Auckland rates rise set at 2.9pc
The Auckland Council has set an average rates rise of 2.9 per cent this year - slightly down on earlier rises of 3.9 per cent and 3.6 per cent in the first term of the Super City. However, under a...
View ArticleCity debt is $4b and borrowing more likely
The Super City is in debt to the tune of $4 billion - the equivalent of about $8000 for each of the region's half a million ratepayers. The debt had been steadily growing under the previous eight...
View ArticleCouncil gives itself big tick for rates rise
The Auckland Council is delighted that it is holding the rates increase to 3.94 per cent this year, but divided on having to put $3.26 million in the budget for the Maori Statutory Board. There was...
View ArticleBrown's budget found 'scary'
The format was chatty and informal, but the message was the same. Aucklanders find Len Brown's first long-term budget scary on financial matters. About 150 ratepayers, ranging from farmers to...
View ArticleWatercare’s External Legal Bill Nearly $10,000 A Day - Up 33
Wednesday, 9 January 2013, 10:47 am Opinion: Auckland Councillor Cameron Brewer Media statement Auckland Councillor Cameron Brewer Wednesday, 9 January 2013 Watercare’s External Legal Bill Nearly...
View ArticleTime for council to come clean on lawyer fees
Thursday, 17 January 2013, 2:03 pm Press Release: Cameron Brewer Time for council to come clean on what it’s paying different lawyers An Auckland councillor is appalled Auckland Council won’t publicly...
View ArticleOmbudsman will investigate secrecy over law firm payments
Wednesday, 13 February 2013, 1:30 pm Press Release: Cameron Brewer Media release Wednesday, 13 February 2013 Auckland Councillor Cameron Brewer Ombudsman will investigate Auckland Council’s secrecy...
View ArticleCity's rugby cup costs jump $3m
Auckland is likely to have an extra $3.17 million added to its bill for the Rugby World Cup. The money is needed to cover the cost of matches moved to the city from Christchurch's quake-damaged AMI...
View ArticleCity's rugby cup costs take $3m leap
Auckland is likely to have an extra $3.17 million added to its bill for the Rugby World Cup. The money is needed to cover the cost of matches moved to the city from Christchurch's quake-damaged AMI...
View ArticleAnother service reduction for old Auckland City area
Thursday, 25 October 2012, 5:15 pm Press Release: Cameron Brewer Thursday, 25 October 2012 Media release Auckland Councillor Cameron Brewer Another service reduction for old Auckland City area...
View ArticleLen Brown cops flak over rates percentage
Auckland councillors are angry with the Super City Mayor with some claiming he has not been straight with the people of Auckland regarding their rates. Mayor...
View ArticleTrust wants sell-off for stadium cash
A south Auckland-based trust is asking the Auckland Council to sell-off land to pay for a new development in Manukau. As the second stage of the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre, the development...
View ArticleThe rising cost of our fresh water
Auckland's residential water bills arrive monthly and seem bigger than ever - and the pain is slowly spreading nationwide. More city and district councils are setting in place new water-metering...
View ArticleA Third Of Councillors Vote Against User-Pays Rubbish
Thursday, 21 June 2012, 2:55 pm Press Release: Auckland Councillor Cameron Brewer Media release Auckland Councillor Cameron Brewer Wednesday, 20 June 2012 A Third Of Councillors Vote Against User-Pays...
View ArticleWatercare opens up on legal costs
CCO's willingness to offer data lesson in transparency for council, says councillor. Watercare Services is teaching its big brother Auckland Council a lesson in accountability and transparency by...
View ArticleSuper City debt is $4b and borrowing more likely
Auckland Super City is in debt to the tune of $4 billion - the equivalent of about $8000 for each of the region's half a million ratepayers. The debt had been steadily growing under the previous eight...
View ArticleTwo-thirds oppose mayor's proposal for rates increases
Aucklanders are not impressed by Mayor Len Brown's plans to increase rates by nearly 5 per cent a year over the next decade, nor do they want him to extend the Manukau policy of free swimming pools in...
