Auckland unifies urban development: new office centralises growth & investment

The Auckland Urban Development Office will serve as the council’s development front door for investors, developers, iwi, Crown agencies, and private sector partners. Its role is to simplify engagement and strengthen Auckland Council’s capability to deliver integrated, smart, sustainable urban development in areas identified for regeneration and strategic growth. 

The move follows the disestablishment of Eke Panuku. The new office within council will merge the functions of both Eke Panuku and council’s Development Programme Office.

Today also marks the Economic Development function of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited coming into Auckland Council. 

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says the changes will bring functions in-house to cut down on silos between organisations, duplication, and lack of integration in planning. 

“I ran on a platform of taking back control of so-called council-controlled organisations. In December last year we agreed to a package of CCO reforms to get council working effectively for Aucklanders. 

“Today shows we’re on track with what was promised: bringing the functions of Eke Panuku and the Economic Development arm of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited in-house. The process of reforming Auckland Transport so decision-making returns to democratically elected councillors has also begun.

“This work will improve strategic alignment between council’s decisions and CCO activities, increase democratic accountability and transparency, and deliver better value for Aucklanders. This will get the council group fit for purpose to realise Auckland’s growth potential.”

The mayor says the Auckland population is set to grow by more than a quarter of a million people in the next 10 years, more than the entire population of Wellington city.

“If we are to make the most of the opportunities ahead, we must lay the foundations for an agreed, thoughtful approach forward. Streamlining these functions within council makes the most of what we have and sets us up to plan for the demand ahead.” 

He says alongside working through legislative change with government he’s making sure the private sector is also on board. The Development Community Forum held last week was the first of many to improve the council-development sector partnership. There were frustrations over a lack of leadership with an agreed, single path forward, inconsistencies across council divisions, and a lack of commercial understanding.