Auckland Council’s Pre-Election Report identifies six key issues for the council’s next Governing Body. Prepared by the council to support the 2025 election, the report has Auckland’s growth challenge front and centre – and how the council could best utilise resources for future.
Auckland is a vibrant and rapidly growing city, and Auckland Council’s elected members face some tough decisions over the next three years on how to pay for that growth on a tight budget.
Released online today, the Pre-Election Report led by chief executive Phil Wilson identifies opportunities and decisions for Auckland Council’s incoming elected members. It comes as nominations continue for local government elections and voting set to begin on 9 September.
Auckland Council chief executive Phil Wilson said the report will give Aucklanders greater awareness of the opportunities and challenges facing the region, and therefore the council too.
“By 2034 we are projected to see an additional 200,000 Aucklanders joining our diverse community. That is slightly more than Hamilton being added, in only nine years. This rapid growth brings increased demand for services and infrastructure, such as transport, water services, parks and community facilities,” says Mr Wilson.
“To accommodate this growth, we must confront the challenges our region faces, while ensuring long-term financial sustainability. These include addressing Auckland’s relatively low productivity and lifting the region’s economic growth to support development.”
Mr Wilson says the council exists to be an effective agent for the needs and aspirations of Aucklanders.
“To fulfil this role successfully, we must prioritise good governance. To ensure this, it’s vital that people standing for roles as mayor, councillors or local board members are well-informed as to the state of the city, key challenges and the council’s financial situation. The Pre-Election Report is done for this reason.
“The region’s growth will continue as a focus for council leadership and our next Governing Body as we continue to strengthen Auckland physically and financially, while investing to manage the region’s forecast growth.”
Responding to growth
The Pre-Election Report notes six key issues for Auckland Council’s elected members – productivity and growth, infrastructure investment, asset management, climate resilience, community services and funding.
Auckland’s growth challenge features throughout the report. Current council strategies respond to growth by integrating land use and infrastructure planning, improving transport networks and advocating with central government for greater input into policy.
But there will be more required as the council continues to plan for a projected growth of 540,000 people over the next three decades – bringing Auckland’s population to 2.3 million.
“To increase productivity and influence positive growth, Auckland must address long-standing barriers, including congestion, infrastructure bottlenecks and regulation,” says Mr Wilson.
“We also want to maintain the council’s sustainable financial direction where we affordably deliver the infrastructure and services Aucklanders expect, to help them live their lives better.”
Investing in the essentials
Gains will be realised through the council’s coordinated planning and strategic implementation. The council estimates the need to invest $295 billion on maintaining, operating, enhancing and growing Auckland’s infrastructure over a 30-year timeframe.
“Unlocking the potential created by infrastructure investment is an opportunity to be considered by our elected members, including working with central government agencies and other partners to identify and maximise the opportunities,” says Mr Wilson.
“Infrastructure investment makes up 86 per cent of the council’s total budget to 2034, so it’s a significant part of decision-making for elected members.”
Meeting our community’s needs
The council must also respond to greater demand on its community services and an increasingly diverse community, with equally diverse needs.
“Our population is growing and changing, and the council’s planning and services need to respond to that,” says Mr Wilson.
“Our community services – such as libraries, recreational facilities and community programmes – are vital for fostering social cohesion, promoting community engagement, and addressing social and economic disparities.
“The current services require further investment to ensure they remain relevant, accessible and effective in addressing the changing needs of Auckland's communities.”
The Pre-Election Report also explores regional climate resilience and environmental sustainability, asset management and funding, and includes a snapshot of the major projects the council is working on over the next three years.
The Pre-Election Report is a legislative requirement under the Local Government Act 2002, where council chief executives must prepare a report independently of the mayor and councillors.
To view the Auckland Council Pre-Election Report, visit: www.voteauckland.co.nz/preelectionreport
The 2025 election
Can you turn these challenges into opportunities? What’s your vision for Tāmaki Makaurau? Stand in Auckland’s local elections to be the voice of your community and shape Auckland’s growth.
Nominations close 12noon Friday 1 August – access the nomination form at voteauckland.co.nz/beacandidate. Voting opens Tuesday 9 September and closes 12noon Saturday 11 October.
