It’s been 15 years since Auckland’s ‘super city’ was formed. What are we most proud of in Tāmaki Makaurau? Where are we going as a city? What needs improvement?

At a breakfast event in the city centre, Auckland's past, present and future leaders came together to reflect on these questions. Over four panel discussions, they left politics at the door and instead turned their minds to what Auckland needs to succeed over the next 15 years, and how to get it done.

Keynote speakers and contributors included former Prime Ministers Helen Clark and Sir John Key, Mayor Wayne Brown and Minister for Auckland Hon Simeon Brown, who reflected on how the super city was established and spoke of the fundamental importance of Auckland's relationship with central government.

Panel 1 - Legacy and Progress

MC'd by Jack Tame and Melissa Chan-Green.
Keynote addresses by both Hon Simeon Brown, Minister for Auckland and Wayne Brown, Mayor of Auckland, followed by a panel discussion between Minister Brown, Mayor Wayne Brown, Rt Hon Helen Clark, former Prime Minister and Rt Hon Sir John Key, former Prime Minister.

Panel 2 - What makes a city successful?

Moderated by Mark Thomas, Managing Director, Serviceworks, Regional Lead, Smart Cities Council
Including Professor Paola Boarin, Co-founder and Co-director Future Cities Research Hub, University of Auckland, Graham Quirk, Former Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Mary W. Rowe, President & Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Urban Institute.

Panel 3 - Fit for the Future, what will it take to be successful over the next 15 years? 

Moderated by Kate Sutton, Future of Auckland Lead, Deloitte 
Including Ngarimu Blair Deputy Chair, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust; Director, Whai Rawa Ltd, Geoff Cooper – Chief Executive, NZ Infrastructure Commission; former Chief Economist, Auckland Council, Lisa Hinde – Head of Sustainability, Precinct Properties and Alliv Samson – Co-founder and Co-CEO, Kami.

Panel 4 - The next 15 years

Moderated by Murray Bruges, Executive Director, Helen Clark Foundation
Including Simon Bridges, CEO, Auckland Business Chamber; former Minister of Transport, Izzy Fenwick Founder, Futureful, Co-chair, Rangatahi Advisory Panel, Koi Tū; Guardian, Aotearoa Circle, Ranjna Patel Co-founder and Director, Tāmaki Health; Co-founder, Gandhi Nivas and Professor Damon Salesa – Vice Chancellor, Auckland University of Technology.

This breakfast event was produced and hosted by:

AUT, Committee for Auckland, Deloitte, and The Helen Clark Foundation