Auckland Takes the Wheel: What the 2026 Transport Governance Reforms Mean
Auckland Takes the Wheel: What the 2026 Transport Governance Reforms Mean
Friday 22 May, 2026
The Local Government (Auckland Council) (Transport Governance) Amendment Act 2026
Background
Auckland's transport network has struggled to move people and goods efficiently and effectively across the city, with congestion costing the city up to $1.4 billion annually and Auckland slipping in international rankings for connectivity. Against this backdrop, the Government identified two structural weaknesses: a lack of democratic accountability, with the non-elected Auckland Transport board making most transport decisions; and a lack of joint government and Auckland Council long-term transport planning, resulting in the absence of a coherent shared view across agencies.
The Local Government (Auckland Council) (Transport Governance) Amendment Act 2026 (the Act) is the Government’s response to those issues, making the most significant reforms to Auckland's transport governance since 2010.
Commencement and Transition
The Act came into force on 7 May 2026. A maximum six-month transitional period follows commencement, with the new arrangements expected to be in place by around October 2026.
Key Reforms
Auckland Regional Transport Committee (ARTC)
The Act establishes the Auckland Regional Transport Committee (ARTC) as a statutory committee. Its voting membership comprises three ministerial appointees and three Auckland Council elected members, along with a chair jointly appointed by the mayor and Minister of Transport. In addition, there are three non-voting members appointed by and to represent the New Zealand Transport Agency, KiwiRail Holdings Limited, and the transport CCO, respectively.
The purpose of the ARTC is to develop and maintain a long-term strategic direction for land transport in Auckland shared by Auckland Council and the Government, so that there will be streamlined and co-ordinated planning, optimisation of the Crown's and Auckland Council's resources, and transparent transport decision making.
The ARTC has two permanent advisors: the Chief Executive of Auckland Council and the Secretary for Transport and must seek and consider advice from the permanent advisors on all significant matters.
The 30-Year Transport Plan
The ARTC must prepare a 30-year transport plan for Auckland, which becomes effective after both the Minister of Transport and Auckland Council have approved it. The plan must provide direction for the development of land transport in Auckland, aligning the priorities of the Government and Auckland Council, and setting the strategic direction for planning, funding, and investment. The plan is intended to promote productivity and economic growth, the safe and rapid movement of people and goods, and efficient asset management.
The ARTC must review and replace the plan within six years, or by any earlier date specified by the Minister of Transport and the Mayor. When preparing its Long-term Plan (LTP), Auckland Council must take the 30-year transport plan for Auckland into account.
Reformed Transport CCO (Auckland Transport)
The Act repeals the provisions that established Auckland Transport and re-establishes it as a statutory transport council-controlled organisation (CCO). The reformed transport CCO is responsible for the provision of public transport services in Auckland and will undertake any responsibilities, powers, and functions delegated to it by Auckland Council.
The governing body of the transport CCO is a board of directors comprising between three and five directors, appointed by Auckland Council. Directors may not be a member of Auckland Council or any of its local boards.
Transfer of Functions to Auckland Council
The Act transfers most transport functions from Auckland Transport to Auckland Council. This includes regional transport policy and planning, the approval of the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) and the Regional Public Transport Plan, and delivery of the transport capital programme. Auckland Council becomes the road controlling authority for Auckland.
Greater Powers for Local Boards
Under the Act decision-making for local transport functions on local roads is delegated to local boards, supporting the policy objective of strengthening local democratic accountability and ensuring appropriate local expertise and community engagement. Local boards also assume greater powers in relation to the making of bylaws for local and collector roads under the Land Transport Act 1998.
A local board has the powers, functions, and responsibilities set out in Schedule 4 in relation to local roads and collector roads within its local board area. These include powers relating to speed limits, footpaths, cycle tracks, parking, and road closures for events.
Implications
The Act represents a fundamental reconfiguration of Auckland's transport governance. The practical implications include:
- Accountability: Most transport decisions will now sit with democratically elected councillors and local board members, creating direct lines of accountability to the public.
- LTP integration: The transport CCO's public transport activities must be specified in the Council's LTP, and any variation requires formal LTP amendment.
- Roading Classification Framework: Auckland Council must develop and maintain a new Roading Classification Framework, subject to Ministerial approval, that determines the classification of every non-State-highway road in Auckland.
- Five-year review: Five years after the relevant subpart commences, Auckland Council must review the performance of both its own and the transport CCO's powers, functions, and responsibilities. Within nine months of that review date, it must present a report to the Minister of Transport, who must then present it to the House of Representatives.
- Employment transition: More than 1,350 people are proposed to move from Auckland Transport to Auckland Council, with detailed statutory protections preserving existing terms and conditions of employment.
If you would like further information about this legislation the expert advisors at Tompkins Wake would be happy to help.
