initiated in 2002 as part of the Auckland Regional Development strategy, launched its Project Plan of Action in 2006. The plan seeks to implement the Auckland Regional Economic Development Strategy and align with the Government’s Economic Transformation Auckland themes. The Urban Team are leading two work streams relating to the Auckland Waterfront and CBD.
  • Auckland Sustainable Cities Programme, this programme was completed in June 2006.

Last updated: 12 March 2008