Computerworld

​North Shore beckons as Vodafone quits Auckland Viaduct office

“This is an exciting opportunity to create our vision for the future..."

Vodafone New Zealand has revealed plans perform one of the country’s biggest corporate relocations, as the telco preparers to quit its Auckland Viaduct office in mid-2017.

The move will see the tech giant relocate its 1,800 Auckland-based staff - currently spears across four locations - into a refurbished building in Smales Farm, on Auckland’s North Shore for an estimated $200 million.

“This is an exciting opportunity to create our vision for the future - an iconic Vodafone community and a working environment that is truly digitally enabled - for our people and our customers,” says Russell Stanners, CEO, Vodafone.

“We set the bar in 2005 with the office at the Viaduct. We are poised to move that bar significantly higher with the design and technology behind our new Auckland home at Smales Farm in 2017.

Vodafone’s Auckland team of 1,800 people are currently spread across four locations including Smales Farm and the Viaduct.

“This development enables us to bring our large and diverse workforce together under one roof and create a Vodafone branded innovation precinct that will be the first of its kind in New Zealand.”

Over the next 18 months Stanners says the existing Vodafone building at Smales Farm will be completely refurbished - inside and out - offering employees the “most technologically advanced” environment workplace in the country.

“Within the building, we will have a variety of work environments: open plan, collaboration, libraries and private spaces, dedicated project spaces, and large communal spaces to bring people together,” Stanners explains.

“Everything in the building will be enabled by the smartphone, wireless enabled, voice and video aware and also incorporate virtual reality.

“This is about more than just the building. It’s about what we can do with our technology and our working practices to lead the rest of New Zealand and show them the future.”

Stanners says over one third of the existing Smales Farm footprint will be dedicated to the Vodafone branded innovation precinct - modelled on similar urban communities internationally - which will be a hub for large and small businesses, all powered by Vodafone.

“Smales Farm is excited to be extending our relationship with Vodafone and welcoming them as a cornerstone tenant in this new precinct,” adds Daniel Henderson, General Manager, Smales Farm.

“The move reinforces the strength of our vision to transform Smales Farm into a thriving and diverse urban community - a home for future business in New Zealand.

“The area has been designed as a highly-socialised space, and will see Smales Farm continue to evolve as a leading destination for working, lifestyle and community events in Auckland.”