If you live in East Auckland and are planning to have your say on the Annual Plan 2026/2027, you might be wondering what the proposed changes mean for where you live.
Great question! Here is a run down of what it means for Howick, Pakūranga, Botany, Flat Bush and East Tāmaki.
Councillor Bo Burns invites you to be part of the change, “I often hear people say, ‘We don’t bother giving feedback because we’re never heard.’ But the reality is, if you don’t input, that’s exactly why things don’t change. This council is different. There are five new councillors, and a real shift in mindset and direction from Mayor Brown and Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson toward long-term thinking, value for money, and smarter decision-making. Your feedback on the Annual Plan genuinely matters, and I can assure you it will be listened to.”
You can have your say until 11.59pm on Sunday 29 March 2026.
Total Investment:
2026/2027 will see Auckland Council invest $3.9 billion into new capital infrastructure projects across Auckland – helping deliver a region with the physical assets it needs to thrive and grow.
Council will also invest $5.3 billion into continuing essential services Aucklanders rely on (operating costs).
A major highlight this year is the expected start of the City Rail Link (CRL), which will transform Auckland’s public transport. As it opens in 2026, the council will have additional annual costs come into play. These costs are the primary driver of the 7.9 per cent rates increase.
Each annual plan sets out rates for the year, and the average increases or changes ratepayers can expect. A 7.9 per cent rates increase for the average value residential property is proposed for 2026/2027 (for the average value residential property). Rates increases for individual properties may be different from the average.
Howick Ward Councillor Maurice Williamson says, “It’s important that we hear your feedback on every part of the annual plan, whether that’s the proposed 7.9 per cent overall rates increase or the $3.9 billion the council plans to invest in new capital infrastructure across Auckland. Public input helps us understand your priorities and ensures we stop spending money on things you identify as low priority, allowing us to focus our spending on those items you value the most.”
In 2026/2027, Howick Local Board plan to:
continue providing the local services, projects and programmes that are important to our community
invest more in key areas and make changes to service fees and charges.
This includes:
- finding ways to make the most of our play spaces so they continue to meet the needs of children and families
- holding regular seminars for community groups and organisations to explain how to apply for local grants
- deciding where we need to provide indoor or sheltered courts to support sports play in Flat Bush
- continuing to support work to improve water quality and coastal erosion in the Tāmaki estuary
- continuing to work with crime prevention organisations to support ongoing safety efforts for our community
- providing volunteer groups with the resources they need for ecological projects like cleaning streams and removing pest plants.
In 2026/2027, Howick Local Board also plan to:
- continue the temporary library in Flat Bush
- install a new dump station for wastewater from campervans and caravans at Half Moon Bay
- continue building the permanent library, community and aquatic leisure centre in Flat Bush
- install drinking fountains across the local board area
- build the sports field park at Ostrich Farm.
Have Your Say - Your Way
Feedback can be provided online (translations available), by email, by post, or in person at a Have Your Say event:
- online information session: Thursday 5 March, 6.30pm. Register now or head to akhaveyoursay.nz/ourplan. Note: webinars are an opportunity for members of the public to hear from and ask questions of subject matter experts and elected members – they are not a method of giving feedback.
- community Safety Day, Ormiston drop-in session, Sunday 8 March, 10.30am to 12.30pm, PAK'nSAVE car park, 1 Bellingham Road, Ormiston
- drop-in sessions at a local library from 10–26 March 2026.
After consultation closes, the Governing Body and local boards will consider all feedback before agreeing the final plan, which takes effect from 1 July 2026.
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