The Mayor of Auckland has outlined his Mayoral Proposal for Auckland Council’s Annual Plan 2026/2027. This year’s draft proposal maintains the financial settings outlined in the Long-term Plan 2024-2034 for year three with a strong focus on providing value to Aucklanders through financial prudence and stewardship.
- Capital investment of $3.9 billion
- Debt forecast to 225% (debt to revenue well within prudent levels)
- 7.9% average residential rates increase (the City Rail Link a key driver here)
- Total savings target of $106 million (an increase of $20 million on 2025/2026)
- Asset sales: $34 million
“We are going to stick to the plan that’s working; this is our contract with the community, and it is important that we keep our side of the agreement. The rates increase primarily pays for the additional costs of the City Rail Link. While that cost has been enormous, once it’s open we will see huge economic benefits – it will transform Auckland.”
– Wayne Brown, Mayor of Auckland
Tell Auckland Council what you think!
Phone: 09 301 0101
Public consultations will begin in February
Summarising from the 2026 Annual Plan, the Mayor proposes to:
- Invest $3.9 billion in infrastructure and $5.3 billion in delivering day-to-day services in 2026/27.
- Fund this through a 7.9% average residential rates increase, maintain debt at a 225% debt-to-revenue ratio, achieve $106 million in savings, and complete $34 million in core asset sales.
- Apply “Better Value” principles, including standardising design standards, six-monthly reporting on benefit realisation, improving supplier management, and implementing place-based investment.
- Address local board funding pressures by converting some operating funding to capital funding, increasing fees and charges, adjusting local activity targeted rates, changing services for better value, collaborating across board boundaries, and disposing of underutilised property.
- Approve a 30-year Integrated Transport Plan in partnership with the Government, ensuring transport planning is integrated with land use and infrastructure priorities.
- Establish a Public Transport Council-Controlled Organisation (CCO) responsible for managing bus, rail, and ferry contracts; public transport service and route planning; delivery of the City Rail Link; operation and maintenance of transport assets; minor public transport capital works; safety oversight; and customer service.
- Retain public transport-specific technology within the Public Transport CCO, while non-business-specific technology is managed through Group Shared Services.
- Integrate remaining Auckland Transport functions into Auckland Council to simplify organisational design, reduce duplication, and enable place-based and integrated decision-making.
- Implement transport reform in four stages: Get Ready (pre-legislation), Get it Done (transition period), Get Going (post-transition under current funding), and Go Faster (post-July 2027 with new Long-Term Plan and Regional Land Transport Plan).
- Continue Council-Controlled Organisation reform by embedding the Auckland Urban Development Office, Property Department, and Economic Development Department in-house to improve strategic alignment, accountability, and value for money.
- Direct the Auckland Urban Development Office to simplify developer engagement, standardise planning and regulatory processes, and provide integrated advice on urban regeneration opportunities.
- Review all council property assets, prioritise high-performing properties for retention, sell non-service properties, streamline leases, and establish a commercial advisory function to support property decision-making.
- Develop a detailed Economic Development Strategy focused on attracting international investment and talent, enhancing Asia-Pacific trade links, supporting technology and start-up growth, and fostering local job creation and talent development.
- Progress arts and culture sector reform by amending or replacing outdated legislation and embedding long-term agreements with major cultural institutions.
- Activate the city centre through safety initiatives, removal of unused transport assets, increased commercial activity in public spaces, and flexible use of parks and waterfront areas.
- Update the City Centre Masterplan to focus on traffic flow, east-west connectivity, safety, business support, and environmental improvements, with early advice provided to the Policy, Planning and Development Committee ahead of the next Long-Term Plan
The full plan may be found through the link below: