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Albert-Eden Local Board
01 May 2025
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Annual Plan
2025-2026: local board consultation feedback and input
File No.: CP2025/07989
Te take mō te
pūrongo
Purpose of the report
1. To
receive consultation feedback from the Albert-Eden Local Board area on:
· proposed
priorities and activities for the Albert-Eden Local Board Agreement 2025/2026
· regional
topics for the Annual Plan 2025/2026.
2. To
recommend any local matters or advocacy initiatives to the Governing Body for
consideration or decision-making as part of the Annual Plan 2025/2026 process.
3. To
provide input on the proposed regional topics in the Annual Plan 2025/2026 to
the Governing Body.
Whakarāpopototanga matua
Executive summary
4. Local
board agreements outline annual funding priorities, activities, budgets, levels
of service, performance measures and initiatives for each local board area. The
2025/2026 local board agreements will be included in the Auckland
Council’s Annual Plan 2025/2026.
5. Auckland
Council publicly consulted from 28 February to 28 March 2025 to gather
community feedback on the proposed Annual Plan 2025/2026. This included
consultation on the Albert-Eden Local Board’s proposed priorities for
2025/2026 to be included in their local board agreement, and key priorities and
initiatives for the Annual Plan 2025/2026.
6. Auckland
Council received 13,016 submissions in total across the region and 828
submissions from the Albert-Eden Local Board area. A clear majority supported
the proposed Annual Plan 2025/2026 and most of all of the local board
priorities.
7. As part
of the Annual Plan process, local boards provide recommendations to the
Governing Body for consideration or decision-making. This includes any local
board advocacy initiatives. The Governing Body will consider these matters
during the Annual Plan decision-making process in May and June 2025, including:
· any
new/amended business improvement district targeted rates
· any
new/amended local targeted rate proposals
· the
release of local board specific reserve funds
· any
other local board advocacy initiatives.
8. Local
boards have a statutory responsibility to provide input into regional
strategies, policies, plans, and bylaws. This report provides an opportunity
for the local board to provide input on council’s Annual Plan 2025/2026.
Ngā tūtohunga
Recommendation/s
That the Albert-Eden Local
Board:
a) whiwhi /
receive consultation feedback on the proposed Albert-Eden Local Board
priorities and activities for 2025/2026.
b) whiwhi /
receive consultation feedback on regional topics in the Annual Plan 2025/2026
from people and organisations based in the Albert-Eden Local Board area.
c) tuku /
provide input on regional topics in the proposed Annual Plan 2025/2026 and key
advocacy initiatives to the Governing Body.
Horopaki
Context
9. Each
financial year Auckland Council must have a local board agreement (as agreed
between the Governing Body and the relevant local board) for each local board
area. The local board agreement outlines how the Council will reflect
priorities of the Albert-Eden Local Board Plan 2023 in respect of the local
activities to be provided in the local board area, and also includes
information on budgets, levels of service, and performance measures.
10. The Local Board
Agreements 2025/2026 will form part of the Auckland Council’s Annual Plan
2025/2026.
11. Auckland Council
publicly consulted from 28 February to 28 March 2025 to seek community feedback
on the proposed Annual Plan 2025/2026. The consultation content included
information on regional proposals to be decided by the Governing Body, and information
on the Albert-Eden Local Board’s proposed priorities for 2025/2026 to be
included in their local board agreement, and key local board priorities for
2025/2026.
12. Local boards have a
statutory responsibility to identify and communicate the interests and
preferences of people in their local board area in relation to the Annual Plan
2025/2026.
Tātaritanga me ngā
tohutohu
Analysis and advice
13. This report
includes analysis of consultation feedback, any local matters to be recommended
to the Governing Body and seeks input on regional topics in the proposed Annual
Plan 2025/2026.
Consultation feedback
overview
14. As part of the
public consultation for the Annual Plan 2025/2026 Auckland Council used a
variety of methods and channels to reach and engage a broad cross section of
Aucklanders to gain their feedback and input into regional and local topics.
15. In total, Auckland
Council received feedback from 13,016 people in the consultation period. This
feedback was received through:
· written
feedback – 10,011 hard copy and online forms, emails and letters
· in
person – 3,001 pieces of feedback in person and through 89 Have Your Say
events (five of which were held in the Albert-Eden Local Board area).
16. Out of 13,016
pieces of feedback received regionally, 828 were from people or organisations
residing in the Albert-Eden area.
Information on submitters
17. The tables and
graphs below indicate the demographic categories people identified with. This
information only relates to those submitters from the Albert-Eden area who
provided demographic information.
