Viv Beck
AK's Heart of the City: beef up track and trace system
Auckland business group Heart of the City wants a beefed-up track and trace system so if Covid-19 does re-emerge, any restrictions can be confined to a smaller area. A student and retail worker who… Audio
Covid-19: Central city businesses suffer after commuters asked to stay away
The government is expected to announce today whether there's any need to change alert levels in Auckland after the emergence of a new Covid-19 case.
It was revealed yesterday that a woman in her 20s… Audio
One week into Covid-19 level 1, Auckland CBD still quiet
Auckland is nearly one week into its shift down to level one but central city businesses say they are still hurting.
Checkpoint has spoken to a number of businesses calling for their fellow CBD… Video, Audio
Heart of the City boss pleased at Auckland's return to Level 1
Auckland is joining the rest of the country at Alert Level 1 tomorrow night, two months after the coronavirus re-emerged in the community. There were 179 cases attached to the cluster, and three… Audio
Covid-19: Level 1 could arrive this week in Auckland
Today the government decides whether Auckland moves to Alert Level 1 from 11.59pm on Wednesday.
It has already agreed, in principle, to move the city down to Level 1.
Ten days have passed since the… Audio
Harbour Bridge: Lane closures another blow to businesses
The mangled Auckland Harbour Bridge is yet another blow to businesses in the city's CBD struggling to survive Covid-19.
Over 170,000 commuters usually use the bridge to get to work every day but with… Audio
Government economic analysis bewilders Auckland businesses
Customer-starved Auckland businesses say they are bewildered by the government's upbeat economic analysis.
Treasury's latest measure of card spend and traffic volumes in the city suggest activity has… Audio
'For Lease' signs proliferate in Auckland CBD
'For Lease' signs are popping up in empty shop fronts and office blocks in Auckland as the effects of the second lockdown grip the city.
During August's Alert Level 3, around 3000 people started… Audio
Covid-19: Government self isolation leave scheme criticised as not enough
A move to make it easier for workers to get sick leave while they wait for their Covid-19 test is being criticised for not going far enough.
From Friday employers will no longer have to show their… Audio
Covid-19: Auckland CBD business association warns some will fail
Auckland's central business Association Heart of the City says Alert Level 3 will cripple some businesses and the latest wage subsidy extension won't save all of them.
After two and a half weeks in… Audio
Is Auckland being overlooked by domestic tourists?
With international tourism still on hold due to Covid-19, Kiwis are exploring their own backyard. But is our biggest city being overlooked as people opt for getaways out of town? Louise Ternouth… Audio
Level 1 should happen this week - Auckland business leader
An Auckland business leader can see no reason why the country shouldn't move to level one this week.
Cabinet is today considering the move and the country should know by this afternoon whether almost… Audio
Covid-19: Future of retail post-lockdown uncertain
New Zealand may have emerged from lockdown but many of the country's city centres remain very quiet. The Panel is joined by Heart Of The City chief executive Viv Beck. Audio
What is the plan for Auckland's economic recovery?
Auckland has taken a massive hit from Covid 19 and more pain is to come. A report for the business association Heart of the City by independent economists Strateg.Ease suggests a loss of nearly 12,500… Audio
Auckland unemployment may be triple that of GFC - report
A new economic report is forecasting that three times as many jobs could be lost in central Auckland by next March than during the Global Financial Crisis, with GDP also expected to take a huge hit.
… Audio
'Creepy Santa' comes down for the last time
Auckland's giant "creepy" Santa has watched over the CBD for the last time.
The 18-metre figure came down over the weekend, after last year it was decided he wouldn't go up again. And while it may… Audio
Businesses hit by City Rail Link construction to be offered compensation
Businesses suffering from the ongoing City Rail Link construction are pleased but circumspect at the chance of getting any money to make up for their losses. The government and council jointly… Audio
SkyCity fire affecting local businesses
Aside from the hundreds of firefighters, police and road workers, Auckland city has been eerily deserted for the past two days, with most businesses having shut up shop because of the convention… Audio
Auckland city fire causes local business closures
The central city has been eerily deserted over the past few days with many shops and businesses closed because of the fire. Firefighters are still fighting flames on top of the Heart of the City is… Audio
'Clearly devastating for the city' - Ak business association
The fire "is clearly devastating for the city [and] for everyone involved," said Viv Beck the chief executive of city centre business association, Heart of the City. The fire was expected to create… Audio