Auckland's future starts here

Auckland's future starts on Wednesday 23 March 2011.

The Mayor is hosting Auckland Unleashed, a one-day summit that will kick-start the Auckland Plan.

The Auckland Plan - also referred to as the spatial plan - will guide the future development and growth of the unified Auckland over the next 20-30 years and help achieve the Mayor's vision of Auckland as the world's most liveable city.

The summit at the Aotea Centre will bring together civic, political, community and business leaders to start the discussion about Auckland's future.

"This is where it starts," says Len Brown. "We've invited the best minds from Auckland and New Zealand to put their heads together at this event, and start the discussion about what Auckland wants to be and needs to be for current and future generations.

"This is our chance to set a blueprint for Auckland that integrates the social and economic prosperity of our communities with how and where we grow, business and industrial activities, significant recreational, open space and ecological areas, and the cultural wellbeing of our people and our city."

The Auckland Plan presents an unprecedented opportunity to enable integrated, coordinated and cost effective decision making by the Auckland Council, central government, other agencies and the private sector.

""We must unleash Auckland's economic potential. For New Zealand to thrive, Auckland needs to succeed."

The Auckland Plan presents a chance for all Aucklanders to be involved in a discussion about the key issues facing our region, like transport, housing provision, environmental protection, communities that are struggling, and the development of the city centre and connected town centres and villages throughout the region.

There will be many opportunities for people to be involved in the development of the Auckland Plan.

The discussion document to be released at the summit represents the first stage of the development of the Auckland Plan. The council will be inviting people to share their thoughts on the issues it raises until the end of May.

Following this a first draft of the Auckland Plan will be completed in June 2011 and will be the basis for further discussions. A further draft of the Auckland Plan will be released for a formal public consultation process starting in August 2011. People will be able to make submissions on the Auckland Plan and present their views at a hearing.

© Scoop Media