Podcasts about auckland mayor

Auckland's Mayor admits there's no way to guarantee the safety of passengers on public transport. Figures released exclusively to Newstalk ZB show Auckland Transport is dealing with about 83 incidents a week on trains, and an increasing number of those incidents are violent. Emergency services are being called to incidents on buses nine times a week, including stabbings, beatings, and other attacks. Wayne Brown told Mike Hosking he's asking Police to hop on buses during their regular patrols, but there can't be cops and security on every bus. He says they've set aside money to start caging drivers to protect them, but they can't cage passengers. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wayne Brown's idea is a causeway or series of bridges, from Meola Reef in the central city suburb of Point Chevalier and to Kauri Point in the Northsotre suburb of Birkenhead. Labour's plan for a second harbour crossing that included rail and road tunnels was estimated to cost more than 55 billion dollars. The Government's focus is on an additional crossing for vehicles. Auckland mayor Wayne Brown spoke to Lisa Owen.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown wants the Government to build a bridge over the Waitemata Harbour instead of a tunnel. North Shore Councillor Richard Hills doesn't agree with the plan. He spoke to Ingrid Hipikiss.

The knives appear to be out for Auckland Transport.  Wayne Brown's putting forward a proposal to strip AT of its policymaking functions and have elected representatives control it.  It also includes plans to abolish the council's development agency and its events and economic development agency.  He'll need the backing of councillors, and in the case of AT's control, a law change.  Brown told Heather du Plessis-Allan that he's sick of being blamed for things he doesn't control.  He said that AT has had 12 years of complete independence to the point where the council almost seems to be more of a nuisance than an owner, and they're not listening as much as he'd like.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's mayor says the traffic management industry's taking advantage of New Zealand's safety rules.   Wayne Brown's commissioned an independent EY report on temporary traffic management.  It found road work contractors are incentivised to cause maximum disruption for more profit, and legislative change is needed to change the behaviour.   Brown told Mike Hosking he's trying to change Auckland's approach, but there's so many rules and regulations in the way.  He says the culture of over-safety is everywhere here and these particular industries are exploiting it to the maximum.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland councillors have given mayor Wayne Brown's Long Term Plan the green light. It includes a $50 per week cap for public transport fares and creating an Auckland Future Fund with the Council's remaining airport shares. Brown says there was a lot of discussion on the airport shares. "The public we consulted were all very keen to put the airport shares into a growth fund. But some of my councillors were just kind of emotionally attached to them." The plan will go to the full governing body in June to be rubber-stamped. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown has announced his idea of leasing out Port operations for 35 years is now off the table. A new agreement with unions and the Port will instead see the land, assets and operations retained by the Council. Mayor Brown says the Auckland ratepayers can't keep on subsidising Port operations. "I think it's worth keeping the Port. Because at the moment, the ratepayers are subsidising the importers and that can't go on." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's Mayor wants the city to serve as an air and freight hub between Asia and South America.  The idea has drawn new attention with the New Zealand Brazil Business Chamber, pitching a direct flight from Auckland to São Paulo which could bring in millions in trade in its first year.  The mayor's also keen to see direct flights to India.  Wayne Brown told Mike Hosking that these routes should've been unlocked years ago.  He says the shortest route from anything south of Hong Kong and Guangzhou to South America goes right over the top of Auckland, so the city is missing out on a huge amount of trade.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has swiftly rejected Auckland mayor Wayne Brown's proposal that they pay rates on their Auckland properties. Mayor Brown believes the city would benefit from $400 million worth of revenue if the rates were paid on Government buildings- and if the GST charged on rates was given back. He says this scheme would have solved the Government's challenge of helping people through a cost of living crisis. "The tax on this GST on rates is a land tax- if they give that back, they'll help everybody. It'd solve their problem, bingo. They should thank me." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's Mayor is confident the public —and councillors— will back his preferred budget plan.  Councillors will vote today on seeking public feedback on rising rates by about 38%, 20%, or 13% over three years.  The 38% option would fund new infrastructure, while the 13% would see assets age and deteriorate.  Mayor Wayne Brown told Mike Hosking that he's backing the 20% option, involving annual rates rises of 7.5%, 3.5%, and 8%.  He says it's a sensible approach.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's mayor wants better communication from agencies responsible for the rail network. Wayne Brown had talks with Auckland One Rail, Auckland Transport and KiwiRail yesterday and promised an aggressive plan to reduce disruption. He says communications need to be clear and aimed at the passengers, not other agencies.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Mayor of Auckland has called for a stop to all transport projects funded by the soon-to-be-scrapped Regional Fuel Tax. The government has announced the tax will end by the end of June, prompting questions from the mayor and transport advocates on how the city will fund future projects. Mr Brown says the funding can't be replaced by higher council rates or debt and the end of the tax creates significant uncertainty for Auckland's transport programme. Mayor Wayne Brown spoke to Corin Dann.

