Auckland Council

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Auckland Council

Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau
Brand logo
Type
Type
Term limits
None
History
Established1 November 2010; 15 years ago
Preceded by
List
New session started
19 October 2025
Leadership
Wayne Brown[1], Fix AKL
since 16 October 2022
Desley Simpson, Fix AKL
since 24 October 2022
Phil Wilson
since 1 November 2023
Structure
Seats21 (including mayor)
Graph of the party split among 21 seats.
Political groups
Length of term
3 years, renewable
Elections
First-past-the-post
First election
9 October 2010
Last election
11 October 2025
Next election
14 October 2028
Meeting place
Auckland Town Hall viewed from the Sky Tower
Auckland Town Hall
Website
www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Auckland Council (Māori: Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau) is the territorial authority for the Auckland Region of New Zealand. It serves as the local and regional government as a unitary authority. It has existed since the 2010 amalgamation of the seven territorial authorities and one regional council in the region. It administers the largest population of any local government authority in Oceania.

The governing body consists of a mayor and 20 councillors, elected from 13 wards. There are also 151 members of 21 local boards who make decisions on matters local to their communities.

The council was established by a number of Acts of Parliament, and an Auckland Transition Agency, also created by the central government. Both the means by which the council was established and its structure came under repeated criticism from a broad spectrum during the establishment period.

History

Predecessors

The Auckland Council took over the functions of the Auckland Regional Council and the region's seven city and district councils: Auckland City Council, Manukau City Council, Waitakere City Council, North Shore City Council, Papakura District Council, Rodney District Council and most of Franklin District Council.

The Auckland Regional Council was formed in 1989, replacing the Auckland Regional Authority. One of the mainstays of its work was expanding the parks network, and it brought into the Auckland Council 26 regional parks with more than 40,000 hectares, including many restored natural habitats and sanctuaries developed in co-operation with the Department of Conservation and volunteers.[2] A variety of often public transport-focused projects like the Northern Busway as well as significant rail and public transport investments were realised through the Auckland Regional Transport Authority, much of it supported by retaining Ports of Auckland in public hands (after the deregulation of the Auckland Harbour Board) to fund the improvements with the dividends.[2]

Royal Commission

Until 2010, the Auckland Region had seven "City/District" authorities, plus one "Regional" authority. In the late 2000s, New Zealand's central government and parts of Auckland's society felt that this large number of Councils, and the lack of strong regional government (with the Auckland Regional Council only having limited powers) were hindering Auckland's progress, and that a form of stronger regional government, or an amalgamation under one local council, would be beneficial. Others pointed to the fact that a previous integration of the many much smaller Borough Councils did not bring the promised advantages either, and reduced local participation in politics,[3] with editorialists pointing out that the (supposedly mainly Wellingtonian) proponents of the 'super city' have carefully not made any promises of savings in light of past rises in rates and utilities bills.[4]

In 2007, the government set up a Royal Commission on Auckland Governance to report on what restructuring should be done.[5][6] The report was released on 27 March 2009[7] and the government subsequently announced that a "super city" would be set up to include the full metropolitan area under an Auckland Council with a single mayor and 20–30 local boards, by the time of the local body elections in 2010,[8][9] though it also changed some key recommendations of the Royal Commission.

Withdrawal from Local Government New Zealand

On 23 March 2023, the Auckland Council voted by a margin of ten to ten to leave Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ), the national representative body for local councils in New Zealand. Mayor Brown used his casting vote to break the deadlock during the Council's vote. Brown said that members of the body got drunk regularly during conference meetings and that the Auckland Council could negotiate with the New Zealand Government independently. Brown also said that exiting the LGNZ would save the Auckland Council NZ$640,000 a year, helping to reduce its debt. The Auckland Council's decision to leave LGNZ was criticised as detrimental to Auckland ratepayers and cooperation with other local councils by fellow councillors Richard Hills, Andy Baker, Julie Fairey, and LGNZ President Stuart Crosby.[10]

Governing body

The governing body of the Auckland Council consists of the mayor and councillors. Decision-making for the governing body's areas of oversight is done by committees, a few of which consist of the whole governing body, and most of which consist of a chairperson appointed by the mayor and a subset of the governing body members.[11]

Mayor

The mayor of Auckland is the directly elected chair of the governing body of Auckland Council.

