The Auckland mayor's plans to sell off his council's airport shares and to lease the city's port have been received sceptically by voters, according to a poll released exclusively to 1News.
The Talbot Mills poll of 500 Aucklanders asked what they thought of mayor Wayne Brown's proposals, which are part of the supercity's long-term plan.
Public consultation on the wide-ranging long-term plan ends this Thursday.
Voters were asked: "There is a proposal for Auckland Council to sell off its shares in Auckland Airport. How strongly do you support or oppose the privatisation of Auckland airport shares?"
According to the poll results, 38% opposed selling the remaining shares, 34% supported and 28% were unsure. National, ACT and New Zealand First voters were more likely to support the proposition, with Labour and Green voters more likely to oppose it.
The poll also canvassed Brown's desire to lease out the port for 35 years to a private operator. The money gathered from both proposals would go into an "Auckland Future Fund", which would help pay for future investments by the council.
Voters were asked: "There is a proposal to sell off the Auckland Port operating business which is currently 100% owned by Auckland Council and Aucklanders, via a lease. How strongly do you support or oppose the sale of the port operations?"
Nearly half of voters — 45% — opposed leasing the port operating business, with 31% in favour, while 23% were unsure. Younger voters were more likely to support the proposal.
It's unclear where the money's coming from and what it means for Auckland's port. (Source: 1News)
The advocacy group It's Our Auckland commissioned the poll, and said the results show there's no public mandate for the mayor's plans.
"It shows that selling local public assets is not popular," spokesperson Max Harris told 1News. "Even after Wayne Brown has attempted to sway people to his point of view."
He wants Auckland assets to stay in Aucklanders' hands. Brown, though, insists there is support for his proposal. The last in-person submissions were heard today.
In a media release, the mayor said: "I want Auckland to have the most beloved waterfront of any harbour city in the world that is both physically and financially resilient.
"Leasing the operation of the port ensures public ownership of waterfront land, a better return on ratepayer money via a productive port, and a timetable for the release of port land for better public use."
He expects the fund could return 7.5% annually, with 2% being reinvested each year to maintain the real value of the fund, with 5.5% distributed across the council group to pay for a variety of services.
A Curia poll released yesterday found 60% support for the lease plan if it meant the port provided "much higher returns" to ratepayers than it does currently.
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