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Success for Auckland – that’s the deal
It’s time for the Coalition Government to back Auckland’s call for a regional or city deal — and importantly implement it in double-quick time.
As we report today, there’s strong support for the deal — the next step in Auckland fulfilling its potential as New Zealand’s economic powerhouse.
Auckland Council submitted an extensive proposal that detailed the region’s major priorities with the potential to increase New Zealand’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 3-7%.
Phil Wilson, chief executive of Auckland Council, says it’s time to stop the parochial argument that somehow investment in Auckland comes at a cost to other regions in the country.
“Actually, investment in Auckland is to the national advantage because New Zealand needs a globally competitive city of scale that provides the next generation with business and employment opportunities.”
Wilson is right.
His thesis is backed up by the Committee for Auckland.
As the committee notes, Minister for Auckland, Simeon Brown has signalled stronger collaboration between central and local government. Similarly, Housing, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Chris Bishop has outlined urban development and transport priorities for Auckland. “These statements and initiatives are welcome, but they do not yet meet the scale of the challenge or of the opportunity,” the committee says.
“Individual initiatives, usually portfolio-driven, are what both central and local players have brought to the Auckland project in the last 15 years.
“We know now that, no matter how significant they individually are, they are likely to continue to be inadequate. Over the last 15 years no such similar projects have helped Auckland move ahead, relative to its competition.
“For Auckland to move forward, a New Auckland Agenda is needed.”
As the Prime Minister told Project Auckland in 2024, “for too long Aucklanders have been sold a vision of their city as one that accepts infrastructure falling apart, congestion worsening, health and education in decline, violent crime commonplace on our streets, and the dream of owning your own home getting further out of reach.”
His vision was for a city that is “wealthier, healthier, and more connected to unlock its potential.”
A city with deep and decisive collaboration between central and local government, that does the everyday basics well and builds a strong foundation for future growth and opportunities.
There is constructive tension between the Government and city hall.
But when it comes to making critical investment decisions affecting Auckland the Government holds the cards.
It’s now time to share the power.
Project Auckland was launched in November 2006 as part of a New Zealand Herald leadership campaign.
Auckland’s then power brokers got together and determined it was time put an end to a deeply fragmented metropolis, riven with rivalries between the various mayors and cities comprising Auckland.
We supported the campaign for Auckland to be a Super City.
The backstory is telling: Major opportunities had bypassed a deeply fragmented Auckland, riven with rivalries between mayors and cities — then part of the wider metropolis.
A typical example was Auckland’s failure to get on board when Helen Clark’s Labour Government offered to facilitate a spanking new sports stadium on the waterfront in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Rival city bosses disagreed. The offer languished.
As we reported in 2024, a working group has been studying rival proposals to build either a new stadium on the waterfront, which would bring thousands of people into downtown, or an expansion of Eden Park.
We’re still waiting.
The pace is underwhelming.
The Super City turns 15 this year.
It’s time for celebration but also time to lift the tempo for the next 15 years.
Enjoy the report.
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