A major shake-up of Auckland Transport has been confirmed, with its core focus to be delivering public transport services for the city.
The changes, which had previously been signalled, will make Auckland Council responsible for all transport policy and planning work, the road controlling authority, and deliver transport capital projects while maintaining transport infrastructure.
It will also establish the Auckland Regional Transport Committee, which will comprise of both Auckland Council elected members and Ministerial appointees, alongside an independent chair.
“Auckland Transport will become a smaller transport council-controlled-organisation so it can focus on its core role of delivering high-quality public transport services for Aucklanders," Transport Minister Chris Bishop said.
“These changes mean that Auckland Council’s elected members will be directly accountable to the public for most transport decisions that affect the daily lives of Aucklanders."
The Local Government (Auckland Council) (Transport Governance) Amendment Bill will establish the Auckland Regional Transport Committee, which will comprise an equal share of Auckland Council elected members and Ministerial appointees alongside an independent chair.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown said the change was a “major victory”.
“Auckland Transport costs around one and a half billion dollars a year to run, while transport capital investment represents more than a third of the council’s 10-year budget.
“But under the existing law we don’t get to tell AT what to do. The Bill finally makes it clear that AT should do what council tells it to do and hands power back to the people’s elected representatives.”
'Better outcomes for Aucklanders'
Bishop said "it will deliver better outcomes for Aucklanders and help to restore confidence in Auckland Transport".
"These changes mean that Auckland Council’s elected members will be directly accountable to the public for most transport decisions that affect the daily lives of Aucklanders.
Bishop said the Committee will prepare a 30-year transport plan for Auckland, and build on the previous Auckland Transport Alignment Project started by the last National Government, which will "steer investment and shape the future of transport in Auckland".
“The Bill also gives local boards some new powers to ensure local accountability and that local communities have a say. They’ll make decisions on local and collector roads including setting speed limits, closing roads for events, managing parking and creating cycleways.
“Arterial roads, and the city centre, will be the responsibility of the Governing Body of Auckland Council, consisting of the Mayor and 20 Councillors."
The Bill is expected to pass into law in March 2026 after its first reading in September this year. The six-month transition period will follow – with new arrangements expected to be in place by September 2026.
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