Auckland Council has opened public consultation on its proposed Annual Plan 2025/2026, inviting residents to provide feedback on investment priorities, services, and funding allocations for the year ahead. The consultation period runs from 28 February to 28 March 2025.
The plan, which forms the second year of the Long-term Plan 2024-2034, includes key discussions on funding major events, destination marketing, and local board priorities.
Mayor Wayne Brown emphasised the importance of community input in shaping the council’s focus areas.
“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,” said Mayor Brown.
“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. My message to Aucklanders is speak up, help inform our decision-making.”
Auckland Council Group Chief Financial Officer Ross Tucker highlighted the plan’s focus on financial and physical resilience while prioritising necessary investments.
“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 are prioritising investment in transport, water and fair funding for local communities,” said Mr Tucker.
The proposed plan includes a 5.8 per cent rates increase for the average residential property, aligning with the Long-term Plan.
“We are 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,” Mr Tucker added.
“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 will outline local board agreements, detailing each of the 21 local boards’ priorities and funding allocations for their respective communities. A phased-in fairer funding approach aims to address disparities between local boards.
“Each local board’s priorities for the year are included in the Consultation Document,” said Mr Tucker. “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 is planned by their local board, and provide feedback.”
While no significant changes to services or investment levels are proposed compared to the Long-term Plan, Auckland Council is consulting on some adjustments, including changes to targeted rates, fees, and charges.
Proposed updates include the rollout of refuse collection in North Shore, Waitākere, and Papakura, as well as targeted rates for refuse services in Franklin and Rodney. Adjustments are also proposed for fees related to dog adoption, cemetery and cremation services, and bach rentals.
The council is also seeking feedback on the annual plan for Tūpuna Maunga Authority, which governs the 14 Tūpuna Maunga (ancestral mountains) of Tāmaki Makaurau.
The Annual Plan 2025/2026 Consultation Document is available online at akhaveyoursay.nz/ourplan. Aucklanders can also participate in an online information session hosted by the council’s Finance team:
Online Information Session:
Date: Wednesday, 5 March 2025
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Registration: Available at akhaveyoursay.nz/ourplan (Events section)
Residents are encouraged to review the proposals and provide their input to help shape Auckland’s future.
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