Podcasts A city of neighbourhoods

Steve Mutton is Auckland Council’s new Director of Transport and Infrastructure. 

In this episode, Steve explains the scope of this change and why it will lead to better integration of infrastructure investments in our urban centres and neighbourhoods.

Apple Podcasts version here.

Then below - we get to meat the team of people working with Steve to deliver the infrastructure and services essential to our personal, social and working lives.

This “Meet the Team” series introduces the people who make up the leadership of Auckland Council’s new Transport and Infrastructure directorate. The directorate has been formed to integrate many of what were formerly Auckland Transport functions into Auckland Council.

Steve Mutton, who is the director of this new team, introduces each of his leaders to our listeners.

In this episode Steve introduces Daniel Haines. Daniel is Auckland Council’s Executive Officer of  Transport and Infrastructure.

Daniel works closely with Paul and the leadership team as the new directorate takes shape, helping everyone stay connected across the Council group and provide joined-up advice to senior leaders and elected members.

Daniel was also once a reserve soldier in the army with plenty of outdoor skills, loves science fiction and aims to run a marathon in less than three hours.

Apple Podcasts version here.

In this episode Steve introduces Paul Klinac. Paul is Auckland Council’s General Manager of Engineering, Assets and Technical Advisory.

Paul’s team ensures that, outside of transport and “three waters” infrastructure, the vast array of Auckland Council’s new and existing physical assets are fit for purpose and value for money.

Paul has a technical background in engineering and science, is an avid surfer, cyclist and fisherman.

Apple Podcasts version here.

In this episode Steve introduces Craig Mcilroy, General Manager of Healthy Waters – the people who ensure that Auckland’s rain events are managed to keep people, property and the environment safe.

Apple Podcasts version here.

The Wynyard Quarter is an Auckland success story.  It is an outstanding example of quality strategy, planning and partnering directly shaping great results on the ground.

This podcast reveals the experience of three of the major developers who took that strategy and planning to create a loved business, residential, maritime and leisure precinct.

This series was recorded through 2025.

The size of the contribution Auckland's City Centre makes to the national economy is similar to that made by the entire Waikato Region.  Over the last 15 years our City Centre's economic growth has outpaced the national economy. But the contribution made by these 4.5 square kilometres isn't only economic. 

In the fifteen years since the formation of the "Supercity" in 2010, Auckland's City Centre has undergone dramatic change.  The transformation isn't the result of a string of unrelated ideas, it is the implementation of a thoroughly consulted on strategy - The City Centre Masterplan. 

A key theme emerging from these podcast discussions is that public and private investments in the City Centre do not come at the expense of each other, instead they are complementary and interdependent - they reinforce each other.

This podcast series talks to a range of key thinkers and decision makers about the role of the City Centre, how well we are doing, whether the change has been successful and what we need to do ensure the City Centre is a place for all Aucklanders.

In this episode, Rory Palmer chats with Simon Wilson - award-winning senior writer for The Herald and the New Zealand Listener. 

Simon's incisive mind and literary skill has put his columns at the top of the reading list for anyone wanting to understand our city's progress over the last two decades.

This episode covers, among other things, the interplay between private and public sectors in transforming a city - the 'sweet spot' between disruption and progress - as well as Simon's favourite parts of the city.

Apple Podcasts version here.

We speak to Patrick Reynolds, Deputy Chair of the Auckland City Centre Advisory Panel, Director of Greater Auckland, and former board member of Waka Kotahi NZTA.

Patrick is popularly known for his architectural photography and celebrated for his active role in urban issues especially transport in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

Patrick talks about the origin of the Auckland city centre and the role of transport in shaping our economic and cultural centre from the mid twentieth century until now. He explains that there is a critical difference between a central business district and a true city centre.

His advice to mayors and ministers is that we have begun doing many of the right things, but we need to do more to make Auckland’s economic and cultural centre internationally competitive.

Apple Podcasts version here.

In this episode, we speak to Steve Armitage, Chief Executive of Hospitality NZ and former GM Destination of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development, now Tataki Auckland Unlimited.

Steve has overseen the economic development aspects of many of Auckland’s major events, including the Cricket World Cup, 36th America’s World Cup, FIFA Women’s World cup and Rugby World Cup, and with this experience, he touches on the how important it is to keep Auckland visible on the world stage. However, he says hospitality is all about human connection – we have great diversity and vibrancy in Auckland, and our quality built environment and improving accessibility supports that- but people still need an occasion, celebration or event to bring them into the city.

With 24 of the Top 50 Metro eateries in the city centre, Steve outlines how he believes Auckland can become a must-visit international destination.

Apple Podcasts version here.

Adrienne Young-Cooper is currently a full-time, non-executive company director and trustee on a number of entities and organisations. This follows a leading public-sector career and running a medium-sized consultancy.

Adrienne has specialised in transport (land, aviation and maritime) sectors, social housing and urban and property development and investment.

In this episode, Adrienne shares her belief that Auckland's city centre would benefit from two things: increasing its residential population and turning it into the economic heart of the country by making it the primary location for our biggest companies.

As someone who spends time outside the city for work, she also acknowledges that the rest of New Zealand see that if Auckland does well, then the whole country benefits.

Apple Podcasts here.

In this series we love to talk to over-achievers and Leonie is certainly among them.  Her contributions to New Zealand's property and public sectors have been immense.  This recording reveals pure gold property sector insight, flowing from Leonie's passion, experience and intellect.   Recorded 6 May 2025.

