The financial fallout due to Covid-19 is hitting the country's councils hard, but Auckland is facing by far the biggest cash shortfall at over half a billion dollars.
Auckland Council collects almost two-thirds of its income from zoos, pools, galleries and libraries but this has dried up and is unlikely to return to pre-pandemic levels any time soon.
Its crippling shortfall accounts for half the estimated $1 billion lost by councils nationwide.
Like other local bodies, it's putting together a rates holiday package and looking at where to trim spending.
Amy Williams reports.
