Breakfast of Auckland champions

"A thriving Auckland needs outstanding universities, and outstanding universities depend on a thriving and ambitious Auckland," said University of Auckland Vice-Chancellor Nic Smith.

He was speaking on 26 August at a breakfast event held in B201 at the University of Auckland, to showcase the 2026 State of the City report.

The report was launched before an audience of business and community leaders, policymakers and academics. Facilitated by Committee for Auckland chief executive Frances Valintine, the event included Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, Minister for Auckland Simon Watts and the Vice-Chancellor.

Welcoming guests to the University, Smith said the report provided both encouragement and a practical agenda for action.

"As I've returned to Tāmaki Makaurau, it's prompted me to think afresh about a place that my university calls home," he said.

Smith said the report's findings showed Auckland was building momentum as an innovation centre, with growing strengths in health technologies, fintech, digital technologies and clean energy. However, success would depend not only on generating talent and ideas, but on ensuring more of them stayed and grew in Auckland.

"The question is no longer whether Auckland can generate world-class ideas and talent. We've shown that we can," Smith said.

"The question is whether more of those ideas can grow here, whether more of the talent can remain here, and whether together we can create enduring prosperity here."

The Vice-Chancellor highlighted the University's contribution to the city's innovation ecosystem, including its Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Newmarket Innovation Precinct, where researchers and companies are working together to translate research into commercial outcomes.  

Mayor Wayne Brown, sporting a blue baseball jacket emblazoned with the city’s name, used the occasion to champion Auckland's strengths, arguing it was increasingly gaining international recognition as a place to build businesses, attract talent and grow innovative industries.

Brown praised Auckland's natural environment, entrepreneurial culture and growing technology sector. He pointed to the city's improved global innovation rankings and the growth of local technology companies as evidence Auckland was becoming a stronger player on the world stage.

The mayor said the establishment of the Auckland Tech and Innovation Alliance was one example of how public and private organisations were working together to strengthen the city's innovation ecosystem. He also highlighted the success of Auckland Startup Week and the recent "100 Days of Startups" campaign which featured many ideas that came out of the University of Auckland.

The report's findings were further explored during a question-and-answer session for Brown and Watts, with questions posed by five stakeholders. It was observed that the report identified a "conversion gap", noting that while Auckland attracts the majority of international visitors, students and investment into New Zealand, it does not always capture a proportional share of the resulting economic activity.

Watts said the Auckland Deal, signed in April 2026 as a long-term partnership between Auckland and central government, provided a framework for central government, local government and the private sector to work together on growth opportunities.

"This is about delivery. This is about getting stuff done," Watts said, describing the partnership as one based on mutual respect and shared priorities. 

Don’t mention the bed tax…

The discussion became livelier – and a little looser - when the conversation turned to long-term funding for tourism infrastructure, events and destination marketing. Brown reiterated his frustration at the National Party’s dismissal of Auckland's proposed bed tax, or accommodation levy, arguing the city needed greater ability to determine how visitor-related revenue was spent.

Watts acknowledged the need for sustainable funding but maintained his party’s opposition to introducing new taxes.

"But we both agree on the problem," Watts said. "We do need enduring funding for infrastructure, attractions, for events and attractions."

He added that the government was open to discussing alternative funding mechanisms.

Their exchange reflected one of the broader themes emerging from the report: how Auckland can secure the tools, investment and autonomy needed to fulfil its economic potential while fostering a strong partnership with central government.

Despite occasional differences, both Brown and Watts emphasised the need for collaboration to support growth, improve infrastructure and strengthen Auckland's competitiveness. Innovation, entrepreneurship and better connections between government, business and research institutions were recurring themes throughout the morning.

Earlier the Vice-Chancellor said Auckland's prospects would ultimately depend on organisations working together to turn momentum into scale.

"What matters now is turning that evidence into shared ambition and that ambition into shared action.

"Innovation succeeds when universities, industry, investors, iwi, government and communities come together with a shared purpose," he said.