Current composition

The following council took office following the October 2025 election:[12][13]

Role Portrait Name Affiliation Ward
Mayor Wayne Brown Fix Auckland Elected at-large
Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson Fix Auckland Orākei
Councillor Andy Baker Team Franklin Franklin
Councillor Josephine Bartley Labour Maungakiekie-Tāmaki
Councillor Bo Burns Independent Howick
Councillor Julie Fairey City Vision Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa
Councillor Alf Filipaina Labour Manukau
Councillor Christine Fletcher Communities and Residents Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa
Councillor Lotu Fuli Labour Manukau
Councillor John Gillon Putting the North Shore First North Shore
Councillor Shane Henderson Labour Waitākere
Councillor Richard Hills Positive Leadership for the Shore North Shore
Councillor Mike Lee Auckland Independents Waitematā and Gulf
Councillor Daniel Newman Manurewa-Papakura Action Team Manurewa-Papakura
Councillor Sarah Paterson-Hamlin Labour Whau
Councillor Greg Sayers Independent Rodney
Councillor Victoria Short Fix Auckland Albany
Councillor Ken Turner WestWards Waitākere
Councillor John Watson Putting People First Albany
Councillor Maurice Williamson Independent Howick
Councillor Matt Winiata Manurewa-Papakura Action Team Manurewa-Papakura

List of members by term

Term Mayor Councillors Ref.
1st 2010–2013 Len Brown [14]
2nd 2013–2016 [15]
3rd 2016–2019 Phil Goff [16]
4th 2019–2022 [17]
5th 2022–2025 Wayne Brown
(Ind. / Fix Auckland)
[18]
6th 2025–2028
[19]
  • R resigned during term
  • † died during term
  • by elected at by-election

Chief executive

Chief executive of Auckland Council
Incumbent
Phil Wilson
since 6 November 2023
Inaugural holderDoug McKay
Formation1 November 2010 (2010-11-01)
Salary​$628,200
Websitewww.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Doug McKay was announced as the inaugural chief executive officer of the council, being selected ahead of 27 other.[20] He had no direct experience in local government, but had strong ties to Auckland; he had 30 years of experience as a corporate executive.[20] He was to receive a salary of $675,000 and an incentive bonus of $67,500.[20]

Stephen Town became chief executive on 15 January 2014.[21] In early February 2020, Town announced he would not see out his term until December 2020, moving to the New Zealand Institute of Skills & Technology in early July.[22]

Chief executives of Auckland Council[23]
No. Chief executive Portrait Term start Term end Ref
1 Doug McKay 1 November 2010 31 December 2013 [24]
– vacant 1 January 2013 14 January 2014 [24]
2 Stephen Town 15 January 2014 25 June 2020 [24][25]
– Patricia Reade 25 June 2020 31 August 2020 [26]
3 Jim Stabback 1 September 2020 2 July 2023 [27][28]
– Phil Wilson 3 July 2023 5 November 2023 [28]
4 Phil Wilson 6 November 2023 incumbent [29]

Council-controlled organisations

Auckland Council has several council-controlled organisations (CCOs). These include any organisation of which the Council appoints at least 50% of its board members.[30] CCOs that are responsible for a significant service or activity, or those who manage assets worth more than $10 million are described as substantive.[30]

Extant CCOs
Status[31] CCO[31] Date of creation
Substantive Auckland Transport
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited[32]
Watercare Services Ltd
Legacy Te Taumata Toi-a-Iwi Arts Regional Trust
Contemporary Art Foundation
Mangere Mountain Education Trust
Mount Albert Grammar School Community Swimming Pool Trust
Te Motu a Hiaroa (Puketutu Island) Governance Trust
Defunct CCOs
CCOs[31] Existed Fate
City of Manukau Education Trust ?−2012 Independent charitable organisation[31]
Auckland Council Property Ltd ?−2015 Merged into Panuku Development Auckland[31]
Waterfront Auckland ?−2015
Auckland Council Investments Limited ?−2018 Share holdings in Auckland Airport and the Port sold to the Council[31]
Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development ?−2020 Merged to become Auckland Unlimitied
Regional Facilities Auckland ?−2020
Highbrook Park Trust ?−2021
Manukau Beautification Charitable Trust ?−2024 Independent organisation: Beautification Trust[31]
Te Puru Trust ?−2024 Independent organisation: Te Puru Community Charitable Trust[31]
Eke Panuku Development Auckland ?−1 July 2025 Replaced by Auckland Urban Development Office and the Property Department as an internal function.[31]

Independent Māori Statutory Board

In mid-June 2026, the populist New Zealand First party announced it would campaign during the 2026 New Zealand general election on disestablishing the Independent Māori Statutory Board as part of its campaign against co-governance.[33]

Legislation

The council was set up by three pieces of legislation, the Local Government (Tamaki Makaurau Reorganisation) Act 2009,[34] the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009[35] and the Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Act 2010.[36]

Assets

The Council owns approximately $34 billion of assets (2010),[37] including over 100,000 hectares of open space, parks and reserves,[38] as well as the large transport assets administered by the Auckland Transport CCO (see that article for more detail).

