Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown makes an announcement on the future of the Ports of Auckland on 7 May, 2024. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Auckland's mayor has updated his manifesto for the city, focusing on areas he says need urgent attention for growth.
Wayne Brown released his manifesto in 2023, calling on a different relationship between the super city and central government and going over a plan to "fix Auckland".
His updated manifesto, released on Monday, put the focus on Auckland as the driver for economic growth, and a way out of recession.
It outlined immigration and tourism, housing and growth, and technology and innovation as the areas in urgent need of attention from the government.
"The Prime Minister wants to 'go for growth' and I welcome his can-do attitude. I've got a plan for Auckland to lead the way. So, let's work together and get on with supercharging Auckland to fix New Zealand and pull it out of this recession," Brown said
The mayor said he wanted to collaborate with the government to give entrepreneurs from New Zealand first access to cutting-edge facilities, as well as ensure they stayed in the country.
"I want Auckland to become the South Pacific hub of technological innovation that the big players want to invest in," Brown said in his manifesto.
He said they were working with government to change planning laws, enabling the construction of new homes.
The city needed more funding and financing tools to support growth in the right places, he said.
"We need to be innovative in our approach and always consider the burden to the ratepayer, currently it is disproportionate to the relative benefits, and this must change."
Visitor bed tax
Brown called on the government to reconsider a visitor bed tax, something he has been vocal of in the past.
Consultation on Auckland Council's annual plan, which includes the proposal for a bed night visitor levy, received more than 13,000 pieces of feedback.
Council said 60 percent of individuals who responded on the issue supported the bed tax.
Brown said he wanted the proposal to move quickly.
"I'm open-minded about how such a scheme would work, but any revenue raised in Auckland should stay in Auckland," he said.
"But do it quickly and don't let some bureaucrat's need for a nationally consistent framework leave this to wither on the vine for another 20 years."
He put forward the idea of a reciprocal visa policy with China to get the most out of the city's visitor economy.
"There is no good reason why China-our biggest export partner-should not be on the list of visa-waiver countries.
"This is also a significant hurdle preventing the Southern Link between Southeast Asia and Brazil. Removing the current transit visa will enable airlines like China Eastern to provide a service linking these two huge economies via Auckland."
Brown scored the government on their work in Auckland against the manifesto two years ago, giving them a B+.
"The government gets too easily distracted by mega-projects and press releases," he said.
"Some ministers have been better than others. Overall, they have made a reasonable effort this term but could try harder and have fewer Wellington bureaucrats involved."
