Are you a community leader? Someone with the vision, community focus and commitment to help Auckland achieve its goals?
There’s now one year to go until Aucklanders decide on the leaders who will take on the big opportunities heading our way.
Those elected to Auckland Council’s Governing Body and its local boards will be taking on a critical leadership role for our large, diverse and growing region. They will govern our organisation; guide and make decisions on how best to allocate resources and drive value for money for ratepayers and Aucklanders alike.
With major infrastructure projects set for completion from 2025, notably the City Rail Link and Central Interceptor, this is the time Auckland can level up on its ambitions. That includes how its businesses thrive, how communities grow and meet their housing needs, how people get around efficiently and easily, how it takes on its environmental challenges and how its centres become great places to be.
Tāmaki Makaurau's leadership is a big team, with a range of roles and responsibilities: from the mayor and ward councillors, who make regional decisions as members of the council’s governing body, to local board members who represent 21 areas of Auckland and make local decisions.
“It’s time to consider who will be next to take on that responsibility and lead Auckland towards becoming a world-class city,” says Auckland Council’s chief executive, Phil Wilson.
“Elected members have roles that need to show a combination of great leadership skills, advocacy and quality decision-making abilities on behalf of the people they represent.
“Regardless of your background, if you think you can make a difference and be the voice of your community, definitely consider standing as a candidate.
“With our region being so rich in culture and ethnic diversity, it’s important that people from all walks of life are represented,” he says.
“Auckland’s growth and uniqueness has shown how our size and scale has a range of different needs to address, requiring varied thinking and approaches from across the region to weigh in on plans and projects, and to prioritise and what’s best for our communities.
“Elected representatives play a part in almost everything the council does – from decisions on arts, events, sporting and park facilities, libraries, community centres, to infrastructure, environment, emergency preparedness and much more,” says Mr Wilson.
“I genuinely hope people take advantage of this opportunity to stand up for their communities.”
Standing for your community
Ever thought about what you could do to change things or considered taking on something more meaningful that would benefit your neighbourhood?
If you’ve got what it takes or know someone else who could be part of the team to represent Auckland’s 1.7 million people – now’s the time – with less than a year to go, start considering the possibilities.
To make a run for it, nominations open on 4 July 2025 – you’ll find key election dates here. Everything there is to know about how to be nominated is here.
And whether you intend to stand or not, the team is counting on everyone to be enrolled before voting season starts. Make sure you’re in enrolled here.