Table: Age and gender of submitters from Albert-Eden area
Graph: Age and gender of submitters from Albert-Eden area
Table: Ethnicity of submitters from Albert-Eden area
*The total does not add to 100% as people may select more
than one ethnicity
Graph: Ethnicity of submitters from Albert-Eden area
Graph: Age and gender of submitters from Albert-Eden area
compared to census profile
Graph: Ethnicity of submitters from Albert-Eden area
compared to census profile
18. All feedback is
available on an Auckland Council webpage called “Feedback on the Annual
Plan 2025/2026'” and is accessible through the following link:
https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/annual-plan-2025-2026/feedback-annual-plan-2025-2026
19. During the
consultation period, the question “What do you think of our proposals for
our local board area in 2025/2026?” was discovered to be missing from the
online feedback form, affecting around 1,700 submissions regionally. The issue
was later corrected, and affected submitters were contacted with a link to
provide feedback on this question before the consultation closed on 28 March. A
review was conducted to identify the cause of the error and prevent similar
issues in the future.
Feedback received on the
Albert-Eden Local Board’s priorities for 2025/2026 and the Annual Plan
2025/2026
20. The Albert-Eden
Local Board consulted on the following local priorities for 2025/2026:
· Priority
1: Increasing our community programmes that are delivered from our libraries
and community centres in Pt Chevalier, Mt Albert, Sandringham and Epsom.
· Priority
2: Supporting our community leasing groups to be able to share their space and
be sustainable over time, so they can continue to provide their great range of
community services and activities.
· Priority
3: Supporting our business associations and vibrant town centres so people can
live, work, shop and play in our local villages.
· Priority
4: Talking with young people and children, to better understand what is
important to them in their area.
· Priority
5: Increasing neighbourhood safety and resilience, community wellbeing and
emergency preparedness.
· Priority
6: Reducing waste and increasing the profile and impact of Waiōrea
Community Recycling Centre.
· Priority
7: Delivering on concept and restoration plans we have made for local parks and
trialling a portable pump track to move around parks in our area.
· Priority
8: Increasing the number of local events, arts and activations, especially in
local parks and town centres.
21. The 582 submissions
were received on Albert-Eden Local Board’s priorities. Note that within
that number, there are submissions from people and organisations residing in
the Albert-Eden are, as well as people and organisations that may reside somewhere
else but have interest or work within the area.
· 420
respondents support all or most priorities
· 107
respondents do not support some or any
· 56
indicated that they did not know.
22. Consultation
feedback on local board priorities will be considered by the local board when
approving their local board agreement between 10-12 June 2025. Local board key
advocacy initiatives will be considered in the current report.
23. The graph below
indicates how important the local priorities are to the community.
Graph: Local board priorities for 2025/2026 - level of
importance
24. The graph below
indicates the community level of support for local priorities.
Graph: Local board priorities for 2025/2026 - level of
support
Key themes
25. 237 comments were
provided regarding the Albert-Eden Local Board Priorities. The key themes were:
· Community
Wellbeing being and safety being a focus (73 comments)
· Maintenance/upgrading
of parks/facilities (39 comments)
· Keep
costs/rates down. Core business (29 comments)
· Town
Centres need focus (24 comments)
· Transport
improvements (23 comments)
· Need
more information/consultation not clear (17 comments)
· Point
Chevalier Library & town centre development (11 comments).
Overview of feedback received
on regional topics in the Annual Plan from the Albert-Eden Local Board area
26. The proposed Annual
Plan 2025/2026 builds on the Long-term Plan 2024-2034 (LTP), setting out
Auckland Council’s priorities and how services and investments are
proposed to be funded. Consultation on the proposed Annual Plan 2025/2026 asked
submitters to respond to key questions related to:
· The
overall plan
· Destination
management and major events
· Changes
to other rates, fees and charges
· Local
board priorities.
27. Submitters were
also encouraged to provide feedback on any other matters included in the Annual
Plan 2025/2026 consultation document.
28. The submissions
received from the Albert-Eden Local Board area on these key issues are
summarised below, along with an overview of any other areas of feedback on
regional proposals.
Key Question 1: Overall Plan
29. Aucklanders were
asked whether they support the overall plan including prioritising investment
in:
· transport
· water;
and
· fairer
funding for local communities.
30. The consultation
document for the Annual Plan 2025/2026 also outlined the proposed funding
approach which includes a 5.8 per cent rates increase for the average value
residential property, consistent with the LTP, and additional debt financing to
fund $4 billion in capital expenditure.
