From the Foreword

Welcome to Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s third annual Our Sustainability Story. You will find stories and experiences that cover some of our activities structured around three connected pillars of sustainability – environment, economic and social. Honouring te ao Māori and the different cultures of Aotearoa is also woven throughout our work.

One of the year’s major milestones was the adoption of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s first Climate Change and Environment Strategic Plan, which outlines the actions we will take in the next three years towards our goals and targets. It introduces new focus areas including responsible water use, expands on our previous work on climate resilience, and captures core deliverables such as measuring and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and waste.  

We also share the completion of a significant decarbonisation initiative at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki among work underway across Tātaki Auckland Unlimited to decarbonise assets and increase energy efficiency.  

This year includes information on Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s first mandatory climate-related disclosure as part of Auckland Council Group under the new national climate standards. This builds on our previous voluntary reporting, and drives work to improve Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s management of climate-related risks and opportunities.

Working with Auckland Council, we continue to lead and implement the Economy priority within Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan to help Auckland respond to the climate emergency. A crucial element of this is Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s ongoing support and development of Climate Connect Aotearoa – the region’s climate innovation hub. We have a lot to share in our story this year, including the first Mātauranga Māori and Climate Innovation Hui.

This year, you will also read about our economic work helping plan Te Puna Creative Innovation Quarter in Te Kōpua Henderson. The development of this quarter will continue to evolve and pursue positive social, cultural, economic and environmental outcomes.

The major events Tātaki Auckland Unlimited invests in and delivers on behalf of council are a core part of our region’s social fabric. This year we curated the first annual Moana Auckland, New Zealand’s Ocean Festival among a portfolio of events, while Auckland Live enabled a range of high-quality shows and experiences. In 2023/24, we also saw the refresh of Te Mahere Aronga, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s Māori Outcomes Plan – which outlines our te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi commitments and work to advance the interests of Māori in our region.

Our Sustainability Story will continue to evolve as we strive to improve our reporting practises, and expand on what we report voluntarily alongside our mandatory climate-related disclosures. As we continue our essential sustainability journey, I am proud to share our stories with you.

Nick Hill
Chief Executive,
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited

See also

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited

Climate change and sustainability