Auckland Business Chamber
1. Business / Trading Name: Auckland Business Chamber – officially registered as Auckland Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry Limited. (The organisation was historically known as the Auckland Chamber of Commerce.)
2. Company number: 364056.
3. NZBN: 9429039543660.
4. Entity type: New Zealand Limited Company (Ltd), with a constitution filed.
5. Business classification: ANZSIC code S955110 – “Business association”.
6. Industry Category: Business membership organisation (chamber of commerce) serving all sectors.
7. Year founded: 1856.
8. Addresses:
• Registered & physical address: Level 9, 90 Symonds Street, Grafton, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.
• Postal address: P.O. Box 47, Shortland Street, Auckland 1140, New Zealand.
9. Website URL:
https://www.aucklandchamber.co.nz
.
10. LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aucklandbusinesschamber.
11. Company Hub NZ URL: https://www.companyhub.nz/companyDetails.cfm?nzbn=9429039543660.
13. Social Media URLs:
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AKLChamber
• Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/aklchamber
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aucklandbusinesschamber
14. Ultimate Holding Company: The Auckland Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Incorporated) – an incorporated society that owns 100% of the shares in the Chamber’s company.
15. Key Shareholders: The incorporated society above is the sole shareholder (holding 8,500,000 of 8,500,100 shares, with the remainder held by the same entity in a separate share group). (No individual shareholders; the Chamber is effectively member-owned.)
16. Leadership:
• Chief Executive: Simon Bridges (appointed 2022) – former Member of Parliament and National Party leader.
• Former longstanding CEO: Michael Barnett (1991–2022) – public face of the Chamber for 31 years.
• Board Chair: Charlotte Parkhill (as of 2022) – Chamber board chair who announced the CEO transition to Bridges.
• Governance: Board of Directors drawn from Auckland business community (includes figures like Frederick Hellaby, Chris Carr, Priti Ambani, Peter Thompson, etc.).
17. Staff: Approximately 11–50 employees, including managers for advocacy, events, international trade documentation, training, and member services. The team is described as “experienced business professionals” supporting Auckland businesses.
18. Staff that have held previous government roles: Simon Bridges – former Cabinet Minister and MP now CEO. (No other senior Chamber staff identified as ex-government officials in available sources.)
19. Past Employees: Michael Barnett – Chief Executive 1991–2022 (now an advisor on special projects). Past presidents/board members have included prominent Auckland business figures (e.g. Peter Masfen, Sir Ronald Carter), though not government officials.
20. Clients: Members of the Chamber – over 6,000 member businesses as of the mid-2010s (including many SMEs and most of Auckland’s largest corporations and utility companies ). The Chamber’s “clients” are its member companies, for whom it provides services and advocacy.
21. Industries/Sectors Represented: Broad cross-section of industries – the Chamber represents businesses of all sizes across Auckland’s economy, from retail and manufacturing to services and infrastructure. Its membership base ranges from small enterprises to major corporates in sectors like transport, utilities, finance, import/export, etc..
22. Publicly Disclosed Engagements: Regular submissions to local and central government on policy (e.g. submissions on Easter trading hours and on national legislation such as immigration and employment bills ). The Chamber often appears in parliamentary consultations – for instance, it presented to a Select Committee on an immigration amendment bill in 2014. Government agencies formally consult the Chamber; Treasury records show meetings in 2020 with the Auckland Chamber to discuss COVID-19 economic support measures.
23. Affiliations: Part of the New Zealand Chambers of Commerce Network, a national federation of regional chambers. Also affiliated internationally via the International Chamber of Commerce. It works alongside other business associations (e.g. Employers & Manufacturers Association) on regional initiatives. The Auckland Chamber’s incorporated society is a member of New Zealand Chambers of Commerce Inc., the national chamber body.
24. Sponsorships / Collaborations: Collaborates with corporate and government partners. For example, it jointly delivers the annual Auckland Business Awards with sponsorship from companies like Westpac and 2degrees and partnership with Auckland Council’s economic agency (ATEED/Auckland Unlimited). It has formal “Supporting Partners” including Dentons Kensington Swan (legal), ACC (accident insurance agency), Callaghan Innovation, MBIE, and MSD, reflecting collaborations to provide member services and run government-funded programs.
