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The numbers are in and it looks like Auckland mayor, Wayne Brown, won’t have to go busking in order to ensure the Super City can pay its bills.
Although Auckland did require a rates rise, it appears as though frugality in a time of austerity does extend to its council chambers.
Council has delivered operational savings, Desley Simpson, deputy mayor and chair of the Value for Money Committee, says.
“I want to thank mayor Wayne Brown for his leadership and focus on doing things better, faster and cheaper, as well as the council organisation for taking on this challenge,” she says.
“Every dollar saved, and every unnecessary cost avoided, helps us to protect the services and infrastructure Aucklanders rely on, while reducing pressure on rates and debt.”
Year-end savings for 2025/2026 show council exceeded the $86 million budgeted savings target with total of $97.2 million.
In addition, the target has been $20 million higher than last year. It is the largest savings result achieved by council outside of the emergency Covid-19 budget response and it builds on the $90 million enduring savings achieved in the city’s Longterm Plan, 2021-2031, Simpson confirms.
“At a time when councils are facing increasing cost pressures, this result demonstrates our commitment to financial discipline and delivering value for Aucklanders. To put $97.2 million in context, it is greater than the rates revenue of 48 of the 78 councils in New Zealand.”
Council is now focused on meeting its increased $106 million savings target set for 2026/2027. However, achieving it will require some hard graft by councillors. “
The low hanging fruit is well and truly gone, so I don’t underestimate the challenge ahead of us,” Simpson adds.
“We also have fuel price pressures, high inflation and interest rates which could see the real challenge build to over the $200 million per year savings mark. “This means it is even more crucial that we control our costs and look for nonrates revenue.”
An update for the 2026/2027 savings programme will be presented to council’s Value for Money Committee next month.
