Source: Auckland Council
Auckland Council’s six-month results show sustained progress with infrastructure investment, transport improvements and enhanced community services.
Released today, the Interim Report (covering the six months to 31 December 2025) highlighted the council’s consistent progress on its Long-term Plan 2024-2034 and the year two priorities (2025/2026).
Mayor Wayne Brown said the long-term plan is more than just a budget; it is a contract with the community.
“This Interim Report shows that we are keeping our side of the agreement, and the plan is working. We are operating in a challenging economic environment. While inflation has stabilised and interest rates have been falling faster than we initially forecast, we aren’t out of the woods yet,” said Mayor Brown.
“Costs for core services remain high. This is why our focus remains on the ‘nuts and bolts’ of running a great city – delivering smarter services and more value.
“The focus on delivering for Aucklanders continues. We’ve invested heavily into the hard infrastructure that keeps Auckland moving and functioning – our roads, pipes and transport networks. This reflects our commitment to fixing Auckland’s infrastructure ‘pinch points’ and building a region that is truly resilient to climate events and is prepared for population growth.”
Priorities are the focus
In the six months to December 2025, the council prioritised transport, water and enabling local boards to respond to community needs.
$1.8 billion capital investment was undertaken over those six months – $654 million into transport, $564 million into three waters assets, $480 into regional council services and $69 million into other assets. This builds on the $3.9 million invested into capital projects in the last full financial year (2024/2025).
Chief executive Phil Wilson said he’s proud of the council group’s delivery, which is investing to support increased demand on infrastructure and services, building resilience against severe weather, and delivering activities and services for communities.
“A current priority is the City Rail Link (CRL), which will transform Auckland’s public transport, significantly cut travel times and improve connections across the region. We look forward to the economic and environmental benefits it will bring Auckland,” said Mr Wilson.
“We’re focused on getting the whole transport network humming and we’re seeing real momentum – from the new Maioro Street dynamic bus lane to the flyover linking Pakuranga Road to Pakuranga Highway, and the reopening of Scenic Drive in Titirangi after storm damage. These improvements make a difference in people’s everyday lives.”
Community investment
Improving the places where communities connect has also been a key focus.
“That’s everything from renewing local playgrounds and sport courts, to repairing the Glen Innes library roof and installing solar panels at the leisure centre in Papatoetoe, which supports our shift toward more climate‑friendly infrastructure.”
Future-proofing water networks has made great progress, with Wellsford’s Wastewater Treatment Plant’s expansion a real highlight and outfall tunnelling at Clarks Beach now complete too – a key part of infrastructure to support growth in south-west Auckland.
A number of flood resilience initiatives are progressing well such as the Te Ararata Creek project, which will strengthen the stormwater network to better handle future storms.
Property buy-outs for the most at-risk homes are on track to be mostly complete by June 2026, with grants for properties where risk can be reduced through on-site improvements expected to be completed by December 2026.
Finances on track
Financially, revenue and capital investment are on track and debt levels remain well managed and within financial guidelines. Watercare’s financial independence enables greater investment in the infrastructure that a growing Auckland region needs.
During the period, the Auckland Future Fund Board appointed Vontobel as its global investment manager to oversee $1.3 billion of funds on Auckland Council’s behalf. Investment activity has now begun and implementation is progressing as planned.
Read the full Auckland Council Interim Report on the main Auckland Council website.