View ArticleCCOs fail in their attempt to mail annual reports
Wednesday, 14 November 2012, 12:07 pm Press Release: Cameron Brewer Media release Auckland Councillor Cameron Brewer Wednesday, 14 November 2012 CCOs fail in their attempt to mail annual reports...
View Article42,000 ratepayers now set to pay at least 20% more in rates
Thursday, 24 May 2012, 10:35 am Press Release: Chris Fletcher Media release Auckland Councillors Chris Fletcher and Cameron Brewer Thursday, 24 May 2012 42,000 ratepayers now set to pay at least 20%...
View ArticleBrown switch on water fees will hit rich homeowners
Auckland Mayor Len Brown has done an about-turn on water charges that will prove costly to wealthy homeowners in Howick and the North Shore. Owners of expensive properties in those areas who use a lot...
View ArticleAuckland Council Urged to Modify Rate Rise Proposals
Tuesday, 22 May 2012, 12:48 pm Press Release: Auckland Chamber of Commerce 22 May 2012 Auckland Council Urged to Modify Rate Rise Proposals The year-on-year 10% cap on rates proposed for nearly...
View ArticleAucklanders say no to asset sales
Auckland Mayor Len Brown says Aucklanders have made it clear they do not want strategic assets to be sold, and other alternatives to rates rises are being considered to fund the city's projects. His...
View ArticleLand sale could pay for new stadium
A South Auckland trust wants Auckland Council to sell land to pay for a new development in Manukau. As the second stage of the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre, the development would have a white...
View Article$1billion of capital works a boost for Auckland
Thursday, 2 June 2011, 3:20 pm Press Release: Auckland Council Media release 2 June 2011 $1billion of capital works a boost for Auckland Auckland Council has confirmed its commitment to making...
View ArticleAuckland Council revising rate bills after outcry
The Auckland Council is revising 5000 rates bills after an outcry by homeowners who were denied the benefit of a 10 per cent transition cap and left with rises of up to 60 per cent to pay this year....
View ArticleBrown strives for 2% rates increase
Proposal, largely achieved by cutting costs behind the scenes, receives qualified praise from opponents. Auckland Mayor Len Brown is proposing a rates rise of between 1.9 per cent and 2.9 per cent in...
View ArticleMayor backs 8.1% rates rise as bills arrive in letterboxes
More than a quarter of a million Auckland households are in for a shock when rates bills averaging an 8.1 per cent increase arrive in letterboxes from this week. On Thursday, North Shore, Waitakere...
View ArticleWhitewater rafting’s compelling economic story
Tuesday, 9 October 2012, 5:23 pm Press Release: Auckland Council 9 October 2012 Whitewater rafting’s compelling economic story news to Council’s economists Today’s revelation that neither Auckland...
View ArticleManukau hit by 41.4% rise in wastewater costs
Auckland Mayor Len Brown's old city of Manukau - home to many of the poorest suburbs in Auckland - is being hit with a 41.4 per cent rise in wastewater charges. Combined with a 3 per cent rise in...
View ArticleAuckland Council travel costs over $10.5m
Wednesday, 20 March 2013, 8:39 am Press Release: Cameron Brewer Wednesday, 20 March 2013 Auckland Council travel costs over $10.5m with staff travelling the world Following the revelation that the...
View ArticleRafting’s compelling economic story news to economists
Tuesday, 9 October 2012, 6:44 pm Press Release: Cameron Brewer Whitewater rafting’s compelling economic story news to Council’s economists Today’s revelation that neither Auckland Council’s own...
View ArticleWero Fights Back Over Whitewater Stadium in Manukau
Wednesday, 26 September 2012, 2:25 pm Press Release: Counties Manukau Pacific Trust Wero Fights Back Over Whitewater Stadium in Manukau A storm is brewing in Auckland’s political circles over whether...
View ArticleAuckland rates to rise average 2.9%
Len Brown's budget to be put to council tomorrow for approval. Auckland rates will rise on average by 2.9 per cent this year - an election year for local politicians - under Mayor Len Brown's...