Apple Podcasts version here.

This "Placemaking" series was recorded over late 2025 and early 2026. 

Graham Tipene, provides fascinating insight into - how art reinforces sense of identity, growing up as Mana Whenua in Tamaki Makaurau and that art belongs in our public places, as much as in galleries.

Jeremy Hansen works for Cooper & Co, the people who brought (and still bring) us the highly successful Britomart precinct.  Jeremy explains why this private sector firm invests in public space, public art and public events, revealing the mutual dependence between public and business investment.

Professor Paul Spoonley paints a picture of population change in Auckland and Aotearoa that we all need to see.  Our city and country are changing, but they have done so continuously for nearly two centuries.  Hear how  population change is necessary now - if our country is to thrive. 

Bill McKay takes us to some of Auckland's best examples of architecture and discusses the role of the architect in ensuring buildings and spaces actually work for people. 

New Yorker Ethan Kent is an internationally sought after advisor on the creation of successful urban precincts.  Ethan casts he well trained eye on how Auckland is doing (spoiler alert - we're not doing too bad).

The series concludes with one of Aotearoa's preeminent placemakers - AUDO's Frith Walker, joining us for an insightful wrap of the series.

Graham Tipene has a deep connection to Tāmaki Makaurau, living at Ōrākei, the place where he and his tupuna were born. Graham is a much sought after artist in the disciplines of tā moko tattooing and in installation artworks that gives life to the history and culture of Auckland within it’s modern infrastructure.

This podcast episode discusses the thinking behind some of our city’s most recent and exciting public artworks and how they speak to Auckland’s growing confidence as the preeminent city of Polynesia.

Apple Podcasts version here.

Jeremy Hansen is Director of Communications and Community at Cooper and Company, the people behind Auckland's highly successful Britomart precinct.

Jeremy's contribution to Auckland and Aotearoa, however, is even broader - he has co-written and edited several important books on architecture and urban design, is a frequent contributor to national print and online media, and hosts the popular podcast 76 Small Rooms.

Britomart is one of Auckland's greatest examples of placemaking - turning an under-loved precinct into sought after commercial space and popular public realm.

Jeremy has a key role in a company that has curated and delivered an optimal mix of premium commercial spaces, conserved heritage and an attractive public realm - infused with visual elements that place Britomart in the cultural context of Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa. We were thrilled to get Jeremy's perspective on placemaking.

Recorded 9 October 2025

Apple Podcasts version here.

When New Zealand media want to understand what’s going on in the growth and make up of our populations and the communities that comprise it, Professor Paul Spoonley is often the first person to talk to.

A sociologist and demographer, Paul is Distinguished Professor Emeritus and Honorary Research Associate at Te Kura Pukenga Tangata / College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Massey University. He is also the NZ representative on an 18 country collaboration, under the prestigious Max Planck Institute, looking at the impacts of immigration on diversity and social cohesion.

We talk to Paul about the changing face of Tāmaki Makaurau and Aotearoa, how change is inevitable and how to better manage it.

Apple Podcasts version here.

Bill McKay is well known Kiwi architect, academic, author and commentator on architectural and urban design practice in New Zealand.  His many roles from research and teaching at the University of Auckland, through to fortnightly slots on Radio New Zealand’s Nine to Noon show give Bill a big-picture view of how we design our buildings and urban landscapes.  

We talk to Bill to find out what Tāmaki Makaurau and Aotearoa are doing well and what we could do better.

Recorded 16 October 2025

Apple Podcasts version here.

In the episode we focus a global lens on Auckland placemaking. Ethan Kent’s advice on how to shape great urban precincts is in demand across the globe. Ethan is the executive director of PlacemakingX, based in Brooklyn New York.

We were fortunate to talk to him recently in Auckland about how to harness the energies of communities and business to successfully regenerate places they can share and love.

Recorded 21 November 2025.

Apple Podcasts version here.

Frith Walker is Manager of Placemaking in the Auckland Urban Development Office. Frith has had an unparalleled impact on placemaking in Auckland. She’s been at the forefront of ensuring community-centric urban regeneration since Auckland came under single governance in 2010.

Frith’s role has ensured urban design is soundly based on local culture, knowledge and preferences. The great success of Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter is just one testimony to Frith’s professional capability.

She also leads programmes to keep precincts vibrant during the regeneration period. Her experience is sought after nationally and globally. In 2021, Frith was awarded the prestigious Place Leaders Asia Pacific - Place Leadership Award.

Apple Podcasts version here.

Auckland Council is arguably the most complex single organisation in Australasia.  It is complex because its role, or many roles, is complex.  To make our city work Auckland Council needs to employ parks specialists, librarians, engineers, environmental scientists, building inspectors, street security and community engagement professionals.  The majority of the work these people do is required by legislation, the rest - we do it because the community has asked for it.

So Auckland Council is an organisation of specialists.  They're interesting people doing important things.  This series introduces you to a few of them.

In this episode of the City of Neighbourhoods #podcast, we talk about the new AI assistant that makes it a breeze to report common problems around the region directly to Auckland Council.

Richard Jarrett, Director of Group Shared Services, joins us to talk about how the “Ask Auckland Council” assistant makes it quicker and easier for Aucklanders to report local problems, helping the council respond more efficiently and keep neighbourhoods clean, safe and well-maintained.

Since its launch in April, Aucklanders have used the new system ten thousand times to report problems like excess noise, illegal dumping, missed bin collections and roaming dogs.

Apple Podcasts version here.