The Auckland Business Chamber and Auckland Tech Council are welcoming today’s announcement that the Government will base the New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology in Auckland — a move that follows clear calls from the business community to supercharge the city’s tech future.

“In April, we put a vision on the table for Auckland to become a serious global tech hub,” says Simon Bridges, CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber. “We made the case — and now the Government is listening.”

While the Institute will initially be incubated within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, today’s announcement confirms that Auckland will be its central base.

The Chamber and Tech Council had earlier identified Auckland’s Newmarket innovation precinct as the natural home for cutting-edge research and commercialisation — with the scale and connectivity to anchor a nationally significant tech hub.

“Newmarket offers the full package — advanced R&D, space to scale, and commercial potential,” says Bridges. “I certainly hope the Institute will be based at Newmarket, it is the right place for it. But regardless of the precise final location, Auckland is the right launchpad for a national push into advanced tech.”

The city is uniquely positioned to connect research, business, and investment. With world-leading AI and quantum researchers already based at the University of Auckland, Auckland can serve as a critical link between academia, startups, and global partners.

The Chamber’s recent tech report, developed in partnership with leading businesses and institutions, laid out a clear roadmap — calling for major investment, a regulatory sandbox for MedTech, and urgent action to close the capital and skills gaps.

“Today’s announcement is proof that when business leads with a clear, ambitious plan, Government can move too,” says Bridges. “This is just the start. We now need to double down on digital skills, commercial investment, and putting our startups on the global map.”

“With the private sector already stepping up, this gives Auckland a real shot at becoming a magnet for talent, capital, and world-class innovation.”

Note:

A copy of the Time for Growth: The Plan Auckland Needs to Be a Global Tech Hub report is available here:
https://aucklandchamber.co.nz/2025/04/03/time-for-growth-the-plan-auckland-needs-to-be-a-global-tech-hub-auckland-tech-council

Key recommendations from the report include:

• Levelling up the technology district opportunity – Newmarket Innovation Precinct
• The front door to a new Advanced Technology Public Research Organisation
• An Auckland Technology and Innovation Alliance
• Technology trade mission
• Develop a regional innovation strategy
• Tech and Innovation job development accord
• Build a series of regulatory sandboxes (with a focus on MedTech)
• Increase the diversity of funds investing in Auckland ventures
• Leveraging partnerships with peer tech and innovation cities for mutual gain
• Increasing PhD enrolment and empowering PhD students to start businesses in NZ
• Investing in grassroots initiatives to foster entrepreneurship in areas outside of science, starting at the high school level.

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