Together Takanini - Establishing a Business Improvement District
Takanini is a thriving and diverse community with a unique mix of businesses - retail,Takanini is a thriving and diverse community with a unique mix of businesses - retail, manufacturing, professional services, and more. But we face challenges: increasing crime and safety concerns, traffic congestion, and a lack of a clear identity. We need a stronger voice to advocate for our needs and drive growth. The solution? Together Takanini.
By establishing a Business Improvement District (BID), we can pool our resources, address these challenges head-on, and unlock the full potential of our business community. Imagine a safer Takanini with improved infrastructure, targeted marketing campaigns to attract customers, and a strong voice to influence decisions that affect us.
A BID is a proven model for success. In Auckland alone there are 52 BIDs representing over 30,000 businesses that work together to create thriving commercial areas. It's time for Takanini to join this movement and reap the benefits.
“It is simply inconceivable that Takanini, with its thriving and diverse mix of businesses, is not yet a BID. We are the only major business area in Auckland not to have a BID and it’s time we put that right.”
Jenny Sinclair –Chair, Takanini Business Association
Here's how a BID can make a real difference:
- Enhanced Safety: Dedicated security patrols and CCTV cameras to deter crime and create a safer environment for businesses, employees, and customers.
- Improved Infrastructure: Advocate for better roads, parking, and public transport to improve accessibility and traffic flow.
- Targeted Marketing: Promote Takanini as a vibrant destination with events and campaigns that attract customers and boost local businesses.
- Stronger Advocacy: A unified voice to represent Takanini businesses with Auckland Council and other authorities on key issues.
- The Business Improvement District (BID) programme is a public-private partnership between Auckland Council and business associations that have committed to developing a local business environment. Currently, 52 BID Partnership Programmes operate across the Auckland region, representing more than 30,000 businesses.
- The BID programme brings local businesses and other stakeholders together to improve the strength of local communities to create sociable, safe and accessible destinations. BID Associations are driven by a partnership of local champions who understand their communities and have a passion for their local business district.
- A Takanini BID will be dedicated solely to making it easier, safer and more profitable to run a business in our local area. Following the establishment of a BID to represent all businesses in the Takanini area (including the industrial area, Takanini Town Centre, Southgate, Oak Junction and Ross Corner), our representation would cover approximately 400 businesses and 300 property owners. Under the programme, businesses vote collectively to invest in improvements to enhance their local business area.
The Takanini BID will focus on delivering tangible benefits to your business in three key areas:
Advocacy and Representation:
- We'll be your strong voice, working with Auckland Council, Auckland Transport, and other authorities to address issues like traffic congestion, infrastructure improvements, and the impact of major projects like the Level Crossing removal.
- We'll troubleshoot problems on your behalf, ensuring your concerns are heard and acted upon.
Safety and Security:
- We'll invest in dedicated security patrols and crime prevention initiatives such as CCTV cameras to create a safer environment for businesses, employees, and customers.
- We'll work with Police and security companies to share information and address crime proactively.
Marketing and Promotion:
- We'll develop a strong brand identity for Takanini and promote it as a vibrant destination through events, marketing campaigns, and local publications.
- We'll create opportunities for businesses to network, collaborate, and showcase their offering
To achieve these goals, the BID will undertake a range of projects, including:
- Establishing a dedicated security patrol operating seven nights a week.
- Establishing a network of monitored CCTV cameras connected to Police.
- Advocating for traffic and local infrastructure improvements.
- Supporting and promoting local events that attract visitors to Takanini.
- Conducting regular networking events with guest speakers.
- Providing regular communication and updates to BID members.
- Connecting businesses with support services and information.
The annual targeted rate is based on a $600 fixed charge per individually rated commercial property and small percentage of their property’s capital value (CV) to collectively reach a budget of $500,000.
The exact percentage (currently $0.00020310) may vary slightly depending on changes to the number of businesses operating within the boundary or on council property valuations.
