Proposed reform to Auckland Transport and council-controlled organisations and rates w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: 15th August, 2024

Last week, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown announced plans to ‘dethrone’ Auckland Transport and instead put elected representatives in control. 

With additional plans to abolish the council’s development agency, Eke Panuku Auckland, and its events and economic development agency Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, the proposal is part of Council’s biggest restructure of council controlled organisations since the Super City was formed in 2010. 

Additionally, last week when Producer Sofia spoke to Councillor Shane Henderson about Council’s average 6.8% rates increase announced in its long-term plan this year we received two texts from listeners informing us their rates bills saw a 25-29% increase. 

In other news, figures released from an Official Information Act request found last week that in the last five financial years Auckland Council has paid out $315 million in ‘secret’ financial settlements for defective buildings, weathertightness issues, employment settlements and civil damages claims on behalf of ratepayers. 

Sofia spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey about these topics.