Summarised by Centrist
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has unveiled his Draft Mayoral Proposal for the 2025-26 Annual Plan for the city’s council-controlled organisations (CCOs).
The reforms are aimed at bringing Auckland Transport (AT) under direct council control, halving Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, and disestablishing Eke Panuku.
Working with Local Government Minister Simeon Brown, he plans to transfer AT’s back-office functions to the council, covering areas like legal and finance services, and take over non-statutory functions, including street trading rules and the Harbourmaster role.
“Aucklanders should be empowered, through their elected mayor and councillors, to make key decisions about the region’s transport system,” Brown said.
Eke Panuku, which focuses on urban regeneration, is set to be disbanded, with its responsibilities absorbed into the council.
“This is about improving the way Auckland Council works for the people,” he said, adding that current overlaps confuse accountability and waste resources.
For Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, Brown proposes retaining its trust structure for cultural facilities like Auckland Zoo and Art Gallery but consolidating its economic and event development functions within the council.
CCOs currently manage two-thirds of Auckland’s publicly owned assets, valued at $47b, and account for over half the council’s annual $6.4b operating budget.
While Brown’s proposal has garnered public support, it requires approval from councillors in December.