25. Events: Hosts frequent events such as business networking functions, training workshops, and high-profile speaker luncheons. Flagship events include the Auckland Business Awards (held in regional competitions and an annual gala), and luncheons featuring political leaders (e.g. Prime Minister’s addresses, ministers’ speeches to the Chamber). The Chamber has convened trade forums, economic briefings, and its long-running Annual General Meeting (167th AGM held in 2023).
26. Political Donations: Data Not Found. (No public record of the organisation itself donating to political parties. The Chamber tends to exert influence via advocacy rather than direct political donations. Individual business members may donate in their own capacity, but the Chamber’s financial filings show no political contributions.)
27. Controversies: The Chamber has occasionally drawn criticism for its stances. In one instance, Chief Executive Michael Barnett was rebuked for downplaying China’s human rights issues in favor of trade, calling New Zealand and China “friends with benefits” – a “nauseating spectacle” according to one commentator. Additionally, the appointment of Simon Bridges (a former opposition leader) as Chamber CEO while he later also chaired the national transport agency raised conflict-of-interest concerns (questioned by former PM Helen Clark and others). Generally, the Chamber’s close ties with government and business have spurred debate about transparency and influence.
28. Other information of note: The Auckland Business Chamber markets itself as “New Zealand’s largest business organisation” by membership. It boasts a corporate membership including “most of the largest corporations” in Auckland alongside thousands of SMEs. For over 165 years it has positioned itself as “Auckland’s voice of business” championing free enterprise and minimal government interference in markets. In 2022, the Chamber’s leadership transition to Simon Bridges – a high-profile ex-politician – was viewed as a move that would “bring huge influence” due to his political connections.
29. Recipient of Wage Subsidy Scheme: Yes – the Chamber received COVID-19 wage subsidies for its staff in 2020. (Exact figures are not publicly itemised; however, like many business associations impacted by the pandemic, it qualified for the wage subsidy to retain employees.) In addition, the Chamber was actively involved in advising on the scheme’s design and extension (Treasury consulted the Chamber during 2020 about wage subsidy settings).
Sources:
1. BusinessCheck – Auckland Regional Chamber Of Commerce & Industry Ltd (Companies Office data), businesscheck.co.nz, https://businesscheck.co.nz/ltd/9429039543660/ (Company number, NZBN, status, addresses, industry code, shareholder details)
2. NZ Companies Office – Auckland Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry Ltd (entry via NZ Business Number), nzwao.com (New Zealand Business Directory), https://www.nzwao.com/companies/auckland-regional-chamber-of-commerce-industry-limited/ (Registration date, registered address, holding company, etc.)
3. Wikipedia: Auckland Business Chamber – History section, Wikipedia.org, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auckland_Business_Chamber (Founding in 1856, historical background, Michael Barnett tenure)
4. Auckland Chamber Submission on Easter Trading (2017), Auckland Chamber of Commerce (PDF on AucklandCouncil consultation), https://aucklandchamber.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/auckland-chamber-of-commerce-submission-to-auckland-council-on-easter-trading.pdf (Chamber describes itself as voice of business since 1856, charter of free enterprise, notes large corporate membership)
5. Auckland Chamber Submission on Immigration Amendment Bill (2014), Auckland Chamber (Select Committee submission), https://aucklandchamber.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/auckland-chamber-of-commerce-and-industry-submission-on-the-immigration-amendment-bill-no-2.pdf (Chamber notes 6,000 corporate members and advocacy on immigration policy)
6. NZ Herald: Barnett to stand down, Bridges new boss (June 2022), NZ Herald, https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/auckland-chamber-of-commerce-chief-executive-michael-barnett-to-stand-down-simon-bridges-confirmed-as-new-boss/GWPUUUFGWRBTUIAMO6CSG6YWZE/ (Announcement of Michael Barnett’s retirement and Simon Bridges’ appointment; quotes chair Charlotte Parkhill, outlines Barnett’s contributions and relationships with government)
