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60-607: MAXX (styled as MaXX) was a public transport brand in the Auckland Region of New Zealand. It was introduced in 2001. It included a blue livery used on some buses (rapid transit only) and trains operated for Auckland Transport (AT). It was also used for public information and advertising branding. AT Metro was officially launched in December 2014. In July 2012, Auckland Transport (which replaced Auckland Regional Transport Authority in 2010) announced that it would phase out

120-423: A Royal Commission on Auckland Governance to report on what restructuring should be done. The report was released on 27 March 2009 and the government subsequently announced that a "super city" would be set up to include the full metropolitan area under an Auckland Council with a single mayor and 20–30 local boards, by the time of the local body elections in 2010, though it also changed some key recommendations of

180-568: A chairperson appointed by the mayor and a subset of the governing body members. The following council took office during October 2022: Auckland Council has substantive CCOs and a number of smaller ones. Eke Panuku Development Auckland resulted from a merging of Auckland Council Property Ltd and Waterfront Auckland on 1 September 2015. Tātaki Auckland Unlimited resulted from a merging of Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA) and Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) on 1 December 2020. Auckland Council Investments Limited (ACIL)

240-454: A further dispute emerged. As set out in the third bill establishing the future Auckland Council, major functions (such as transport, water services and Auckland waterfront development) were to be devolved into council-controlled organisations (CCOs) controlled by unelected boards, operating at "arm's length" from Council. This separation, as argued by backers of the move, had become necessary due to "local politicians [having] failed to deliver

300-487: A mostly centre-left council, with Len Brown as mayor. Brown was re-elected in October 2013 , again with a largely supportive council. The 2016 mayoral election was won by Labour MP Phil Goff , who had a landslide victory over his nearest rivals, Victoria Crone and future Green Party MP Chlöe Swarbrick . Goff won re-election in the 2019 mayoral election and chose not to run in the 2022 mayoral election , which

360-476: A number of ways, and "could not stand". They also noted that saddling the super city with this system would be the most serious handicap, and a recipe for a "frustrated and disappointed citizenry". Several editorialists went even further and accused the ACT party, and especially Rodney Hide, of preparing Auckland's assets for a sell-off, and of setting up the structure to allow it even before Aucklanders got to vote on

420-409: A population density of 364 people per km . Auckland Region had a population of 1,656,486 in the 2023 New Zealand census , an increase of 84,768 people (5.4%) since the 2018 census , and an increase of 240,936 people (17.0%) since the 2013 census . There were 818,262 males, 832,188 females and 6,036 people of other genders in 544,083 dwellings. 3.5% of people identified as LGBTIQ+ . The median age

480-483: A salary for a local board member of around $ 37,100 was insufficient for what amounted to a full-time position. Numerous residents of and (to some degree) the councils of the Franklin and Rodney Districts opposed their inclusion in the new supercity, and instead campaigned for retention of their councils, or inclusion with other, more rural-focused councils in the north (such as merging the areas north of Puhoi with

540-583: A series of articles and editorials in March 2010 criticising the proposed move, which was described as "The lockout of Auckland", arguing that elected councillors would have little control over the day-to-day decisions, and potentially even over massive changes such as Auckland's waterfront development or the city's transport focus. The main Herald editorials noted that the CCO concept introduced "undemocratic elements" in

600-434: Is not another acronym, but a symbol of quality." The brand was originally intended to refer to M etropolitan A uckland XX pressways, a brand developed by Auckland-based Sanders Design / Stephenson & Turner. It featured a dark blue livery and a 'pesky cartoon pūkeko called Maxx'. As described by Brian Rudman , the intention to brand the whole of Auckland's public transport fleet - arrived at after years of negotiation -

660-521: Is one of the 16 regions of New Zealand , which takes its name from the eponymous urban area . The region encompasses the Auckland metropolitan area , smaller towns, rural areas, and the islands of the Hauraki Gulf . Containing 34 percent of the nation's residents, it has by far the largest population and economy of any region of New Zealand, but the second-smallest land area. On 1 November 2010,

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720-628: Is the local government council for the Auckland Region in New Zealand. It is a territorial authority that has the responsibilities, duties and powers of a regional council and so is a unitary authority , according to the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, which established the council. The governing body consists of a mayor and 20 councillors, elected from 13 wards. There are also 149 members of 21 local boards who make decisions on matters local to their communities. It

