Vibrant and competitive: Auckland’s future as the hub for culture and experience

By Kate Sutton, Anthony Ruakere and Clark Tipene
 

As Auckland grows, it’s vital to understand our city’s performance in comparison to other global cities. A few months ago, we released our second instalment of the State of the City report, in partnership with Tātaki Auckland Unlimited and the Committee for Auckland, benchmarking Auckland’s performance across multiple key metrics.

But the way we live in our city is more than just surveys and statistics – it’s the feelings and experiences we have that will make Tāmaki Makaurau truly liveable. It’s the opportunities we offer for growth, the events we host, the traditions our communities celebrate, the cityscape strengthened by the diverse communities who call Auckland home.

What this year’s report shows

This year’s report shows that visitors are returning to Auckland in strong numbers, and that we’ve got a competitive offering in sport, recreation, and cuisine. However, there’s room to improve the scale and recognition of our cultural activities compared to our peers, which will impact Auckland’s global reputation.

Auckland retains its global rankings in liveability and reputation, making it an attractive choice for expats and international students. Yet, there are areas for improvement highlighted in this year’s report.

Celebrating our communities

I’m proud that this year’s report features the experiences of our Pacific peoples for the first time. Auckland is known as the Polynesian capital of the world, reflecting our diaspora population. Organisations like the Pacific Business Trust, Pasifika Futures, and Le Va are strengthening the economic and cultural prosperity of our Pacific communities.

Te Matatini and the Pasifika Festival are two great examples (amongst many others) of how our Māori and Pacific populations are becoming more visible across the city. These events have seen huge turnouts, generating record crowds at Western Springs and Eden Park. They shine a bright light on the contributions Māori and Pacific peoples make to our city's vibrant tapestry.

Where we can improve

While celebrating our achievements, this year’s report acknowledges where we can do better:

• We need to enable arts and culture with our city’s creatives to strengthen our position globally. As Aucklanders, we know the best spots for sports, dining, and nightlife. How can we make these resonate more strongly with visitors and locals alike?
• Bridging the unemployment gap between Māori and European Aucklanders must be a priority, along with reigniting Māori business growth and participation in high growth economic sectors.
• Although crime rates have declined, safety concerns persist. Surveys as recent as 2023 show that Aucklanders feel the city’s safety profile is falling. Organisations like Auror are leading the way in helping address these issues.
• While Auckland appeals to families and retirees, Gen Z and millennials feel less catered to. There are fewer meet-up groups and social opportunities, and major concerts like Taylor Swift have skipped Aotearoa in favour of Australia.
  

What we need to do to transform Auckland into a top-tier culture and experience hub

• Investing in our local talent through educational programmes and community initiatives.
• Attracting global talent, international professionals and students alike.
• Furthering our cultural offerings by supporting and promoting events in the arts and creative industries.
• Improving safety and infrastructure to ensure that our city is safe and accessible for all.
  

By focusing on these key areas, we can turn Auckland into an even more vibrant, globally competitive city. Let’s work together to make this vision a reality.