In a previous article on the State of the City 2024 report, we explored Auckland’s innovation rankings relative to other international cities, and highlighted the implications of Auckland’s innovation gap on productivity and prosperity. A key factor in Auckland's future success lies in our capacity to foster a more innovative ecosystem. In this article, we’ll explore how we can facilitate this through a strategic vision, international focus, local talent development, global talent attraction, and collaboration.
The heartbeat of innovation
Imagine a buzzing Auckland where ideas are shared and scaled, and where prosperity flows through society – the type of professional and cultural environment that attracts global talent and commands attention. Cities that fail to create this vibrancy often see their brightest minds leaving for alternatives where their creativity and efforts will be rewarded.
In my previous article, I shared five strategic pillars to make Auckland an innovation powerhouse: strategic vision, international focus, local talent development, global talent attraction, and enhanced coordination.
But what does it take to turn these ideas into reality?
Strategic vision: Dream big, act bold
Global innovative city rankings consistently share the importance of civic leadership and championship. Civic leaders, elected or otherwise, have a platform that can shape ideas and build cities. What if, in Auckland, we set a target of 10,000 more tech jobs or to grow our innovation economy by a certain figure with the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and others proudly stating that Auckland is a place where innovation thrives - and actively supporting initiatives that enable this.
It's important that words are backed up by action. Civic leaders have a key role to play in creating and building momentum. This could include civic data commons where data held by the city is shared with innovators to tackle the biggest challenges facing ours, and other global cities.
Having a clear ambition is important. Auckland, and New Zealand broadly, has historically prospered in niche areas. By tapping into our capabilities and embracing the niches in sectors like MedTech, AgriTech, CreativeTech, FinTech, and CleanTech, we can maximise our city’s potential, enhance its reach, appeal, and economic impact.
The last Auckland innovation strategy was developed in 2012. By formulating a refreshed innovation strategy, we could drive towards an opportunity and innovation city. Public-private collaboration, engagement with communities, open forums, and storytelling, could show the world Auckland is a place of innovation.
Singapore has set crystal-clear goals for using data-driven decision-making and digital services. This initiative has sparked strong public-private partnerships, driving innovation forward. In Copenhagen, the public and private sectors have branded themselves as a science city to share with the world their ambitious intention.
International focus: Building bridges and corridors
Building and maintaining international relationships is the lifeblood of innovation. We need to actively engage with global markets to keep the innovation engine running. Currently, Auckland has sister city relationships with cities like Los Angeles and Guangzhou, that enable cultural exchanges and business collaborations, especially in education and technology. Recently, a new partnership with Denver has been established.
Globally, international partnerships have been taken to the next level by developing specific trading agreements and building research and development corridors with one or two particular companies and sectors. Global cities all have internationalisation strategies but ensuring deep relationships are forged, and commercial focus maintained, is something that can be held by a city. Auckland is connected directly to the world through our international airport and through our digital infrastructure.
Developing local talent: Nurture from within
Development of great talent starts at home, and we all play a role in nurturing local talent – from universities to businesses, and everything in between. Auckland is home to two world-class universities with fantastic programmes, but our innovation inputs (such as high quality education) are not matching our outputs (such as number of entrepreneurs, businesses and investment).
Data from the University of Auckland shows that the interest in entrepreneurship among students from New Zealand universities is lower than the average for countries in the OECD. By declaring itself a tech and innovation hub, Auckland can go a long way towards inspiring the growth of local talent. Beyond the efforts of schools and universities, the corporate sector could contribute to talent development by establishing innovation fellowships to facilitate the exchange of staff and creativity across organisations, taking inspiration from similar successful models in London. Businesses can develop programmes where learning happens both in the classroom and in the workplace - more permeable boundaries between institutions are required to super charge the development of local talent.
Attracting global talent: Open arms, open minds
To stay ahead, we need to attract and retain global talent. Envision Auckland as a powerful magnet, drawing skilled professionals from around the world. Auckland attracts talent because of our appealing lifestyle. But cost of living, housing, and lack of quality jobs are becoming barriers to this. Changes to visas and investment rules are important to get right and overarching cultural life, hospitality and other amenities are vital to retain the best and brightest. The city can take a view on what levers we wish to pull to ensure Auckland is an attractive place to live, including tax and immigration settings, areas designated for people to live, support services for talent to land and thrive here, and fostering ways to keep global connections.
Coordination and cooperation: Together we thrive
Auckland’s success hinges on teamwork. We need to foster cooperation across all sectors to compete on a global scale. Alignment towards the goal of making Auckland a tech city - an innovative city - is vital for the future of the economy. Auckland already has the start of an innovation precinct in Wynyard Quarter, and the newly developed innovation hub at the University of Auckland’s Newmarket precinct is further developing. Globally, best practice for innovation districts includes research and development capability across the public and private sector, which currently Auckland’s hubs do not capitalise on. International examples include Amsterdam for joint projects in sustainability and smart city solutions, Silicon Roundabout in London includes co-working spaces and tech events fostering innovation, Toronto’s MaRS Discovery District includes networking events and mentorship programs driving growth in health, CleanTech, and FinTech, and Shenzhen, China, has focused on a maker ecosystem promoting rapid prototyping and experimentation.
We have moved from the “City of Sails” to the “City of Road Cones.” Let’s become the City of Opportunity and Innovation. This journey requires commitment and collaboration from all sectors, ensuring that we not only keep pace with global cities but excel beyond them.
Let’s leverage best practices, right size it for Auckland, and turn Auckland into a global innovation leader.