Auckland's being described as a bit of a shambles after transport issues this week.   Auckland Transport says up to one-in-three train services will be cancelled every day, and some days will be worse than others.   KiwiRail says it's because of heat that causes the steel in rail lines to move if the trains pass over them too quickly.  Mayor Wayne Brown told Mike Hosking that KiwiRail, AT, and Auckland One Rail blame each other for issues.   He says heads of the three agencies are meeting with him tomorrow and they'll get a good bollocking.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's mayor is hitting back at the Government over the scrapping of the Auckland fuel tax. It will be gone on June 30. Wayne Brown says the decision will leave a $1.2 billion dollar shortfall in transport funding over the next four years. He says it could lead to the pausing of bus upgrades, cycleways, the freight network and ferry charging infrastructure. He says he wants to be making decisions about what projects go ahead. "We've got to decide, and we want to decide what goes in Auckland. This is my city, not theirs." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown is keen to progress the implementation of his ten year budget.  The ten year budget will go out for a month of consultation in February.   Brown says central government has crushed local government for too long, and imposed consultation on them when they hardly do it themselves.    He told Mike Hosking that there are also councillors standing in the way of proposals like his port operations lease, despite public support.   Brown says there are councillors who have made a long career of saying no to everything.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

HIGHLIGHT: We teased over the weekend that we had a HUGE announcement today... But what is it? Is someone leaving... Is Nickson finally running for Auckland Mayor... Is the real reason Producer Arun's been off because he won lotto and moved to the other side of the world? LISTEN AND FIND OUT! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National's new Minister for Auckland, Simeon Brown, and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown met today for the first time since National took office. The pair talked congestion charges, abandoning Auckland's light rail and ditching the regional fuel tax. Simeon Brown told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the meeting "went well", despite having previously clashed on issues like the Regional Fuel Tax.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's mayor is proposing to sell council assets to fund the rising costs of running the city, and put the brakes on rates rises. Wayne Brown wants the money to go into a $3-4 billion fund that would also make provisions for climate change risks. But opponents to the proposal are calling it asset stripping, and a generational sale. Finn Blackwell has more.

Some Auckland councillors say the mayor Wayne Brown is proposing to strip the city's assets to create his multi-billion-dollar Auckland Future Fund.  The fund would made up of money from leasing the city's port operations, and a "proposed contribution of the Auckland International Airport (AIA) shares".  Brown says having the fund would take disaster proof income streams for the council. Auckland councillor John Watson spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Auckland's Mayor is looking for more bang for his buck as he looks to sell off Port of Auckland's operating business. Wayne Brown's put forward two options for the port in his proposed 10-year budget, which also includes a rates rise of 7.5%. Either keep the business, gradually releasing land for public use, or sell the operating lease to raise up to $3 billion for an investment fund. Brown told Mike Hosking that the port is a very poor financial performer. He says by putting it into a fund, they'd be taking value and putting it into something more valuable as the returns from the port and airport don't cover the costs of owning them. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's not just national government that should concern us. Local government should concern us too. Auckland has spent an inordinate amount of time and money trying to become a world class city. But still, Auckland's problems seem to grow. From a growing debt issue to expanding bureaucracy and rebellious councillors. Who's in charge? Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown opens up on Podcast 220. We reference a new NZ authored book on Climate, and we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple how-to guide. Listen here on iHeartRadio Leighton Smith's podcast also available on iTunes:To subscribe via iTunes click here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's mayor says he wants congestion charging in place as soon as possible. The council's transport and infrastructure committee is due to consider an Auckland Transport report on the scheme this Thursday. It means motorists idling on busy roads during peak hours will have to pay up to reduce traffic jams and make council revenue. Wayne Brown says if the incoming Government doesn't support it, there will be a squabble. "They expected to do this - Simeon Brown, who expects to be the Minister of Transport, has agreed it's a sensible thing to do." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown speaks to Lisa Owen. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6340712863112

