Committee for Auckland

Flagship benchmark report

The state of the city Auckland 2026

State of the City is an ongoing international benchmarking series tracking Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s performance against leading peer and competitor cities.

Drawing on three years of comparative evidence across the key dimensions of city success, the 2026 report takes a more focused, action-oriented approach. It examines five areas where Auckland has the greatest opportunity to lift its performance - global gateway, innovation and talent, city centre & connections, city of nature, and homes, neighbourhoods and opportunity - providing the evidence and insights for the Auckland Action Agenda.

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The 2026 State of the City report finds Auckland is strengthening its international connections, innovation ecosystem and economic fundamentals, while persistent gaps in productivity, talent retention, housing and access to opportunity continue to constrain its potential.

17th

Rising Stars ranking

Out of 300 cities for technology ecosystems

55%

International students

Of New Zealand's international students hosted in Auckland

Of New Zealand’s international students hosted in Auckland

$6B+

City-centre investment

Private investment in the city-centre pipeline

Strengths

Exceptional access to nature remains a distinctive global advantage. Rising technology ecosystem ranking. Strong international student presence. Significant city-centre investment pipeline.

Challenges

Productivity remains a significant challenge. Promising businesses struggle to scale. City needs to do more to retain skilled talent. Low density, weak street connectivity and congestion limit performance.

The report provides an evidence base for Whitiki Tauā - the Auckland Action Agenda. Together with the Auckland Deal and the City Rail Link, it creates an opportunity to turn momentum into stronger investment, better jobs and a more confident international profile.

State of the City 2026

A conversation with Dr Tim Moonen

Dr Tim Moonen, Co-Founder and Managing Director of The Business of Cities, reflects on the key themes shaping the 2026 State of the City Report.

Report highlights

Key findings from the 2026 State of the City

73%

International passenger share

Auckland concentrates 73% of New Zealand's international passenger movements, cementing its role as the nation's primary global gateway.

Auckland concentrates 73% of New Zealand’s international passenger movements, cementing its role as the nation’s primary global gateway.

Auckland concentrates 73% of New Zealand's international passenger movements, cementing its role as the nation's primary global gateway.

+61

Conventions and meetings growth

Auckland's biggest performance rise, climbing 61 places in global rankings to sit in the top 10% globally as a destination for meetings and conventions.

Auckland’s biggest performance rise, climbing 61 places in global rankings to sit in the top 10% globally as a destination for meetings and conventions.

55%

International student share

Auckland hosts 55% of New Zealand's international students, with the University of Auckland generating nearly NZ$500m in international tuition and research revenue.

Auckland hosts 55% of New Zealand’s international students, with the University of Auckland generating nearly NZ$500m in international tuition and research revenue.

Benchmarking Auckland

How Auckland compares to 10 peer cities

Performance indicators: biggest rises

Space tech sector

+50

Environmental performance

+36

Climate tech sector

+20

Perception indicators: areas to watch

Overall city brand appeal

-19%

Talent concentration

-41

Global city standing

-26

State of the City in the media

Coverage and commentary

Featured article

Aug 26, 2026

Mark Thomas

Auckland falling short of its own potential

Committee for Auckland's Mark Thomas on the five areas for Auckland's growth from the State of the City report.

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Newstalk ZB

Mark Thomas

Aug 26, 2026

"Too slow": Auckland's improvements and shortcomings highlighted in new report

The annual report —as measured by the independent non-partisan platform Committee for Auckland— compares Auckland to other cities around the world.

University of Auckland

State of the City

Aug 26, 2026

State of the City Report: Auckland has the ideas, the challenge is keeping them here

The 2026 State of the City Report shows Auckland is gaining ground as an innovation city, but needs to do more to help promising businesses stay in the city.

Newstalk ZB

Rupert Hodson

Aug 26, 2026

"Heading into a new era": Report highlights Auckland's potential to drive growth

The fourth annual State of the City report, commissioned by the independent non-partisan Committee for Auckland, compares the super city to others globally.

NBR

State of the City

Aug 26, 2026

Auckland 'more affordable' but losing investment appeal: report

Latest State of the City report suggests the city is falling behind its peers, but there are bright spots - international students and affordability.

NZ Herald

Mark Thomas

Aug 26, 2026

Auckland as a gateway to NZ: Visitor spending falls, the city as a tech hub rises

Auckland is the gateway to New Zealand for most international visitors but it’s failing to make the most of that position, the latest State of the City report finds.

RNZ | Nine To Noon

Rupert Hodson

Aug 26, 2026

State of the City: Auckland still hampered by congestion, expensive housing

Despite having access to harbours, beaches and forests, and a growing innovation economy - Auckland continues to be hampered by unaffordable housing and traffic congestion, a new report has found.