Auckland Council’s proposed Annual Plan 2026/2027 is now open for consultation, and the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu and Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Boards are committed to making sure South Auckland communities have every opportunity to be heard.
Have your say before 11.59pm on Sunday 29 March 2026.
Why your feedback matters
Your feedback will help shape decisions about priorities, funding and services in your local area.
The Annual Plan strengthens Auckland’s finances, improves infrastructure, and targets investment where it’s needed most.
Each local board sets its priorities and proposed spending for 2026/2027, considers community feedback, and then confirms which local services and projects to deliver within its available budget.
To encourage our Manukau Ward residents to engage in the consultation process, Councillor Lotu Fuli shares, “This is an opportunity for everyone in our communities to take part because it will impact all of us.”
An overview of what this means for Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland
Across Auckland, the proposal includes $3.9 billion in new capital investment and $5.3 billion to deliver essential services people rely on every day.
A major milestone for Auckland will be the expected opening of the City Rail Link in 2026. This project will transform public transport across the region, including South Auckland. For our communities, this means:
- faster and more reliable commutes,
- more direct train routes through the city
- and trains running more often.
The proposed average residential rates increase is 5.8% in 2025/2026, with a 7.9% increase proposed for 2026/2027 for the average-value home.
Individual properties may see different changes depending on their value and location.
Closer to home, your local boards have outlined their priorities
Councillor Fuli adds, “I'd especially like to urge our communities to carefully read the additional information from our two local boards Ōtara-Papatoetoe and Māngere-Ōtāhuhu - as they are faced with some difficult decisions in order to meet the funding shortfalls under the Fairer Funding model of between $1.01M and $1.5M.
“Our local boards in Manukau are proposing a targeted rate and/or cuts in service levels, library hours, maintenance or funding to community.”
To help manage rising costs, proposed changes could include:
- reducing library hours to 44 hours per week at four libraries
- stopping maintenance of bollards and post-and-rail fencing and most bush maintenance, except in high-value or ecologically important area
- using chemicals instead of edging materials along berms and footpaths
- stopping extra planting and mulching in public gardens
- reducing maintenance of urban planted and bush areas
- reducing discretionary grants and funding for community wellbeing and environmental programmes
- increasing ‘Adult Plus Only’ spa, sauna and steam room entry fees by $1 at Moana Nui-ā-Kiwa Pool and Leisure Centre
We’re also considering a mix of a lower Local Services Targeted Rate, changes to service levels, and increases to some fees and charges.
To respond to increasing costs, proposals could include:
- stopping maintenance of bollards and post-and-rail fencing, most bush maintenance, except in high-value or ecologically important areas, and extra planting and mulching in public gardens
- reducing maintenance of urban planted and bush areas
- using chemicals instead of edging materials along berms and footpaths
- reducing discretionary funding for community grants and environmental projects
- increasing ‘Adult Plus Only’ spa, sauna and steam room entry fees by $1 at Ōtara Pool and Leisure Centre and Papatoetoe Centennial Pool
- reducing library hours at:
o Ōtara Library (4 hours per week)
o Papatoetoe Library (2 hours per week)
o Tupu Youth Library (5 hours per week)
o Manukau Library (close Sundays, moving to a six-day service)
We’re also looking at a combination of rates, service level changes, and fee adjustments to help meet higher delivery costs.
Online or visit your local library (Ōtara, Tupu, Papatoetoe War Memorial and Manukau Libraries) for a Have Your Say events (drop-in sessions at libraries or attend a local fono). Or visit a Have Your Say tent at:
- Pasifika (14 – 15 March)
- ASB Polyfest (30 March – 2 April)
Auckland’s future is being planned now - make sure South Auckland is heard.
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