Auckland's Mayor doesn't understand the decision to make infrastructure changes to accommodate more public transport on a popular city centre road.  Auckland Transport's decided to remove car parks on Karangahape Road and restrict the times on loading zones to allow room for a new bus service.  Businesses were given less than a week's notice.  Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown told Mike Hosking that he doesn't know why this has to happen.  He says there's no car parking until 10 in the morning anyway because there's a lot of people catching the bus, and there aren't many carparks and those businesses need them.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some positive news for Aucklanders left with flood-damaged homes.  The council has agreed to fund mitigation for properties which could feasibly be protected from harm in future severe weather events.   It's offering to pay up to 25% of a property's capital value for work like retaining walls, landscaping, and drainage improvements.   Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown told Mike Hosking that the issue is vexed, but is a mixture of what he calls sensible decisions.  He says it minimises costs but maximises the help council can provide without upsetting ratepayers too much.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's mayor has fired back at National for its claims the council has $300 million of unspent fuel tax money just sitting in its accounts. The party is campaigning on scrapping the region's fuel tax within its first 100 days in Government, if elected. Finance spokeswoman Nicola Willis says the revenue it has already made will continue to be available for transport projects. But mayor Wayne Brown says that money is already committed. "Just cause it's not in our bank- it's like if you build a house that's going to cost you $1 million, you make sure you've got $1 million before you start. As it gets built, you slowly pay for it." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's mayor says some flooded homeowners buyback could be less than they expect. An Auckland flood recovery package worth more than $2 billion dollars has been agreed to in principle by Council and the Crown. It includes $774 million for buying out homes where there's risk to life and no possible mitigation. Wayne Brown says with different houses, there's bound to be variety in payouts. "Some people who have chosen to be in places which are quite dangerous themselves were already taking some risks- some people weren't." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's full steam ahead for Auckland's Mayor in his attempt to take back control of the city's transport system. The Council's governing body has voted to accept Wayne Brown's recommendation for the council to support a change of governance. The proposed bill would establish two new transport committees for a more integrated approach with the Crown. Brown told Mike Hosking the council has to play a bigger role in central government's decisions, and they're working with the Transport Minister on a 10 year integrated Auckland plan. The bill will also give Auckland Council the lead role in creating the Regional Land Transport Plan. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says his bold makeover plan for the waterfront will be made in one form or another. He wants a development with an open-air seawater pool, aquaculture, an exhibition centre and an amphitheatre on the water. There's no budget or suggestion for exactly how much it will cost. Brown told Mike Hosking he wants to get more money out of the port, a process he says was started under the previous mayor. He claims if the port operation became productive the development could be self-funding. LISTEN ABOVE    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two civilians are dead and ten are injured after a shooting attack in downtown Auckland CBD. The 24-year-old gunman stormed a Britomart building under construction just before 7:30 this morning. Auckland mayor Wayne Brown says this is something that we're not used to. "It is safe to be here, it's a shock to Aucklanders. We all feel terribly upset and sad for the people whose families and lives have been wrecked. Also for the workers, whose normal day at work became a terrifying experience."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown says he's still in "complex" negotiations with the government over how they'll split the bill over flood repairs. Wayne Brown was high above Eden Park today promoting the FIFA Women's World Cup. While he was harnessed in and tethered to the top railing, our reporter Tom Taylor took the opportunity to ask him how the talks are going. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6330597626112

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown has gone to lofty heights to urge Aucklanders to get behind the Women's World Cup. The mayor, who admits he loves doing "crazy things", dribbled a ball along the roof of Eden Park today, while in a harness which was attached to the top railing of the stadium. The mayor happily threw his arms out wide, hanging over the top of the park, telling visitors they are very welcome in Auckland. And he says he'll be going to some games himself. Eden Park will host nine games including the opening match on the 20th of July, when the Football Ferns take on Norway. The stadium's chief executive, Nick Sautner, was also walking the high line with the mayor and is continuing to encourage people to get tickets to the tournament. Our reporter Mariana Garcia asked some Kingsland locals if they're excited about the tournament, and if they'll be heading along to any games. Business owners around Eden Park are looking forward to having more foot traffic in the area, while the tournament's on. That was our reporter Mariana Garcia speaking to business owners in Kingsland. There are still tickets available for games here in Aotearoa and tomorrow night we'll speak to FIFA about how the sales are going. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6330597747112

The Auckland Mayor's been forced to make an 11th hour peace offering after facing stiff resistance to his plan to sell the council's stake in Auckland Airport. The council has been locked in debate as it chews over its crucial and contentious annual budget - and will return in the morning to continue. Wayne Brown promised he'd ditch cuts to services if councillors backed his plan to sell the 18 percent of airport shares the council owns. But as he sounded them out one by one, it became clear he didn't have the numbers to pass it. So then came the watered down proposal - selling just 8 percent of shares, increasing rates 7.7 percent on average, bringing back some cuts to local boards, and tasking the CEO to find some more. Now he hopes that will be enough to get councillors on side. Finn Blackwell reports.

