NZ Local Elections 2025

Auckland Council

Waitakere Ward
The Auckland Council makes strategic decisions for Auckland on public transport, urban planning, environmental protection and other big issues. The council provides funding to local boards to provide public services in their areas, and manages council-controlled organisations which provide infrastructure, such as public transport, water and sewerage. The councillors and mayor make up the governing body, which shares governance of Auckland Council with the 21 local boards. The governing body is made up of 20 councillors plus the mayor. Councillors are elected to represent wards (areas in Auckland). two councillors will be elected from your ward. This is a first past the post (FPP) election, so you vote by ticking the name of your preferred candidate on your ballot paper. Compare the candidates and their policies to decide who to vote for in the Auckland Council election.

Candidates

Policies

Choose a topic to compare

Climate change and resilience

Climate change and resilience

Environment and biodiversity

Environment and biodiversity

Freshwater

Freshwater

Housing and planning

Housing and planning

Jobs and economy

Jobs and economy

Local democracy

Local democracy

Rates and revenue

Rates and revenue

Recreation and culture

Recreation and culture

Transport

Transport

Utilities and services

Utilities and services

Rates and revenue

The work of local government is funded mainly by property taxes in the local area, known as rates. This makes up around 60% of council expenditure, with the rest coming from user charges, investment income, regulatory fees and roading subsidies. Councils can also borrow money to spread the cost of large investments such as infrastructure over a longer period of time.

Rates and revenue

The work of local government is funded mainly by property taxes in the local area, known as rates. This makes up around 60% of council expenditure, with the rest coming from user charges, investment income, regulatory fees and roading subsidies. Councils can also borrow money to spread the cost of large investments such as infrastructure over a longer period of time.

  • Advocate for value for money when balancing rates with services, while protecting assets for future generations.

    Support an ethical investment approach and spread of borrowing over a range of investments to reduce risk.

    Support local decision-making, ensuring local boards have autonomy and resources needed to fulfil their responsibilities.

  • Advocate for GST sharing on rates and new builds.

    Collaborate with government to deliver tools that empower public-private partnership, improved development contributions and regional deals.

    Pursue opportunities for new revenue and funding sources while also ensuring efficiency and cost management.

  • Advocate for value for money when balancing rates with services, while protecting assets for future generations.

    Support an ethical investment approach and spread of borrowing over a range of investments to reduce risk.

    Support local decision-making, ensuring local boards have autonomy and resources needed to fulfil their responsibilities.

  • Advocate for GST sharing on rates and new builds.

    Collaborate with government to deliver tools that empower public-private partnership, improved development contributions and regional deals.

    Pursue opportunities for new revenue and funding sources while also ensuring efficiency and cost management.

Climate change and resilience

Climate change and resilience

Environment and biodiversity

Environment and biodiversity

Freshwater

Freshwater

Housing and planning

Housing and planning

Jobs and economy

Jobs and economy

Local democracy

Local democracy

Rates and revenue

Rates and revenue

Recreation and culture

Recreation and culture

Transport

Transport

Utilities and services

Utilities and services

Mayor

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Local council

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Regional council

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Local board

Compare the candidates for your local or community board

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