Occupying a compact 4.3 square kilometre area, Auckland's city centre is the largest employment centre in the country and home to a thriving residential population.
It plays an outsized role in the region’s economy and culture, generating around 20% of Auckland’s GDP.
At the core of this success is the Auckland Council city centre targeted rate (CCTR) which plays a vital role in supporting the city centre’s economy. Auckland Council recognises that investing in the city centre is an investment in the region’s future prosperity.
The City Centre Targeted Rate Annual Report 2023 / 2024 highlights key investments in projects and developments that are transforming public spaces, enhancing high-value urban living, supporting its place in providing high-quality education and ensuring the city centre is a competitive business location.
Read the full City Centre Targeted Rate Annual Report 2023 / 2024 here.
The CCTR is paid by city centre commercial and residential property owners.
Acting Mayor of Auckland Desley Simpson explains that it drives the development and ongoing renewal of the city centre, making it an attractive place to work, live, visit, study and do business.
“We acknowledge that for some city centre businesses and residents the impact of the lockdown years, cost of living crisis and construction have been significant, but confidence appears to be showing signs of returning.
“The City Rail Link completion is in sight and the station neighbourhoods will be ready for the opening. Auckland’s city centre is being transformed into a greener, more vibrant and better-connected place and the city centre targeted rate is key to that investment,” she says.
The CCTR generates around $27 million annually for city centre projects. Over $280 million is planned for investment in the council’s Long-term Plan from financial years 2025 to 2031. Any unspent funds will be ringfenced for future city centre projects.
Head of City Centre Programmes at Auckland Council, Jenny Larking says the CCTR has been instrumental in enhancing the streets and public spaces in the city centre again this year, alongside other council investments.
“The city centre targeted rate investment has vastly improved the quality and attractiveness of the urban environment and residential living, improved stormwater quality, tree cover and biodiversity. Key developments include the shared space programme and laneways, improvements to parks, plazas and the waterfront development.
“We encourage people to read the report to see the huge breadth and depth of projects the rate has supported in the 2023 / 2024 reporting year. We’re proud to say that this investment has made the city centre a better place to be,” Jenny Larking says.
Read about the recently opened first section of Te Hā Noa here, and about the ongoing transformation of the city centre here.
Te Hā Noa first section complete; photo credit Jay Farnworth.
The city centre’s guiding document is the City Centre Masterplan (CCMP). Drafted in 2012 and refreshed in 2020, with endorsement from elected members and majority support from the public, the masterplan focuses on making it a more accessible and attractive place to live and work with an increasing number of workers and residents.
Investment priorities for the CCTR, as established in the Long-term Plan align with the vision of the CCMP and focus on these outcomes for the city centre:
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Waihorotiu Queen Street Valley and rapid transit-oriented development around the City Rail Link stations – Supporting development around Te Waihorotiu and Karanga-a-Hape City Rail Link stations. This includes fostering growth near the City Rail Link stations, creating pedestrian-friendly streets, improving public spaces, and enhancing safe access. The goal is to reinforce Queen Street Valley as the cultural, commercial and retail hub of Tāmaki Makaurau.
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City to the villages – Enhancing development at the city fringe and improving connections to ensure safe, accessible, and enjoyable journeys to and from the city centre.
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Green links – Investing in initiatives to connect green spaces and address climate change. This involves increasing planting and canopy cover in the city centre and supporting sustainable development.
Te Hā Noa trees being lifted into place. Photo Jasper Johnstone
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Public life – Creating a vibrant, healthy, and inviting environment to attract people to the city centre.
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Our place in the world – Celebrating the unique identity and culture of Tāmaki Makaurau in the city centre.
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Residential neighbourhoods – Promoting residential growth, improving quality of life, and enhancing the wellbeing of city centre residents.
Looking ahead, the Auckland Council City Centre Advisory Panel has identified six focus areas in the city centre for the council group. These are:
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Improve community and visitor safety, recognising that current safety issues, such as anti-social behaviour and crime incidents, are a barrier to attracting people back to the city centre.
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Enhance the vibrancy and overall experience of the city centre.
Render – Tyler Street upgrade and Waitematā Plaza.
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Grow a thriving residential population with an aspirational growth target
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Develop the potential of the city centre as one of Asia Pacific’s premier learning and innovation hubs.
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Maximise access into and around the city centre through integrated transport networks, capitalising on the City Rail Link, completing the wider rapid transit network, and the planned cycleway network, expanding connectivity, travel choice and resilience.
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Increase climate resilience, particularly through emissions reduction initiatives and adaptation measures in line with Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan.
These priorities are aligned with the City Centre Action Plan (2023) which set out the council group’s priorities and programmes across the city centre.
The CCTR investment portfolio for 2023-2031 has been updated to reflect the panel’s priorities and City Centre Action Plan, with increased budgets for the Midtown Regeneration Programme and initiatives focused on activation, placemaking, visitor attraction and city centre promotion.
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