Great news, Auckland! As your Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Revenue:
Expenditure and Value Committee, I'm thrilled to share that we've not only met but exceeded our full-year savings target and we've done it three months ahead of schedule.
Yes, we have achieved $66.6 million in cost reductions against our $66 million annual goal, and I couldn't be prouder of this achievement.
These savings aren't just numbers on a spreadsheet — they directly benefit you, our ratepayers. This success builds upon the $90 million in ongoing annual savings we'd already secured, bringing our total savings for the current financial year to a whopping $156.6 million. These results were presented at our May committee meeting, and they really showcase our commitment to watching every dollar.
I've always believed we need to look at our own spending habits before asking ratepayers to chip in more. That's why I'm particularly pleased that over the past three years, we've achieved $403 million in cumulative savings, smashing our target of $374 million. What does this mean for you? Without these efforts, you'd be potentially facing approximately 6% higher rates for 2024/2025 instead of the current 5.8% increase.
Finding these savings hasn't been easy, especially while maintaining record levels of investment and managing ongoing cost pressures. But we've done it. In just the most recent quarter (January-March 2025), we delivered $23.4 million in savings, adding to the $43.2 million already achieved earlier in the financial year.
So where did these savings come from? We've found efficiencies in our waste collection contracts, cut back on external consultants and carefully managed our staffing and other operational costs. And here's the best part, $34.8 million of our total savings are ongoing, meaning they'll continue to benefit Aucklanders for years to come.
Our Chief Executive Phil Wilson and his team have really embraced this value-focused approach. They're challenging themselves daily to find better ways of working and delivering services. We’ve been instrumental in driving this cost-conscious culture across the council.
Looking ahead, we're not resting on our laurels. We're actively exploring new revenue streams, identifying further savings opportunities and making sure every dollar of your money works hard for Auckland.
We've also kicked off our Better Value Projects initiative and Value for Money reviews. These programmes will help us deliver even better services and infrastructure while keeping a tight rein on spending.
As your Deputy Mayor, I want to assure you that the Mayor and I are committed to being careful with your money. The financial decisions we make today will shape Auckland's future and we're determined to create a city that's not only vibrant and innovative but also financially sustainable.
We'll keep challenging ourselves to find smarter, more efficient ways to serve our communities without adding unnecessary burden to your household budgets. After all, that's what good financial management is all about — making sure we get the basics right so Auckland can continue to thrive.
Desley Simpson, Deputy Mayor of Auckland
www.desleysimpson.co.nz
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