More investment in youth, waterways, or communities? Waitākere’s future is in your hands as Auckland Council’s proposed Annual Plan 2026/2027 opens for consultation.
For the Waitākere Ward, priorities include community wellbeing, engagement with communities of need, schools and youth, walking and cycling connections, and the unavoidable reduction of some service levels.
Ward Councillor Shane Henderson says it’s especially important for locals to have their say at this challenging time.
“We’re facing cost increases while some of the boards’ budgets remain the same, which means cuts to some service levels are essential.
“It’s not something we’d like to see, but something we have to go through. So please have your say in the Annual Plan consultation, so that we know we’ve got our priorities right,” says Shane.
Fellow councillor Ken Turner says he has heard ratepayers’ concerns and aspirations and encourages people to reinforce them with short and concise submissions on the Annual Plan.
“The proposed 7.9 per cent rates increase for the average residential property is one of the key things we want feedback on. How do you feel about this? How would you like to see us make better use of the rates?
“We’d love to hear from you. What matters to you and the priorities you think should guide our budget decisions? How do you feel about your neighbourhood—which part of it needs more maintenance, and which are a waste of ratepayers’ money?” Ken asks.
The Annual Plan sets out Auckland Council’s services, activities and investments for the year ahead, and how it intends to pay for and deliver them in the Waitākere area.
The annual plan also aligns with Auckland Council’s Long-term Plan 2024–2034. July 2026 marks the start of year three and continues the focus on strengthening Auckland’s physical and financial resilience.
Have your say by 29 March
Public consultation for the Annual Plan 2026/2027 runs from Friday 27 February to Sunday 29 March 2026.
There also a number of drop-in sessions to attend, here is a list of the dates and locations in West Auckland.
Key projects and investment for the Waitākere ward
Henderson-Massey:
- $22.0 million for capital investment
- $37.8 million for operational expenditure
- To address the indicative cost increases, Henderson-Massey Local Board will have to reduce some or all the following service levels:
- Reduce library hours—close Te Manawa on Thursdays at 7pm instead of 9pm, changing from a 7 day/67-hour service to 7 day/65-hour service
- Reduce maintenance—stop scheduled bollard & post-and-rail maintenance, stop scheduled maintenance for bush areas (except high value/ecological), cease infill planting and mulching in amenity gardens, and reclassify re-vegetation areas to bush areas
Waitākere Ranges:
- environmental restoration programmes with a focus on the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area and our waterways
- support the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Forum work programme, particularly community engagement
- deliver park development, including play and amenity improvements in Swanson, Te Henga and Titirangi
- deliver Parrs Park improvements, including sports field irrigation improvements to increase playing time availability; and upgrading the skatepark
- provide tree planting and shelter to provide shade and amenity in parks, as well as berm planting in streets with low tree cover
- review maintenance of local parks and facilities to ensure they are well maintained while looking for savings
- improve drainage in several Glen Eden parks to extend usable time
- continue to support arts, culture and events programmes
- continue to invest in local climate action to increase resilience and decrease emissions
- $5.2 million for capital investment
- $15.1 million for operational expenditure
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