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Executive Director Report
Welcome to the spring edition of the Committee for Auckland newsletter!
In our last newsletter I noted that I was heading overseas. My travels took me to the England, Ireland and the US all of which were at that time either going through, or about to, turbulent times in their political history. The rise in popularity of politicians such as Nigel Farage, Donald Trump and Bernie Saunders and the impact the results of their rhetoric is having, and will have, has consequences not just for their own countries, but also impacts New Zealand and/or countries we do business with.
An obvious example is the uncertain future of the TPPA and how that will play out after the US election in November. Committee for Auckland members will have the opportunity on November 16 to put such questions to our guest speaker Edward (Chip) Mann, a veteran of presidential and congressional campaigns and Washington insider. Chip will be reflecting on the results of the US elections, the candidates, their campaigns and how the congressional make up will impact the new President’s ability to implement policy. Tables for the luncheon will be available on a first come basis and are limited so please contact Chyenne Carroll now to reserve your spot.
Closer to home, the Committee will shortly be releasing our much awaited report of Auckland’s relations with China titled ‘Rhetoric, Reality and Opportunity’. This is a milestone report into the economic, commercial and cultural connections between one of New Zealand’s largest trading partners and its biggest city and is the result of much investigation across five critical sectors.
This report is developed to build a comparison between the rhetoric and the reality – what we believe and what are the facts and in doing so, we have also identified what opportunities exist for us to strengthen and grow our relationship with this very important partner. Members will have the opportunity to come together on October 5 to discuss the report findings, capture output from the forum and build momentum behind some key initiatives that will benefit Auckland economically and socially. The discussion will be led by a panel of five giving a perspective from their sector speciality.
Recently I attended an Auckland Mayoralty debate hosted by AUT and broadcast live on Radio New Zealand. I had the opportunity to pose a question to the candidates on their policy of fiscal efficiency, and what assurances they could give us that cost-cutting would not compromise Council’s service performance and how they were going to implement such a programme given Auckland’s rapid growth and the increasing demand for services and infrastructure funding. It is after all an easy beat on the election hustings to be make promises of saving money, slashing spending and holding rate increases, but it is quite another to actually deliver on it whilst promising to address housing and transport issues and improve social and economic outcomes for Aucklanders. What was glaringly obvious from the responses to the question is that the new Mayor and Council will need to be flexible in their approach to new funding mechanisms and have a well thought out and constructive partnership with central government and with the broad leadership of Auckland. The Committee for Auckland and its members will need to play an important role in ensuring Auckland’s new leadership is focussed on the right enablers for Auckland's future progress.
Heather Shotter
Executive Director
News in Brief
- 2016/17 Future Auckland Leaders Update
- Monique Pihema, 2016/17 FAL Participant
- Profile on Barney Cumberland, FAL Alumni
- Upcoming Events
2016/17 Future Auckland Leaders Update
The 2016/07 FAL cohort have truly stepped into leadership.
For the first time this year the FAL programme manager had no say in the session held on September 7. It was defined, hosted and delivered entirely by a team from the cohort. We consider this to be leadership in action! It was quite a session too. We were privileged to be hosted by the Human Rights Commission and our speakers were, Dame Susan Devoy and Dr. Jackie Blue and Tama Potaka, GM People and Performance, Tainui Group Holdings. All three spoke powerfully of life, leadership and their work and the session was insightful and inspiring.
Another recent highlight in challenging thoughts and behaviour in leadership and business was a session hosted by Amelia Linzey, Technical Director Planning, Engagement, Social Impact, Facilitation at Beca on August 15 who gave insight into her leadership story and her expertise, focusing in particular, on the importance of engagement as an emergent vocation. Dr Richard Hall spoke of his high-profile forestry paper, released earlier this year by Pure Advantage, challenging our thoughts on cities and carbon. Wrapping the session was Malcolm Rands, founder of EcoStore telling his journey of global business success begun from his Northland garage. It was moving, informing and amusing. The queue to buy Malcolm’s book showed the enthusiasm for his message.
FAL continues to enjoy unique small group access to remarkable and dynamic leaders who challenge us in thinking and behaviour. We are truly grateful for the access and support that we enjoy.
Looking ahead we have a full month. First, a resilience workshop with Dr. Marcus Ho from the Work Performance Institute, hosted by Hawkins whose senior leaders will guide us with insights into resilience from their work. We wrap September with a leadership reflection session with Auckland Council CEO Stephen Town.
A great year continues and applications are about to open for our next cohort. Are you ready to build your leadership?
Photo: FAL session held at the Human Rights Commission on September 7.
Monqiue Pihema, 2016/17 FAL Participant
 He aha te hau e wawara mai
He tiu, he raaki
Nāna i ā mai te pūpūtarakihi ki uta
E tikina atu e au ki te kōtiu
Koia te pou whakairo ka tū ki Waitematā
I oku wairangi e. Kokiri
E nga mana, e nga reo e nga rau rangatira ma tenei te mihi kia koutou katoa.
