From Finance To Forest: Auckland's New Bond Brings Benefits For People And Planet
While the council has a well-established sustainable finance programme in place, this SLB is a new milestone with its focus firmly on people, place and planet.
The bond links funding to the planting of one million native trees by the end of 2027, helping to grow a greener, healthier Tāmaki Makaurau for generations to come.
However, what makes this bond particularly unique is its combined accountability and sustainability drive.
If the council does not meet its planting target, it will make a donation to organisations supporting the restoration of native ngahere across the region. Unlike other SLB structures which often involve additional payments to investors for missed targets, the donation means whether the council meets the planting target or not, Aucklanders win.
Auckland Council's Manager Group Sustainable Finance Sophie Baillie says this innovative bond structure, which incorporates a donation, reflects Auckland's leadership in the sustainable finance space while directly benefiting communities.
'This bond enables us to align our funding with ambitious environmental outcomes.'
'Its structure keeps us accountable and ensures the objective of ngahere restoration to support local biodiversity and climate resilience moves forward no matter what.'
The one-million-tree planting target is part of the council's '200 Hectare Programme' - its 2021 Long-term Plan initiative to plant 200 hectares of new ngahere on park land. In doing so, it is transforming areas of marginal farmland into thriving native forests across the regional park network, while protecting sites of cultural significance.
These ngahere offer more than just beauty: they provide habitat for native wildlife, improve air and water quality, support carbon sequestration, reduce flood risk and create meaningful green spaces for Aucklanders to enjoy.
Auckland Council's Ngahere Programme Manager Howell Davies, who co-authored the council's 2019 Urban Ngahere Strategy, says the environmental and social impact of this work is immense.
'Increasing our native ngahere across the Auckland region strengthens the natural fabric of our city. It is a key climate adaptation action, which improves the region's resilience, enhances biodiversity and connects people to nature,' says Mr Davies.
'Planting these trees now means Aucklanders, especially our tamariki, can grow up with cleaner air, cooler neighbourhoods and stronger connections to our land and cultural heritage.'
Auckland Council's Ngahere Programme Specialist Steve Burgess, who is coordinating the planting programme, explains the tree seedlings and planting sites are carefully selected in consultation with mana whenua, ecologists, and parks specialists to ensure 'the right tree is planted in the right place'.
Locations span across Auckland's regional parks, in areas that will benefit hugely from this ecological restoration.
The initiative also supports the wider Auckland Climate Plan and the Auckland Plan 2050 goals of increasing canopy cover to help create a low-carbon, resilient city that values its natural taonga.
This is not Auckland Council's first foray into sustainable finance. Since 2018, the council has issued over NZ$3.7 billion in green bonds and has been a national leader in linking finance to environmental and social outcomes.
'Our sustainable finance programme is a powerful tool for positive change,' says John Bishop, Group Treasurer at Auckland Council.
'It helps us to deliver core services and infrastructure in a way that reflects our responsibility to future generations.'
This latest bond is more than a financial transaction, it's an investment in a thriving, resilient, and connected Auckland.
Every tree planted will bring us closer to a future where nature and community thrive together.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsroom
2 days ago
- Newsroom
State of Wayne's Auckland: No easy fixes
It's going to be a difficult job 'fixing' Auckland. Just ask the fixit mayor, Wayne Brown, whose city seems to be drifting lower against its international peer cities on important measures of productivity, opportunity, innovation and knowledge. A new survey does show Auckland performing ahead of overseas centres on culture and experience, sustainability and resilience, although it is losing ground on the 'experience' factor. The latest State of the City report from the Committee for Auckland, Deloitte and the Auckland Council finds the 'prosperity' measure has dropped the most this year of three years of monitoring. That equates to Brown's first term in office, although there are lags between political change and subsequent data. It highlights a range of challenges that in reality would be beyond any individual mayor or council. 'While this reflects the cumulative effect of economic and pandemic headwinds that have hit Auckland, the gaps that have opened up also point to more long-standing and systemic issues that are now acting as a handbrake on progress,' the report says. Brown accepts the findings, telling political, business and community leaders the report 'highlights an urgent need to lift Auckland's economic performance and competitiveness'. But early in his speech he delivered a confronting reality about just how much of that improvement can be influenced by Auckland itself. He dropped the 'R' word and told his audience not to believe central government 'spin'. 'While the economy has improved over the last couple of years, it started off a pretty low base. Auckland like the rest of New Zealand is still recovering from core financial decisions made following the Covid thing by the previous government. 'Despite the spin from Wellington, the Reserve Bank's real time measure of economic activity shows GDP is already sliding back into recession.' That stark prediction cannot have been a comfortable message for the Minister for Local Government, Simon Watts, who also spoke at the State of the City event. Brown said at the heart of the problem was productivity. 'We're simply not producing enough with the resources we've got.' The State of the City report focused hard on the P word. 'It is clear Auckland's own version of the productivity puzzle is long-running, multi-faceted, and requires both national and local focus to fully leverage Auckland as an escalator for productivity nationwide in the way other cities do for their nations.' It says Auckland ranks 99th globally for productivity and last among the peer cities the report has compared it with over time. Peers were Copenhagen, Fukuoka, Vancouver, Austin, Tel Aviv, Dublin and Helsinki. 