Sign In / Register
Auckland ratepayers face a 7.9 per cent average residential rates increase on July 1 to help fund a nearly $4 billion investment in infrastructure.
In Mayor Wayne Brown’s proposed Annual Plan for 2026/27, he is pushing ahead with his ‘Fix Auckland’ agenda.
The plan maintains the financial settings set in the Long-Term Plan 2024-2034, with the Mayor describing it as “keeping faith with Aucklanders” while completing major reforms started last term.
Council will invest $3.9 billion in infrastructure and spend more than $5.3 billion on day-to-day services in the coming council financial year. Brown said the rates increase was higher than he would prefer, but largely reflected the opening of the City Rail Link (CRL).
“The CRL will be transformational for our region and is a key driver to reinvigorate the city and drive economic growth,” he said.
He said debt would remain capped at 225 per cent debt-to-revenue ratio, helping council retain its strong credit ratings from S&P and Moody’s.
The Mayor has also set a new $106 million savings target, building on $608 million in savings achieved during the previous term under the Deputy Mayor’s Value for Money programme.
However, Brown expressed frustration over the slow progress being made on asset sales. The plan includes a $34 million core asset sales target, now embedded in the chief executive’s performance objectives.
“I expect staff to advise on how asset sales can be sped up and how I can assist,” he said.
The proposal continues council’s ‘Better Value Projects’ approach, including stricter capital spending rules, improved supplier management, more consistent design standards and place-based investment planning.
Brown said the goal remains clear: “Better, faster, cheaper.”
Consultation on the annual plan will be limited, as it largely follows the previously adopted long-term financial framework. However, Aucklanders will be able to provide feedback from Friday February 27 to Sunday March 29. Comments can be made here: https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/annual-plan-2026-2027.
