- Auckland’s Annual Plan 2026/2027 is proposing a 7.9 per cent rates rise for the average residential property
- From Friday 27 February, Franklin residents are invited to have their say on the Annual Plan, submit your feedback on the AK Have Your Say website.
- Public feedback will be critical to helping council representatives understand what you value most and what could be reprioritised.
Franklin residents are being asked to weigh in on the region’s Annual Plan for 2026/2027, which proposes a rates increase of 7.9 per cent for the average value residential property.
This increase is to bring the City Rail Link to life and help get Aucklanders going places. It aims to connect commuters more seamlessly by bringing the CBD closer to many more doorsteps, enhance Aucklanders’ quality of life and deliver economic and environmental benefits.
Is the plan on track? This is Franklin’s moment to help shape the future of our neighbourhoods — our parks, our paths and our shared spaces. Your voice directly influences what gets protected, improved or postponed.
Franklin Ward Councillor, Andy Baker acknowledges the proposal’s impacts on Franklin residents are likely to be pretty big and there’s no way to sugarcoat it.
“In the past year, we’ve made significant savings to reduce the rates burden, which has landed us on this proposed budget. But the reality is everyone has different needs and priorities, and that’s why we need to hear from you,” says Councillor Baker.
“It’s our job to listen to everyone, look at the whole picture and balance out Auckland’s diverse needs,” he says.
“If you want to pay less and get less – tell us what you’re happy to live without.”
Ways to have your say:
From Friday 27 February, submit your feedback on the AK Have Your Say website.
Drop in to the following in-person sessions:
Pukekohe Farmers Market drop-in session
Sunday 1 March, 9am to 12.30pm
Pukekohe Farmers Market, Pukekohe Town Square, 37 King Street, Pukekohe
The plan also includes targeted investments prioritising transport and water, while giving local boards the ability to respond to the needs of their communities. Rates also support essential local services that strengthen Auckland’s communities, which local boards are responsible for. These include parks, environmental initiatives, libraries, pools, recreation centres, community halls, programmes and local events and support for local community groups.
Public feedback will be critical to helping elected members understand what Aucklanders value most and what could be reprioritised.
“If you look at how much investment has gone into local area over the years – it is significantly more – so it’s not as if we’re going backwards. We’re getting better playgrounds and doing more for local parks,” says Councillor Baker.
However, local boards are navigating tighter budgets as they work within the new fairer funding model, which allocates funding based on population, deprivation and land area.
These proposed changes will impact homeowners and residents one way or another, whether they use the services provided.
To ensure Franklin’s budget reflects the needs of its community, residents are encouraged to speak up whether these initiatives affect your immediate neighbourhood or not. Submit your feedback now or hold your peace… until the next budget proposal.
For everything there is to know about Annual Plan 2026/2027, visit the AK Have Your Say website.