Carrot and stick of shame was the theme of Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown's revised budget reveal. He's offering to reverse planned cuts to the arts, social services and community boards but only if the city sells its $2 billion-worth of Auckland ariport shares. But a bigger rates rise is still on the cards. In a chaotic event, Mr Brown laid out his plan to plug the city's $325 million budget hole. His rambling speech was peppered with barbs aimed at everyone from the media to council agencies, and ended with a roll call of specific councillors he urged to get onboard with his plan. Our reporter Finn Blackwell and camera operator Marika Khabazi were there.  

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has a tough job ahead trying to convince councillors to back his controversial plan to plug a $325 million budget hole. At a chaotic meeting yesterday he delivered an ultimatum. He'll roll back funding cuts for arts, culture and local boards and keep a rates rise below inflation. But in return he wants to sell the council's airport shares worth $2.3 billion. RNZ contacted all 20 councillors; of the seven who agreed to speak, all said it's still not clear if the Mayor will get the backing he needs. Delphine Herbert has the story.

Auckland's mayor Wayne Brown has just made public his plan to balance the city's books restating his intention to sell Council shares in the city's airport and promising to keep household rates under 6.7 per cent. Auckland has a $325 million hole in its budget, with another $50 million needed to fund storm recovery. The Mayor has spoken to some media this morning, saying this year's budget was one of the hardest in Auckland's history. RNZ reporter Finn Blackwell has been the announcement.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has made a last-minute bid to build support for a $2.3 billion sale of the council's airport shares ahead of releasing his final budget proposal today. Councillors were called to two confidential meetings yesterday, one in the morning on the sale of the airport shares and one yesterday afternoon to discuss a draft of the mayor's final budget proposal. Brown will release his final budget proposal in the board room at Auckland Transport at 8.30am this morning - a day later than planned. At yesterday morning's meeting, staff from Flagstaff, the Australian firm engaged by the council to advise on the sale, addressed councillors via video link. The meetings come the day after Brown condemned “Labour MPs in waiting” for not getting behind his plan to offload the airport shares and an earlier report that Brown believes he only has nine votes to sell the shares with 12 votes against. However, a handful of councillors are believed to be wavering on both sides. Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown is keen to sell the council's shares in Auckland Airport. Photo / Greg Bowker Ever since his first budget proposal before Christmas, Brown has made the sale of the council's 18 per cent shareholding in Auckland Airport the centrepiece of a plan to address a budget hole, now standing at $375m, and in line with an election promise to “stop wasting money”. Brown's preference is to sell the shares, keep rate rises as low as possible - hopefully around the inflation rate of 6.7 per cent - increase debt by no more than $100m, and moderate spending cuts, including reinstating a $2 million cut to Citizens Advice Bureau. If he cannot sell the shares, Brown has threatened to reinstate deep cuts to social services and the arts and said rates could rise up to 13.5 per cent. In an interview with the Herald yesterday, Brown zeroed in on “Labour MPs in waiting” who, he said, knew selling the shares was the right thing to do but were telling him they had been contacted by the unions and others, so they didn't want to do it. “The council is not a waiting room for would-be MPs, they are here to do what I am here to do, which is to stop wasting ratepayers' money,” said the mayor. Brown did not name the councillors with ambitions to be MPs, but several councillors have strong ties to the Labour Party and a potential future in national politics. One Labour councillor, Josephine Bartley, said she is not in the camp of being an MP in waiting. “What I look at is what is best for Auckland not because of any deals or future political prospects,” she said on social media. Brown reminded councillors that only 4 per cent of Aucklanders supported higher rates during public consultation on the proposed budget and most supported a full or partial sale of the airport shares. “There are a lot of people out there with mortgages in a spot of bother, and I feel sorry for them. I don't want to make it any worse,” he said. - Bernard Orsman, NZ HeraldSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This morning, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown is expected to unveil his plans to address a $325 million budget hole. That will include a bid to sell off the council's 18% share in strategic asset Auckland Airport. Councillor Maurice Williamson, who is in favour of selling, doesn't think the mayor has the votes for the sale. Morning Report invited several councillors believed to be in favour of keeping the airport shares on to the programme this morning, but no-one accepted. Maurice Williamson spoke to Tim Watkin.