View ArticleManurewa MP blasts mayor for 4.9pc rates rise proposal
MP George Hawkins has got stuck into Auckland Mayor and fellow Labour Party member Len Brown for proposing a 4.9 per cent rates increase. Mr Hawkins said many Manurewa residents - whom he represents...
View ArticleSubmissions against whitewater rafting pet project needed
Sunday, 10 February 2013, 7:42 pm Press Release: Cameron Brewer Sunday, 10 February 2013 Auckland Councillor Cameron Brewer Submissions against whitewater rafting pet project needed Aucklanders...
View ArticleCentre-right aims to reduce Auckland rates rise to 2.5%
Tuesday, 22 May 2012, 6:25 pm Press Release: Cameron Brewer Media release Auckland Councillors Chris Fletcher and Cameron Brewer Tuesday, 22 May 2012 Centre-right aims to reduce Auckland rates rise to...
View ArticleLiving Wage at Auckland Council could cost ratepayers $17.2m
Thursday, 23 May 2013, 9:22 am Press Release: Cameron Brewer Media release Auckland Councillor Cameron Brewer Thursday, 23 May 2013 Living Wage at Auckland Council could cost ratepayers $17.2m...
View ArticleRatepayers yet to see the real promise of one city
Sunday, 24 February 2013, 12:39 pm Speech: Cameron Brewer Speech notes by Auckland Councillor Cameron Brewer Act Party 2013 Conference, Gibbs Farm, Kaukapakapa Saturday, 23 February 2013 Ratepayers...
View ArticleRafting centre, mowing, in firing line
Mayor's budget backs $30 million white-water facility at Manukau and cutting grass berms but he's in for a fight. An end to mowing berms in the old Auckland City area and a $30 million white-water...
View ArticleWater facility clears first rapid
Rafting and kayaking venue approved, but the vote leaves some councillors fuming A controversial $30 million white-water-rafting and kayaking facility in Manukau is back on the drawing board after...
View ArticleAuckland Council approves rate rise
The Auckland Council has approved a 2.9 per cent rates increase this year. The council accepted the increase from Mayor Len Brown, who is responsible for the budget and...
View Article2.9% overall rate rise for Super City
Mayor also denies free pool entry for the disabled and elderly In a political twist, a centre-right move to give the disabled free access to swimming pools was defeated by the centre-left on Auckland...
View ArticleAuckland growth areas get priority
Eight growth areas will claim planning and investment priority over the next three years in a bid to have a top-class city centre, revitalised outer centres and bigger rural satellite towns. They are...
View ArticleAuckland Super City report card: How they rate
At the halfway point of the first term of the Super City, the Herald carried out a mid-term report card for Mayor Len Brown and 20 councillors. The reading is not good for Mr Brown, who started with a...
View ArticleRates due with thousands set to be stung by 10% penalty
Wednesday, 29 August 2012, 11:19 am Press Release: Cameron Brewer Media release Auckland Councillor Cameron Brewer Wednesday, 29 August 2012 Rates due with thousands set to be stung by 10% penalty...
View ArticleMore rates confusion, this time over 10% cap
Sunday, 19 August 2012, 11:05 am Press Release: Cameron Brewer More rates confusion, this time over 10% cap Mayor Len Brown’s promise that no Aucklander will pay more than a 10% rates increase does...
View ArticleUrban sprawl not the answer for Auckland, says councillor
A political power struggle has broken out over the future of the $625 billion housing sector after the Productivity Commission's hard-hitting report to the Government challenged Auckland Council's...
View ArticleCCOs' seeds of potential budding into progress
Special report: In the final of a two-part report, Bernard Orsman looks at how the seven Auckland Council-controlled Organisations are shaping up in their duties for the Super City's 1.3 million...
View ArticleCouncil goes global to raise money
Servicing debt and organising loans takes executives to world's financial centres. Auckland Council executives have travelled to New York, London, Zurich and Tokyo to arrange finance to pay for items...
View Article