City Counselling

For City Counselling this week, Producer Sofia spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey about changes to Auckland Transport’s responsibilities, nationwide bus and train fare hikes, and concerns over the opening of the City Rail Link. 

Earlier this week, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown released his draft mayoral proposal for Auckland Council’s annual plan for the year 2025-26. 

Within this, a major part of the proposal is a council controlled organisation reform which could see Auckland Transport stripped of its planning, strategy and policy roles, council’s urban regeneration agency Eke Panuku Development abolished, and the roles of the council’s economic development and regional facilities agency Tātaki Development Auckland reduced. 

Additionally, a new space for homeless support in Auckland’s city centre, Manaaki Tangata, has opened up as a collaboration between Māori wardens, Auckland Council and Eke Panuku Development Auckland. 

Producer Sofia caught up with Councillor Julie Fairey about both of these topics.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has criticised Auckland Council’s cultural and economic agency, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, for spending $737k to boost positivity about the city through their ‘Happy Guide’ campaign. 

Additionally, last week Auckland Council voted to move all speed racing to Onehunga, meaning nearly 100 years of speedway racing at Western Springs is coming to an end.

For City Counselling this week, Producer Sofia spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey about both of these topics.

Ports of Auckland has said the Fast-track Approvals Bill is the only way to keep its promise to Auckland Council regarding its deal to sell the Captain Cook and Marsden wharves back to Council to be converted into a waterfront attraction.

Ports of Auckland has committed to exiting Cook and Marsden in the period two to five years, saying the Fast-track would allow them to ‘honour that commitment to the city’. 

The Fast-track Approvals Bill, since its introduction, has been subject to much criticism, with concerns surrounding its impact on the environment and a lack of public consultation. 

Additionally, earlier this month Auckland Council introduced a new roaming dog squad to address the increase in dog attacks and roaming incidents in Auckland over the past year. 

Sofia spoke to Councillor Shane Henderson about both of these topics.