Source: New Zealand Government
Introduction
Thank you for inviting me here today to address you all as Minister for Auckland and Minister of Transport.
Let me start by thanking the Committee for Auckland and Deloitte for hosting this event and inviting me to speak.
I’d like to acknowledge the Mayor of Auckland, Wayne Brown.
The Importance of Auckland
Like many of you, I’m proud to call Auckland my home. It’s a place that I grew up in, and it’s a place where I am raising my three children.
Our city is the heart of New Zealand, housing 34 per cent of the nation’s population and generating 38 per cent of its GDP.
We know that when Auckland succeeds, New Zealand succeeds, and therefore we need to do everything we can to unlock the potential of this city.
However, as the State of the City Report highlights, Aucklanders are facing a number of challenges.
We have endured multiple COVID lockdowns, a prolonged cost-of-living challenge, and we’re still dealing with the rising crime rate, which our Government is focused on reducing.
We’ve been elected as a Government to address these challenges and find practical solutions to fixing them.
To address the cost of living.
To ensure that we have fiscal discipline that not only impacts the Government’s books but also makes sure we have costs under control across New Zealand.
And to ensure that we have the practical solutions around transport, water, and law and order, so we can build the city that we need.
We have been moving at pace to deliver on these expectations for New Zealanders, particularly here in Auckland.
One of the first challenges we were faced with was the need to avoid Watercare’s 25.8 per cent increase in water rates, which Aucklanders would have faced from 1 July.
In May, alongside Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Mayor Wayne Brown, I announced that our Government had delivered Local Water Done Well for Auckland, avoiding the steep 25.8 per cent increase in water rates while maintaining local control over water assets.
This shows the starting of what can be done through a deal between Auckland and central government.
This deal has kept water rates under control.
It has increased the borrowing capacity of Watercare through financial separation.
It has kept Watercare in Auckland Council’s ownership.
But critically, it has meant that Auckland can continue with the investment our city needs in upgrading our water infrastructure to unlock housing and clean up our harbour, which is a top priority for Aucklanders.
In May, Finance Minister Nicola Willis released our first Budget – and in doing so, hardworking Aucklanders are now keeping more of their own money through tax relief for the first time in 14 years.
And at the end of June, we axed Labour’s Auckland Regional Fuel Tax, a move that has reduced the cost of living for Aucklanders driving to work or taking their kids to school. I was pleased to see recent data confirm that the removal of this tax has been fully passed on to Aucklanders.
We’ve also had a very keen focus on law and order, and the Prime Minister has made it one of his top priorities to ensure we have more Police on the beat in the CBD to give Aucklanders more confidence to get back into our city centre.
I’m pleased to see representatives from our Police here, and I want to thank you for all the work you and your teams are doing out on the beat. The feedback from businesses has shown that there is improving confidence, so thank you for all the hard work you are doing.
But the report also highlights the need to look at how central and local government can work more closely together, and that’s something our Government is focused on.
We are currently developing a framework on Regional Deals. We have already started those conversations and had some success in Auckland with the Watercare deal, but there is still more to do to ensure we have a more long-term relationship between Auckland and central government.
Transport in Auckland
And I think one of the key areas where that needs to be seen is in regard to transport.
Transport is a key enabler of economic growth and productivity in Auckland, which is one of the areas highlighted in the report of being of concern, and we particularly see that every day when it comes to the congestion on our roads.
Previous National Governments have a proud track record of delivering both roading and public transport infrastructure for Auckland.
National delivered the Waterview Tunnel and the Victoria Park Tunnel, we electrified the Auckland rail network, and started – and will soon finish – the City Rail Link.
But there is still more to do.
One of the findings of the 2024 State of the City report is that our city’s connectivity and prosperity will only improve if there is a step change in how we invest and deliver infrastructure.
In other words, significant investment, coordinated planning, and additional funding models are needed to deliver the infrastructure our city needs.
That is why our Government has been so focused on cutting red tape, fast-tracking consents, and unlocking new funding and financing tools to support economic growth.
