Auckland’s Mayor wants next year’s council budget to stay on track while big transport changes move a step closer.

His draft Mayoral Proposal for the 2026/2027 Annual Plan keeps year three of the Long-term Plan 2024–2034, with a 7.9% average residential rates rise mainly linked to City Rail Link costs, $3.9b of capital investment, more than $5.3b for services, debt held at a 225% debt-to-revenue ratio and a $106m savings target.

Core asset sales of $34m are also built in.

“We are going to stick to the plan that’s working, this is our contract with the community,” Wayne Brown says, arguing the council has found savings while keeping services going.

Deputy Mayor and Value for Money Committee chair Desley Simpson points to more than $1b in financial benefits over six years and says the drive for “financial efficiencies” will continue.

Local boards are expected to keep trimming costs, adjusting fees and looking at targeted rates, while council staff work on ways to cover a combined $6m funding gap for seven boards without “drastic service cuts”.

Place-based investment and possible property disposals are flagged as key tools.

A major part of the proposal is transport reform.

A new public transport CCO would focus on bus, rail and ferry services, while Auckland Council takes over wider transport planning and road control once new legislation is in place.

The Mayor also wants a sharper approach to urban development, property management and the city centre, with councillors set to debate the plan from Wednesday, 3 December ahead of public consultation in early 2026.

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