Flagship programme

Whitiki Tauā | Auckland's Action Agenda

Whitiki Tauā | Auckland’s Action Agenda

A pragmatic, private sector-led action plan uniting stakeholders around a shared vision and aligned programme of action for Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

A pragmatic, private sector-led action plan uniting stakeholders around a shared vision and aligned programme of action for Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

Flagship programme

Whitiki Tauā | Auckland’s Action Agenda

A pragmatic, private sector-led action plan uniting stakeholders around a shared vision and aligned programme of action for Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

About the initiative

From strategy to action

From strategy to action

The Committee for Auckland initiated State of the City benchmarking reports (2023–2025) reveal that while Auckland retains enviable lifestyle assets, it is falling behind peer cities in key indicators and is at a critical inflexion point.

The Committee for Auckland initiated State of the City benchmarking reports (2023–2025) reveal that while Auckland retains enviable lifestyle assets, it is falling behind peer cities in key indicators and is at a critical inflexion point.

The Committee for Auckland initiated State of the City benchmarking reports (2023–2025) reveal that while Auckland retains enviable lifestyle assets, it is falling behind peer cities in key indicators and is at a critical inflexion point.

The Auckland Narrative Project, initiated in late 2025, responds to this benchmarking — seeking to unite stakeholders around a shared vision, and aligned programme of action, and shift the city's focus from a deficit mindset to one that recognises and celebrates our assets.

The Auckland Narrative Project, initiated in late 2025, responds to this benchmarking — seeking to unite stakeholders around a shared vision, and aligned programme of action, and shift the city’s focus from a deficit mindset to one that recognises and celebrates our assets.

The Auckland Narrative Project, initiated in late 2025, responds to this benchmarking — seeking to unite stakeholders around a shared vision, and aligned programme of action, and shift the city’s focus from a deficit mindset to one that recognises and celebrates our assets.

Committee for Auckland Board member Tom Irvine (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei) led the development of the concept of Whitiki Tauā which brings a conceptual meaning to lock in (with focus and support) to help reinforce the concept of purposeful action.

Committee for Auckland Board member Tom Irvine (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei) led the development of the concept of Whitiki Tauā which brings a conceptual meaning to lock in (with focus and support) to help reinforce the concept of purposeful action.

Committee for Auckland Board member Tom Irvine (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei) led the development of the concept of Whitiki Tauā which brings a conceptual meaning to lock in (with focus and support) to help reinforce the concept of purposeful action.

Urgent Mandate

Why is it needed now?

Why is it needed now?

Auckland is at a critical inflexion point and faces persistent structural challenges. We need to move past problem-definition to deliver immediate, visible progress.

Auckland is at a critical inflexion point and faces persistent structural challenges. We need to move past problem-definition to deliver immediate, visible progress.

This alignment bridges public and private action, complements and catalyses the intended outcomes of existing plans, policies and strategies, and rebuilds business and public confidence.

This alignment bridges public and private action, complements and catalyses the intended outcomes of existing plans, policies and strategies, and rebuilds business and public confidence.

The Auckland Regional Deal presents a key mechanism for enabling aligned private sector action.

The Auckland Regional Deal presents a key mechanism for enabling aligned private sector action.

Framework

Five strategic focus areas

Five strategic focus areas

Interrelated strategic focus areas that respond to State of the City benchmarking evidence, advance and activate the Auckland Deal, reflect stakeholder priorities, and translate ambition into tangible action.

Interrelated strategic focus areas that respond to State of the City benchmarking evidence, advance and activate the Auckland Deal, reflect stakeholder priorities, and translate ambition into tangible action.

Interrelated strategic focus areas that respond to State of the City benchmarking evidence, advance and activate the Auckland Deal, reflect stakeholder priorities, and translate ambition into tangible action.

Global city and gateway

Global city and gateway

Global city and gateway

Global connectivity and trade

Global connectivity and trade

Global connectivity and trade

The innovation and talent engine

The innovation and talent engine

The innovation and talent engine

Skills, research and innovation

Skills, research and innovation

Skills, research and innovation

City centre and new connections

City centre and new connections

City centre and new connections

Transport and urban development

Transport and urban development

Transport and urban development

City of nature and resilience

City of nature and resilience

City of nature and resilience

Sustainability and resilience

Sustainability and resilience

Sustainability and resilience

Homes, neighbourhoods and opportunity

Homes, neighbourhoods and opportunity

Homes, neighbourhoods and opportunity

Housing and inclusive growth

Housing and inclusive growth

Housing and inclusive growth

Mechanism

How will it drive action?

How will it drive action?

01

Execution focus


Execution focus


Prioritising one or two priority actions under each focus area along with identifying longer term structural enablers



Prioritising one or two priority actions under each focus area along with identifying longer term structural enablers



02

Targeted workshops

Targeted workshops

Highly focused Investment Logic Mapping methodology workshops with key stakeholders and Partners, assigning specific activities and responsibilities


Highly focused Investment Logic Mapping methodology workshops with key stakeholders and Partners, assigning specific activities and responsibilities


03

Engagement with government

Engagement with government

Scheduled purposeful engagement with central and local government leadership supported by Auckland leadership aligned around a shared programme of action

Scheduled purposeful engagement with central and local government leadership supported by Auckland leadership aligned around a shared programme of action

04

Showcasing tangible momentum

Showcasing tangible momentum

A stakeholder event to showcase progress highlighting early achievements and real-world activation to build further momentum

A stakeholder event to showcase progress highlighting early achievements and real-world activation to build further momentum

05

Accountable measurement

Accountable measurement

Success directly measured against the next State of the City benchmarking cycle





Success directly measured against the next State of the City benchmarking cycle





Live updates

Live updates

Current progress in motion

Current progress in motion

Global Gateway selected as Whitiki Tauā pilot workstream

Whitiki Tauā has entered its first implementation phase, with Global Gateway selected as the pilot focus area. This initial programme will test and refine the Action Agenda approach before expanding to the remaining focus areas.

August 2026

First Action Agenda workshop scheduled for September

Workshop One is scheduled for 24 September and will bring together partners and stakeholders to define Auckland’s Global Gateway priorities, identify opportunities and challenges, and agree a shortlist of actions.

August 2026

Partners backing delivery

Auckland Airport has committed funding to support the Global Gateway workstream, with further support discussions underway across the partner network as the programme moves into delivery.

August 2026

State of the City now provides the evidence base

The 2026 State of the City report is being used as the evidence framework for Whitiki Tauā, helping identify opportunities, track outcomes and measure progress over time.

August 2026

Action Agenda report planned for year-end

Outputs from the September and October workshops will feed into the first Auckland Action Agenda report, which is expected to be released later this year and inform future discussions with government and stakeholders.

August 2026

What is the ask?

What is the ask?

To shift from strategy to execution, we require specific commitments from our interest partners and city stakeholders.

To shift from strategy to execution, we require specific commitments from our interest partners and city stakeholders.

Funding and sequencing

Funding and sequencing

Funding and sequencing

Provide direct funding and in-kind support. The programme's scope is dictated by funding and partner input.

Provide direct funding and in-kind support. The programme’s scope is dictated by funding and partner input.

Active leadership

Active leadership

Active leadership

Participate in upcoming workshops to co-design immediate interventions and step up to champion specific strategic focus areas.

Participate in upcoming workshops to co-design immediate interventions and step up to champion specific strategic focus areas.

Become a partner

© 2026 Committee for Auckland. All rights reserved.