New Leadership Group To Drive Auckland's Innovation Future
The announcement follows the Auckland Innovation Forum in May, attended by over 130 tech and innovation leaders, where participants called for stronger alignment and collaboration across the region.
'We've got the ideas. We've got the talent. What we've lacked is coordination and a city that truly enables innovation to scale,' said Mayor Brown. 'This group is here to fix that – backing innovation that delivers real results for Auckland and lifts the whole country.'
'When I launched the Alliance, I made it clear—this isn't another talk shop,' he added. 'It's a delivery-focused team of proven Auckland leaders who know how to cut through and get things done.
'This is not about any of us – me included. This is about Auckland,' said Mayor Brown.
A purpose-led Alliance
The Alliance has been established to provide strategic leadership, foster collaboration across the ecosystem, and unlock greater investment. It will consider key issues such as:
Strategic direction and priority setting
Ecosystem and precinct development
Capital access
Talent and technology readiness
International visibility and partnerships
These areas will be developed with frontline innovators and technologists working in Auckland to ensure relevance and real-world impact.
The Alliance will operate under a set of guiding principles – including agility, ambition, and shared purpose – to stay action-orientated and open to new ideas.
Leadership Group
The Alliance's Leadership Group brings together some of Auckland's most respected institutions of business, research, investment, and public innovation led by the mayor:
Auckland Tech Council: Simon Bridges, Founder
Universities: Professor Dawn Freshwater, Vice-Chancellor, University of Auckland
Prime Minister's Science, Innovation & Technology Council: Sir Peter Gluckman ONZ KNZM FRSNZ FRS, Director, Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures
Spark NZ: Jolie Hodson MNZM, CEO
NZ Tech: Graeme Muller, CEO
Outset Ventures: Mat Rowe, Co-Founder & Executive Director
AcademyEX: Frances Valintine CNZM, Founder and Director
The group will meet formally for the first time in August. Early priorities to be considered will include:
Leading a new Auckland Innovation & Technology Direction
Developing a city-wide framework for innovation precincts
Championing an Auckland Techweek 2026 as a regional flagship event to showcase Auckland success stories
Building a national innovation engine
Internationally respected science and policy leader Sir Peter Gluckman said, 'If we want to build a future-ready economy, we must ensure Auckland's innovation system is better aligned, better resourced, and globally connected. Cities are the primary units of innovation internationally.'
Leading New Zealand futurist and technologist Frances Valintine added, 'This is a chance to advance key innovations and accelerate the priorities that will define our economy, our communities, and support future generations.'
With nearly 40% of New Zealand's economy centred in Auckland, the city's innovation performance has major national implications. While there are signs of momentum, Auckland continues to lag global peers on productivity, commercialisation, and scaling innovation.
'A more innovative Auckland isn't just good for Auckland,' said Mayor Brown. 'It's one of the fastest ways to lift the performance of the entire country.'
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