AUCKLAND, Today: Auckland’s creative scene has a new hub, with WPP shifting its flagship campus to a purpose-built space at 1 Nelson Street, bringing AKQA, VML, Designworks, Ogilvy and The Brand Agency together under one roof.
The move marks a major investment in WPP’s New Zealand business, placing its agencies in the heart of the city and setting them up for the next decade of creativity, innovation and client impact.
The new location puts WPP closer to Commercial Bay and Wynyard Quarter, areas now firmly established as Auckland’s centre for business growth, innovation and enterprise.
According to Dave Bentley, Managing Director of AKQA New Zealand, the relocation is about much more than a change of address. “Being in the heart of the city and closer to our clients makes collaboration and iteration effortless, which is essential for innovation, CX and transformation programmes.
“1 Nelson Street gives us a space built to supercharge workshopping, experimentation and true partnership.” Designed from the ground up, the campus supports a more agile, collaborative and future-ready way of working, bringing all agencies together in an integrated environment for the first time.
The setup is designed to spark creative integration and make it easier to deliver world-class, multidisciplinary solutions for clients.
“Being in the heart of the city and closer to our clients makes collaboration and iteration effortless, which is essential for innovation, CX and transformation programmes.” – Dave Bentley, Managing Director of AKQA New Zealand
Rose Herceg, President of WPP AUNZ, said: “Our investment in 1 Nelson Street reflects our belief in the future of Auckland and our commitment to driving innovation for clients.
“This is a campus built for tomorrow – future-ready, collaborative and designed to bring out the very best of WPP’s creativity and expertise.”
The building’s art deco character has been retained and refreshed with warm, contemporary design and greenery, creating an energising space for teams and clients.
Facilities include expanded collaboration areas, a communal kitchen and café, social and breakout zones, an outdoor balcony and spaces designed to support hybrid and flexible work.
James Johnston, Managing Partner of VML said, “Across the agency brands, there’s deep respect for each other’s craft and capabilities – and complementary skills that can really benefit our clients.
“They’re also a great bunch of talented people and we’re excited to be working shoulder-to-shoulder with, in the new space at 1 Nelson.”
“One Nelson Street is designed for connection, creativity and flexibility; an environment that equips us for how we work today and how we’ll continue to evolve.” – Jef Wong, Executive Creative Director of Designworks
Jef Wong, Executive Creative Director of Designworks added, “It’s an exciting time and a new chapter for Designworks, after being at Lorne Street for over a decade.
“One Nelson Street is designed for connection, creativity and flexibility; an environment that equips us for how we work today and how we’ll continue to evolve.”
The relocation also signals the next phase of WPP’s evolution in New Zealand, following more than a decade at 36 Lorne Street.
Moving to 1 Nelson Street places the creative campus close to the WPP Media campus at 22 Fanshawe Street, strengthening collaboration across the group.
The new site is highly visible, with AKQA, VML, Designworks, Ogilvy and The Brand Agency showcased to thousands of commuters travelling along Fanshawe Street each day.
Herceg added, “As Auckland evolves, so must we. Our new campus not only reflects where business is happening today, but where it will happen tomorrow.
“It signals WPP’s ongoing commitment to New Zealand, to our clients and to delivering exceptional work in an environment that fosters creativity and connection.”
WPP and its agencies have now begun operating from the new Auckland campus.
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