Your city, your voice
Auckland Council provides many services across the region, like rubbish collection, local road repairs, water supply, emergency management, public transport, parks, libraries, events and more. The council is funded from different sources, including from rates collected from house owners and businesses.
The Auckland region is divided into 13 wards and 21 local boards.
- Ward councillors and the mayor form the Governing Body, which makes regional decisions for Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland like bylaws and the annual budget.
- Local boards make decisions on services and activities in their area including playgrounds, libraries and local events.
Local elections are held every three years to elect councillors and local board members. Voting is an important way for you to have a say in how your community is supported. There are other ways you can participate in civic life, through events, community organisations or through your places of worship.
Voting
You’re eligible to enrol and vote if you are 18 years or older, a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, and you’ve lived in New Zealand continuously for 12 months or more at some time in your life.
Once you’ve enrolled, you can vote for parliamentary elections, local elections and referendums.
Visit the Vote Auckland website to enrol to vote and learn more about the next local elections.
Tip: If you’re concerned about your personal safety, or that of your family, you can apply to go on the confidential unpublished roll.
About Auckland Council
Auckland Council is a local government organisation. One mayor, 20 ward councillors representing 13 wards, and 149 members representing 21 local boards are elected every three years.
If you live in Auckland and are on the electoral roll, you can vote for:
- the mayor
- one or two councillors for your ward (visit our ward finder to find your ward)
- between five and eight representatives for your local board (find your local board)
Auckland Council is funded through a variety of ways. Council rates that homeowners pay account for about 40 per cent of the income. Auckland Council’s 10-year budget (long-term plan) sets out the activities, services, and investments for the next decade. A new 10-year budget is published every three years.
Who supports Auckland Council?
Find out about the:
- council’s governance model
- the role of the mayor, councillors, and local boards
- Houkura / Independent Māori Statutory Board ensures the council meets its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi
- Ten advisory panels advise the council on matters specific to ethnic or Pacific communities, or rainbow, disabled or older people
- Auckland Transport and Watercare look after roads, buses and water supply
Important strategies and plans that guide Auckland Council’s work, like:
- The Auckland Plan 2050
- Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri - Auckland's Climate Plan
- Ngā Hapori Momoho – Thriving Communities
Tell your elected representatives what you think
Anyone can contact their elected Auckland Council representatives:
You can attend public meetings of the governing body (mayor and councillors) or your local board. You can also ask to speak at the start of these meetings to raise a concern or an idea, by contacting the Democracy Advisor at least one day before the meeting. The dates of upcoming public meetings and agendas are listed on the council website.
You can also give your opinion and ideas during public consultations on plans and projects on AK Have Your Say or join the People's Panel to contribute your thoughts on diverse topics.
If you are aged 13 to 24, you can share your voice on Buzzly — a youth engagement platform where you can respond to questions in your own way, whether through art, video, writing or more, and receive micro-rewards for your input.
Participate in your community
Many people contribute to their local community by helping out occasionally, or on a regular basis. Here are some ways to do this:
- help during events at a marae, school, community centre or place of worship,
- join your children’s school parent-teacher association (PTA) or Board of Trustees (BOT)
- join environmental activities or a community garden in your neighbourhood
- help your children’s sports team
- volunteer in a charitable organisation