Auckland Council Investments Limited (ACIL), the CCO responsible for non-transport investment assets, manages Council investments worth $2.54 billion, including a 22.4% stake in Auckland Airport worth $1.13 billion, as well as a 100% share of Ports of Auckland Limited worth $1.08 billion, and Auckland Film Studios, worth $8 million (values at May 2014).[39]

Regional parks

The council owns and manages 28 regional parks around the region.[40] Most of the parks were inherited from Auckland Regional Council.[41]

Finances

Rates

Auckland Council rates combine the rates of the various amalgamated local councils and the Auckland Regional Council rates. For the 2011–2012 year, ratepayers are being charged the same rate as before the amalgamation, plus a 3.94% increase, with Council noting that they had achieved a much lower rates increase than originally foreseen.[42] Rates made up 53% of the Council's income in 2011, with the remainder being "grants, subsidies, development and financial contributions, user charges and fees".[42]

As of 2011, 24% of the Council's money was spent on "Art services and galleries, events, museums, parks, recreation facilities and the zoo", while 22% was spent on "transport management". Further big elements were "Planning and regulation" at 14.5% and "Community services, libraries, emergency management and cemeteries" at 11.5%.[42]

As of 2016, 38% of rates were spent on "transport", 27% on "parks, community and lifestyle", 16% on "environmental management and regulation", 8% on "Auckland development", 6% on "Economic and cultural development" and 5% on "governance and support".[43]

Elections

The initial Council elections in October 2010 returned a mostly centre-left council, with Len Brown as mayor.[44] Brown was re-elected in October 2013, again with a largely supportive council.[45] The 2016 mayoral election was won by Labour MP Phil Goff, who had a landslide victory over his nearest rivals, Victoria Crone and future Green Party MP Chlöe Swarbrick.[46] Goff won re-election in the 2019 mayoral election[47] and chose not to run in the 2022 mayoral election,[48] which was won by Wayne Brown.[49] In the 2025 mayoral election, Brown was re-elected with an absolute majority.[50]

List

Council

Mayoral

Local boards

Local boards

Local boards
Number21 (as of 2026)

Local boards are sub-regional local government entities that provide governance at the local level in the Auckland Region. Their responsibilities include managing events and community facilities such as libraries and local parks. They have the power to develop local by-laws or propose local targeted rates which they put forward to the Governing Body to adopt.[51]

Local board Pop.[a] Control[b] Members
Hibiscus and Bays 121,100 No majority 8
Upper Harbour 84,500 Living Upper Harbour 6
Albert-Eden 102,900 City Vision 8
Puketāpapa 63,200 C&R 6
Franklin 89,900 Team Franklin 9
Howick 173,200 No majority 11
Māngere-Ōtāhuhu 85,900 Labour 7
Ōtara-Papatoetoe 98,900 Labour[c] 7
Manurewa 110,400 MPAT 8
Papakura 84,200 MPAT 6
Maungakiekie-Tāmaki 88,100 C&R 7
Devonport-Takapuna 61,100 No majority 6
Kaipātiki 95,600 Shore Action 8
Ōrākei 86,800 C&R 7
Rodney 83,400 No majority 9
Henderson-Massey 139,200 Labour 8
Waitākere Ranges 56,900 Future West 5
Aotea / Great Barrier 1,250 No majority 5
Waiheke 9,360 No majority 5
Waitematā 88,900 City Vision 7
Whau 91,300 Labour 7

