36209 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Local Government

36209 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Local Government: What evidence, if any, does he rely on that amalgamating councils into larger unitary authorities reduces costs to ratepayers, and does that evidence include a post-implementation review of the 2010 Auckland Council amalgamation?

Hon Simon Watts: There has not been a post-implementation review of the 2010 Auckland Council amalgamation. However, the creation of Auckland Council has enabled more strategic, coordinated, and future-focused planning of the Auckland region, which has been critical to the region’s growth and development. The unitary model has also seen better, more efficient service delivery for Aucklanders. Auckland Council estimates that between 2010 to 2020, Auckland ratepayers saved $2 billion in rates.