780-519: Is the largest council in Oceania , with a $ 3 billion annual budget, $ 29 billion of ratepayer equity, and 9,870 full-time staff as of 30 June 2016. The council began operating on 1 November 2010, combining the functions of the previous regional council and the region's seven city and district councils into one "super council" or "super city". The council was established by a number of Acts of Parliament, and an Auckland Transition Agency, also created by

840-593: Is the summit of Little Barrier Island , at 722 metres. Prior to the merger into the Auckland Council on 1 November 2010, the Auckland Region consisted of seven territorial local authorities (TLAs); four cities and three districts: The Auckland Region is home to at least 23 known species or subspecies exclusively found in the region. This includes plant species such as the Waitākere rock koromiko ,

900-659: The Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Employers & Manufacturers Association. Supporters included the New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development, a right-wing think tank. The introduction of Auckland Transport , the CCO for transport functions (with more than half the city's future rate spend), was discouraged even by the government's own Treasury and Department of Internal Affairs, as well as other departments. The main proponents of

960-484: The Kaipara District area) or the south. There was a perception that these rural areas would receive very little benefit in terms of infrastructure for their rates' money, and that they would be swallowed up by an Auckland that has different interests and character than their communities. Politicians such as Rodney Hide answered that inclusion is necessary to allow a regional approach to the wider interests of

1020-661: The Northern Busway as well as significant rail and public transport investments were realised through the Auckland Regional Transport Authority , much of it supported by retaining Ports of Auckland in public hands (after the deregulation of the Auckland Harbour Board ) to fund the improvements with the dividends. Until 2010, the Auckland Region had seven "City/District" authorities, plus one "Regional" authority. In

1080-541: The Auckland Council consists of the mayor, deputy mayor, and 19 other members. The members of the governing body are elected from thirteen wards across the Council area using the first-past-the-post system every three years at the same time as the mayor. Decision-making for the governing body's areas of oversight is done by committees, a few of which consist of the whole governing body, and most of which consist of

1140-795: The Auckland Regional Policy Statement, four regional plans and seven district plans of Auckland's legacy councils following amalgamation. The AUP was prepared through a streamlined plan making process established by the Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Amendment Act 2013. The AUP was publicly notified in September 2013 and received over 13,000 submissions and further submissions. The submissions were heard by an Independent Hearings Panel, chaired by Environment Court Judge D A Kirkpatrick, which provided its recommendations to Auckland Council in July 2016. The AUP

1200-475: The Auckland region became a unitary authority administered by the Auckland Council , replacing the previous regional council and seven local councils. In the process, an area in its southeastern corner was transferred to the neighbouring Waikato region. Since then, the Auckland Council has introduced a system of local boards to divide the region for local government. On the mainland, the region extends from

1260-551: The CCO responsible for non-transport investment assets, manages Council investments worth $ 2.54 billion, including a 22.4% stake in Auckland Airport worth $ 1.13 billion, as well as a 100% share of Ports of Auckland Limited worth $ 1.08 billion, and Auckland Film Studios, worth $ 8 million (values at May 2014). The council owns and manages 28 regional parks around the region. Most of the parks were inherited from Auckland Regional Council . Auckland Council rates combine

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1320-501: The CCO system, Prime Minister John Key , Local Government Minister Rodney Hide and Transport Minister Steven Joyce , remained adamant about the introduction (and the appropriateness) of the system. Others, like the New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development called the claim that the mayor and council would have no ability to hold the CCOs accountable "farcial nonsense". The New Zealand Herald , Auckland's largest newspaper, ran

1380-585: The Council's money was spent on "Art services and galleries, events, museums, parks, recreation facilities and the zoo", while 22% was spent on "transport management". Further big elements were "Planning and regulation" at 14.5% and "Community services, libraries, emergency management and cemeteries" at 11.5%. As of 2016, 38% of rates were spent on "transport", 27% on "parks, community and lifestyle", 16% on "environmental management and regulation", 8% on "Auckland development", 6% on "Economic and cultural development" and 5% on "governance and support". Some aspects of

1440-674: The New Zealand Government independently. Brown also claimed that exiting the LGNZ would save the Auckland Council NZ$ 64,000 a year, helping to reduce its debt. The Auckland Council's decision to leave LGNZ was criticised as detrimental to Auckland ratepayers and cooperation with other local councils by fellow councillors Richard Hills , Andy Baker , Julie Fairey , and LGNZ President Stuart Crosby . The mayor has significant executive powers, their own staff and

