Working Better Together to deliver for Auckland

In the spirit of mahi tahi (working together), a new partnership has been formed between Kāinga Ora, Auckland Council, Auckland Transport and Watercare to better enable the planning, funding and delivery of the infrastructure needed to support Auckland’s Large-Scale Projects.

The Working Better Together partnership was formalised last year through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the Minister of Housing and the Mayor of Auckland and further cements the commitment to delivering a 10-year plus redevelopment programme across the region.

Urban Development and Delivery General Manger Mark Fraser says the agencies have been working together for many years to deliver successful projects such as Greenslade Reserve in Northcote and Freeland Reserve in Mt Roskill, but that the launch of the Working Better Together programme on 1 May signals an exciting new phase in the collaboration.

“We now have political and executive sponsorship of the programme, a cross-organisational governance group, and a mandate to exploring new ways of working better together.

“It means we have a stronger foundation to make the right decisions, at the right time so we can deliver the housing needs of Auckland faster and improve the infrastructure resilience of these communities.

“I’m looking forward to sharing some of the successes that will come from this joined up approach,” says Mark.

To ensure the workstream meets it mandate on delivering efficiencies, an executive group made up of representatives from each organisation meets bi-monthly to identify and address any potential challenges or barriers to success.

The Working Together Better programme launch follows a tour of Kāinga Ora Large-Scale Projects in Tāmaki Makaurau in April, which was attended by Mayor Wayne Brown, and senior executives from Auckland Council, Watercare, Auckland Transport and other key infrastructure groups.

Barry Potter, Director of Infrastructure and Environmental Services for Auckland Council, says it’s exciting to have this commitment to working together on a common set of shared goals and objectives that will deliver benefits for our city.

“This is not only about building homes. It’s also about delivering improved, sustainable infrastructure in the right places and better amenities, to create safe, inclusive, and liveable neighbourhoods that function well and support the health and wellbeing of Aucklanders.”

Jane Small, Group Manager PMO, Strategic Programmes and Property for Auckland Transport, says the new programme is a great opportunity for central and local Government to partner to deliver new communities in the Large-Scale Project areas.

“We will be working differently to how we have in the past, taking a more joined up approach to focus on outcomes for our communities,” she says. “It’s an exciting opportunity for us to deliver in a more efficient way.”