Auckland Council delivered more roads, water services and community facilities than ever during 2024/2025 – with a record $3.9 billion invested across Auckland.
Managing the region’s growth and progressing priority projects saw the council up the ante during 2024/2025, as it continues delivering on a more physically and financially resilient Auckland. The year’s capital investment exceeded the previous $3.2 billion.
Mayor Wayne Brown said the year’s progress shows the council is making better use of its resources and investing in the right places.
“We’re delivering better financial outcomes for Auckland, while living within our means. This year has focused on better value for money and making our rates dollar go further. The Auckland Future Fund, the port’s very positive returns and council's above-target savings helped to deliver this.
“As an engineer I understand the importance of keeping infrastructure in good working order, and in making sure it's there before spades go in the ground for developments. It’s positive to see benefits of this work going into the region’s priority projects, including Browny's Pool.”
Major projects like the City Rail Link and Central Interceptor have reached key milestones, while local investment enhanced public spaces across Auckland. Repairs and rebuilds related to the 2023 weather events continued, as well as buying out properties with an intolerable risk to life.
Chief executive Phil Wilson said managing Auckland’s growth and the forecast population increase of 200,000 people by 2034 continues as a focus for the council.
“This rapid growth brings with it increased demand for our services and the infrastructure needed to support them for both current and future Aucklanders,” says Mr Wilson.
“During the past year we’ve continued to provide activities and services at the heart of our local communities, such as waste management, parks, playgrounds, sports facilities and community buildings. Meanwhile we’ve also progressed vital work to improve the way Aucklanders move around the region and reliably receive vital services, such as water.”
Financially, the council continues to focus on investing well to manage growth, while ensuring value for money through enhanced project procurement and positive income streams.
Auckland Council group chief financial officer Ross Tucker said the latest annual results show the council proactively delivering on its commitment to ratepayers.
“We are delivering real, tangible progress for Aucklanders by carefully investing and prioritising to deliver on our long-term plan’s commitment to improve Auckland,” says Mr Tucker.
“Both the Auckland Future Fund and Port of Auckland are contributing effectively to long-term financial sustainability for the region and the council. The port’s higher-than-expected dividends at $45 million and the future fund’s $38.4 million to council both helped continue to build financial resilience.”
The council group maintained strong financial health with $8 billion in revenue (up $95 million on budget) and stable credit ratings, despite some additional debt to fund capital investment in a growing region.
Debt levels are carefully managed, including ensuring the debt-to-revenue ratio is within prudent limits and maintaining the current AA and Aa2 credit ratings.
Auckland Council funds capital projects through debt, to spread the cost of assets over the generations that will benefit from them. The council’s $79.7 billion of total assets are supported by $14.1 billion of net debt – equating to 17.7 per cent of total assets.
As investment continues into capital projects that are long-term assets for future generations, council debt is forecast to rise in the years ahead, as it supports the council’s long-term plan for $39.3 billion of capital investment over a 10-year period.
The council group’s operating expenditure was above budget at $6.7 billion last year, $533 million higher than expected, primarily due an increase to the provision related to Category 3 storm affected property purchases and higher depreciation resulting from a larger asset base than expected.
The additional operating costs related to the category 3 buyouts are expected to be a one-off. A higher number of storm-affected properties are expected to be bought out and the council has recognised the full costs for the year ahead.
To read the full Annual Report 2024/2025 – Annual Report 2024/2025.
2024/2025 Auckland Council highlights:
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$3.9 billion investment in new infrastructure
Progressing priority projects in roading, water supply and public transport to help manage the region’s growth. Examples include the City Rail Link, the Central Interceptor and delivery of the new 94 metre Milldale Bridge.-
$1.5 billion into improving public transport, reducing congestion, renewing existing transport assets and upgrading key travel routes.
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$1.2 billion into water infrastructure to ensure safe, reliable services, reducing wastewater overflows and protecting the environment.
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$1.3 billion on other assets such as renewals or upgrades to sports facilities, community buildings, parks and playgrounds. This also included the programme to buy out properties impacted by the weather events of 2023, where there is an intolerable risk to life.
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A financially resilient council
The Auckland Future Fund is now providing an additional revenue source, helping reduce reliance on rates increases to fund Auckland services and infrastructure. As at 1 July 2025, Watercare is also now financially independent, enabling it to invest more in water and wastewater services. The Port of Auckland is contributing above the expected income. -
Continuing storm recovery and flood prevention
The 2023 storm recovery continued, with 667 risk category 3 property buy-outs settled and Making Space for Water initiatives to better manage future weather events. Auckland Emergency Management added eight specialised vehicles and three catering trailers to its emergency response fleet, further strengthening capacity to support Aucklanders during events like flooding, especially in remote and rural areas. -
Delivering on new initiatives in the long-term plan
Aucklanders have more affordable public transport – a capped $50 weekly pass for buses, trains and inner harbour ferries. The council has progressed opening up the waterfront, including the new Karanga Plaza Harbour Pool. Fairer funding is also in place for local boards to respond to their communities. -
Improving outcomes for Māori in Tamaki Makaurau
$14.4 million was invested into projects that support Māori outcomes. These included a carpark and improved access at Te Kia Ora Marae and a Manurewa Marae Wānanga series of community-led learning. In 2024/2025, 24 per cent of the Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund (WMIF) fund was provided to Māori organisations for initiatives which support sustainable and culturally grounded practices for communities across the region. These promote composting, reusable nappies and zero-waste education. -
Saving and greater efficiency
This year, $84 million of savings were achieved, exceeding the savings targets of $66 million. These savings help to keep rates down. Better Value Projects (an in-house programme to review spending on new, current and upcoming projects) is also improving value. -
Enabling local boards to better respond to their communities
Providing an increased range of different services that suit diverse and changing communities across the 21 local boards in Auckland. -
Sustainability achievements
Over 45ha of tree planting was completed in 2024, under the urban ngahere (forest) programme. This includes planting funded by the council and third parties. Other highlights include:-
$372,150 in grants for 27 community-led climate action projects
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solar projects at Mt Smart stadium and nine other community facilities
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flood resilience projects in Māngere East and Central, Rānui and Wairau
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Kauri protection upgrades continued
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the Natural Environment Targeted Rate funded community-led pest control on Kawau Island and Waiheke Island, enabling the return of 10 kiwi to Waiheke
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a new sustainability-linked bond launched, linking to a target of planting one million native trees in regional parks by 2027
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Project Gigawatt installed solar panels across community facilities, generating a combined 609kW of clean electricity. Mahurangi East Library, the Community Centre at Snells Beach and Allan Brewster Leisure Centre at Papatoetoe can now produce renewable energy, generating a combined 217MWh of energy every year.
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