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown has suggested local communities could receive funding from a $20 million storm response fund as a way of improving resilience. Many smaller communities have been isolated by recent storms, with flooding and landslides cutting them off from larger areas. As such, help has also been cut off, leaving locals to fend for themselves. Wayne Brown praised the people of Pūhoi for how they coped during the Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods, when they were cut off. Rodney Local Board Chair Brent Bailey spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Auckland Council's soaring budget hole, storm costs and higher water bills could cost the average household another $560 a year during a painful cost-of-living crisis. But a ratepayer group is calling for the council to sell assets and make large-scale cuts to its costs “rather than reaching into ratepayers' wallets”. Watercare has locked in a $116 rise in the average water bill from July and yesterday's bad news that the council's budget hole and storm-related costs have soared to a combined $375 million could lead to a rates rise of $446 for the average household. The annual water bill is rising by 9.5 per cent from $1224 to $1340 and rates could rise from $3306 to a maximum of about $3750 for the average home. The extra burden on household budgets begins on July 1 - the day after the 25-cents-a-litre fuel tax subsidy ends. It also comes as the looming recession is tipped to be deeper than previously thought, Kiwi families face the prospect of a hard-hitting interest rate crunch as mortgages come up for renewal, and the Reserve Bank forecasts rising unemployment. Auckland households face even bigger rises in council costs than was first thought. Photo / Alex Burton The council's budget hole rose from the $90m-$150m range estimated last year to $295m earlier this year and now to $325m. Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown blamed a combination of council debt, higher interest rates and his predecessor Phil Goff using a one-off Three Waters payment of $127m to prop up last year's budget. “Enough is enough. We must get serious about the council's financial position. I did not create this hole, but I am determined that the council fix it, so it doesn't just keep growing,” Brown said. “Unless we can set Auckland Council on a path of financial sustainability and reduce our debt, then this gaping hole will only get bigger in the years to come.” As well as the budget hole, group chief financial officer Peter Gudsell said storm-related costs in the budget had risen from $20m, for things such as higher insurance premiums, to $50m for repairs and maintenance to council assets and setting up a recovery co-ordination office. In theory, rates could rise by 22 per cent to plug the budget hole and pay for storm-related costs, but a rise is limited to 13.5 per cent because that was the highest level set during the budget consultation process. It is now up to councillors to decide on a mix of options to produce a balanced budget by the end of June. The Auckland Council is having to trim costs at its headquarters and other businesses. Photo / Doug Sherring This year's draft budget was already one of the most challenging in the 13 years of the Super City before yesterday's bad news - containing many difficult and unpopular choices to plug a $295m shortfall. In his earlier draft budget, Brown proposed a mix of measures to produce a balanced budget, including cutting unnecessary and inefficient spending, demanding better performance from council organisations, reducing debt servicing costs by selling airport shares, increasing rates and potentially borrowing up to $75m. The council's shares in Auckland Airport are currently valued at $2.2 billion. Among the most contentious proposals are plans to cut regional, community and social services by $20m and regional contestable grants by $3m in the areas of arts, culture and events. It was proposed to cut funding for things such as Music in Parks, CultureFest and Botanic Gardens events, while $2m would go from the Citizens Advice Bureau, and funding for homelessness initiatives would stop. Local boards are also in line for a $16m cut in funding activities. A mayoral spokesman said it was too early to consider what further cuts could be on the table. Brown still planned to keep rate rises as low as possible, “but we can't say at this stage how low we can keep them”. Events such as Sculpture in The Gardens at Auckland Botanic Gardens could have funding cut under budget proposals. Photo / Doug Sherring Until now, the proposal has been for a 7 per cent rates rise but, with rating changes, it equated to a 4.6 per cent rates rise for households. The earlier $20m “storm respond fund” was expected to add 1 per cent to general and household rates. Gudsell said that, like other sectors of the economy, the council's finances had been battered by economic factors over the past six months. “We've seen cost increases reflect inflation levels in a number of areas. These increases are particularly affecting the price of utilities such as electricity, and impacting the cost of asset renewals, meaning a rise in the amount of money we need to set aside for depreciation.” He said the final budget would require trade-offs, including ownership options for the council's airport shares, higher rates and prudent use of debt. “Different trade-offs have different consequences, and this now needs to be considered as part of the process to set the budget.” Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance spokesman Jordan Williams said nothing should be off the table. ”It is no longer enough to go through the budget with a fine tooth comb to pick and choose what pet projects are worth keeping - large-scale cuts are needed for anything that is not a core council function,” Williams said. ”The rising cost of living, mortgage rates rapidly increasing and households under significant pressure from recent weather events means it is time for Auckland Council to show some courage and front up with significant cost cuts and asset sales rather than reaching into ratepayers' wallets.” - Bernard Orsman, NZHSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A majority of Aucklanders appear to be on board with at least sell-offs and cutbacks at Auckland Council. Newstalk ZB can reveal more than half of submitters and survey participants believe there needs to be some spending cuts, but most support only some of the possible cutbacks. A majority also support selling off council shares in Auckland Airport, but opinion is divided on whether that should be all or just some of the shares. Mayor Wayne Brown told Mike Hosking the results show the public understands the council's predicament. “It is encouraging that people seem to understand that I've inherited a bit of a mess and that the mixture of things that we've offered does show a way out with giving a little bit of a haircut here and there.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wayne Brown is confident he can get Auckland Transport to change its approach to traffic management. The Auckland Mayor has been calling on council organisation Auckland Transport to reduce its 145-million dollar spend on road cones and traffic management to help fill the council's ballooning fiscal hole. He's describing the spending as unjustifiable, excessive, and unnecessary. Brown says that he's now spoken to Auckland Transport —and utility companies Chorus, Vector and Watercare— and they seem to be getting the message. He says he's had a couple of hissy fits, but he's now being listened to. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pressure on PM to remove Stuart Nash's other portfolios; Big job ahead for Auckland Council after cyclone, CRL blowout; Auckland Mayor on need to find extra money; 50,000 school and kindy teachers walking off the job.

