The Congestion Question
Investigating whether congestion pricing should be introduced in Auckland.
The Congestion Question
The Government has initiated reforms of Auckland’s transport governance through the Local Government (Auckland Council) (Transport Governance) Amendment Bill. The reforms aim to bring greater democratic accountability to Auckland’s transport decision-making and ensure long-term strategic alignment between Auckland Council and central government.
The Bill aims to deliver these goals through a range of key changes:
- establishing an Auckland Regional Transport Committee (ARTC), with voting members comprising Ministerial appointees and Auckland Council elected members, as well as an independent chair jointly appointed by the Minister of Transport and the Mayor of Auckland;
- providing for the ARTC to prepare a 30-year transport plan for Auckland, the Regional Land Transport Plan (for approval by Auckland Council) and to undertake other functions as delegated by Government or Auckland Council;
- moving most transport functions, including policy and planning functions as well as Road Controlling Authority status, from Auckland Transport to Auckland Council;
- re-establishing Auckland Transport as a transport Council-Controlled Organisation (the transport CCO) focused on providing public transport services in Auckland; and
- allocating some specific transport decisions to Auckland Council’s local boards.
The work to date
03
Mar 2026
Select Committee reports to Parliament on suggested changes to Local Government (Auckland Council) (Transport Governance) Amendment Bill
On 16 March 2026, the Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee (the Committee) reported back to Parliament on the Local Government (Auckland Council) (Transport Governance) Amendment Bill(external link). The Committee recommended some changes to the Bill, informed by public submissions.
Next steps
The Government will consider the Committee’s advice and progress the Bill through the remaining parliamentary stages.
02
Sept 2025
Local Government (Auckland Council) (Transport Governance) Amendment Bill introduced and referred to Select Committee
On 5 September 2025, the Local Government (Auckland Council) (Transport Governance) Amendment Bill was introduced to Parliament by the Minister for Transport, Hon Chris Bishop.
01
Dec 2024
Governance reform for transport in Auckland announced
On 3 December, the then Minister of Transport, Hon Simeon Brown, announced the Government will implement significant reforms to restore democratic decision-making for transport outcomes in Auckland.