Auckland’s mayor used his 2025 inauguration to set a five-point plan and promise faster fixes.

He framed the result as a clear mandate to “carry on fixing Auckland, and prepare it for the future,” pointing to progress since the floods and Cyclone Gabrielle.

Emergency Management has been strengthened, Making Space for Water is underway, and a new plan will stop homes being built on floodplains.

He said savings targets have been exceeded, capital spending rules enforced, and a Better Value Projects programme now scrutinises big builds.

On infrastructure, he confirmed record investment, Watercare finances reset to fund depreciation and growth, and two milestones looming, with the New Zealand International Convention Centre opening within months and the City Rail Link carrying passengers next year.

CCO reform is central: Eke Panuku and economic development are back in-house, Auckland Transport will become a public transport service provider, and decision-making will return to elected members.

For Coasties, the transport focus matters.

He wants smarter traffic lights and dynamic lanes to speed trips, and intensification near key transport hubs under Plan Change 120, rather than pushing sprawl.

That could shift where new homes go and how people commute to work and study across the region.

Looking ahead, the “future five” policies target transport upgrades, a consensus on Plan Change 120, lifting economic performance, a safer, more inviting city centre, and a city deal with Government.

He backed a user-pays bed levy to prepare for tourism growth and highlighted new tech initiatives, including the Auckland Tech Alliance and a national institute based in Auckland.

“We must change Auckland from the world’s largest suburb to a global city,” he said, adding that the Port of Auckland will return $100 million a year to ease pressure on rates.

“It’s a privilege and an honour, now let’s get on with it.”

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