Auckland Council delivered more roads, water services, and community facilities than ever during 2024/2025. Managing the region’s growth and advancing priority projects saw the council step up its efforts, continuing to deliver a more physically and financially resilient Auckland. The record capital investment of $3.9 billion in 2024/2025 exceeded the previous $3.2 billion.
TRANSPORT AND WATER
- $2.7 billion invested in transport and water for Auckland.
- City Rail Link is progressing well – launching 2026!
- $50 public transport fare cap, directly benefiting 60,000+.
BUILT AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
- Central city streets: wider footpaths, new seating and more trees.
- Released 10 kiwi on Waiheke Island after an absence of over 100 years.
- Waste collection services are standardised across Tāmaki Makaurau.
ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
- Advocating for new funding tools for visitor attraction to Auckland.
- Sail GP 2025 success – returning in 2026!
- Te Puna Creative Hub opened - a multipurpose facility in Henderson - step one of a creative industries precinct.
COMMUNITY
- Ongoing investment in parks, sports, environment and community spaces.
- Emergency readiness plans for local boards.
- Library e-issues are now more than one-third of all issues!
WELL MANAGED LOCAL GOVERNMENT
- $84 million of savings across the council, exceeding the year’s target.
- Auckland Future Fund underway for regional resilience.
- CCO model revamped to lift efficiency and outcomes.
SUSTAINABILTY HIGHLIGHTS
- 45+ hectares of new trees planted under the urban ngahere (forest) programme.
- $372k in grants supported 27 community-led climate projects.
- Solar upgrades at 10 community sites now generate clean energy.
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 such as the City Rail Link and Central Interceptor reached key milestones, while local investment improved public spaces across Auckland. Repairs and rebuilds from the 2023 weather events continued, along with buyouts of properties with high-risk levels.
Chief executive Phil Wilson highlighted the challenges of managing Auckland’s growth, with the region expected to add 200,000 people by 2034.
“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 focussed on investing well to manage growth and ensuring value for money. Auckland Council group chief financial officer Ross Tucker said the latest annual results show the council 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 generated $8 billion in revenue (up $95 million on budget) while maintaining strong credit ratings. Debt levels are carefully managed, with a debt-to-revenue ratio within prudent limits and AA and Aa2 credit ratings retained.
Capital projects are funded through debt to spread costs across generations that benefit from them. The council’s $79.7 billion in total assets are supported by $14.1 billion of net debt (17.7% of total assets). Debt is expected to rise as the council invests in the $39.3 billion 10-year capital plan.
Operating expenditure was $6.7 billion, $533 million above budget, mainly due to provisions for Category 3 storm-affected property purchases and higher depreciation from a larger asset base. The costs related to storm-affected property purchases are expected to be one-off, with the council recognising the full costs for anticipated property buyouts in the year ahead.