Notes

References

  1. "Local elections 2025 – Official results – Mayor" (PDF). Vote Auckland. 18 October 2025.
  2. Lee, Mike (July 2010). "From the Chairman". Region Wide. Auckland Regional Council. p. 1.
  3. Lessons from the history of local body amalgamation – The New Zealand Herald, Wednesday 6 September 2006
  4. "Editorial: CCO plan mocks democracy". The New Zealand Herald. 14 March 2010. Retrieved 14 March 2010.
  5. Auckland governance inquiry welcomed – NZPA, via 'stuff.co.nz', Tuesday 31 July 2007. Retrieved 29 October 2007.
  6. Royal Commission of inquiry for Auckland welcomed Archived 29 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine – NZPA, via 'infonews.co.nz', Tuesday 31 July 2007. Retrieved 29 October 2007.
  7. Minister Releases Report Of Royal Commission – Scoop.co.nz, Friday 27 March 2009
  8. Gay, Edward (7 April 2009). "'Super city' to be in place next year, Maori seats axed". The New Zealand Herald.
  9. "Making Auckland Greater" (PDF). New Zealand Government via The New Zealand Herald. 7 April 2009.
  10. Orsman, Bernard (23 March 2023). "Auckland Council quits Local Government NZ: Mayor Wayne Brown cites drinking behaviour as reason for move". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  11. "How your governing body works". Auckland Council. 24 April 2014. Archived from the original on 2 July 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  12. "Ward councillors". www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. Auckland Council. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
  13. "Ward councillor results | Vote Auckland". voteauckland.co.nz. Auckland Council. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
  14. "Final results - Wards and local boards". Auckland Council. 15 October 2010. Archived from the original on 1 November 2010.
  15. "Declaration of result". Auckland Council. 21 October 2013. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014.
  16. "Election results". Auckland Council. Archived from the original on 6 November 2016.
  17. "2019 local elections results". Auckland Council. 18 October 2019.
  18. "2022 local elections results". Auckland Council. 15 October 2022.
  19. "Ward councillor official results". Auckland Council. 18 October 2025.
  20. Orsman, Bernard (26 March 2010). "Local govt newbie to lead Super City". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
  21. Hargreaves, David (8 November 2013). "Auckland appoints new council boss on $630k salary". Interest.co.nz. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  22. Collins, Simon (4 February 2020). "Auckland Council CEO Stephen Town to head new national polytechnic". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  23. "Chief executive salary". Auckland Council. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  24. "Stephen Town appointed Chief Executive of Auckland Council". Scoop. Auckland Council. 8 November 2013.
  25. "Auckland Council Chief Executive resigns". Auckland Council. 4 February 2020.
  26. "Auckland Council Chief Executive update". Auckland Council. 27 February 2020.
  27. "New council chief takes up the reins". Auckland Council. 1 September 2020.
  28. "Council Chief Executive confirms departure date". Auckland Council. 22 June 2023.
  29. "Mayor announces new council Chief Executive". Auckland Council. 1 November 2023.
  30. "Council-controlled organisations". Auckland Council. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  31. "Legacy and disestablished CCOs". Auckland Council. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  32. "Auckland Unlimited". Archived from the original on 4 December 2020.
  33. Natanahira, Tuwhenuaroa (18 June 2026). "New Zealand First to campaign on scrapping independent Māori Statutory Board". RNZ. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  34. "Local Government (Tamaki Makaurau Reorganisation) Act 2009 No 13 (as at 02 November 2010), Public Act – New Zealand Legislation". Legislation.govt.nz. 2 November 2010. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  35. "Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 No 32 (as at 10 May 2011), Public Act – New Zealand Legislation". Legislation.govt.nz. 10 May 2011. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  36. "Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Act 2010 No 37 (as at 21 December 2010), Public Act – New Zealand Legislation". Legislation.govt.nz. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  37. Auckland Council (2012). Draft Long-term Plan 2012–2022. p. 13.
  38. "Auckland Council – History in the Making". Our Auckland. Auckland Council. p. 5.
  39. "Auckland Council's investments grow". Stuff. 21 May 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  40. "Regional parks". aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. Auckland Council.
  41. Regional Parks Management Plan: Volume 1 Overview and Strategic Direction
  42. "Now we're together we're really moving forward". Auckland Council rates info leaflet. August 2011.
  43. "Combined Rates Assessment and Tax Invoice – How your rates are spent (flyer with rates notice)". Auckland Council. November 2016.
  44. Orsman, Bernard; Dickison, Michael (9 October 2010). "Left-leaning council for Len Brown". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
  45. Orsman, Bernard (14 October 2013). "New look council". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
  46. "Phil Goff elected Mayor of Auckland". The New Zealand Herald. 8 October 2016. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  47. "2019 local electionsfinal results – Mayor, ward councillors, local board members" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 January 2020.
  48. "Auckland mayor Phil Goff to retire from politics, won't seek re-election". The New Zealand Herald. 13 February 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  49. "Local Elections 2022 – Official Results" (PDF). Auckland Council. 15 October 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  50. "Mayor official results". Auckland Council. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
  51. "Councils in Aotearoa". www.lgnz.co.nz. Local Government New Zealand. Retrieved 23 June 2025.