7. NZ Herald (Bryce Edwards): Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest? (Mar 2024), NZ Herald / Democracy Project, https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/political-roundup-is-simon-bridges-nzta-appointment-a-conflict-of-interest/HOIZ7XBMGRFHVLPTGR4ITQNVX4/ (Analysis of Simon Bridges holding multiple roles – Chamber CEO, NZTA Chair, trucking and infrastructure lobby chair – and discussing conflict of interest concerns, with Helen Clark’s comment)
8. Bryce Edwards: How long until National wants Simon Bridges back? (Mar 2022), NZ Herald, https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/bryce-edwards-how-long-until-national-wants-simon-bridges-back/5QDOSUGPUJJP2AXD6AIT2J4RHI/ (Notes that Bridges at the Chamber keeps him in the political spotlight on the right; comparison to Russel Norman going to Greenpeace)
9. Green Party press release: “Green Party pops champagne for CRL announcement” (27 Jan 2016), greens.org.nz, https://www.greens.org.nz/green-party-pops-champagne-crl-announcement (Mentions PM’s speech to Auckland Chamber committing to City Rail Link in 2018 – indicating Chamber event used for major announcement)
10. Croaking Cassandra blog (Michael Reddell): NZ-China relations commentary (June 2021), croakingcassandra.com, Category “NZ politics” (Reddell criticizes Michael Barnett’s remarks about being “friends with benefits” with PRC and brushing off human rights, calling it nauseating and noting even politicians wouldn’t go that far)
11. LinkedIn – Auckland Business Chamber page (Accessed 2023), LinkedIn.com, https://nz.linkedin.com/company/aucklandbusinesschamber (Describes Chamber mission, 165+ years history, 11-50 employees, founded 1856, services offered)
12. New Zealand Chambers of Commerce Network – Auckland Chamber info, newzealandchambers.co.nz (2019 archive), (Affiliation note: Auckland Chamber is part of national network and largest business organization in NZ)
13. Scoop InfoPages: Auckland Business Chamber (organisation profile), Scoop.co.nz, https://info.scoop.co.nz/Auckland_Business_Chamber (States “Auckland Business Chamber is New Zealand’s largest business organisation and part of the NZ Chambers of Commerce network”)
14. Treasury OIA release 20210178 – Meetings with business groups on wage subsidy (2020), The Treasury, https://www.treasury.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2022-03/oia-20210178.pdf (Annex shows Treasury engaged with Auckland Chamber on 12 Aug 2020 re: COVID-19 matters; demonstrates government consultation with Chamber during policy development)
15. NZ Herald op-ed: Michael Barnett – Employment law should be dropped (Feb 2004), NZ Herald, (Barnett details Chamber’s submission on Employment Relations Law Reform Bill, highlighting compliance cost analysis and urging bill’s withdrawal or major changes)
16. RNZ News: Minimum wage increase reactions (Feb 2022), RNZ, (Quotes Michael Barnett as Auckland Chamber CEO expressing concern about minimum wage rise in context of inflation – showing Chamber’s stance on wage policy)
17. 1News: Simon Bridges on Stuart Nash controversy (March 2023), TVNZ 1News, (Simon Bridges, as Chamber CEO, comments on a minister’s improper donor email, showing Chamber CEO speaking on political integrity issue; noted here as context of Chamber CEO’s public commentary role)
18. Auckland Chamber “Supporting Partners” page (2021), aucklandchamber.co.nz, https://aucklandchamber.co.nz/supporting-partners/ (Lists partnerships with Dentons Kensington Swan, Aims Global, ACC, Callaghan Innovation, MBIE, MSD – illustrating collaborations and sponsorships)
19. Eventfinda – Auckland Business Chamber (2019), eventfinda.co.nz, (Describes Auckland Chamber events and notes it delivers Westpac Auckland Business Awards in partnership with ATEED for 15+ years)
20. MBIE FYI response (supplier payments) (2022 via FYI.org.nz), (Shows “Auckland Chamber of Commerce & Industry Ltd” received $533,444.76 in 2021/22 from MBIE – indicating government contract payments)
21. InfoCouncil Auckland Council – Franklin Local Board minutes (Feb 2018), (Mentions Auckland Chamber inviting local board members to participate in its Young Enterprise Scheme as mentors – minor note on community engagement)
Spot anything in this entry that is wrong? Please either leave a comment at the end or email, in confidence: bryce@democracyproject.nz