Auckland Council and Auckland Transport have confirmed the roles and structures required to support the delivery of Auckland’s new transport model.
The new operating model will come into effect in October, creating a stronger platform for delivering joined-up transport and infrastructure outcomes across the region in the years ahead.
Today’s confirmation follows consultation and engagement with staff across both organisations between May and July. Auckland Council Chief Executive Phil Wilson says the structures reflect the extensive input received from more than 3400 people.
“This work represents the largest changes made to local government in the region since amalgamation, and it was important that it was shaped by robust consultation with staff and the PSA.
We ended up doing further targeted consultation to ensure we got the final structure right,” says Mr Wilson.
“Our people put a great deal of thought into what organisational arrangements will best help us achieve our goals, while continuing to deliver their day-to-day work. I am confident the final structures reflect that knowledge, experience and commitment.”
Approximately 1350 staff from Auckland Transport will join Auckland Council and approximately 650 will remain with Auckland Transport, Auckland Council’s Public Transport Organisation. While we have forecasted a small net decrease of 10 roles and $2.1 million in annual savings, that will be confirmed in the coming weeks as we implement the new structure.
Mr Wilson says there will be an ongoing focus on efficiency gains but with a very significant capital programme, ongoing city growth and increasing public transport usage. This exercise wasn't primarily about cost cutting so much as ensuring Auckland is well-catered for in the transport space, he says..
With the structures confirmed, attention now turns to implementation. Auckland Transport Interim Chief Executive Stacey van der Putten says the reform positions the organisation to meet Auckland's future public transport needs.
“It is an exciting time for public transport in Auckland and we’re ready to get our new operating model underway. We have highly capable people who bring deep expertise and we are committed to supporting those who are moving to Auckland Council, so they can keep delivering for customers and communities.
“We look forward to working even more closely with Auckland Council to deliver an integrated transport system, by playing our part and delivering great public transport services.”
The new model will create a more integrated approach to transport and infrastructure planning, investment and delivery across the council group.
Key features include:
- Establishing a new Transport and Infrastructure Directorate within Auckland Council. Steve Mutton has been confirmed as the director of this important function for the council. Previously at NZTA and a former NZTA observer on the AT Board, Steve has extensive infrastructure experience and has also held the role of Transport Change Director for Auckland Council since the beginning of 2026. The directorate includes two new transport General Manager positions, alongside existing stormwater, engineering and development teams.
- Leveraging our greater scale, including improving how we deliver capital projects and streamlining our enabling functions across the whole council group. Auckland Council's overall Annual Plan 2026/27 includes about $3.6 billion of capital expenditure across all council activities, with transport accounting for $1.472 billion of that total.
- Planning the long-term with central government, and bringing transport and land use planning and policy together within the council.
- Supporting greater decision making closer to local communities through elected representatives.
- Focusing Auckland Transport on the delivery of efficient, safe public transport with all new executive leadership roles reporting to the chief executive. Auckland Transport will continue to be called Auckland Transport, as Auckland Council's Public Transport Organisation.
- Combining expertise across the council and Auckland Transport’s teams to deliver services in a more streamlined and effective way.
The new operating model will come into effect in October, creating a stronger platform for delivering transport and infrastructure outcomes across the communities of Tāmaki Makaurau, as we continue to shape Auckland’s future.