By Rodney Councillor Greg Sayers. Auckland Transport is being brought under the control of Auckland Council as part of a major shakeup.
The process began in July 2025, when Councillors voted for a formal review of Auckland Transport’s structure amid mounting public concern about customer service, delivery delays and rising project costs. Public consultation followed in August and September 2025, drawing strong feedback from ratepayers. In October 2025, the council adopted a transition plan detailing staged changes to be rolled out across 2026.
From January 2026, strategic planning functions shifted to be under Council’s management. By April 2026, and reliant on Parliament changing some legislation, transport budgets and capital programme approvals will be aligned directly with the ouncil’s budget processes. The final stage — including executive restructuring and updated reporting lines — will be completed by December 2026.
Auckland Transport was established in 2010 after the formation of the “Super City” as an autonomous body responsible for roads, public transport and traffic management. While designed to provide technical expertise and independence, critics argue its arm’s-length model created blurred lines of accountability between officials, elected representatives and Auckland’s residents and ratepayers.
Auckland Transport staff are currently accountable to a non-elected Board of Directors which cannot be voted out by ratepayers – the customers. Under the new model the staff will be accountable to elected Councillors and Local Board members, who ratepayers can elect, or vote out, based on performance.
Supporters say the changes will streamline decision-making, better integrate transport and housing growth planning, and accelerate key projects such as roading congestion reduction initiatives.
Some transport critics caution that 2026 will be a difficult transition year. They warn that retaining key staff, avoiding political short-term thinking, and ensuring service continuity will determine whether the promised gains in accountability and delivery are realised. Regardless, Auckland Transport’s restructuring is now well underway.
