Auckland City to contribute to Kaikoura Island

Auckland City will contribute $83,000 to the Government’s purchase of Kaikoura Island. The figure was agreed at today’s annual combined committees meeting, which sets the council’s budget and priorities for the forthcoming financial year.

“Auckland City is contributing its fair share to securing this piece of Hauraki Gulf in public ownership conditional to the other councils in the region doing the same,” said Auckland City Mayor Hon John Banks.

Last month the Government announced it had bought Kaikoura Island for $10.5 million with the ASB Trusts contributing at least $2 million. It was agreed the Auckland Regional Council would contribute $250,000 and a further $250,000 would be derived from the region’s city and district councils.

The Mayoral Forum asked their chief executives to work out on a population basis each council’s contribution. Six councils have been asked to contribute the following: Auckland City Council $82,817; Manukau City Council $63,346; North Shore City Council $41,027; Waitakere City Council $37,273; Rodney District Council $16,729; Papakura District Council $8,808.

“Kaikoura Island was always going to be a regionally and nationally-funded initiative and never one for Auckland City ratepayers to stump up alone. Auckland City already pays more than its fair share when it comes to funding regional amenities and assets,” said the Mayor.

Mr Banks said it is indeed refreshing that all the councils are set to come to the party on funding the island’s purchase, although he is critical of Franklin District Council’s refusal to contribute.

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