- Auckland Council-led supplier diversity network Amotai won the Supreme Award at the Economic Development New Zealand Excellence Awards, while the council earned another four awards from five finalist placings.
- Distinguished Service Award went to economic development leader Pam Ford, Auckland Council’s General Manager Economic Development.
- National economic development awards reflect Auckland’s leadership in innovation, collaboration and inclusive economic growth.
Auckland Council’s economic development achievements have earned five awards from five finalist placings at the Economic Development New Zealand Excellence Awards last night, including the Supreme Award for supplier diversity network Amotai.
Mayor Wayne Brown says the recognition at the awards highlights the impact of Auckland Council’s leadership in driving economic development for Auckland.
“As I emphasised in my manifesto last month, when Auckland wins, New Zealand wins,” says Mayor Brown.
“These awards show we mean business when it comes to growth, innovation, productivity, and making Auckland an attractive place to work, live and invest. I’ve set a new aggressive direction for economic development, and Pam has picked up the ball and run with it excellently.
“Auckland contributes around $160 billion to the nation’s GDP, and with a robust economic development strategy now adopted, we’re well placed to supercharge Auckland’s economy alongside our partners in Auckland, in Wellington, and globally.”
The night’s most prestigious accolade, the Distinguished Service Award, was presented to Auckland Council’s General Manager Economic Development, Pam Ford, in recognition of her significant contribution to economic development for Auckland and New Zealand.
The award acknowledged Ms Ford’s exceptional and enduring contribution to economic development in New Zealand, and commitment to Auckland’s business community and the wider region. It recognised that through her leadership, she has helped drive prosperity, foster innovation, attract investment and support industry growth, helping create conditions for startups and established businesses to succeed.
Ms Ford says she was humbled and honoured to receive the award.
“I couldn’t have achieved this level of recognition without the support of the fantastic kaimahi I work with and all the relationships I’ve built with incredible partners over the years,” says Ms Ford.
“There’s a lot going on in the economic development space, with significant growth ahead for Auckland. I see my role as helping to keep that growth on the right track and in alignment with the Economic Development Strategy, while maximising opportunities for our region.”
At the awards, alongside the Distinguished Service Award, Auckland Council’s Economic Development Office was recognised for several initiatives driving inclusion, research and collaboration in the following categories:
Anna-Jane Edwards, co-founder of Amotai, which received the Supreme Award for connecting organisations with Māori and Pasifika-owned businesses.
Inclusive development and wellbeing
WINNER AND SUPREME AWARD RECIPIENT: National supplier diversity network Amotai was recognised for its work connecting organisations with Māori and Pasifika-owned businesses.
Amotai helps organisations strengthen supplier diversity while creating opportunities for Māori and Pasifika businesses to secure contracts, build relationships and grow.
Supported by Auckland Council, the initiative aims to create a more inclusive economy where Māori and Pasifika communities can thrive.
FINALIST: The Pacific Value for Investment Model framework was also recognised in the inclusive development and wellbeing category.
This evidence-based framework helps organisations evaluate initiatives designed to improve Pacific skills, employment, health, wellbeing and economic outcomes.
By combining Pacific values, community defined outcomes, and rigorous evaluation methods, the model provides a more holistic way of measuring value and impact, helping organisations make better-informed investment decisions.
Economic development primary research
WINNER: Quantifying the Pacific Economy was recognised as a first-of-its-kind initiative measuring the scale, growth and characteristics of Pacific-owned businesses and employers across Aotearoa New Zealand, with a focus on Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
The initiative puts valuable economic insights directly into the hands of businesses, community organisations and decision-makers. It provides an unprecedented picture of Pacific business ownership and employment, helping inform policies and programmes that support a more inclusive and prosperous Tāmaki Makaurau.
FINALIST: Powering Auckland’s Future was recognised for advancing understanding of the region’s future energy needs through original and impactful research.
By assessing multiple future scenarios, the research explored how urban growth, transport investment, electrification, energy efficiency and emerging technologies could influence energy demand, infrastructure requirements, affordability, emissions and economic outcomes.
The findings showed Auckland’s future prosperity will depend on how effectively growth, transport, infrastructure sequencing and energy systems are planned together.
Te Puna Creative Innovation Quarter in Henderson, recognised for its collaborative approach to creating a thriving, nationally significant creative and technology precinct.
Collaboration
WINNER: Te Puna Creative Innovation Quarter was recognised in the collaboration category as a transformational, regenerative initiative to grow Henderson into a nationally significant, high-tech precinct through a partnership between Auckland Council, Te Kawerau Iwi Tiaki Trust and industry leaders.
This partnership shares governance, values and decision-making, demonstrating how collaboration between iwi, local government and industry can support long-term economic development.
Te Puna demonstrates how indigenous principles can guide large-scale, multi-stakeholder development. By leveraging existing and planned investments, the project has attracted public and private co-investment and laid foundations for a world-class creative precinct.
People connect and exchange ideas at Auckland Startup Week, helping build relationships and explore new opportunities across Auckland’s business community.
Sector and cluster development
FINALIST: Auckland Startup Week was recognised for its significant impact nationally and its transformative effect in leveraging strategic partnerships to advance the sector for the benefit of the New Zealand economy.
The inaugural Auckland Startup Week in 2025 and in 2026 both attracted more than 10,000 attendees across 70+ events, featuring 300+ speakers and 480+ startups. The events also generated more than 30,500 meaningful connections between founders, investors, researchers, corporates, and supported organisations, strengthening the relationships that underpin a thriving innovation economy.