And Auckland is ground zero when it comes to meeting those challenges.
But to achieve this, the relationship between central and local government needs to shift, and that’s why our Government is committed to improving infrastructure planning and delivery in our city.
Auckland needs a longer-term plan for transport planning in Auckland. The Government and Auckland Council need to think longer term about what is needed in Auckland and to ensure there is a greater degree of alignment.
The Auckland Transport Alignment Project – ATAP – was established in 2015 by the previous National Government to align the priorities and resources of both the Government and Auckland Council.
But under the last government, the ATAP became an avenue to talk big on transport, while delivering very little.
The Government recognises that it plays a critical role in Auckland’s transport network, and that it needs to ensure it is getting more value for money for the money being spent.
The Government has a key interest in this.
We fully fund the maintenance and operation of the State Highway network.
We provide 51 per cent funding for local road projects, maintenance, and public transport services that are funded through the National Land Transport Fund in Auckland.
We are funding major roading upgrades through the Roads of National Significance and Roads of Regional Significance.
We are a 50 per cent partner in the City Rail Link.
We own and operate the rail network.
We have a key interest in ensuring that we are achieving value for money with ratepayers’ and taxpayers’ money.
We’re committed to working with Auckland Council when it comes to their accountability arrangements, the roles and responsibilities of transport planning in Auckland, and making key decisions.
The Mayor and I have a work programme underway, and we are currently seeking advice on the key issues around accountability, decision making roles and responsibilities, and making sure that there is a coordinated approach when it comes to making those decisions.
Transport Planning and Governance for Auckland
Aucklanders are frustrated by the decisions made in transport planning, particularly in areas that frustrate motorists and don’t have a focus on achieving efficiency and productivity, such as slowing Aucklanders down.
What we are looking at is in relation to the role of Auckland Transport and Auckland Council, and how longer-term planning takes place.
But we’re also making sure that there is better alignment between central and local government. My view is that central government has not played its role as well as it should have in the past.
Officials are progressing work to identify where improvements could be made to ensure there is clear responsibilities, appropriate levels of decision making, and democratic accountability for decisions that are made.
For too long it has felt that transport decisions are simply being left to unelected bureaucrats in Auckland, despite these decisions being made on behalf of 1.7 million Aucklanders who pay taxes and rates, and the fact that central government is the majority funder of transport infrastructure in Auckland.
I will be seeking policy decisions later this year on these matters, with any legislative changes being progressed through legislation I will introduce in 2025.
GPS 2024
But changing the roles and responsibilities for transport planning in Auckland is only part of the solution to fixing the ideologically driven policies that have plagued our streets.
Simply moving decision making from one part of council to another is not enough.
We are not interested in just shouting at the wind. We are a Government of action.
That’s why we’ve already made key decisions in our Government Policy Statement on land transport to refocus funding to the areas that matter most.
It’s why we’ve stopped funding for expensive new speed bumps which simply inconvenience motorists.
It’s why we are reversing Labour’s stupid blanket speed limit reductions.
And it’s why we are delivering a 74 per cent funding boost for pothole prevention and a record $1.1 billion in funding for public transport services and operations in Auckland – a 42 per cent increase in funding for public transport services and operations above what was funded during the past three years.
It’s about practical solutions, putting the funding into the places that make the most difference, and ensuring that we get real results for that expenditure.
But it’s not just about investing in the operation of the network. We also need to make sure we are delivering new infrastructure for the future.
That’s why we are investing in the Roads of National Significance and Roads of Regional Significance to improve productivity, reduce congestion, and plan for the future.
Conclusion
Thank you once again for the opportunity to be here today to outline the Government’s work programme for transport planning in Auckland.
Auckland is New Zealand’s biggest city, and it is critically important that we get these decisions right for Auckland.
And it’s also critically important that we have a strong relationship between central and local government.
As I look around this room, I see a collective drive for Auckland’s success – a desire for this city to thrive.
I want you to know that I share that vision, and so does our Government.
Thank you.
