A record number of Aucklanders are having their say on the council's Emergency Budget 2020/2021.
Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook
More than 15,000 pieces of feedback had been submitted for the emergency budget, compared to just 1200 responses received in the same amount of time on the usual budget consultation earlier in the year.
Mayor Phil Goff said Covid-19 had cut the council's revenue by $525 million, or about 12 percent, in the coming year.
"This means the council needs to cut its spending across the board, with fewer staff, a reduction in services and deferral of some of our big construction projects," Goff said.
"We are working hard to ensure that we maintain the vital services council provides to Aucklanders, and we want to invest as much as we can in construction projects that will stimulate the economy, grow jobs and create assets for Auckland."
He said Aucklanders facing hardships due to Covid-19 and its impacts would be allowed to defer their rates.
The consultation period is open until 19 June.
After the feedback is considered by the council, the 2019/2020 Annual Budget will be formally adopted on 30 July.
