2025 Local Elections

Auckland Council

Howick Ward
The Auckland Council makes strategic decisions for Auckland on public transport, urban planning, environmental protection and other big issues. The council provides funding to local boards to provide public services in their areas, and manages council-controlled organisations which provide infrastructure, such as public transport, water and sewerage. The councillors and mayor make up the governing body, which shares governance of Auckland Council with the 21 local boards. The governing body is made up of 20 councillors plus the mayor. Councillors are elected to represent wards (areas in Auckland). two councillors will be elected from your ward. This is a first past the post (FPP) election, so you vote by ticking the name of your preferred candidate on your ballot paper. Compare the candidates and their policies to decide who to vote for in the Auckland Council election.

Candidates

Policies

Choose a topic to compare

Climate change and resilience

Climate change and resilience

Environment and biodiversity

Environment and biodiversity

Freshwater

Freshwater

Housing and planning

Housing and planning

Jobs and economy

Jobs and economy

Local democracy

Local democracy

Rates and revenue

Rates and revenue

Recreation and culture

Recreation and culture

Transport

Transport

Utilities and services

Utilities and services

Rates and revenue

The work of local government is funded mainly by property taxes in the local area, known as rates. This makes up around 60% of council expenditure, with the rest coming from user charges, investment income, regulatory fees and roading subsidies. Councils can also borrow money to spread the cost of large investments such as infrastructure over a longer period of time.

Rates and revenue

The work of local government is funded mainly by property taxes in the local area, known as rates. This makes up around 60% of council expenditure, with the rest coming from user charges, investment income, regulatory fees and roading subsidies. Councils can also borrow money to spread the cost of large investments such as infrastructure over a longer period of time.

  • Drive more strategic decisions that deliver long-term positive outcomes, such as the Auckland Future Fund.

    Increase transparency of council finances so everyone can see where public money is spent to enable better democracy.

    Fight central government overreach, including rates capping and unfunded mandates, to enable Auckland to stand up to its potential.

  • Keep rates low by cutting wasteful projects and focusing on essential services ratepayers rely on.

    Review underused council assets and reinvest funds into infrastructure such as roads and water.

    Scrutinise every dollar of spending to guarantee maximum value for ratepayers.

  • Drive more strategic decisions that deliver long-term positive outcomes, such as the Auckland Future Fund.

    Increase transparency of council finances so everyone can see where public money is spent to enable better democracy.

    Fight central government overreach, including rates capping and unfunded mandates, to enable Auckland to stand up to its potential.

  • Keep rates low by cutting wasteful projects and focusing on essential services ratepayers rely on.

    Review underused council assets and reinvest funds into infrastructure such as roads and water.

    Scrutinise every dollar of spending to guarantee maximum value for ratepayers.

Climate change and resilience

Climate change and resilience

Environment and biodiversity

Environment and biodiversity

Freshwater

Freshwater

Housing and planning

Housing and planning

Jobs and economy

Jobs and economy

Local democracy

Local democracy

Rates and revenue

Rates and revenue

Recreation and culture

Recreation and culture

Transport

Transport

Utilities and services

Utilities and services

Mayor

Compare the mayoral candidates in your area

Explore

Local council

Compare the candidates for your city or district council

Explore

Regional council

Compare the candidates for your regional council

Explore

Local board

Compare the candidates for your local or community board

Explore