- By Howick Ward Councillor Maurice Williamson
As this is my first column following the 2025 local government elections, I want to sincerely thank the people of Howick for re-electing me for a second term on Auckland Council.
I remain committed to advocating strongly for our community, preventing wasteful council spending, keeping rates low, and ensuring the council focuses on delivering core services well, especially as many families continue to face financial pressure.
Lifting council efficiency remains a key priority. Last term, the council delivered a record $608 million in financial benefits for ratepayers, the most of any term.
This included $418 million in savings, $96 million from recycled assets such as selling unused buildings, and $94 million from better procurement.
By the end of the first financial quarter this year, 62 per cent of the $86 million annual savings target had already been secured, though there’s still more to do.
Last month, many of you followed the results of the public consultation on a proposed six-month trial of fortnightly kerbside rubbish collections in parts of Te Atatū Peninsula, Panmure/Tāmaki and Clendon Park/Weymouth.
Of the 5,086 submissions received, 78 per cent opposed the trial, four per cent were unsure, and 18 per cent supported it.
This reinforces what I continue to hear from residents: Fortnightly rubbish collections should not proceed. Weekly collections are a core service that ratepayers reasonably expect.
Looking ahead, the new council has plenty of work ahead, especially with transport reforms that will return key decisions to Auckland Council.
Transport planning is crucial to the city’s future, and these changes will allow more local decision-making and give communities a stronger say.
These reforms mean our transport planning will better reflect council priorities like growth and accessibility.
They’ll support stronger economic outcomes through smarter planning and make sure Auckland Transport stays focused on delivering efficient, dependable public transport in a system that’s clearer and more accountable to Aucklanders.
As we begin this new term, I’ll continue to focus on ensuring ratepayers get value for money, we maintain the assets we have, and we make decisions that deliver strong long-term outcomes for Aucklanders, in a city that we know has so much potential.
