Message from the mayor

As your mayor for the past two and a half years, I have remained focused on improving the performance of our organisations, getting better value for ratepayer dollars and getting more from what we have.

As a result, we have had success with initiatives like:

  • the establishment of the Auckland Future Fund
  • agreement with the government to deliver significant legislative change to water service delivery and transport
  • improvements to our waterfront and the financial performance of the Port of Auckland Limited.

Importantly, the council agreed to reform council-controlled organisations (CCOs) late last year and the transition has begun. Over the next year Aucklanders will notice greater focus on delivery from the council and its remaining CCOs.

The Annual Plan 2025/2026 marks the last opportunity of this political term to cement a more financially sustainable and sensible approach to the way we do things, getting on with what we agreed to through the Long-term Plan 2024-2034 (LTP).

I’ve always said I believe the LTP is like a social contract with Aucklanders - an agreement that sets out the services and infrastructure we will deliver and how we will spend ratepayer dollars.

While there are plenty of risks to manage for 2025/2026, we must do everything we can to mitigate them within existing budgets. That means we stick to our end of the agreement by:

  • retaining the agreed rates increase for the average-value residential property of 5.8 per cent
  • aiming for a group debt-to-revenue limit of 250 per cent (excluding Watercare) while ensuring there is adequate headroom to respond to future shocks
  • delivering the further $47 million in savings on top of other savings targets
  • continuing to invest in the services and activities Aucklanders care about with $4 billion of capital investment
  • proceeding with our approach to the fairer funding of local boards.

The main proposal included in the consultation material considers the way we fund destination marketing and major events. In our LTP we signalled that without a 'bed night' visitor levy in place for the 2025/2026 financial year, we’d have a $7 million budget shortfall.

A levy, of course, unfortunately requires central government legislation. Many leaders in the tourism sector prefer this to a targeted rate (like the Accommodation Provider Targeted rate we used to charge).

I acknowledge that major events like the Women’s Rugby World Cup, Sail GP and mega concerts are popular with many and contribute economic and social benefit to Auckland. However, we must recognise business sectors across the region also generate income from this type of investment. A targeted levy is therefore a much fairer way to share the costs between those who benefit most.

To support our ongoing discussions with central government, we would like to know your thoughts on the concept of a levy that would provide for a more equitable way to fund destination marketing and major events, instead of asking the ratepayer to pick up the tab.

I want to hear your views – public submissions are an incredibly important part of this process that will help to inform future decision-making – so make sure to have your say.

Wayne Brown
Koromatua | Mayor of Auckland

Have your say now
Illustration of Mayor Wayne Brown wearing a light blue shirt and dark blue jacket. He has an Auckland Council lanyard around his neck that says "Kia ora, I'm Wayne'.