The State of the City 2025 Launch
On July 15, the Committee for Auckland hosted the launch of the State of the City 2025 Report, bringing together civic, business, and community leaders to reflect on Auckland’s performance and collective future.
The report takes stock of Auckland’s progress across key areas including housing, transport, economic development, and environmental resilience. It recognises improvements in innovation and business confidence, but also highlights persistent structural challenges — from fragmented governance to inequitable access to opportunity.
Mayor Wayne Brown spoke directly to these issues, calling for greater clarity of purpose across Auckland’s leadership and more unified action to deliver on long-term priorities. His message was clear: Auckland can’t afford to drift. It needs better tools, clearer roles, and stronger partnerships to meet the needs of a growing, globally connected city.
Local Government Minister Simon Watts also spoke at the launch, echoing the report’s tone of urgency and opportunity. Both pointed to the need for a true partnership between government and the city. As Watts put it, “sometimes the biggest challenge is we get in the way”—a reminder that progress hinges on both alignment and restraint.
Commenting on the report’s release, Minster for Auckland Simeon Brown said the government is working closely with Auckland Council to ensure the right settings are in place so Auckland can reach its full potential.
