24 May 2023

Auckland Council to axe more than 500 jobs

From Morning Report, 7:14 am on 24 May 2023
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, left, with council chief executive Jim Stabback.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, left, with council chief executive Jim Stabback. Photo: RNZ / Jonty Dine

The Auckland Council has confirmed more than 500 job losses across the organisation, and there could be 200 more once the Council's Budget is finalised next month.

Last week Auckland Council chief executive Jim Stabback announced 160 jobs would be lost across multiple areas.

This alongside about 200 jobs at the council's entertainment and economic development agency, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, and a further 150 jobs at Auckland Transport.

Jim Stabback says more cuts will come, but he says the size of the restructure will be decided by councillors.

Mr Stabback says the council has an obligation to deliver services to ratepayers as efficiently as possible.

He says the cuts to date will have had a minimal impact on Aucklanders.

But he says the nature of council services will change over time, and while some roles face the axe, some areas of council business may see an increasing number of staff.

The chief executive of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, Nick Hill, declined an interview with RNZ, but in a statement he says he informed staff in a video call yesterday.

The job cuts will save about $37.5 million, and the organisation will start consulting with affected staff in mid-June.

Nick Hill says the cuts aren't a reflection of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited's work, but of the worsening financial situation facing Auckland Council.