City Counselling

Similar to how Prime Ministers choose who their cabinet members are, the Mayor last week announced his appointments for committees in Auckland Council.

Committees are powerful pieces of the Auckland Council machine, determining the direction on key policy issues around community assets, budgeting, transport and housing. 

Notably different to his approach last term, the Mayor has opted to appoint key allies to committee chair roles. These are councilors who have had a good working relationship with the mayor over the last three years and will mean that there are less roadblocks when it comes to advancing his agenda. 

At the same time the Mayor and Central Government are responding to increased complaints about anti-social behaviour in the CBD by considering laws and bylaws that would ban homelessness. 

Critics of this policy note that such laws would not address the key drivers to poverty and housing need and would simply endanger those individuals experiencing homelessness further. 

Thursday Wire Producer Sanat talked to Councilor Shane Henderson today about these committee appointments and this proposed ban on homelessness.

Thousands of households across the country are currently in rates arrears, struggling to pay their rates for the 2024/2025 financial year. 

Auckland Council's head of rates, valuations and data management, Rhonwen Heath, said 6.6 percent of rates, or 42,902 households were outstanding at the start of the 2025/2026 year.

As cost of living pressures continue to grow on households, with rising food, electricity and rents, Thursday Wire Producer Sanat wanted to chat to Auckland Councilor Shane Henderson about how Auckland Council plays a role in making life more affordable for everyday Aucklanders.

They also had a discussion about the role of fireworks in our community, with major festivals like Diwali prompting some communities to express concern about the disruption that fireworks are causing to their families, animals and the natural environment.

Local elections wrapped up this Saturday across the country with Auckland recording the lowest turnout in decades. However, as councilors and local board members settle in for the next term, Thursday Wire Producer Sanat talked to Shane Henderson about how leaders from across our city step up and campaign for these elections, what his community is looking forward to over the next term and what sort of reforms he wants to pursue to stem this decline in local democracy.

Auckland Council’s Policy and Planning committee met yesterday to vote on a new plan that would zone the city for two million homes, primarily around train stations and rapid bus routes. 

This plan is a response to legislation put forward by housing minister Chris Bishop which requires councils across the country to zone for higher density housing.

This plan has not been without controversy, with councillors claiming that Aucklanders are being “put to the firing squad” 

Deputy PM David Seymour has publicly disagreed with his own housing minister, arguing that suburbs like Epsom and Parnell don’t have the right infrastructure to accommodate for this growth. 

Advocates for the plan, including mayor Wayne Brown argue that the council cannot continue to drag its feet on the need for housing that is closer to the city, and is more affordable. They argue that it’s better to build in places with pipes, public transport routes and job opportunities. 

The plan passed with a majority last evening, so Producer Sanat talked to Councilor Julie Fairey about the plan change and what it means for the future of the city.