ABOUT US
​What is a BID?
A Business Improvement District is a community-led partnership between Auckland Council and local business groups. BIDs are funded by a targeted rate collected from commercial property owners within a defined geographic area - in our case, central Grey Lynn. These funds are reinvested directly into the district to support:
-
Local business promotion
-
Events and placemaking
-
Advocacy with council and transport agencies
-
Safety and activation initiatives
​
​
Why Grey Lynn has a BID
Grey Lynn is a growing and changing area with a diverse mix of independent businesses, hospitality, services, and creative operators. A BID provides a coordinated way for local businesses to work together, speak with a collective voice, and invest in projects that strengthen the area as a place to do business, work, and spend time. Without a BID, there is no formal structure for shared advocacy, promotion, or long term planning at a local level.
Grey Lynn BID Area
The Grey Lynn BID applies only to commercial properties within a defined boundary. This boundary determines which properties contribute to the targeted rate and are represented by the BID. A map of the Grey Lynn BID area is shown below so property owners and businesses can clearly see whether they are included.
What the Grey Lynn Business Association Does
The Grey Lynn Business Association - GLBA - exists to represent and support businesses within the BID area. Its role is to use BID funding to deliver projects and initiatives that reflect local priorities. This can include promoting the area, supporting events and placemaking, advocating with council and transport agencies, and working on safety and activation initiatives that benefit the district as a whole.
How a BID Operates in Principle
A BID is locally led and locally directed. Funding is collected annually through Auckland Council as a targeted rate and then passed to the BID organisation to deliver an agreed programme of work. Decisions about priorities and projects are shaped by the local business community, ensuring investment stays focused on what matters most to the district.
Relationship with Auckland Council
Auckland Council supports Business Improvement Districts through its BID Policy and by collecting the targeted rate on behalf of each district. Council does not run the BID or control its day to day activities. GLBA operates independently on behalf of local businesses, using BID funding to deliver locally determined priorities within the Grey Lynn BID area.