Auckland's mayor says he will work hard to minimise the amount of money the council will need to come up with to cover a transport budget blowout. The council needs to find about $1.5 billion to cover the cost of cyclone damage and the City Rail Link cost increase. It comes on top of a forecast budget deficit of $295 million in the 2023/2024 financial year. Wayne Brown told Morning Report that while the council will pay its fair share towards the rail project there will have to be discussions on what that is and how its paid for. He says a rates increase is an end of road option but it is not his preferred option. Brown says the rail link is a good project but the contract surrounding it was set up poorly and future projects will need to be managed differently. 

As North Islanders prepare for more heavy rains, Auckland Mayor, Wayne Brown says this time, agencies are ready.

Auckland's mayor, Wayne Brown, accepted just two requests for an interview in the month after taking office. He received 108 media requests, according to council data, half of which were interview requests which were flatly denied. In other instances, the council says information or a statement was provided, while two direct interviews were accepted, one with Newstalk ZB and the other with 1News. A spokesperson for Wayne Brown's office says the mayor's focus was on getting a clear grasp of the Council's performance and financial position, and that it required a "certain single mindedness". Wayne Brown declined an interview with RNZ about his media strategy. NZ Herald senior writer Simon Wilson was willing to be interviewed.  He spoke to Corin Dann.  

Families of Erebus crash victims are appalled by the Auckland Mayor's comments about a planned national memorial in the city and believe more than four decades on their loved ones deserve better. 43 years ago today the Air NZ scenic flight over Antartica crashed into the side of Mount Erebus, killing all 257 people onboard - New Zealand's largest peace time loss of life. In an editorial published on Sunday, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown referred to the proposed memorial as a "a huge concrete thing" and said it should be near the airport, reminding us that there is a risk in flying. On Monday afternoon the Prime Minister stood by her commitment to delivering a national memorial for Erebus families. The project has been stalled, with a local board delaying its decision around use of the Parnell Rose Garden for the memorial. David Allan's parents and sister Jane died in the Erebus crash. He talks to Lisa Owen.  

Auckland's mayor is promising to find huge cost savings, so a massive financial hole won't be filled by significant rate rises. The hole in ther council's budget has tripled in size - to $270 million. A planned 3.5 percent rate rise won't plug the hole and staff say more of a hike is possible as long as it "does not create an unacceptable shock for households and businesses". Amy Williams reports.

Auckland is facing a public transport crisis and the government needs to get on an emergency footing, mayor Wayne Brown says. In a statement Brown says Aucklanders should not and will not acept two years of rail disruptions and ongoing cuts to bus services.

Transport and Immigration Minister Michael Wood has responded to Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown's claim that Auckland has a transport crisis.