Committee for Auckland

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.

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

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 Action Agenda, 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.

Urgent Mandate

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.

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.

Framework

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.

Global city and gateway

Global connectivity and trade

The innovation and talent engine

Skills, research and innovation

City centre and new connections

Transport and urban development

City of nature and resilience

Sustainability and resilience

Homes, neighbourhoods and opportunity

Housing and inclusive growth

Mechanism

How will it drive action?

Execution focus

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

Targeted workshops

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

Engagement with government

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

Showcasing tangible momentum

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

Accountable measurement

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

Live updates

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

2026 Election Priorities

Auckland's performance is a national economic issue.

Drawing on Whitiki Tauā | Auckland's Action Agenda, Committee for Auckland has identified eight priorities for New Zealand's next Government that can help unlock Auckland's potential and improve outcomes for Auckland and New Zealand.

Economic Opportunity

Convert Auckland's gateway advantage into economic value.

Talent and Innovation

Build Auckland's innovation and talent engine.

The City Centre

Make the city centre work as Auckland's economic engine.

Transport and Infrastructure

Get the full return from the City Rail Link.

Environment and Resilience

Turn Auckland's natural advantage into environmental leadership and resilience.

Housing and Communities

Put homes, jobs and infrastructure in the same places.

Shared Opportunity

Make Auckland's growth and opportunity more widely shared.

Governance and Delivery

Make the Auckland Deal deliver.

Deliver Differently

The Auckland Deal alone will not be enough. Central Government and Auckland Council must change how they operate using a common delivery model across all eight priorities.

Clear Ownership

Fewer overlapping plans, named leads, clear decision rights and accountability.

Partners meet three times a year at exclusive roundtable forums alongside local government, iwi, and enterprise leaders to set the strategic agenda for Auckland.

Measurable Delivery

Aligned funding, agreed outcomes, milestones and public reporting.

Shared Execution

Joint teams, shared data and coordinated action with business, mana whenua, universities and civic institutions.

Read the Full Election Priorities Report

Explore Committee for Auckland's eight priorities for New Zealand's next Government and learn how Auckland can better deliver economic growth, resilience and opportunity.

Download Election Priorities 2026

What is the ask?

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

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

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

Become a partner

Address

124 Halsey Street, Wynyard Quarter, Auckland

Contact

admin@committeeforauckland.co.nz

Platform

Knowledge

Engagement