A recurring theme in our discussions with the region’s business leaders in recent times has been their view that Auckland needs a clear and powerful shared set of priorities for our future in a COVID world, and their willingness to be part of creating it.
So we worked with a small advisory group to develop Auckland’s Future, Now – a one-day event bringing together leading business and economic thinkers on 5 August.
There will be tightly focused panel discussions to examine Auckland’s unique characteristics and advantages, the opportunities and constraints the region faces in a COVID world, and what we need to support our people, communities and businesses.
The event will open with keynote speakers Rt Hon Sir John Key and Rob Fyfe, and wrap up with a Q&A with the Rt Hon Helen Clark, Co-Chair of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response. Panellists including Rob Fyfe, Fady Mishriki (Power By Proxi), Sam Witters (AMO Group), Frances Valintine (Tech Futures Lab) and independent directors Susan Peterson, Zeina Jalil and Pip Greenwood will explore critical issues for Auckland, including our international connectivity in a COVID world; growing local talent; the role of business leadership in supporting health and social cohesion; and strengthening our tech ecosystem; Auckland as a global haven for investment and ideas; and enabling our city centre and neighbourhoods to thrive in times of economic uncertainty.
Our expectation is that immediately following the event a clear, shared plan will be drawn up by a representative group of the business leaders. The agreed actions and priorities in the plan will form the basis of a collaborative approach to Auckland’s economic recovery.