The good news is the silly season’s just around the corner. We get a break from what’s been a tough year. I’d like to thank Aucklanders and my fellow Ponsonbians once again for your vote of confidence in me, which tells me to get on with it.
Reflecting on 2025, we’re well positioned to finish the fix on our physical resilience work. We sorted out water infrastructure, so your rate rises didn’t go through the roof, and so we could fix some of your pipes that had started leaking, as well as prepare for growth – something my predecessors forgot about. Out of sight, out of mind. That was embarrassing.
We’re gaining back control of Auckland Transport, so it will be a service delivery arm of public transport only, which it actually does quite well, but everything else will be back with elected officials, where it should be. We also have the new plan change on the table that will decide where we intensify housing – where and how we live over the next 30-50 years. I’ve suggested it be near transport and where we have already invested significantly in infrastructure, which seems sensible to me.
We need to turn Auckland into an international city once again, not the world’s biggest suburb. This means it must have the backbone required to be a fully functioning global city. Our transport and housing must work hand-in-hand. I’m glad to have councillors Andy Baker and Richard Hills chairing the committees that will address the issues here. Auckland must be open for business.
On that note, I’ve got the council books in order, and that will continue with my Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson and Councillor Greg Sayers chairing the relevant committees here. I will also be sharpening my focus on lifting Auckland’s economy because Wellington isn’t getting much done here and, when Auckland wins, New Zealand wins. The work to strengthen Auckland’s financial resilience has already begun in significant sectors like tech and innovation and hospitality and tourism.
Some of this and some other bits and pieces will culminate in an Auckland City Deal for our region of 1.7 million. In size and scope, Auckland is more akin to a state government in Australia than other local authorities, and I will continue to repeat this until the wigs in Wellington get it. They do people and behaviour; we do places and spaces. The spaces are looking pretty sharp. They are not working hard enough for what we send down to their coffers.
As I’ve said time and again, good growth relies on partnership between local and central government, so I will be laser focused on more conversations with Government ministers in the new year.
For now, though, whether you’re leaving Auckland or not, I’m sure many of you are turning your minds to Christmas plans and to what will hopefully be some good weather. As a keen swimmer, boatie and surfer, I’ll take any opportunity to enjoy our iconic harbours and beaches and, of course, Brownie’s Pool, and our regional parks as much as I can over summer. I’ve also got my eye on the ASB Tennis Classic, SailGP and Moana Auckland: NZ’s Ocean Festival which is making a welcome return to our stunning harbours in 2026.
This is my last Ponsonby News column before we all head off for Christmas breaks, so enjoy yourself and don’t do anything stupid – it is the silly season, not the stupid season, after all!
Ngā mihi nui. (WAYNE BROWN)
mayorofaucklandmedia@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
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