31. The proposed 5.8
per cent rates increase for the average value residential property for
2025/2026 includes the following proposed rates changes:
· an
average general rates increase of 6.40 per cent for existing ratepayers
· an
average increase of 3.5 per cent to the Natural Environment Targeted Rate
(NETR) and Climate Action Transport Targeted Rate (CATTR) for existing
ratepayers, as set out in the LTP
· an
average increase of $2.12 in the Water Quality Targeted Rate (WQTR) to cover
the operating and interest costs for the programme, as set out in the LTP
· a 3.3
per cent increase to the overall Waste Management Targeted Rate (WMTR) for the
typical household.
32. The graph below
gives an overview of the responses from the Albert-Eden Local Board area.
Graph: Q1. What is your opinion on our proposed annual
plan?
33. 82 per cent of
respondents support all or most of the proposal. The key themes were:
· Improve
public transport (89 comments)
· Concerns
about rate increasing (83 comments) and stop wasteful spending (44 comments)
· Need
for infrastructure (58 comments) and better planning needed (29 comments)
· Support
the proposal (55 comments).
Key Question 2: Destination
management and major events
34. Aucklanders were
asked for feedback on a bed night visitor levy paid by those in short-stay
commercial accommodation, to fund destination management, marketing and major
events. Without such a levy, a $7 million budget shortfall for the 2025/2026
financial year could impact the funding for major events that are expected to
attract visitor expenditure, such as the ASB Classic, Auckland Marathon, and
Auckland Writers Festival.
35. A bed night visitor
levy of 2.5 to 3 per cent paid by those in short-stay accommodation would raise
around $27 million annually to fund even more destination management, marketing
and major events activities in Auckland. However, this requires central government
legislative change. Auckland Council continues to work with central government
on this, with public feedback helping to inform this work.
36. The graph below
gives an overview of the responses from the Albert-Eden Local Board area.
Graph: Q2. Do you support a bed night visitor levy paid
by those in short-stay commercial accommodation, to fund destination
management, marketing and major events activities?
37. 72 per cent of
respondents support the proposal. The key themes were:
· Need
for public event funding (65 comments)
· Reduce
local resident costs (41 comments), target international tourists (40 comments)
and Visitor contribution to infrastructure (35 comments)
· This
is a practise already implemented overseas (34 comments)
· Need
for tourism promotion (30 comments).
Key Question 3: changes to other
rates, fees and charges
38. Aucklanders were
asked to provide feedback on proposed changes to certain targeted rates and
some fees and charges as outlined below.
Waste management rates
changes
39. Aucklanders were
asked whether they support applying the Refuse Targeted Rate to residential and
lifestyle properties in Franklin and Rodney to fund the council’s rubbish
collection service, replacing the current system of purchasing rubbish bags.
40. Starting in
2025/2026, residential and lifestyle properties in Franklin and Rodney will be
charged a refuse targeted rate for the first time. Franklin's rate will cover a
full year of service, while Rodney's will be about 83 per cent of the full
charge due to its scheduled September 2025 start date. Additionally, from July
2025, waste management services and targeted rates will be introduced in
Manukau's commercial areas where the service isn’t presently available.
41. 63 percent
supported the proposal, while 11 percent did not support. 22 per cent
didn’t know or understand what was being proposed
42. The graph below
gives an overview of the responses from the Albert-Eden Local Board area.
Graph: Q3 Waste management rates changes
Changes to fees and charges
43. Other proposed
changes to fees and charges included in the consultation document for the
Annual Plan 2025/2026 include:
· changes
to some animal management fees including an increase in the dog adoption fee
from $350 to $450 and an increase vet fee from $75 to $150
· fees
for some cemetery and cremation services
· realigning
bach fees into pricing tiers based on occupancy levels, capacity, and location
· aligning
staff charge-out rates with staff pay bands for services in regional parks.
44. There were 213
submissions from the Albert-Eden Local Board area which referenced these fees,
but it seems there was low level understanding around what was being proposed,
and a big portion of comments were around keeping rates down.
Other matters for feedback
45. The following
matters were also included in the consultation in the Long-term Plan:
Draft Tūpuna Maunga
Authority Operational Plan 2025/2026
46. Aucklanders were
asked for feedback on the draft Tūpuna Maunga Authority (TMA) Operational
Plan 2025/2026 which sets out a framework in which the council must carry out
the routine management of 14 Tūpuna Maunga, under the direction of the Tūpuna
Maunga Authority.
47. There were 25
comments submissions from the Albert-Eden Local Board area which referenced the
TMA plan.
Any other feedback
48. Aucklanders were
asked if they had any other comments. Key themes of note across other areas of
feedback received included:
· sticking
to core services (33 comments)
· requesting
improved public transport (31 comments)
· improving
economic development initiatives (22 comments).
