Auckland Transport


Auckland Transport is the council-controlled organisation of Auckland Council responsible for most of Auckland's transport infrastructure, projects and services, including roads, walkways, cycleways, ferry facilities, parking and public transport.
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History

Auckland Transport began operating from 1 November 2010, at the inauguration of Auckland Council. It assumed the role of the Auckland Regional Transport Authority and the combined transport functions of Auckland's eight local and regional councils, all of which were disestablished. It was established by section 38 of the Local Government Act 2009, and operates under that act, the Local Government Act 2009 and the Local Government Act 2010.
On 3 December 2024, the Transport Minister, Simeon Brown and Mayor of Auckland, Wayne Brown announced an overhaul of AT's mandate and functions. Key changes included moving various planning powers to council and repositioning the agency as a transport project and services delivery agency. Auckland Council would be given AT's former road-controlling authority powers with responsibility for regional land and public transport planning. Auckland's local boards would also be given decision-making powers over certain transport policies such as parking, speed limits, cycleways and pedestrian crossings.
On 5 September 2025, Transport Minister, Chris Bishop, Auckland Minister, Simeon Brown, and Mayor of Auckland, Wayne Brown confirmed that the New Zealand Government would introduce legislation reallocating policy, planning and road delivery and management powers from AT to Auckland Council. Under the new legislation, AT would be responsible for delivering public transport, infrastructure services and other specific functions determined by the council. Some council and local board elected representatives expressed concerns about how transport policy and planning work could be done by them.

Operations and staff

AT is responsible for the Auckland Region's transport infrastructure and public transport. It designs, builds and maintains roads, ferry wharves, cycleways and walkways; co-ordinates road safety and community transport initiatives; and it plans, co-ordinates and funds bus, train and ferry services. AT also employs Auckland's Harbourmaster. It is the largest of the council's organisations, with over 1700 staff, controlling half of all council rates.
Dr David Warburton was the inaugural chief executive of the organisation. His successor, Shane Ellison, joined the organisation in December 2017. Dean Kimpton was appointed chief executive in September 2024.
Auckland Transport appoints parking wardens to fulfil its responsibility of parking and special vehicle lane enforcement in the region. In 2017, it created the new position of Transport Officer, in response to issues regarding fare-evasion and disorderly behavior on public transport. Transport Officers are empowered by law to remove passengers off trains and issue infringement notices of $150 to enforce fare payment.

Board members

Directors are appointed by Cabinet and by Auckland Council. The Board has overall responsibility for delivering transport, including managing and controlling public transport and local roads.
The directors as of August 2025 are:

Assets

AT's assets totalled $19.1 billion in 2018, up 0.5 billion since June 2017. AT owned or operated the following transport assets as of 2018:
Also the following:
  • 6,859 km of footpaths, which grew to 7,287 km by 2016
  • 985 bridges and major culverts
  • 99,912 street lights
  • 127,666 road signs
  • 1,554 bus shelters
  • 14 multi-storey car park buildings
  • 933 on-street pay-and-display machines
  • 270 AIFS integrated ticketing devices
In 2022, AT purchased:
  • 4 diesel commuter ferries that it upgraded
In 2025, AT launched: