Minister Reti meets Auckland innovation leaders

Leaders from the Committee for Auckland (CfA) and the Auckland Innovation & Technology Alliance (AITA) met with Hon. Dr Shane Reti, Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology, to discuss Auckland’s role in lifting New Zealand’s innovation performance.

The conversation focused on how tighter collaboration between government, business and research can accelerate national priorities and improve Auckland’s global competitiveness. Referencing the State of the City findings, the group noted that despite Auckland’s vibrant and growing innovation ecosystem, the city still trails international peers and the region remains 15–20% less productive than comparable cities. The group also outlined some of the Alliance’s focus areas, including strengthening connections across the innovation system, supporting local entrepreneurs, and showcasing Auckland’s technology leadership on the international stage.

Dr Reti shared updates on government initiatives to support innovation, including his recent announcement of up to NZ$70 million in AI investment to build AI research capability, form research–industry consortia, and speed up commercialisation. This would be delivered via the New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology which the government recently announced would be headquartered in Auckland. The Minister stressed his interest in working with Auckland partners on barriers and opportunities, and the Committee extended an invitation for him to address a wider session of Committee members later this year.

Photo (L–R): Rupert Hodson, Mat Rowe, Minister Shane Reti, Jolie Hodson, Mark Thomas