'Across different studies, Auckland's productivity – at least in terms of economic output per person – is now rated in the region of 15-20 percent lower than comparable cities. As Auckland is the engine of New Zealand's economy with a nearly 40 percent share of national GDP, this lower productivity seriously impacts overall national growth.' On productivity, Brown did not duck the responsibility of Auckland to improve on behalf of all New Zealand. 'You fix Auckland, you fix New Zealand,' he said, quoting his own political slogan since assuming the office in 2022. 'The solution to New Zealand's productivity problem is right here.' Brown said Auckland had made progress since his election on council costs, rate increases, reform of council-owned organisations and winning back transport policy functions from Auckland Transport. He had just announced an innovation taskforce to drive research, knowledge, entrepreneurship and jobs. But he showed some sensitivity to challenges he faced to 'fix' issues faster and more broadly. The mayor told the audience: 'You have to have the right direction, but nothing's easy. 'So when you put your hand up and say [adopts a whingeing voice] 'Why haven't you fixed that problem?' … Just think how difficult it is. How did it get to where it is now? That's an even bigger question.' Brown believed the Government was trying its best, and praised RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and noted a good working relationship with Watts. But his mission to get Wellington out of Auckland's affairs as much as possible remained. 'You've created a regional government. You've got to treat us like that, and don't expect it to be otherwise, not while I'm in charge, anyway.' In true Brown style, there were some pithy put-downs of central Government officials – Ministry of Transport people 'weaselling away trying to find something negative' about the changes to Auckland Transport; other initiatives agreed at a high level in Auckland 'have to go down there and be fought through a multitude of morons'. And the benefits of applying AI to transport, for example, was frequently countered by what he called NS – natural stupidity. 'So it takes a lot of strength, on both sides. We are trying to show we are trying to lead for the rest of New Zealand. There are some important messages we have to sell to the rest of NZ. There's a lot of votes in Auckland but there's a hell of a lot of votes elsewhere as well.' He welcomed Auckland being one of the three first cities or regions to advance to the next phase of applications for the Government's City and Regional Deals – where a 10-year plan of development would be agreed with aligned planning and economic goals. The Western Bay of Plenty, based on Tauranga, is expected to be the first to get the go-ahead later this year. Brown: 'We've got to turn the city deals from a slogan into something that actually works. I'm not in a rush to be first, or second, or third, but we are the biggest. 'It does require a conversation of two grown-ups. It's not [a case] of a school teacher telling me as a pupil what you are going to get. It's got to be … serious grown-up conversations with the Government.' Watts said there was a high degree of alignment between the Government and Auckland Council. He cited his 'having architected the City Regional Deals while in opposition and now having them signed', the Government's water reforms, RMA reform, as being helpful but 'probably not starting to be felt until next year or the year after.' Another benefit from Government could be to 'just get out of the bloody way. Get out of the way of business, get out of the way of local government, acknowledging that sometimes the biggest challenge is we get in the way and we are not the best party to be involved. 'It's just that maturity of perspective.' Watts had lived in Vancouver, London and Singapore and recognised a global perspective was needed. 'Yeah we are great and there are so many things that make us better than so many of those other cities. But there are so many things that we could be and should be better than what we are.' He challenged attendees to step up. 'It's not just the mayor or the minister. It's the people in here and sitting in these seats. You have more power to influence, to affect that change than anyone sitting up on the front stage. 'The concern in the report is that we might fall back. And that would be intolerable.' Acknowledging the State of the City's concern about Auckland lagging in some areas and the risk of falling still further, the minister claimed 'we have got the pillars in place and now need to move into the delivery phase'. 'Auckland is the economic powerhouse of this country. It does drive our success or our failure. I think I would give [Auckland's performance in] the report a solid B, with room for improvement. That's not a bad place to be, where we are, but we shouldn't be satisfied with a B.' The State of the City report summarises the implications of its findings. Report author Tim Noonan, of the Business of Cities urban intelligence and policy group in the UK, said dozens of cities worldwide had held a mirror up to themselves and honestly asked what it would take to improve. Auckland's issues were not insurmountable but were connected and needed an integrated response. It should be a national endeavour, private and public sector, corporates, institutions, and innovators, on behalf of existing and future citizens The State of the City report indicated, through the three years of surveys, that Auckland found itself 'stuck'. Auckland outperforms peers on what he called acquired attributes, things that take generations to develop like natural and physical capital – place and culture and resilience. But in pillars that really drive growth it is not doing well. 'Opportunities remain below par throughout this period of time. Other cities internationally have now moved in some cases quite substantially ahead on investment, business appeal, job outcomes, wages versus costs. 'On balance, more capital, more talent is consistently flowing out to larger and better places. 'Prosperity clearly stands out as the biggest drop across the three issues of the State of the City.' Auckland's productivity problem was more 'vexing' than other cities and had both city-specific and national origins. 'Auckland's not performing as the escalator of productivity as other equivalent cities do for their nations. 'The concern is that the levers for turning the productivity tide are not yet ready to pull.' Noonan said Auckland was now at an inflection point. 'There's a moment here. The ground being lost in important areas is too sizeable to be ignored.' And he had a telling caution: 'The risk that other cities' experience tells us that Auckland has to avert is the slow drip in opportunities elsewhere, a waning of visibility, a softening if you like of ambition and appeal.'
