Auckland Council is making big changes behind the scenes to do more with less—and the impact could be felt right across the Coast.

As part of its Long-term Plan 2024–2034, the council has launched a Group Shared Services initiative aimed at improving efficiency, cutting costs, and delivering better customer service across all departments and council-controlled organisations.

At May’s Revenue, Expenditure and Value Committee, chair Desley Simpson highlighted the significance of this fresh approach.

“We’re seeing technology and services that are smart for the council business at all levels—benefiting our ratepayers, delivering better customer service and building efficiency,” she said.

So far, the changes are already paying off:

• Nearly $18 million saved over 10 years by renegotiating major contracts
• $32 million in economic benefits from new aerial imagery tech
• Shared IT systems saving $270,000 across Watercare and Ports of Auckland
• New in-house tools like Vote Aucklanders built quicker and cheaper

Group Shared Services director Richard Jarrett said the team is focused on spotting everyday opportunities to add value.

“In each case, we challenge ourselves on how we can deliver differently and better than before,” he said.

While it might sound like back-office stuff, it matters for us here on the Coast too.

These efficiencies help keep rates from rising more than they have to, speed up council services, and stretch every dollar further—whether it’s getting potholes fixed, permits processed, or local projects off the ground.

And with tools like GIS mapping and flood recovery data analysis now being developed in-house, there's a clear push to become less reliant on expensive third-party providers and more responsive to what Aucklanders—Coasties included—actually need.

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