As a child, I remember looking towards the bright lights of Auckland city from my bedroom window in Orakei, near Orakei Marae, and wondering ‘how does this big city function’?
I work for my iwi. My journey with the 2016/17 FAL cohort has opened up many opportunities to learn about Tamaki Makaurau. Auckland is bigger than you think it is and you need to get out there and learn about it.
I am becoming aware of the functionality of Auckland city and what it takes to run it. We, for example, were able to learn about the mechanics of water damn operations at Watercare and what impact we all make on the water system. How Auckland Council are making Auckland city a great city to live in.
It takes many, more than one group, one community, one business to keep the engine of Auckland running. Through FAL we are meeting with leaders in every area and in personal conversation with them all.
Each leader that we meet is just as human as us, but they bring huge knowledge about their role and business, about their contribution to the city. To talk and ask questions, is rewarding, no question is dumb or wrong. I am learning to be a capable leader within the growth of this city, every person we speak to has a different way, a variety of skills and attributes of what it takes to lead this city. Leaders aren’t born overnight and they are not all the same, the variety of leaders with different skill and capabilities, different types of leadership, skills and attributes, the diversity, is what contributes to making our city.
Throughout my FAL learning I have found that Maori are really good at building relationships, that is part of my current mahi. The insights into relationship building I apply very day. My new knowledge about our city has already opened up doors towards leadership. I am loving learning and learning to lead.
One of my highlights was to welcome the 2016/17 FAL cohort to Orakei Marae and be host them on our whenua. To inform the cohort about our history, the role we have played in the past and where we stand amongst it all now. From a Ngati Whatua perspective this is not just our city any more, I close with a famous whakatauki and to me this speaks to the fact that there are many with a contribution to make to Tamaki Makaurau, who make our city, our home all that it can be.
Our most recent meeting was with Malcolm Rands who is the founder of EcoStore. I learnt from him that if you believe in your product and yourself you can help change the world to make it a better place. That is leadership.
Naku te rourou nau te rourou ka ora ai te iwi - With your basket and my basket the people will live
Nga mihi,
Monique Pihema
Profile on Barney Cumberland, FAL Alumni
 What cohort did you participate in, which company sponsored you and what did you expect to learn from the programme?
I was in the inaugural FAL cohort which took place in 2004/05. At that stage I was a senior associate in tax at Simpson Grierson. It was a long time ago, so I'm really scratching my head to remember what I expected to learn from the programme. To be honest, at the outset I think even Lorraine Mentz and the other great people who were charged with organising the programme weren't precisely sure what the outputs would be. Before it got underway, I just remember being excited about learning more about Auckland, the city I have lived in since day dot (and which I love in spite of the odd negative!). Initially I think I lacked an appreciation of the wider developmental opportunities the programme would provide, but I had a much clearer picture after the brilliant induction weekend at the Orakei Marae.
Where are you now?
I'm still ensconced at Simpson Grierson… I've been a partner here for about five years now. Life is good.
How did the FAL programme assist you in your career path, promotion/s, career change, moving employers?
Above all, the programme provided absolutely invaluable and profoundly eye-opening exposure to incredibly impressive people. How else would I and my fellow participants have had the opportunity to sit in a room and have free dialogue with the likes of Dame Diane Robertson, Sir Barry Curtis, Sir Stephen Tindall, Sir Bob Harvey and Ann Sherry (to name but a few)? To me, these roundtable sessions were powerful experiences. For the first time I got to see how true leaders think and conduct themselves through life. Unquestionably, the tiny bits that rubbed off on me helped me see more clearly what I wanted to achieve in my professional life and how I might go about getting there.
The programme more than delivered on my expectation of learning more about Auckland. Gaining insights into how local government and city infrastructure work was immensely useful for me. Local government is a really important part of Simpson Grierson's (and my) practice. It is interesting to reflect on the fact that in 2004-05 a lot of contributors to the FAL programme were theorising about a local government amalgamation in Auckland, but with a perception (then) that it was a very far off prospect indeed. But only four years later the 'Super City' was happening and we were in the thick of it as advisers to the Transition Agency and the Council.
What would you recommend about this leadership programme to those considering participating in the next cohort?
My answer to the previous question probably also answers this question. The opportunity this programme offers to learn from, and interact with, proven leaders and learn about how the city works is irreplaceable. Any up-and-comer in Auckland would be crazy to pass up the opportunity if it is offered to them.
Upcoming Events
Auckland-China Relationship Forum & Panel Discussion
Date: Wednesday 5 October
Time: 3pm– 6pm including networking drinks and canapés
Venue: GRidAKL, 101 Pakenham Street West, Wynyard Quarter, Auckland
Cost: Complimentary for Committee for Auckland members and invited guests
RSVP: Email or phone 09 303 3974
Luncheon with U.S. Presidential Elections Expert, Edward "Chip" Mann
Date: Wednesday 16 November
Time: 12pm - 2pm
Venue: Gusto at The Grand, SKYCITY Grand Hotel, 90 Federal Street, Auckland
Cost: $2,500 + GST per table of 10
Bookings: Email or phone 09 303 3974
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