1500-482: The Royal Commission. Some recommendations of the Royal Commission, which have not been adopted or implemented: The council was set up by three pieces of legislation, the Local Government (Tamaki Makaurau Reorganisation) Act 2009, the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 and the Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Act 2010. The initial Council elections in October 2010 returned

1560-614: The Waterfront and Queen Street , turning Nelson and Hobson Street from wide one-way roads into two-way roads with more trees and urban amenity, and a waterfront walk- and cycleway. The Council owns approximately $ 34 billion of assets (2010), including over 100,000 hectares of open space, parks and reserves, as well as the large transport assets administered by the Auckland Transport CCO (see that article for more detail). Auckland Council Investments Limited (ACIL),

1620-619: The ability to appoint the chairpersons of the council's committees. Some columnists stated in 2010 that the post was the second most powerful public position in New Zealand, after the prime minister . However, when the Minister for the Rugby World Cup, Murray McCully , took control of the Rugby World Cup fan area on the Auckland waterfront in 2011 without first notifying mayor Len Brown , columnist John Armstrong declared

1680-503: The brand, which was "weak and irrelevant" and had not achieved much public recognition, in favour of the AT Metro brand. At launch, Auckland Regional Transport Authority deemphasised the question of whether or not the name was an acronym: "MAXX does stand for something. MAXX stands for comfortable and attractive facilities for commuters; fast, frequent and more reliable transport services; and comprehensive transport information. MAXX

1740-429: The census question. Of those at least 15 years old, 330,039 (24.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 571,350 (42.7%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 345,828 (25.9%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $ 44,700, compared with $ 41,500 nationally. 194,880 people (14.6%) earned over $ 100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15

1800-688: The central government. Both the means by which the council was established, and its structure came under repeated criticism from a broad spectrum during the establishment period. The Auckland Council took over the functions of the Auckland Regional Council and the region's seven city and district councils: Auckland City Council , Manukau City Council , Waitakere City Council , North Shore City Council , Papakura District Council , Rodney District Council and most of Franklin District Council . The Auckland Regional Council

1860-457: The draft Auckland Plan envisaged a more contained growth (combatting sprawl by having 75% of population growth occur in existing settlement areas), while National is more favourable of relaxing constraints on new greenfields development. Auckland Council later changed the plan to allow 30–40% of growth in greenfield areas and satellite towns. Auckland Unitary Plan (Operative in part) The Auckland Unitary Plan (Operative in part ) (AUP) guides

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1920-413: The fact that a previous integration of the many much smaller Borough Councils did not bring the promised advantages either, and reduced local participation in politics, with editorialists pointing out that the (supposedly mainly Wellingtonian ) proponents of the 'super city' have carefully not made any promises of savings in light of past rises in rates and utilities bills. In 2007, the government set up

1980-627: The future Council per person) and regarding the small number of Councillors for all of Auckland (with fewer Councillors per head than Aucklanders have MPs representing them in Parliament), and the institution of two-member wards (meaning that contenders would have to field much larger and more costly election campaigns). Editorialist Brian Rudman accused the Local Government Commission of attempted gerrymandering in its draft proposal for one particular ward. In early 2010

2040-400: The late 2000s, New Zealand's central government and parts of Auckland's society felt that this large number of Councils, and the lack of strong regional government (with the Auckland Regional Council only having limited powers) were hindering Auckland's progress, and that a form of stronger regional government, or an amalgamation under one local council , would be beneficial. Others pointed to

2100-556: The liquor industry was marked by failure to object to anti-union behaviour and strong advertising of alcohol to the youth market. McCarten argued McKay was to be paid three times the salary of the Prime Minister, had no local government or non-profit experience and was selected by an unelected transition authority. Mayoral candidates John Banks and Len Brown were positive about McKay's appointment. Brown, who went on to become mayor, said McKay's business and restructuring experience

2160-500: The major tasks of its first years, will prepare a "spatial plan" to guide Auckland's growth. This plan will cover matters such as the limits of residential development and the zoning and densities of the suburbs and areas, and will assess how elements like transport and land use are to be linked. It is intended to be one of the main documents out of which a unified District Plan will eventually grow. Some critics have noted that this spatial plan will need years to develop and CCOs would fill

