Auckland Mayoral candidate Kerrin Leoni is the main contender to incumbent mayor Wayne Brown. Photo: Supplied / NZ Herald
Auckland Mayoral candidate Kerrin Leoni has released her fiscal policy, after mistakenly telling media it would be announced on Sunday.
The Auckland councillor and main contender to incumbent mayor Wayne Brown unveiled her 'Value for Money' Fiscal Plan on Tuesday afternoon.
A key part of her plan is a "ratepayer shield" policy, which would require 75 percent council majority or a public referendum to be held before the council sells any of its strategic assets.
Under Mayor Brown's leadership, the council sold its stake in Auckland Airport in 2024.
She committed to saving the council $100 million by cutting spending on consultants by 40 percent and bringing more services in-house.
"My plan is simple: protect what we own, spend smarter, not harder, and invest in the basics that make life better for Auckland families. We'll cut the waste, starting with the millions spent on consultants and not the services you rely on," she said.
"This isn't about spending more or spending less, it's about spending smart. Every dollar saved on consultants is a dollar we can invest in fixing that pothole on your street or keeping your local pool open."
Leoni pledged to cap residential rate increases at or below inflation after year two of her term.
"Wayne Brown promised to fix Auckland, but under his watch, rates have gone up 21.7 percent, city debt has increased by over a billion dollars, and he still sold our airport shares," she said.
"Aucklanders deserve better than selling the family silver while still raising their rates."
Leoni said Auckland was facing an infrastructure crisis and she would prioritise fixing roads, upgrading stormwater to prevent flooding, and stopping raw sewage from polluting beaches and harbours.
She said Auckland generated 38 percent of the country's GDP but was getting "short-changed" when it came to investment.
She said as mayor, she would push the government to return the GST it charges on rates to the council, to get funding for infrastructure, something Brown had also advocated for.
Brown has been approached for comment.
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