Auckland At 15 - Auckland Is United On What Matters Yet Divided On Delivery

Scoop

07-05-2025

A landmark digital survey released today reveals that while Aucklanders are strongly united on the city's big priorities — such as long-term infrastructure planning, environmental protection, and becoming a global innovation hub — many remain unconvinced the Super City model has delivered.
The findings come as diverse Auckland's leaders gather for Auckland at 15, an event that examines the region's progress since the creation of the Super City in 2010 and calls for a new agenda to ensure the region is thriving, sustainable and globally competitive by 2040.
The survey, Auckland@15: Shaping the next fifteen years, shows both shared vision and clear tension — particularly on transport and cultural identity — where support for progress exists alongside significant frustration with how change is being delivered. Most Aucklanders (76%) believe the city lacks a cohesive public transport vision – and while just 28% support sticking with private transport and putting up with congestion, that view reflects a deeply held divide.
The University of Auckland's Complex Conversations Lab conducted the research as Auckland approaches 15 years as an amalgamated council. The innovative Pol.is platform was used showing Aucklanders overwhelmingly support a long-term infrastructure plan (94%), and there is near-universal agreement on protecting the natural environment (up to 95%).
However, only 53% of those surveyed believe amalgamation of the eight former councils has succeeded in unifying Auckland's voice, and just 18% feel they have influence over Auckland Council decisions. Cultural identity remains a sharp point of division with 64% of Aucklanders agreeing the region has a recognisable multicultural identity, however 29% are skeptical about further cultural investment.
Hosted by Auckland University of Technology, the Committee for Auckland, Deloitte, and the Helen Clark Foundation, the Auckland at 15 event will feature four expert panels focused on legacy and political progress, global city success, Auckland's future-readiness, and defining the next 15 years.
Minister for Auckland, Simeon Brown, and the Mayor of Auckland, Wayne Brown, will be joined by former prime ministers, Rt Hon Sir John Key and Rt Hon Helen Clark, alongside business and emerging young leaders, iwi, academics, and international experts.
Committee for Auckland Director Mark Thomas said if Auckland does not reset its direction with a new agenda that focuses on bolder action, smarter investment, and much stronger global competitiveness it will continue to fall behind.
"We must learn more effectively from the best globally and have the courage to back bold, transformative ideas locally or risk continuing to lose the economic opportunity, talent, and quality of life we need to thrive.
'The annual State of the City report shows Auckland is already being overtaken by faster-moving global competitor cities. Without much clearer commitment from central and local government and their partners Auckland's standard of living and growth prospects will continue to suffer," he said.
Deloitte New Zealand Chief Executive Mike Horne said change is needed to help Auckland make more meaningful progress.
"Auckland has been incremental in what it has achieved since becoming a Super City 15 years ago. Being incremental isn't going to achieve what the city needs."
"Auckland has a real opportunity to look at itself in a global context — if Auckland isn't competing globally, New Zealand will suffer. Now is the time for the city to look outward, focusing on connections and innovation, instead of looking in the mirror and rehashing its challenges."
Auckland University of Technology Vice-Chancellor Damon Salesa adds, "AUT is acutely aware of the need for Auckland to succeed in the next 15 years and beyond. Our city will be home to the greatest number of international students, Māori and Pacific young people and indeed of all youth. They have enormous potential and deserve a city that provides education, infrastructure, and employment opportunities."
"AUT is focused on partnerships to amplify the impact our university, students and academics can provide for Auckland and beyond so our city's people can thrive. This means focusing on our city's unique combination of talented people with diverse and cosmopolitan experiences and viewpoints.'
Reflecting on the purpose of amalgamation, Helen Clark, Patron of the Helen Clark Foundation, said that there had been concern that Auckland's potential could not be maximised with its governance dispersed across a number of territorial councils. 'The Royal Commission was established to look at better options, and I have no doubt that the single city has been the right outcome,' she said.
Auckland at 15 is being described by organisers as a catalyst for sustained action, partnerships, and dialogue about Auckland's direction.
Key deliverables from the event include an annual legacy youth event hosted by AUT, and a mentoring programme for aspiring youth leaders provided by Committee for Auckland from its Future Auckland Leaders' Alumni. Deloitte will produce a written summary of the event and Auckland Council's Auckland Conversations will make the full recording of the event available.
In April 2025, Aucklanders were invited to share their views and vote on others' ideas in the survey 'Auckland @15: Shaping the next fifteen years'
#It was conducted via Pol.is, a dynamic online platform that reveals areas of common ground as the conversation evolves. This is a type of 'wiki-survey'. It is shaped by the participants themselves. It provides rich knowledge about group support for ideas in a way that helps to identify common ground among diverse.
How it works:
The conversation was initially framed by a set of 25 'seed' statements covering a range of issues relevant to the topic
Participants contribute by voting on statements (agree/disagree/pass) and by adding their own statements for others to vote on. Those who vote similarly on multiple statements are grouped together to form an 'opinion group'
Automated opinion mapping finds areas of common ground while also identifying differences between opinion groups
Pol.is helps identify the different ways people think about issues that affect them and their communities
575 Aucklanders actively participated in the conversation, which generated over 46,000 votes and nearly 1,000 crowd-sourced statements, providing a rich digital snapshot of Aucklanders' sentiments on the state of their city
This is an initial release of the headline survey information. A further full report will be available from University of Auckland in due course.
Survey summary findings:
Cultural Identity and Diversity:
Cultural identity remains a sharp point of division however 64% agree Auckland has a recognisable, multicultural identity.
Around 70% strongly support celebrating Auckland's Māori and Pacific heritage and investing in cultural diversity and the arts.
About 30% expressed caution or scepticism about prioritising further cultural investment.
Environment Protection and Sustainability Action:
Up to 95% support stronger environmental protections, including improved water quality and urban greenery.
87% think Auckland's trees and urban greenery need better protection to stop our suburbs becoming unappealing, hot and sensitive to flooding.
Decision making capacity and engagement:
Only 53% overall felt amalgamation successfully unified Auckland's voice to central government.
Only 18% felt connected to Council decision-making and just 20% felt amalgamation had improved public engagement.
Only 32% think Council is providing more strategic and region-wide responses to problems, with most saying there are more ad hoc responses,
Housing and Urban Development:
91% of those surveyed believe housing intensification must be balanced with green spaces and liveability.
90% Participants expressed support for high-quality, best-practice high density development in appropriate locations with supporting services like public transport.
Infrastructure Planning:
94% support a long-term infrastructure strategy that transcends political cycles.
93% think Auckland needs to consider retreating from flood-prone areas and should prohibit new building in these locations.
92% think infill housing development needs to be balanced with green spaces and community amenities.
Innovation and Economic Development:
77% believe Auckland must position itself as a global innovation city to attract talent and strengthen its economy.
77% also believe Auckland must position itself as a global innovation city to attract talent and strengthen its economy but expressed concern that the city doesn't maximise this advantage compared to overseas cities.'
Transport:
61% think reducing congestion should be Auckland's top transport priority, even if it means introducing charges on some roads at times when they are most congested.
60% think it's easier to get around Auckland on public transport than it used to be.
56% think cycling and pedestrian access need more investment.