Auckland Council’s administrative overheads grew by 78% between 2013 and 2023 – nearly three times faster than inflation.
Auckland Council’s 2026 payroll of $1.3 billion, plus the $590 million spent on consultants and contractors, accounts for nearly half of direct operating expenditure (approximately $4 billion).
A further $510 million in costs is reported as ‘other expenses’, which includes items such as catering, entertainment, office supplies, car parking, and management fees.
Auckland Council – including the Council-Controlled Organisations – spends an average of $126 million a year on “consultancy and professional services”*
The typical consultant is estimated to receive around $200k of ratepayer money!*
*Average calculated from Auckland Council annual reports 2020-2025. The figure is for operating expenses only. **A ‘rough approximation’ calculated by Auckland Council’s finance department, obtained under LGOIMA.
STOP THE RATES blowout
Enough is enough. Tell Auckland Councillors to cut Council spending and Stop the Rates Blowout.
Public submissions are a cornerstone of New Zealand’s democratic system.
You do not need legal expertise to make one. In fact we have made it nice and easy for you!
Step 1: Enter your details to begin
Fill in your details to personalise the submission.
Step 2: Select the statements you agree with
Choose Yes or No for each statement. At least one Yes is required.
Increase average residential rates by at least 7.9%
The Council needs to reduce expenditure on corporate and backroom office functions across the Council and CCOs.
The Council needs to reduce the spend on consultancy and professional services rather than continue to increase these expenditure items.
The Council should cancel the Food Scraps Programme which costs $36million/year and emits more carbon than it saves.
The Council should freeze staffing and/or reduce payroll costs by not hiring for vacant non-essential roles (that alone would save at least $17 million right away).
The Council should cut Māori-specific spending – such as the $10 million / year spent on the ‘Maori outcomes’ department (Ngā Mātārae) as this is not a role of local government.
Step 3: Is there any other points you would like your submission to cover?
Summary or bullet points are fine.
Step 4: Choose the tone of your submission
Would you like to request the opportunity to speak/present?
