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 Howick 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
Howick Local Board’s proposed priorities for 2025/2026
to be included in their local board agreement, and key
local board priorities and initiatives 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 – 3,005 pieces of feedback through 89 Have Your Say events (three
of which were held in the Howick Local Board area. The tables and graphs below indicate the demographic categories people
identified with. This information only relates to those submitters who provided
demographic information.
1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
16. All feedback will be made available on an Auckland Council webpage
called “Feedback on the Annual Plan 2025/2026'” and will be
accessible after 22 April 2025 through the following link: https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/annual-plan-2025-2026/feedback-annual-plan-2025-2026.
17. 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 155
submissions for Howick Local Board (around 1,700 submissions in total). 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. Of the affected submissions, 75 submitters responded to the missing
question. A review was conducted to identify the cause of the error and prevent
similar issues in the future.
Feedback
received on the Howick Local Board’s priorities for 2025/2026 and the
Annual Plan 2025/2026
18. The Howick Local Board consulted on the following local
priorities for 2025/2026:
· 1,
Support local businesses and Business Improvement Districts on crime prevention
and safety
· 2.
Work with the Youth Council, Business East Tāmaki, business and tourism
sector, and others, on youth upskilling, including increasing funding for the
Young Enterprise Scheme
· 3.
Review and refresh the Howick Local Board Heritage Plan and Tourism Plan
· 4.
Investigate options to provide a dump station at Half Moon Bay
· 5,
Trial a surveillance programme to help curb illegal dumping in Flat Bush
· 6.
Develop initiatives for live monitoring, capturing and documenting the levels
of poison/toxicity in our local waterways to increase awareness and enable
enforcement
· 7. Investigate options on introducing a targeted rate to
help fund the delivery of the Flat Bush Library, Community Centre, and Pool and
Leisure Centre.
19. The 1,041 submissions were received on Howick Local
Board’s priorities. The majority of local respondents either supported
all or most of the Board’s priorities, as shown in the graph below.
20. 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.
Information on submitters
Key themes
21. Key themes of note across the feedback received (through
written and in-person channels) included:
· Positive
comments with regards to Flat Bush facilities;
· No
to a targeted rate for Flat Bush Facilities;
· Illegal
dumping issues;
· Traffic
issues; and
· Retain
Marina Fitness
Requests for local funding
22. Requests for local funding through the Annual Plan
2025/2026 consultation included:
· Bucklands
Beach AFC request rebuild of changing rooms/toilets on Lloyd Elsmore Park, with
clubrooms on top; and
· Keep
funding Marina Fitness
Overview of feedback received on
regional topics in the Annual Plan from the Howick Local Board area
23. 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.
24. Submitters
were also encouraged to provide feedback on any of other matters included in
the Annual Plan 2025/2026 consultation
document.
25. The submissions received from the Howick Local Board area
on these key issues are summarised below, along with an overview of any other
areas of feedback on regional proposals with a local impact.
Key
Question 1: Overall Plan
26. Aucklanders were asked whether they support the overall
plan including prioritising investment
in:
· transport
· water; and
· fairer funding for local communities.
27. 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.
28. 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.
29. The graphs below give an overview of the responses from
the Howick Local Board area.
30. Of the 351 respondents, 60 supported all, while 160
supported most. 76 respondents do not support most and 46 respondents do not
support any. 122 respondents expressed their concern regarding rate increases,
while 74 respondents have requested that public transport be improved, and 56
respondents expressed the need for a focus on infrastructure.
31. Mana whenua iwi with interests in the Howick Local Board
are overall supportive of the proposal with a strong emphasis on:
· Funding must be equitably distributed
· There is concern that generic “equity models”
may still leave some communities disadvantaged. Funding decisions must align
with Māori priorities.
· Iwi must have direct, ongoing involvement in all stages
of planning, funding, and policy-making to uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
· There is a clear call for structured engagement
mechanisms that give iwi visibility and influence in decisions, especially
around economic development, infrastructure, and water planning.
· Rapid urban growth presents both risks and opportunities
for iwi. It can endanger culturally significant sites and marginalize
Māori land interests unless iwi are included from the outset.
· Māori businesses contribute significantly ($1.4
billion annually) to the economy, but face barriers in accessing procurement
and innovation funding.
· The 2025 Budget should actively prioritize iwi economic
growth, including through infrastructure investment and procurement
opportunities.
· Funding should support rangatahi through employment
schemes, leadership programs, and scholarships.
· There's a strong push for investment in environmental
restoration, especially projects led by or in partnership with mana whenua.
· There is support for the Council’s goal to
eliminate wasteful spending and optimize investment, as long as it does not
come at the cost of equity or iwi inclusion.
