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Auckland Council’s proposed annual plan for the 2025/2026 year is open for public consultation.
It says all Aucklanders are invited to have their say on the region’s investment and services for the year ahead starting from July.
The consultation also includes a chance to give feedback on the funding of the council’s events and destination marketing, and the priorities of local boards.
The proposed annual plan 2025/2026 focuses on delivering the second year of the long-term plan 2024-2034.
Consultation runs until the end of this month.
Mayor Wayne Brown says it’s important Aucklanders voice their opinions.
“Council is here to serve Auckland ratepayers, and the annual plan is an opportunity for Aucklanders to speak up and have their say on what the council is focused on.
“We want the community’s thoughts on a bed night levy to fund major events like bringing the America’s Cup back to Auckland, hosting NRL rugby league matches, the ASB Classic and concerts like Coldplay and Taylor Swift.
“None of these will happen without it, as I won’t rate struggling households to fill hotels.
“This is also a chance to tell us what they want from their local boards and on the proposed rates for the next year,” says Brown.
“My message to Aucklanders is speak up, help inform our decision-making.”
The council’s group chief financial officer, Ross Tucker, says the annual plan focuses on getting on with strengthening the financial and physical resilience of Auckland, while investing where it’s needed most to manage growth.
“This annual plan is about delivering on our long-term plan commitments, at a time when we know the cost of living is high for our ratepayers.
“This year we’re prioritising investment in transport, water and fair funding for local communities,” says Tucker.
The council says the plan sets out the proposed way to pay for services and investments, including a 5.8 per cent rates increase for the average value residential property, which is in line with the long-term plan.
“We’re also asking our communities for feedback on funding major events and destination marketing for the region.
“To help cover a shortfall in funding that was outlined in the long-term plan, the council would like to see the introduction of a bed night visitor levy,” Tucker says.
“The levy requires new legislation and, to inform the Government, the council would like to hear Aucklanders’ views on a bed night visitor levy that could help raise $27 million and not just meet the shortfall, but fund even more destination management, marketing and major events activities in Auckland.”
The final annual plan 2025/2026 will also set out local board agreements, with each of the 21 local boards including Howick setting out priorities for their community and where funds will be invested.
The council says “a fairer funding approach” will begin to be phased in for the annual plan 2025/2026 to enable local boards to better respond to the needs of their communities, by addressing funding imbalances between the 21 local boards.
“Each local board’s priorities for the year are included in the consultation document,” Tucker says.
“Local boards provide a wide range of services such as local parks, libraries, pools, community facilities, and local art and environment activities, along with community events.
“This makes their plans and priorities really relevant at a local level, and we encourage Aucklanders to take a look at what’s planned by their local board and provide feedback.”
While the council says it’s not proposing significant changes to services or investment levels compared with what is in the long-term plan, “it’s important to check in each year with all Aucklanders, to make sure plans are still on the right track”.
There are some proposed changes to targeted rates, fees and charges – including refuse collection being rolled out in North Shore, Waitākere and Papakura, and targeted rates for refuse in Franklin and Rodney.
There are also some changes for fees relating to additional council services, such as dog adoption, cemetery and cremation, and bach fees.
“We’re also seeking input on the annual plan for Tūpuna Maunga Authority, which governs the 14 Tūpuna Maunga (ancestral mountains) of Tāmaki Makaurau. Public feedback is an important part of developing these plans.”
- The Auckland Council’s annual plan 2025/2026 consultation document for feedback is available online at akhaveyoursay.nz/ourplan.
- Auckland residents and ratepayers are invited to join an online information session when they can hear more from the council’s finance team about the topics being consulting on in this annual plan. It’s on Wednesday, March 5, from 6pm to 7.30pm. Registrations for the session can be made at akhaveyoursay.nz/ourplan (events).
