News & Publications

Executive Director Report

Welcome to the final newsletter of 2016 which has been a very busy year in the life of the Committee for Auckland. Thanks to the support and active participation of our members we have produced three major reports that will influence our city’s future development. These are The Governance of Auckland: 5 Years On, Auckland: Grow for Goodness Sake and recently, The Auckland-China Relationship: Rhetoric, Reality and Opportunity. We thank you for the important role you all play in shaping the Committee's work programme.

In 2016 we have also welcomed our new Chair Mark Franklin, CEO of Stevenson Group. Mark is committed to building on the significant contributions of our previous Chairs Richard Didsbury and Sir Ron Carter. Each of these leaders has brought a personal commitment to seeing Auckland grow and develop as a world class city during their tenure. The Committee defines a world class city as one that retains and attracts globally competitive talent and wealth creators, delivers world class infrastructure for sectors such as transport, housing and creativity and provides equal access to health care and education for all Aucklanders. Our vision is for an inclusive Auckland which celebrates and values our city's diverse population and welcomes visitors and new residents with open arms.

Congratulations to our new Mayor the Hon. Phil Goff. We look forward to developing a productive relationship with him and the new council as we work together to tackle some of the major issues and to unlock the opportunities for our region. The Committee has always taken a long-term view of our city, providing a wider context beyond the imperatives of short-term political cycles. This perspective is critical as it is easy to miss the very opportunities that will unlock the potential of our city if we do not encourage brave visionary leadership and keep our end goals in front of us. The Committee provides a vehicle by which organisations can promote a continuing stewardship of our city.

In 2017 the Committee will embark on a new programme of activity and we look forward to sharing that with you in the coming months. In the meantime I take this opportunity to thank you for your support and wish you and your loved ones a very merry Christmas and a happy and safe new year.

Heather Shotter
Executive Director

News in Brief

• Prime Minister's Resignation
• China Report Launch
• Global Insights on Innovation for Cities
• Future Auckland Leaders Programme
• Events

Prime Minister's Resignation

As we were preparing this newsletter, the news came in that Rt Hon. John Key had resigned as Prime Minister and putting on notice his intention to resign as a member of parliament next year. Mr Key has been a tireless advocate for our country and has stamped his own unique style on the role of Prime Minister. He has also been extremely accessible to New Zealanders, his relaxed, relatable style and the ease at which he presents himself in a broad range of situations has been much admired both here and abroad. From the invitation to Balmoral for a weekend with the Queen to golf with the president of the United States and his appearance on U.S. late night television, Prime Minister Key has left an impression on leaders and audiences around the world.

We wish him and his family the very best for the future and look forward to continuing our relationship with our new Prime Minister as we head into election year as we seek to work with both local and central government to maximise Auckland’s significant contribution to the country and make Auckland one of the world's great cities to live and work.

China Report Launch

On Wednesday 5 October the Committee for Auckland launched its report on China ‘The Auckland-China Relationship: Rhetoric, Reality and Opportunity’. Some 65 members and stakeholders heard from a panel representing the five chapters of the report – investment, trade, tourism, education and migration – and to hear their perspectives on Auckland’s current and future relationship with our largest trading partner.

The panel, moderated by Committee for Auckland director, Anne Blackburn, highlighted to the audience the significance of China to our region, not just as a trading partner but also as source of skilled migrants, students, cultural exchange partner and supporter and ally within the Asia Pacific rim. Click here to read the report in full and to view a schematic summary.

This report has been a major part of the Committee’s work programme over the past two years and we look forward to working with stakeholders to implement the report’s recommendations.

Photo (from left to right): Anne Blackburn, Director, Committee for Auckland, Cathy Quinn, Chair, Minter Ellison Rudd Watts, Adrian Littlewood, Chief Executive, Auckland Airport, Xu Erwen, Consul General, Chinese Consulate-General, Carolyn Luey, Chief Operating Officer, NZME, Arthur Loo, Partner, Loo & Koo and Sir Don McKinnon, Chair, NZ China Council

Global Insights on Innovation for Cities

The final event on our calendar for 2016 was Global Insights on Innovation for Cities hosted by KPMG with guest speakers Steve Graham, Head of Digital Futures, KPMG and international guest Han Gerrits, based in the Netherlands and founder of KPMG’s Innovation Factory. Han, who was here on a flying visit, challenged the audience to think about how they can build a culture within their organisations that encourages innovation and allows ideas to flow. According to Han the right culture means leadership, inclusion and diversity must be allowed to flourish within an organisation.

Steve’s presentation and more information on KPMG's Innovation offering can be found here.

Photo (from left to right): Simon Hunter, Partner, KPMG, Han Gerrits, Founder of the Innovation Factory, KPMG, Steve Graham, Head of Digital Futures, KPMG and Heather Shotter, Executive Director, Committee for Auckland

Future Auckland Leaders (FAL) Programme

Chillion Sanerivi, 2016/17 FAL Programme Participant

I never thought I would be part of an elite leadership development programme such as Future Auckland Leaders. I knew my purpose was to influence and make a difference in my community and with those who I was responsible for in my pastoral role. I wanted to broaden my skills above those gained from my immediate workplace. A leadership development opportunity would support me in being a good steward with what I have been entrusted with personally and professionally and in bringing about impact, change and hope. What I’m hoping to gain from this programme is to stir up the things that I am most passionate about and activate another level of leadership by listening and learning from others.