There are approximately 300 individual properties in the proposed BID expanded area (413 businesses) meaning an average BID targeted rate of $800 per property per annum (bearing in mind that many properties have more than one tenant as shown in the examples below).
BID rate = $600 + 0.000202467 x CV of commercially rated property
Example: A property has a Capital Value of $1,000,000
$600 + 0.00020310 x $1,000,000) = $800.00 per annum
BIDs succeed because they are focussed, entrepreneurial and cost-efficient – providing a powerful and fast business-led response to address everchanging economic conditions
Assuming each tenant shares the rate charge equally:
Property has one tenant
Total fee divided by # of tenants = $800 / 1 =
- $800 per tenant per annum OR
- $200 per tenant per quarter OR
- $67 per tenant per month
Property has two tenants
Total fee divided by # of tenants = $800 / 2 =
- $400 per tenant per annum OR
- $100 per tenant per quarter OR
- $33 per tenant per month
Property has four tenants
Total fee divided by # of tenants = $800 / 4 =
- $200 per tenant per annum OR
- $50 per tenant per quarter OR
- $17 per tenant per month
BIDs do not replace the local council or other statutory service providers but instead provide additional resources.
With public finances under pressure, BIDs are increasingly seen as the way in which town centres can surge ahead.
The BID is funded by a small levy on commercial property owners, with 100% of the funds directly invested back into Takanini. We believe in transparency and accountability.
The annual targeted rate is based on a $600 fixed charge per individually rated commercial property and small percentage of their property’s capital value (CV) to collectively reach a budget of $500,000. The exact percentage (currently 0.00020310%) may vary slightly depending on changes to the number of businesses operating within the boundary or on council property valuations.
Here’s how your investment will be used:
Business rates are a regional tax collected by Auckland Council. The BID Targeted Rate is a specific levy for additional local projects within the BID area which enhance the local business area and support economic development, delivered, and managed on behalf of our members by the Takanini Business Association.
The BID targeted rate is charged to commercial property owners within the BID boundary via their Council rates bill. Landlords may then pass this rate (or a portion thereof) onto business tenants under the terms of their lease.
The Eligible Voters List is a combination of commercial property owners and commercial tenants in the proposed expansion area. The Eligible Voters List is based on the principle of one business entity – one vote, or one person – one vote. This means that all parties who will benefit from the Business Improvement District expansion will have the chance to vote YES.
If you are a commercial property owner or a legitimate business operating within the BID boundary you will get a vote to decide on establishing a BID or not.
In order for the ballot to be considered, Auckland Council needs to receive at least 25% of ballot papers returned, and of those a minimum of 51% of votes must be in favour of a BID Partnership Programme and BID target rate. If the vote is successful, the BID rate, like any other commercial rate, will be mandatory on all commercial properties within the boundary.
All eligible voters will receive, by email, a link to their ballot voting form. You may vote either online or by returning your paper in the mail. If you believe you are eligible to vote, and do not receive a voting ballot, you can contact Independent Election Services, and they will send you one.
The ballot voting period commences 19 February 2025 and closes 19 March 2025. This ballot is conducted by Independent Election Services on behalf of the Takanini Business Association. If successful, the BID rate will apply from 1 July 2025.
If you have any questions about the BID process please contact:
Gary Holmes , Manager of the Takanini Business Association on 0274 966283 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
or Claire Siddens for Auckland Council BID policy and Partnership matters on 09 484 7232 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Several drop-in information sessions will be held between now and the commencement of voting in late-February. These are to give you an opportunity to find out more about the BID proposal and have your questions answered.
The details for these sessions will be available on our website once confirmed. Approximate timings:
Friday 13th December 2024 - 12pm at Bayleys Real Estate offices, 292 Great South Road, Takanini.
Late January – early February 2025
Mid – late February 2025
In addition, we will be holding smaller gatherings of businesses across Takanini in the months ahead which you will be invited to join.
You can also contact either:Gary Holmes: (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0274 966283) or Mike Tohill: (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 021 878 451) to arrange a suitable time for us to pop in and discuss the proposal with you.