Recommendations on local matters
49. This report
provides for the local board to recommend local matters to the Governing Body
for consideration as part of the Annual Plan process, in May 2025. This
includes:
· any
new/amended local targeted rate proposals
· any
new/amended business improvement district targeted rates
· release
of local board specific reserve funds
· local
advocacy initiatives.
Local targeted rate and business
improvement district (BID) targeted rate proposals
50. Local boards are
required to endorse any new or amended local targeted rate proposals or
business improvement district (BID) targeted rate proposals in their local
board area. These proposals must have been consulted on before they can be
implemented. The local boards then recommend these proposals to the Governing
Body for approval of the targeted rate.
51. The BID proposal in
the Albert-Eden Local Board area for 2025/2026 is:
· establishing
Business Improvement Districts (BID) and associated targeted rates in Takanini
/ Grey Lynn
· consider
the future of the Hunters Corner / Māngere East Village BID.
52. This does not apply
to the Albert-Eden Local Board for the 2025/2026 financial year.
Local board specific reserve
funds
53. Local boards are
allocated funding for the delivery of local services, projects and programmes
that are important to their communities. Local boards have decision making over
the allocation of these funds, but need approval from the Governing Body where the
release of local board specific reserve funds is requested, which are being
held by the council for a specific purpose
54. This does not apply
to the Albert-Eden Local Board for the 2025/2026 financial year.
Local board advocacy
55. Local boards can
also agree advocacy initiatives which considers the consultation feedback
above. This allows the Governing Body to consider these advocacy items when
making decisions on the Annual Plan 2025/2026 in May.
56. The advocacy
initiatives approved by the local board will then be included as an appendix to
the 2025/2026 Local Board Agreement.
Local board input on regional
topics in the Annual Plan 2025/2026
57. Local boards have a
statutory responsibility for identifying and communicating the interests and
preferences of the people in its local board area in relation to Auckland
Council’s strategies, policies, plans, and bylaws, and any proposed
changes to be made to them. This report provides an opportunity for the local
board to provide input on council’s proposed Annual Plan 2025/2026.
58. Local board plans
reflect community priorities and preferences and are key documents that guide
the development of local board agreements, local board annual work programmes,
and local board input into regional plans such as the long-term plan and annual
plan.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
āhuarangi
Climate impact statement
59. The decisions
recommended in this report are part of the Annual Plan 2025/2026 and local
board agreement process to approve funding and expenditure over the next year.
60. Projects allocated
funding through this Annual Plan process will all have varying levels of
potential climate impact associated with them. The climate impacts of projects
Auckland Council chooses to progress, are all assessed carefully as part of
council’s rigorous reporting requirements.
Ngā whakaaweawe me
ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera
Council group impacts and views
61. The Annual Plan
2025/2026 is an Auckland Council Group document and will include budgets at a
consolidated group level. Consultation items and updates to budgets to reflect
decisions and new information may include items from across the group.
Ngā whakaaweawe
ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe
Local impacts and local board views
62. The local
board’s decisions and feedback are being sought in this report. The local
board has a statutory role in providing its feedback on regional plans.
63. Local boards play
an important role in the development of the council’s Annual Plan
2025/2026. Local board agreements form part of the Annual Plan. Local board
chairs have been invited to attend Budget Committee workshops. Local board
members were provided recordings or briefings of the Budget Committee workshops
for the Annual Plan 2025/2026.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
Māori
Māori impact statement
64. Many local board
decisions are of importance to and impact Māori. Local board agreements
and the Annual Plan are important tools that enable and can demonstrate the
council’s responsiveness to Māori Outcomes.
65. Local board plans,
developed in 2023 through engagement with the community including Māori,
form the basis of local board area priorities.
66. Some projects
approved for funding could have discernible impacts on Māori. For any
project or programme progressed by Auckland Council, the potential impacts on
Māori, will be assessed as part of relevant reporting requirements.
67. Analysis of
consultation feedback received on the proposed Annual Plan includes submissions
made by mana whenua, matawaaka organisations and the wider Māori community
who have interests in the rohe / local board area.
68. The Governance team
led the council-wide approach with support from Ngā Mātārae on
engagement with Māori entities. This included:
· three
information sessions for mana whenua on submissions and the process for
submissions
· five
information sessions for mātaawaka on submissions and the process for
submissions
· one
hearing style event for mana whenua and mātaawaka groups.
69. Nineteen mana
whenua entities have interests in the Auckland Council rohe. Thirteen of the
nineteen (68.42 per cent) provided verbal or written submissions on the
Auckland Council’s proposals for the Annual Plan 2025/2026.