Scoop
2 days ago
- Scoop
ACT Announces Ali Dahche As ACT Local Candidate For Howick
Press Release – ACT New Zealand ACT Local has selected Howick resident Ali Dahche – a local business owner, and infrastructure specialist, as its candidate for the Howick Ward in this year's Auckland Council election. Raised in Howick by hardworking immigrant parents, Ali grew up with a deep sense of community. After founding ASD Ventures to bring international investment into New Zealand's property and infrastructure sectors, he's now focused on making a difference in his hometown. He has extensive experience managing major facilities and leading diverse teams both in New Zealand and overseas, including in the Middle East. Ali understands how to deliver projects on time and on budget, with a strong focus on practical results and avoiding waste. He believes the current council is broken, with residents paying the price through rising rates, poor services, and endless red tape. Gridlock, delays, and ideology have become the norm while simple projects drag on for years. His priorities are fixing transport, stopping waste, ending anti-car policies, and making sure decisions reflect what locals actually want. 'Howick is home to me, it's where I grew up and where I'm raising my own family. But lately, it feels like our community isn't getting the basics right. Rates keep going up while services fall behind. I want to help turn that around. Running my own business and working overseas taught me how to be practical, stick to a budget, and deliver results. I'm not here for politics, I just want to fix what's broken and make sure Howick stays a great place to live.' – Ali Dahche Earlier this year, ACT New Zealand announced it would be standing Common Sense Candidates for local government for the first time — after hearing from New Zealanders across the country who are sick of rising rates, ballooning budgets, and councils that ignore the basics while chasing ideological vanity projects. When you vote ACT Local, you know what you're getting: Fixing the basics Lower Rates Cutting the waste Ending race-based politics Restoring accountability Ending the war on cars ACT Local Government spokesperson Cameron Luxton says: ' ACT Local candidates are community-minded Kiwis who've had enough of wasteful councils treating ratepayers like ATMs. It's time to take control on behalf of ratepayers — to restore accountability and deliver real value for money. ACT Local is about getting the basics right: maintaining roads, keeping streets clean, and respecting the people who pay the bills. Our candidates won't divide people by race or get distracted by climate vanity projects. They're here to serve, not lecture.' – Cameron Luxton
Scoop
2 days ago
- Scoop
ACT Announces Ali Dahche As ACT Local Candidate For Howick
ACT Local has selected Howick resident Ali Dahche – a local business owner, and infrastructure specialist, as its candidate for the Howick Ward in this year's Auckland Council election. Raised in Howick by hardworking immigrant parents, Ali grew up with a deep sense of community. After founding ASD Ventures to bring international investment into New Zealand's property and infrastructure sectors, he's now focused on making a difference in his hometown. He has extensive experience managing major facilities and leading diverse teams both in New Zealand and overseas, including in the Middle East. Ali understands how to deliver projects on time and on budget, with a strong focus on practical results and avoiding waste. He believes the current council is broken, with residents paying the price through rising rates, poor services, and endless red tape. Gridlock, delays, and ideology have become the norm while simple projects drag on for years. His priorities are fixing transport, stopping waste, ending anti-car policies, and making sure decisions reflect what locals actually want. 'Howick is home to me, it's where I grew up and where I'm raising my own family. But lately, it feels like our community isn't getting the basics right. Rates keep going up while services fall behind. I want to help turn that around. Running my own business and working overseas taught me how to be practical, stick to a budget, and deliver results. I'm not here for politics, I just want to fix what's broken and make sure Howick stays a great place to live.' – Ali Dahche Earlier this year, ACT New Zealand announced it would be standing Common Sense Candidates for local government for the first time — after hearing from New Zealanders across the country who are sick of rising rates, ballooning budgets, and councils that ignore the basics while chasing ideological vanity projects. When you vote ACT Local, you know what you're getting: Fixing the basics Lower Rates Cutting the waste Ending race-based politics Restoring accountability Ending the war on cars ACT Local Government spokesperson Cameron Luxton says: ' ACT Local candidates are community-minded Kiwis who've had enough of wasteful councils treating ratepayers like ATMs. It's time to take control on behalf of ratepayers — to restore accountability and deliver real value for money. ACT Local is about getting the basics right: maintaining roads, keeping streets clean, and respecting the people who pay the bills. Our candidates won't divide people by race or get distracted by climate vanity projects. They're here to serve, not lecture." – Cameron Luxton
