Te whakahou whānui i te tūnuku i te 2025-2026 Transport reform 2025–2026

Transport changes

Auckland is changing the way transport is: 

• governed
• planned
• delivered.

This is called transport reform.

Background to the changes 

In 2025, the government agreed to make changes to laws, giving Auckland Council more control over transport decisions. 

It also agreed to a smaller council-controlled organisation (CCO) to deliver public transport services. The rest of Auckland Transport's responsibilities will move to Auckland Council.

To allow this change, the government has released draft legislation (a bill). Auckland Council has provided feedback on this bill.

What transport reform will do 

Transport reform will:

• change the way Auckland Council and the government work together and plan transport with 10-year and 30-year plans
• support a great customer experience by focusing the CCO on reliable, efficient and safe public transport
• plan transport and development together to support regional growth
• build trust and confidence by making decisions clearer and more local.

What happens next 

The government is expected to finalise the legislation and make it law sometime between March and May 2026. There will then be a six-month transition period to set up the new CCO and move other functions into Auckland Council. 

If the law is approved in March 2026, this transition period could end around September 2026.

Other upcoming decisions 

Over the next few months, we will need to:

• finalise the legally required transition plan to guide the changes
• confirm the detailed design for how the new public transport CCO and council will work
• approve the final structure and staffing for the two organisations
• create a new board for the public transport CCO
• make any other changes needed before the new arrangements begin.

We will update this page as more information becomes available.