Local strength, global reach: Building New Zealand’s regional economies

Economic development thought leaders from around Aotearoa New Zealand met in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland to share knowledge on the power of local innovation and leadership to drive national and international success.

At a glance

Event: Economic Development New Zealand 2025 Conference
Date: 12 and 13 November 2025
Delegates: 180
Venue: Piripiri Lane
Sector impact: Reinforced the importance of New Zealand’s regional economies, with Auckland as the engine room, generating around 38 per cent of the country’s GDP

Firing on all cylinders

In November 2025, economic development professionals, thought leaders, and changemakers from across Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world gathered in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, the engine room of the country’s economy, for the annual Economic Development New Zealand (EDNZ) Conference.

Centred on the theme, Local Strength, Global Reach: Building New Zealand’s Regional Economies, the 2025 EDNZ Conference was held in partnership with Auckland Council and hosted at Piripiri Lane, a dynamic co-working and event space in the heart of Wynyard Quarter Innovation Precinct.

As New Zealand’s premier economic development conference, the event attracted approximately 180 delegates representing regional and central government, iwi, academia and industry. Together, they explored how local capability and innovation can ignite national growth and strengthen New Zealand’s position in the global economy.

Unlocking growth through connection

As the country’s largest regional economy, Auckland contributes around 38 per cent of New Zealand’s GDP and plays a vital role in shaping national prosperity. Hosting the 2025 EDNZ Conference in Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter Innovation Precinct provided an opportunity to showcase how regions can unlock economic growth through focused interventions.

Pam Ford, General Manager of the Auckland Economic Development Office at Auckland Council, says the conference location itself tells a story of transformation.

“The EDNZ Conference brought together people who are passionate about driving economic development, in a location that exemplifies it. Once a heavily industrialised port area, Wynyard Quarter has evolved into a thriving innovation neighbourhood. Auckland Council’s GridAKL, which operates out of innovation hubs on Madden and Pakenham streets, recently marked 10 years of fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth, contributing $424 million annually to Auckland’s economy.”

Championing local leadership for national impact

For Debi Roder, Chief Executive Officer of EDNZ, hosting the conference in Tāmaki Makaurau made perfect sense. Auckland is home to the country’s largest and most diverse economy, a thriving business ecosystem and an events infrastructure designed to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange.

“The EDNZ 2025 conference was a great success, and our location in central Auckland played a vital role in that achievement. Hosting the conference in the Wynyard Quarter Innovation Precinct showcased economic development at its best. A highlight for many delegates was the tours, especially the Garage to Global tour, which displayed the innovative work happening across the city.”

Strategic alignment for success

Ken Pereira, Head of Business Events at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited says Auckland Convention Bureau, the organisation’s business events arm, was delighted to support bringing the 2025 EDNZ Conference to Tāmaki Makaurau, in keeping with its mission to attract business events that strategically align with the region’s economic development priorities.

“At a time when New Zealand’s economy is navigating strong headwinds, Auckland Convention Bureau recognises the value of bringing people together to share ideas and solutions. The EDNZ Conference created an important space for that exchange, connecting regional leaders, innovators and practitioners. It was also a chance for Auckland to contribute its experience and learn from the insights of others, ensuring the benefits extend well beyond Tāmaki Makaurau.”

From learnings to legacy

Pam Ford echoes Ken Pereira’s sentiments.

“When regional and national partners come together with a focus on innovation and collaboration, the benefits reach far beyond the conference floor. That’s what makes events like the 2025 EDNZ Conference so important for Tāmaki Makaurau and for Aotearoa as a whole.

“At the Auckland Economic Development Office, we’re focused on key growth sectors such as technology and innovation, investment, creative industries, the green economy and social innovation. By sharing our region’s learnings from targeted initiatives across these sectors with professionals at the conference, we ultimately hope to support the nation’s transition to a more resilient and innovation-led economy,” says Ford.