How could Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland use the COVID-19 crisis as a trigger to reimagine the region’s future and harness its potential? That’s the question to be addressed at today’s Auckland’s Future, Now 2022 event.
The one-day event, to be hosted by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited – the region’s economic and cultural development agency – will bring together leading business, economic and youth thinkers to consider the region’s post-pandemic future.
Nearly 40 speakers and panellists will explore how the private and public sectors can collaborate and how the region can collectively support its communities, businesses and industries to recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
“Auckland’s Future, Now is an opportunity for an open and honest discussion about the challenges facing Auckland and the practical steps we can work on and advocate for,” says Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Chief Executive, Nick Hill.
“We want to signal to decision-makers, international and local business that we are leading the way to a transformed, knowledge-intensive and future-ready regional economy.”
Auckland Mayor, Phil Goff says that as the “engine room of New Zealand’s economy and its gateway to the world”, Auckland will play a crucial role in driving the country’s COVID-19 recovery.
“Auckland’s Future, Now recognises that for New Zealand to succeed, Auckland needs to succeed,” he says.
“This year’s summit will build on previous events and will challenge Auckland’s business leaders and decisionmakers to create a shared set of priorities and actions to drive Auckland’s economic recovery and achieve our potential as an inclusive and globally competitive city.”
This is the third time Auckland’s Future, Now has been held, following on from events in 2020 and 2021.
“Auckland’s economy and communities face ongoing challenges in a COVID-19 world, as well as the challenges of climate change,” says Mr Hill.
“The two previous events showed the private sector’s strong desire to collaborate with the public sector on the challenges and opportunities Auckland faces. This year’s event will build on their legacy.”
An opening panel discussion will unpack the Reimagining Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland report commissioned by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited from Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures, to stimulate thinking, conversation and reflection on Auckland’s future over the next two generations and to generate desired outcomes.
Report co-authors, Sir Peter Gluckman and Dr Anne Bardsley will be joined by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Director Investment and Industry Pam Ford, Eke Panuku Development Auckland Chair Paul Majurey and Koi Tu Rangatahi Co-Chair, Izzy Fenwick to discuss the nine future scenarios for Auckland presented in the report.
The panel discussion will be followed by presentations by HSBC Group Advisor on Future Cities and New Industries, Greg Clark and Toyota New Zealand CEO, Neeraj Lala.
Other sessions will cover topics including facing the big challenges; a creative, innovative city; our youth, our leaders; climate change; reconnecting to the world; Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s Māori economy; prosperity through a regenerative economy; and revitalising the city centre.
About 180 people are expected to attend the in-person event with up to 1,500 more expected to watch a livestream.
