Auckland’s future in focus as leaders gather at Newmarket Innovation Precinct

Innovation, collaboration and Auckland’s future took centre stage at the University of Auckland’s Newmarket Innovation Precinct on 4 February, as civic and business leaders came together to hear Mayor Wayne Brown deliver his first address of 2026.

Hosted at the University’s flagship innovation hub, the event brought together the Mayor, Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, members of the Committee for Auckland, and leaders from across business, research and the innovation ecosystem.

The event was organised by the Committee for Auckland, an independent organisation that works across sectors to help create a better Auckland for all.

In his address, Mayor Brown outlined his key priorities for the year ahead, Auckland’s role in the national political and economic conversation, and the importance of partnership between local government, business and research institutions in supporting the city’s transformation across innovation, housing, transport and opportunity.

Reflecting on the city’s growing momentum in innovation, Mayor Brown pointed to Auckland’s first Startup Week, held in October last year, as a sign of what’s possible when sectors move quickly and work together.

“There were more than 4000 companies that showed up to that, and people were saying, ‘this is amazing’… It does show that we can do quick responses. We are nimble. That's an important part of what we do.”

Mayor Brown highlighted the role of places like the Newmarket Innovation Precinct in supporting Auckland’s innovation ambitions.

“It's a privilege to be invited along here and talk to this esteemed audience about how important it is that we step on the innovation accelerator. I am very impressed with everything that you've done here, and this is part of what we're linking together.”

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation, Professor Frank Bloomfield, who is also a director of the Committee for Auckland, spoke at the event about how the University of Auckland is helping turn Auckland’s innovation ambitions into reality.

“The University of Auckland has innovation and entrepreneurship at its heart: one of our strategic priorities is to become a global powerhouse of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship, and our graduate profile, which articulates the key capabilities that we seek to foster in all our students, includes the aim that all students demonstrate an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset.”

Located in the heart of Newmarket, the Innovation Precinct brings together research, industry and entrepreneurship in one place. It is currently home to 144 industry members from 39 companies co-located alongside the New Zealand Product Accelerator, the Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Design, and the University’s AI and Computer Science research teams. Later this year, the University’s commercialisation and investment company, UniServices, will also move into the precinct.

Rupert Hodson, executive director of the Committee for Auckland, encouraged leaders to continue working together to unlock the city’s full potential.

“We're going to be much stronger as a city if we are united around where we're trying to go.”