Source: Auckland Council
Henderson and Manukau service centres will integrate with Auckland Libraries into one-stop Auckland Council community hubs from 30 September. This follows the same successful integration of four service centres and libraries in June this year.
Two more Auckland Council service centres will operate from within Auckland Council Libraries from next month, completing a successful integration programme and boosting service options for Aucklanders.
The Henderson and Manukau service centres will close on 30 September and services will be transferred to Waitākere Central Library (Henderson) and Manukau Library, respectively.
Earlier this year, Ōrewa, Warkworth, Bledisloe House and Waiheke service centres closed and services were successfully transferred to the Ōrewa Library, Warkworth Library, Central City Library and Waiheke Library, respectively.
Over the past few years, we have seen a significant change in the way our customers interact with Auckland Council and our services.
More and more people are choosing to engage with us digitally through our online services, which means we’re seeing less in-person demand at our existing service centres.
A work programme started in 2020 that saw 18 of our 24 service centres across Auckland successfully integrated into community hubs at Auckland Libraries, to respond to changing needs and create a more sustainable model of service delivery.
A full list of locations that provide council services can be found here.
Improved convenience and increased hours of access
“The integration of service centres into community hubs means people can come together in one place to interact, socialise, and access all the services they need, including free WiFi and computer access,” says Mirla Edmundson, Auckland Council’s General Manager of Connected Communities.
“For customers, this makes it more convenient for them as they will be able to do things like borrow books, pay their rates and get support around using our online services all in one place.
“Customers are benefitting from longer opening hours as library hours are often longer than service centre opening hours and many open on weekends.
“No council services are being stopped but rather, the location of where those services can be
“No council services are being stopped but rather, the location of where those services can be accessed is changing – from a stand-alone service centre to a community hub within a library.
“By integrating more of our services, we are creating a more seamless and connected customer experience – for both those who prefer online services and those who still wish to interact with us face-to-face or pay for their council services in person.”
The recent integrations are in-line with the Annual Budget 2023/2024 and are part of the council’s cost reductions to mitigate budget challenges and improve efficiencies.
“As the needs and preferences of our customers change, the way we deliver our services needs to change too,” says Jon Andrews, Auckland Council’s General Manager of Digital and Customer Services.
“Customers are increasingly expecting services to be delivered quickly and efficiently, and we want to make sure no matter what their preferred channel is – whether that’s face-to-face support from our staff or our online services – we are delivering a positive customer experience that meets them where they are.”
Cashless policy
The new community hubs will not be accepting cash payments for council services, to respond to the changing needs of our customers.
Many of our services can be paid online or by direct debit. For more information on the different ways you can pay online, please visit the Auckland Council website.
If customers still prefer to pay things by cash they can take their rates bills or dog registrations along with their invoice to NZ POST. You can find your closest post shop on the NZ Post website.
We are reviewing and assessing our cash transactions at our remaining facilities, which may result in further transitioning to cashless transactions in the future.
Other ways to access Auckland Council services
Other ways you can access services offered by Auckland Council include:
- Visit us online at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
- Call our 24-hour contact centre on 09 301 0101