2220-506: The matter – all under the guise of a "manufactured crisis". Others, while criticising the lack of democratic oversight, dismissed concerns about asset sales, noting that amalgamation was likely to result in surplus real estate. The Sunday Star-Times noted in an editorial that "we'll merely end up trading in political dysfunction for a quasi-commercial dysfunction forced on us by the National-led government." It also criticised, in

2280-797: The mouth of the Kaipara Harbour in the north across the southern stretches of the Northland Peninsula , through the Waitākere Ranges and the Auckland isthmus and across the low-lying land surrounding the Manukau Harbour , ending within a few kilometres of the mouth of the Waikato River . It also includes the islands of the Hauraki Gulf . It is bordered in the north by the Northland Region , and in

2340-410: The myth finished. The mayor is directly elected by voters living in the Auckland Council area every three years by postal ballot using the first-past-the-post voting system. Len Brown was elected mayor in October 2010, and re-elected for a second term in 2013. Phil Goff won the 2016 election and was re-elected as mayor in 2019. In 2022, Wayne Brown was elected mayor. The governing body of

2400-430: The opinion of The New Zealand Herald , ignored concerns about the "powerlessness" of the local boards. Hide argued that "local boards will engage like never before" and "represent their local communities and make decisions on local issues, activities and facilities". A further concern was that candidates for local boards would have to campaign without knowing the scope of the local board's financial resources, and that

2460-480: The planning work in the first year of the council is planning for the Auckland CBD (now called 'City Centre') and the Auckland waterfront . Including the under construction City Rail Link , these two transformations are costed at approximately $ 5.5 billion over 20 years. Projects proposed in the draft plans include partial or full pedestrianisation of a number of city centre streets, light rail possibilities for

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2520-455: The policy vacuum in the meantime. Apart from conflicting with Council's plans, this might also pit CCOs against each other. After the first round of plan development and public consultation, the draft plan was launched mid-2011. Commentators noted that one of the strongest discrepancies between Auckland Council's vision for Auckland and that of the John Key -led Wellington government was that

2580-570: The rates of the various amalgamated local councils and the Auckland Regional Council rates. For the 2011–2012 year, ratepayers are being charged the same rate as before the amalgamation, plus a 3.94% increase, with Council noting that they had achieved a much lower rates increase than originally foreseen. Rates made up 53% of the Council's income in 2011, with the remainder being "grants, subsidies, development and financial contributions, user charges and fees". As of 2011, 24% of

2640-476: The region, and that tangible benefits would ensue for all of Auckland's communities. Also, that changing the boundaries in 2010 would have a domino effect on the restructuring of the ward system for the future Auckland councillors. In turn, the opponents of inclusion argued that big-city developers preferred the inclusion of the rural areas in the Auckland Council boundaries to make development and new subdivision of rural land easier. Several editorialists criticised

2700-616: The reorganisation were contentious, such as whether all of the Auckland Region should be integrated into the super city, and whether the new structure allowed sufficient local democracy. Critics argued that there was little space for "local" democracy in the new "local government" setup for Auckland, with the proposed "local boards" having little power, such as having no funding or staff of their own, and being forbidden from undertaking numerous government roles, especially where those roles might clash with regional functions such as transport or utilities. Local Government Minister Rodney Hide , in

2760-453: The results expected of them." The Government's plan to outsource the majority of the council's functions was decried by numerous people (including the main mayoral contenders, Len Brown, and to a lesser degree, John Banks) and groups across the political and societal spectrum – from the Auckland Regional Council and many community boards, to Local Government New Zealand , and organisations considered to be National Party -friendly such as

2820-476: The size and composition of wards for the election of Auckland Council councillors. The criticism ranged from the wards being too big (and thus throwing together communities with few common interests), to some ward boundary lines being drawn against the local understanding of what constituted their community. More serious criticism was centred around the fact that urban wards contained significantly more people than some rural wards (and thus received less influence in

2880-702: The south by the Waikato region. The Hunua Ranges and the adjacent coastline along the Firth of Thames were part of the region until the Auckland Council was formed in late 2010, when they were transferred to the Waikato region. In land area the region is smaller than all the other regions and unitary authorities except Nelson . The region's coastline is 3,702 kilometres (2,300 mi) long. It has about 21,000 kilometres (13,000 mi) of rivers and streams, about 8 percent of these in urban areas. Its highest point

