Wynyard Quarter gets first tech tenant (Nextspace)

3D city software provider Nextspace is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a move to Auckland's proposed Wynyard Quarter Innovation Precinct, and is the first technology company to set up shop in the area.

Sir Peter Gluckman, the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor, will officially open Nextspace's new offices in front of a crowd of 150-plus guests today at 5pm.

Nextspace CEO Gavin Lennox say he’s excited to be the first technology company to move into the area: “Our business is all about cities and Auckland City is one of our key customers. It makes sense that we move into the heart of the city, to an area that’s been earmarked as a technology innovation hub.”

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) General Manager Clyde Rogers says Nextspace is exactly the type of company the city is hoping to attract to Wynyard Quarter: “Our focus is adding value to the high-tech sector, producing high demand exports that build on Auckland’s reputation as an attractive place to innovate and do business. Nextspace is leaping ahead of the pack in the 3D technology industry and is an ideal first tenant for Wynyard Quarter.”

The past five years have seen Nextspace grow from a government-funded organisation founded to catalyse the local 3D applications industry, to a self-sustaining private company with twelve employees. Late last year the company attracted investment capital to further develop and export its “Visual City” technology. About the same time, the plan to transform Wynyard Quarter into an innovation precinct for high-tech industries was unveiled by Auckland Mayor Len Brown and the Minister of Science and Innovation.

Auckland City is using Nextspace's Visual City to communicate the Auckland Plan, and to simulate scenes and activities as if they were viewing them in the real world. An Australian water company is using the same technology to “visualise the underground” when installing sewerage systems, and Auckland University geologists are using it to advance their understanding of earthquakes and volcanoes.

“The way we interpret and communicate information will increasingly involve advanced 3D geospatial technologies,” says Mr Lennox. “Just as everyone is familiar with Google Earth and its 'streetviews', new applications for 3D visualisation will continue to become mainstream, providing cities and other agencies new ways of presenting information and engaging in public debate.”

Sir Gluckman says that Wynyard Quarter is a brilliant place to make a statement about Auckland as a knowledge city and grow world-class innovation companies: “Wynyard Quarter is an enormously positive idea. It is uniquely placed to create an environment of innovation and attract companies like Nextspace.”

Nextspace’s new offices are located on the upper floor of 117 Pakenham St West.