Key Question 2: Destination management and major
events
32. 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.
33. 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.
34. The graphs below give an overview of the responses from
the Howick Local Board area.
35. Of the 641 respondents, 401 support the proposal while
168 do not. 56 respondents expressed the need for public event funding while 42
respondents requested a reduction in local residents costs.
36. Mana whenua iwi with interests in the Howick Local Board
area gave feedback as follows:
The proposal
is supported with a strong call to ensure funding is equitably distributed,
particularly towards Māori and Pacific events, which are currently
underfunded.
Key points to
consider:
· Ensure Māori businesses and cultural tourism are
included in event planning and funding.
· Support iwi-led tourism and cultural initiatives.
· Develop structured, ongoing engagement with iwi to enable
shared decision-making and event outcomes.
· Allocate funds to Māori tourism enterprises and
rangatahi (youth) workforce development, including employment, leadership, and
scholarship programs.
Key Question 3: changes to other rates, fees and
charges
37. 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
38. 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.
39. 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% 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.
40. There were 641 individual submissions and 8 organisations
from the Howick Local Board area which referenced these fees, of which 359
individuals and 5 organisations support the proposal. Overall, there was angst
around rate increases, expressing their concern with the increased cost of
living.
Other
matters for feedback
41. The following matters were also included in the
consultation in the Annual Plan:
Draft Tūpuna Maunga Authority Operational Plan
2025/2026
42. 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.
43. There were 16 submissions (13 individual and 3
organisations) from the Howick Local Board area which referenced the TMA plan. Overall, submitters express support for the
Tūpuna Maunga Authority, but are disappointed with the lack of progress
and delivery on key outcomes. Protecting the maunga remains a priority, and
there is concern that this commitment is not being fully realised.
Any other feedback
44. Aucklanders were asked if they had any other comments. Key
themes of note across other areas of feedback received included:
· Community
Services;
· Community
Facilities;
· Economic
development initiatives; and
· General
support.
45. Mana whenua iwi with interests in the Howick Local Board
area gave feedback as follows:
· Enhanced Partnership: Establish formal
mechanisms for iwi to engage in co-governance and co-management of projects
within their rohe, ensuring that iwi have a direct role in decision-making
processes affecting their communities.
· Cultural Investment: Allocate dedicated
funding to support Maori cultural, educational, and community initiatives,
recognizing the importance of preserving and promoting Māori heritage and
well-being.
· Environmental Collaboration: Partner
with iwi on environmental sustainability projects, leveraging traditional
knowledge and practices to achieve shared goals in environmental stewardship.
· Inclusive Consultation: Ensure that
public consultation processes are accessible and inclusive, providing iwi with
meaningful opportunities to contribute to discussions on policies and projects
that impact their iwi.
Recommendations on local matters
46. 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
47. 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.
· This does not
apply to the Howick Local Board for the 20252026 financial year.
Local
board specific reserve funds
48. 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
· This does not apply
to the Howick Local Board for
the 2025/2026 financial year.
Local
board advocacy
49. 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.
50. 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
51. 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.
52. 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
53. 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.
54. 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
55. 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
56. 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.
57. 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
58. 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.
59. Local board plans, developed in 2023 through engagement
with the community including Māori, form the basis of local board area
priorities.
60. 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.
61. Analysis of consultation feedback received on the
proposed Annual Plan includes submissions made by mana whenua, mātawaaka organisations and the wider Māori community
who have interests in the rohe / local board area. Specific feedback is noted
in paragraphs 31, 36, 42, 43 and 45.
62. 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
63. Nineteen mana whenua entities have
interests in the Auckland Council rohe. Thirteen of the nineteen (68.42%)
provided verbal or written submissions on the Auckland Council’s
proposals for the Annual Plan 2025/2026.
64. There were six oral submissions from mana
whenua and six oral submissions from mātaawaka at the Have your Say Event.
65. Māori comprise 6%
of the population in the Howick Local Board area. 46 submissions
from people who identify as Māori were received from people residing in
the Howick Local
Board area. This represents 5% of total submissions.
Ngā ritenga
ā-pūtea
Financial implications
66. 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
67. 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
68. 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.
69. 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.
70. The final Annual Plan 2025/2026 (including local board
agreements) will be adopted by the Governing Body on 25 June 2025.
Ngā tāpirihanga
Attachments
There are no attachments for
this report.
Ngā kaihaina
Signatories
|
Authors
|
Tracey Freeman – Local Board Advisor
Ian Milnes - Senior Local Board Advisor
Brandii Stephano - Local Board Engagement Advisor
|
|
Authoriser
|
Victoria Villaraza - Local Area Manager
|