2940-681: The undesccribed Mokohinau gecko , insect species such as the Little Barrier giant wētā , and bird species known to roost exclusively in the Auckland Region, such as the New Zealand storm petrel . Many endemic species are found exclusively within the Waitākere Ranges , on Great Barrier Island , Little Barrier Island and the Mokohinau Islands . Auckland Region covers 4,941.16 km (1,907.79 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 1,798,300 as of June 2024, with

3000-687: The use of Auckland's natural and physical resources under the Resource Management Act 1991 . The AUP is a combined resource management plan which includes a regional policy statement, regional coastal plan, regional plan and district plan. The AUP's district plan provisions apply throughout Auckland, except for the Hauraki Gulf Islands which is instead subject to the Auckland Council District Plan - Hauraki Gulf Islands Section. The AUP replaced

3060-572: Was 35.9 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 318,843 people (19.2%) aged under 15 years, 346,938 (20.9%) aged 15 to 29, 770,949 (46.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 219,750 (13.3%) aged 65 or older. People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 49.8% European ( Pākehā ); 12.3% Māori ; 16.6% Pasifika ; 31.3% Asian ; 2.7% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 1.8% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English

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3120-502: Was a "good fit", and would help improve economic performance as well as build links with businesses. McKay's contract ended in December 2013. Stephen Town became chief executive on 15 January 2014. In early February 2020, Town announced he would not see out his term until December 2020, moving to the New Zealand Institute of Skills & Technology in early July. It is intended that the Auckland Council, as one of

3180-492: Was disestablished in 2019 as part of the 10-year budget 2018–2028. Michael Redman , formerly mayor, then chief executive of Hamilton City Council, was chief executive of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development from November 2010 to October 2011. In March 2010, Doug McKay was announced as the inaugural chief executive officer of the council by the Auckland Transition Agency. The 54-year-old

3240-556: Was formed in 1989, replacing the Auckland Regional Authority. One of the mainstays of its work was expanding the parks network, and it brought into the Auckland Council 26 regional parks with more than 40,000 hectares, including many restored natural habitats and sanctuaries developed in co-operation with the Department of Conservation and volunteers. A variety of often public transport-focused projects like

3300-546: Was made operative in part in November 2016 with some outstanding appeals. As of July 2024, over 100 plan changes to the AUP have been publicly notified. The first Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP), the longer-term financial budget of the city, will not be produced until July 2012. Until that time, longer-term finances will be decided by the council, guided by the existing LTCCPs of the subsumed bodies. Another big focus of

3360-409: Was selected ahead of 27 other candidates, including several existing council chief executives. He had no experience in local government, but was described as having strong Auckland ties, and 30 years' corporate experience. He was to receive a salary of $ 675,000 and an incentive bonus of $ 67,500. Left-wing political organiser Matt McCarten criticised his appointment, arguing McKay's previous tenure in

3420-557: Was spoken by 92.3%, Māori language by 2.6%, Samoan by 4.5% and other languages by 29.4%. No language could be spoken by 2.3% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.4%. The percentage of people born overseas was 42.5, compared with 28.8% nationally. Religious affiliations were 34.9% Christian , 5.4% Hindu , 2.9% Islam , 0.9% Māori religious beliefs , 1.9% Buddhist , 0.3% New Age , 0.2% Jewish , and 2.6% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 44.8%, and 6.2% of people did not answer

3480-407: Was that 712,110 (53.2%) people were employed full-time, 161,946 (12.1%) were part-time, and 43,947 (3.3%) were unemployed. The eponymous city (urban area) of Auckland has a population of 1,531,400 as of June 2024, making up 85.2% of the region's population. Other urban areas in the Auckland region include: Auckland Council Auckland Council ( Māori : Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau )

3540-551: Was undermined by the insistence of operators like Stagecoach / Infratil to use their own livery, relegating the brand to an afterthought displayed much less prominently. Apart from some usage on trains and ferries, most buses in Auckland operated in their operators' livery and brand with small MAXX stickers near the front entrance, but Northern Express buses on the Northern Busway used the MAXX brand more prominently. Auckland Region Auckland ( Māori : Tāmaki Makaurau )

3600-435: Was won by Wayne Brown . On 23 March 2023, the Auckland Council voted by a margin of ten to ten to leave Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ), the national representative body for local councils in New Zealand. Mayor Brown used his casting vote to break the deadlock during the Council's vote. Brown claimed that members of the body got drunk regularly during conference meetings and that the Auckland Council could negotiate with

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