The Metropolitan Auckland Project was conceived and developed by the Institute of Public Policy building on the Economic Development Forum which was hosted by the IPP in 2004. A partnership was established between the Institute of Public Policy (AUT), the Committee for Auckland and the Auckland Regional Council and this consortium launched the project in 2005 with approval and support from the Auckland Regional Economic Development Forum.

The Metro Project was conceived as a regional strategy aimed at building an implementation platform for economic development in New Zealand's major metropolitan centre. At a regional level the project focussed on 'barriers to', and 'opportunities for', local and regional development with particular emphasis on the economic drivers, the business base and productivity, and the relationship between the changing demographic profile of the region, industry sectors, the labour market and the region's social and physical environment.

In national terms the Metro Project examined Auckland's role and performance as New Zealand major commercial centre. It concentrated on initiatives that have the capability of advancing Auckland's contribution to the National Economy with emphasis on resources and capacity, technology and communications, as well as the potential of regional institutions to add value, the essence of the knowledge economy. With the engagement of an international team of experts the Metropolitan Project also focussed on the comparative advantages of Auckland in the context of the global economy.

The action plan which is the primary objective of the Metro Project was released in July 2006. The final report is here.

The Auckland Metro Project