70. There were six oral
submissions from mana whenua and six oral submissions from mātaawaka at
the Have your Say Event.
71. Māori comprise
10 per cent of the population in the Albert-Eden Local Board area (as per the
2023 Census). 31 submissions from people who identify as Māori were
received from people residing in the Albert-Eden Local Board area. This
represents 3.74 per cent of Albert-Eden submissions.
72. Nine mana whenua
entities with interests in Albert-Eden area gave feedback on the regional
priorities. Below is a summary:
· Ngāti
Pāoa (submission ID 9497): seeks political and planning support for a
master plan to develop Omaru Reserve into a tribal community, including housing
and community facilities. With Treaty settlement expected by 2025/26, they call
for co-governance, investment, and updated planning to unlock this opportunity
for Auckland and strengthen Crown-iwi relations.
· Ngāti
Whātua (submission ID 6705): emphasizes stronger Māori
representation, especially in Kaipara, and seeks clarity on cultural event funding
under the proposed bed levy. They support local board empowerment, urupā
development, and Māori outcomes funding, while urging better consultation
and infrastructure planning. They remain neutral on CCO changes.
· Te
Kawerau ā Maki (submission ID 8557): supports the Annual Plan and
stresses the need for a stronger Treaty partnership. Proposes a formal
agreement, CPI-adjusted capacity funding, and a shared work programme to
enhance iwi-Council collaboration.
· Te
Ākitai Waiohua (submission ID 8559): calls for meaningful Māori
involvement in funding and planning decisions, particularly Local Board funding
and infrastructure projects. Seeks long-term investment, equitable processes,
and co-governance structures.
· Ngāti
Whanaunga (submission ID 8739): expresses partial support for the proposal,
like the Maunga Authority plan and waste initiatives but largely opposes the
budget due to lack of transparency and investment in iwi-led work. Calls for Te
Tiriti-based partnership, co-governance, and support for rural, low-income
whānau.
· Ngāti
Maru (submission ID 8568): supports Council goals of fiscal responsibility
and sustainable growth, while calling for stronger mana whenua engagement.
Endorses the bed levy and urges reinvestment into Māori tourism and youth
development, with an emphasis on mana motuhake and tino rangatiratanga.
· Ngāti
Tamaterā (submission ID 8548): focuses on advancing wellbeing across
six areas, advocating for co-governance, protection of cultural sites, and
equitable funding. Raises concerns about centralised decision-making and
supports the visitor levy and sustainability, provided iwi are partners in
planning and delivery.
· Tamaoho
Settlement Trust (submission ID 7885): urges Council to fund the Manukau
Harbour strategy and a business case for regenerating Manurewa and
Ōtāhuhu. Calls for support for Matariki events, youth initiatives,
and climate-resilient marae infrastructure, particularly for Whātāpaka.
Finally, it advocates for increased investment in the Marae infrastructure
Programme to address climate change risks, especially sea level rise, which
threatens marae like Whātāpaka.
· Te
Ahiwaru (submission ID 9389): generally supports the Annual Plan,
highlighting the need for Ngahere strategy inclusion. Backs improved safety
measures and emphasises the importance of Te Ahiwaru relationships and
sustainability.
Ngā ritenga
ā-pūtea
Financial implications
73. The local board
provides input to regional plans and proposals. There is information in the
council’s consultation material for each plan or proposal with the
financial implications of each option outlined for consideration.
Ngā raru tūpono me
ngā whakamaurutanga
Risks and mitigations
74. The council must
adopt its Annual Plan, which includes local board agreements, by 30 June 2025.
The local board is required to make recommendations on these local matters for
the Annual Plan by mid-May 2025, to enable and support the Governing Body to
make decisions on key items to be included in the Annual Plan on 28 May 2025.
Ngā koringa ā-muri
Next steps
75. Recommendations and
feedback from the local board will be provided to the Budget Committee for
consideration as part of decision-making for the Annual Plan 2025/2026.
76. The local board
will approve its local content for inclusion in the final Annual Plan 2025/2026
(including its local board agreement) and corresponding work programmes in June
2025.
77. The final Annual
Plan 2025/2026 (including local board agreements) will be adopted by the
Governing Body on 25 June 2025.
Ngā tāpirihanga
Attachments
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No.
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Title
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Page
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a⇩
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Attachment A: Template - Albert-Eden Local Board
Feedback on Annual Plan 2025/2026 Regional Topics
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21
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Ngā kaihaina
Signatories
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Authors
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Canela Ferrara – Local Board Advisor
Cathy McIntosh – Local Board Engagement Advisor
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Authoriser
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Nina Siers - Local Area Manager
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