Since joining the cohort in April this year, the programme has exposed me to the wider Auckland city with its challenges, insights and learnings. It has personally opened my eyes to other facets of Auckland that I have never discovered before. The Future Auckland Leaders programme has given me permission to step out and be an extension of my organisation, Alliance Community Initiatives Trust, and be a contributor outside my expertise. In turn, it has challenged my approach and thinking towards the initiatives I am part of. My fellow ‘Future Auckland Leaders’ colleagues are all significant leaders in their own right and I’m privileged to be on this journey of growth and learning with them.

Throughout the last couple of months there have been amazing events and individuals who have volunteered their time to share with the 2016-17 Future Auckland Leaders cohort.

• Meeting Charlotte who manages James Liston Emergency Housing has been a highlight - I would describe their services as the ‘Face of Hope’ in serving those in need.
• Being encouraged and motivated by Dame Susan Devoy, Race Relations Commissioner - Human Rights Commission who said of her work ‘We are ordinary people doing extraordinary things’.
• #TakeOneDay Conference keynote speaker Martin Snedden, CEO of Rugby New Zealand 2011, and Dale Williams, a three-term Mayor of Otorohanga achieving sustainable employment for youth.
• Tour of the Chorus Innovation Hub to see first-hand the technology behind the new fibre network. This has challenged me to consider the role of technology in social services provision.

Anna Cassels-Brown - General Manager People & Safety from Auckland Airport and her team have given me tremendous support. Not only have they sponsored me to be part of this programme, but have gone above and beyond ensuring I have the upmost input, resources, and time to learn from the Auckland Airport leadership team. I’ve had the privilege to meet five of the eight general managers and learn of their journey, including how they overcame challenges. This allowed a moment of reflection for them, as they shared their stories and honoured me by asking questions to find those gold nuggets of leadership that I could apply in my leadership now. I was also honoured to attend with Anna a luncheon with Chip Mann, a US political consultant and adviser to democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Kaine. To be the only Pacific Islander in the room amongst a group of experienced leaders was certainly a privilege! As Chip shared, I could see that those in the room reflected our nation’s interest in the US elections. Could we potentially have the same result in New Zealand? Do we have the same interest in our own elections? My insight is that people can make a difference. Their voices can and will be heard.

As the Future Auckland Leaders programme continues in 2017, I hope to make my experience as meaningful as possible by connecting on purpose. My heart is to advance health equity and wellbeing for Pacific, Māori and high needs communities by utilising and connecting the richness of culture, art and creativity in South Auckland. The learnings I have gleaned, I can utilise to develop and build capacity for the young people of Māngere that I work with, to bring about change and ownership in their own communities. The opportunity to experience, learn and grow through civic engagement is a critical aspect of the Do Good Feel Good project that I lead. I would encourage Committee for Auckland to consider having a programme like 'Future Auckland Leaders' specific and tailor-made for young Pacific and Māori. Leadership is embedded in these young people, but they don't get the chance to have it nurtured with opportunity or time. When they do they can contribute back to our communities, bringing about change and leadership in our great city.

Reflecting on leadership now, Richard Barker – General Manager Retail & Commercial, Auckland Airport noted an interesting comment which has stuck with me since my session with him. There are two things that leaders tend to identify themselves with. Who-ness vs What-ness. You either lead by your values or you lead by what you do. Every good leader wants to be the best they can be, and be the best in what they do. Every great leader discovers how great they are, and then becomes great in what they do. That is the type of leader I want to be - to be great!

Photo (from left to right): Chillion Sanerivi, 2016/17 FAL Participant, Chip Mann, International Guest Speaker& U.S. Elections Expert and Anna Cassels-Brown, General Manager People & Safety, Auckland Airport

2017/8 FAL Programme

“Learning to lead is about learning to tolerate uncertainty. It is not always a comfortable experience.”

FAL participants spend a lot of time exploring leadership. This insight from one of our current cohort sums up the experience of participating in Committee for Auckland’s, Future Auckland Leaders programme (FAL).

2017 is our twelfth year of building leaders utilising the privileged and diverse access to Auckland that CFA membership provides. Applications for people already in leadership, talent people we can develop as leaders for the challenges that lie ahead in business, communities and our city as a whole.

FAL is engaged and active learning, characterised by collaboration and assumption-challenging experiences. Participants are prompted and supported to lead within the creation and delivery of their own two-year development. This is a key element of delivering practical and productive learning.

CFA is grateful for the enthusiastic support of members providing uniquely rich access to Auckland leaders and contexts.

We are proud of the diverse and immensely talented alumni who mentor our current cohort. This combined input shapes and constantly develops FAL ensuring up-to date relevance to the issues and challenges Auckland business leaders face right now and into tomorrow.

Who in your team is ready to take up the challenge of authentic real-world leadership?

Enrolment is open. Contact FAL Programme Manager, Timothy Giles, and begin to build the leaders Auckland needs. The 2017 cohort, commencing March 2017, is filling fast and limited to 20 people. Get in touch now to secure your spot.

Upcoming Events

The Committee for Auckland is currently developing its 2017 events programme and we look forward to sharing this with you in the new year.