Better transport, a refresh for urban development and delivering for local communities are among Auckland Council’s key priorities during 2026-2027. Front-and-centre across it all is the drive to continue delivering value for Aucklanders – through an ongoing focus on savings and efficiencies that minimise rates increases.
Items for consultation for the Annual Plan 2026-2027 were approved by the council’s Budget and Performance Committee yesterday, following councillor debate on the mayoral proposal.
This means the council will want to know what the community thinks about its annual plan when it heads out for feedback in February 2026.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says Auckland is doing well, and staff have worked hard to stay within budget.
"There's been a lot of chatter about rates rises and I appreciate this is high, but it’s high all over the country. We're post a painfully drawn-out recession, and infrastructure costs are expensive. Auckland has also been through the floods, and we're finishing off the city rail link. These things are necessary, but costly,” said Mayor Brown.
"I'm pleased to say my plan, our plan, is working, so we need to stay the course. That's what we've voted on going to the public with, that was our contract with them in the long-term plan.”
What's in next year's plan?
Auckland Council’s annual plan for 2026/2027 will prioritise investment in transport and delivering on the reform of Auckland Transport, along with improving infrastructure, urban regeneration, development and property management, and continuing to enable local boards to deliver for their communities.
A major highlight of this year’s plan is the expected start of the City Rail Link (CRL), which will transform Auckland’s public transport and the lives of Aucklanders when it launches in the second half of 2026.
For 2026/2027, the council will invest $3.9 billion in capital projects across Auckland and fund $5.3 billion in essential services Aucklanders rely on. Financially, the council continues to focus on delivering its savings targets ($106 million next year) and prudently managing debt.
The plan builds on great progress in the first two years of the long-term plan.
In 2026/2027, an overall rates rise of 7.9 per cent is proposed (for the average value residential property), as previously earmarked in the Long-term Plan 2024-2034. The City Rail Link is the primary driver for the rates increase, with annual net operating and ownership costs of $235 million each year.
While the rates increase is higher than the council would like – the council’s focus on savings and increased efficiency has reduced what could have been an even higher rates increase for Aucklanders.
Consultation on its way
Budget and Performance Committee chair, councillor Greg Sayers, said he welcomed the discussion at committee and he looks forward to the annual plan going to public consultation.
“The annual plan is the council’s opportunity to connect with the community on what we have planned for the year ahead and key items we want feedback on. I encourage all Aucklanders to get involved when it goes to public consultation at the end of February – the council wants to hear from you,” said Councillor Sayers.
Community consultation will get underway for a month, from 27 February to 29 March 2026.
The consultation will be an opportunity for all Aucklanders to give feedback on the council’s priorities and how the council is progressing toward its long-term vision.
Supporting information:
The City Rail Link (CRL) is a key investment for Auckland and, as it opens in 2026, the council will have additional costs come into play. The full ownership and net operating costs for the CRL are $235 million per year. This includes Auckland Transport’s $26 million net operating costs for running additional stations and services, plus interest ($167m) and depreciation ($42m).
