Auckland Councillors Share Their Top Priorities

Wednesday, 15 October 2025, 4:50 pm
Article: Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter

Newly elected Auckland councillors will be looking at cost cutting, flood protection and transport reform as some of their top priorities for the next three years. 

Aucklanders have the first glimpse of the shape of the new council following the local body election on Saturday, with more than 90% of votes counted. Returning for another term are 15 councillors and five newly elected councillors. 

Local Democracy Reporting spoke to some of the winners about how they felt about the win, and their priorities for the next term. 

Deputy mayor and Ōrākei councillor Desley Simpson said making sure council was financially efficient was her top focus. 

“It will be significantly harder this term because we have a big expense coming with the CRL, so when it comes to saving and doing more for less, [it] will be a big part of what I will continue to do,” Simpson said.

“A new one for me will be the arts and culture reform, we’ve got a wonderful set of institutions across Auckland, and yet they’re a little bit siloed. 

"We need to look at a better way of pulling them together and funding them a better way so they are a little more sustainable.” 

Simpson also wanted to work on finding sustainable funding for Auckland’s tourism destination and major events sector. 

North Shore councillor Richard Hill said he was grateful for the strong support he received from his ward. 

He represents the North Shore with newcomer John Gillon. 

Hill said he was pleased that mayor Wayne Brown has given him the Planning Committee to chair. 

“My priorities come from what the community wants but ensuring we get work started on Wairau flood mitigation, get positive outcomes for Aucklanders through transport reform, while increasing public transport services,” Hill said. 

“I'll also be fighting for more investment in climate, environment and water; while working with the government and community on our planning rules for Auckland and how we secure better tools to fund and improve our infrastructure."

Manurewa-Papakura councillor Daniel Newman said the last few weeks felt like an exorcism, and not an election. 

“People rejected the chaos, disinformation and smears, and they emphatically voted for affordable progress and strong leadership instead,” Newman said. 

He wanted to set a budget deal with the mayor to ensure balanced progress and the lowest possible rate increase. 

“[I’m] trying to defeat the unpopular fortnightly household rubbish collection trial, and working to improve regional and national infrastructure projects such as Mill Road.” 

Rodney councillor Greg Sayers said fighting against unnecessary rate increases was also at the top of his list.

“I also want to ensure Auckland's people are protected by ensuring the city's civil defences are fully prepared for any type of unforeseen emergency, including major storm events." 

Manukau ward’s Alf Filipaina said it had been an election of “dirty” tricks and social media comments.

“I'm glad it's over,” Filipaina said. Transport, water - including the Blue-green Network Projects to help reduce flooding - and ensuring there was an integrated approach to land use and infrastructure planning were some of his focuses this term. 

“Natural environment too is a priority. There are several different natural environments in the Manukau ward such as volcanic cones and craters, streams, harbours and they need to be protected.” 

Fellow Manukau councillor Lotu Fuli said making sure local boards had the necessary funding they needed was important to her. 

“Because we know that they’re closest to our people, so if they’re well looked after and if they’re funded accordingly, then we know our communities will be well looked after,” Fuli said. 

“I also want to continue the work on resilience and flood recovery in south Auckland. We were told it should be finished by next year, but also how we build resilience going forward because all the experts are telling us this is the new normal - the climate crisis, it’s getting worse.” 

She said finding ways to help ease the high cost of living on ratepayers should be a top priority for council. 

“What can we do as council to alleviate that for our community? Most of that sits with central government but when we were going around our community, that was the number one issue for everybody, no matter where we went.” 

Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa councillor Julie Fairey said ensuring there was an effective democratic structure for the transfer of powers from Auckland Transport to the regional and local decision-makers will be some of her focus.

Her colleague Christine Fletcher said one of the biggest challenges will be funding, and she wanted to continue the work in growing the non-rates revenue opportunities, like the Auckland Future Fund.

“There is some detailed work that we can do on that, that will be enormously beneficial going forward, to actually help contribute to the council’s finances, but without imposing a greater burden on ratepayers,” Fletcher said. 

Andrew Baker from the Franklin ward said he wanted to be at the forefront of the changes in the transport space, and how council can make things like consenting easier and more efficient for everyone. 

“[I’ll] continue to make sure rural Auckland is recognised, treated equitably and well recognised,” Baker said. 

“I will also remain accessible and available to Franklin folk to help, advise and work with them. Basically, continue what I have been doing in many instances.” 

LDR also reached out to councillors Ken Turner, Shane Henderson, Josephine Bartley and Mike Lee for comments. 

-LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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