Auckland Council capital projects are set to undergo greater scrutiny, with a focus on delivering better value for ratepayers.

Under Mayor Wayne Brown’s direction, the council has introduced the Better Value Projects programme, featuring 10 delivery principles designed to improve how projects are planned, designed, and delivered.

The initiative is part of the mayoral proposal for the Annual Plan 2025/2026 and builds on the Long-term Plan 2024-2034, which introduced new ways to control spending and increase transparency across the council group.

“I have wanted to see change in how the council group effectively spends ratepayers’ money on capital projects,” says Mayor Brown.

“These principles will provide rigour and ensure decisions are carefully considered.”

Key focus areas include clearer problem definition, affordable designs, setting maximum prices, and increasing the use of local contractors.

“One of my key policies was the need to stop wasting money,” says Mayor Brown.

“These principles will help make sure we consistently deliver projects affordably. It’s a win for Aucklanders.”

The Revenue, Expenditure and Value Committee, chaired by Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, is overseeing the rollout.

“The 10 principles will guide council staff through each phase of a project, ensuring better planning, design, procurement, and contracting,” says Cr Simpson.

“This is about assuring ratepayers that every effort is being made to spend wisely.”

At this week’s committee meeting, three case studies were reviewed to demonstrate how the new process can make a difference.

These included the Milford Beach access steps.

Council staff acknowledged that lessons learned from these projects are already being applied to future work.

For Coasties, this move signals a commitment to better outcomes on local projects, with an emphasis on affordability and efficient delivery.

Whether it’s future beach access improvements or park upgrades, ratepayers can expect a more robust approach to how council spends its capital budget.

The 10-step framework will continue to evolve as it’s implemented, with short-term actions already underway—such as adopting standard designs and setting clear project budgets from the outset.

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