Marae spend and library fines in council plans

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Time is running out to make submissions on Auckland’s 10-year-budget.

The budget includes a 5.3 per cent rates increase as the council tries to deal with an expected shortfall in revenue because of the Covid-19 pandemic, but many services are being cut or spending deferred.

South Auckland councillor Alf Filipaina says it’s important Māori voices are heard on plans of both the governing body and the local boards overspending for the next three and 10-year cycles.

He says there is $60 million in the budget for marae infrastructure and $1.2 million to support papakainga developments.

There’s also a proposal to scrap library fines, which he says should have a positive effect on Māori and Pacific readers.

"I think it's about 35,00 people stopped going to our libraries. The issues there is our tamariki and rangatahi then, as a result, they're whakamā because they've got $10 fines because they haven't returned the books and look what happens," Mr Filipaina says.

Aucklanders have until March 22 to offer views on the proposed 10-year budget.

For more information, visit their website: https://bit.ly/3eSMQ60

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