The Southern Initiative (TSI) has been quietly operating under the auspices of Auckland Council since 2012. It has taken a while to find its feet but got an injection of energy and direction in 2014 when Gael Surgenor took the reins. A recent review by The Australian Centre for Social Innovation called it "world class", saying it was "already achieving results that should be the envy of other place-based initiatives".

Now it has been given a further boost with the addition of Te Haa o Manukau - a centre for creation and innovation that caters for budding entrepreneurs. It gives them a place to base themselves with office facilities, and puts them in touch with like-minded operators. The centre is based on the CBD's GridAKL, and is backed by ATEED and Panuku.  Read the full article >