Auckland at 15 – Shaping the next 15 years
In May 2025, the Committee for Auckland, in partnership with AUT, Deloitte and the Helen Clark Foundation, hosted Auckland at 15 — a milestone event marking 15 years since the amalgamation of Auckland’s councils into one ‘Super City’. The event brought together influential voices to reflect on what has been achieved and more importantly to set priorities for Auckland’s future.
The New Agenda
The Auckland at 15 New Agenda
A summary narrative was prepared of the event’s insights and the proposed actions called for by participants. This agenda will inform the future direction for the Committee for Auckland.
Auckland at 15 – Full Event Recording
A Super City Conversation
As part of Auckland at 15, we invited Aucklanders to reflect on the Super City’s first fifteen years through an interactive Pol.is survey run by Complex Conversations (a research unit based at the University of Auckland). More than 500 participants shared their perspectives on governance, housing, transport, environment, culture, and the city’s future. The results highlight areas of strong consensus — such as protecting our natural environment and the need for long-term infrastructure planning — alongside clear divisions on transport priorities, cultural investment, and urban development. Together, these insights reveal what Aucklanders value most and where opinions diverge as we look ahead.
Learn more about Complex Conversations → https://www.complexconversations.nz/
Auckland at 15: Media Coverage
Auckland at 15 generated wide media interest across print, radio, and digital outlets. Here are some of the stories, interviews, and reports that covered the event.
Auckland at 15 Leaders Panel: Sir John Key, Helen Clark, Mayor Wayne Brown and Minister Simeon Brown
Wayne Brown and Simeon Brown during the Leaders Panel.
Where is Auckland at after 15 Years of the super city?
May 7, 2025
After 15 years as a “super city”, what does Auckland need to be better, brighter and more attractive? Leaders gathered to debate how Auckland is going, 15 years after eight councils were melded into one, mega council.
Auckland: Is it NZ’S superpower or too ambitious by half?
May 7, 2025
The two Prime Ministers who put parts of Auckland through a shotgun marriage into the Super City 15 years ago say the city’s residents are clearly better off, yet more needs to be done to improve its funding and representation.
Auckland at 15: Progress and possibilities
May 8, 2025
Getting to day one of Auckland Council was a herculean effort – eight councils; eight workforces; eight sets of systems. Add to that an election, a Mayor for all of Auckland, creating 21 local boards, a first budget and the region’s first CCOs.
Auckland at 15 Legacy: Auckland Future Leaders
Committee for Auckland and AUT are working in tandem to produce projects directed at enhancing young leaders in Auckland – future-proofing our city and nurturing the young leaders that will be driving the next 15 years of Auckland as a supercity.
The Auckland Future Leaders’ legacy project, developed by Committee for Auckland in partnership with AUT, is focused on nurturing the next generation of civic and business leaders who will shape Auckland over the next 15 years. Through a youth-led event, mentoring initiatives, and ongoing engagement with the city’s major opportunities, the project provides avenues for young Aucklanders to connect, collaborate, and contribute to the city’s future. By bringing together diverse voices, fostering dialogue, and linking emerging leaders with established networks, Auckland Future Leaders aims to equip rangatahi with the tools, experiences, and relationships needed to drive meaningful change for Tāmaki Makaurau.
