First tech company moves into Auckland 'Innovation Precinct'

The Auckland Council's bid to create a hub for tech companies in the revitalised Wynyard Quarter area near the city's waterfront has taken its first step, with 3D city visualisation specialists Nextspace becoming the first tech company to set up shop in the area.

Nextspace started out five years ago as a government-funded organisation founded to catalyse the local 3D applications industry, but has since grown into a self-sustaining private company with 12 employees.

Late last year the company secured a funding boost from the ICE Angels investor network.

Clyde Rogers, general manager of the Auckland Council's Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) division, says Nextspace is exactly the kind of company the city is hoping to attract to the area.

"Our focus is adding value to the high-tech sector," Rogers says, "producing high demand exports that build on Auckland's reputation as an attractive place to innovate and do business.

Auckland City already uses Nextspace's Visual City tool, and Gavin Lennox, Nextspace CEO, says it makes sense to move into the new precinct.

"Our business is all about cities and Auckland City is one of our key customers," Lennox says.

The Nextspace office will be officially opened today at 5pm by the Prime Minister's chief science advisor, Sir Peter Gluckman.