Local Board slashes BID rate2 min read

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The future of the Onehunga Business Improvement District (BID) has been thrown into uncertainty after a dramatic Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board meeting in May, where the board voted to reduce the targeted rate from $1 million to $410,000 – despite the BID area having nearly tripled in size.

The original figure for the previous financial year was $420,000.

The decision followed tense and emotional exchanges in the council chamber, as Business Onehunga, Auckland Council’s BID team and a vocal faction group presented their cases. While the board acknowledged the association had followed proper procedures during its recent expansion, local board members ultimately supported the drastic budget cut “with heavy hearts”.

Business Onehunga, which now must support over 1,100 businesses after a 179% area expansion, requested a reduced rate of $650,000 to ensure effective service delivery.

Amanda Wellgreen, general manager of Business Onehunga, said the $410,000 rate would severely limit what the association can achieve.

Faction group representatives Andrew Body and Mark Jorey were vocal critics of the association, citing “serious issues” and a “lack of confidence” in the organisation.

“The business people are hurting,” Mark said. “The sooner the OBA drops the cost to $410,000, the better.”

Emotions ran high during comment from board members. Cllr Josephine Bartley defended the association’s track record, stating, “They’ve stood with the community through the good and the bad. I remember seeing them at the 2019 Mosque memorial. If you say you stand for the community, where were you then?” She said, “I have disrespect for you and have no love to show you.”

Debbie Burrows, the designated local board representative for Business Onenhunga, condemned the faction’s tone. “To say we don’t care about our community is wrong. We’re not puppets. We will not be bullied, threatened or intimidated.”

Auckland Council BID team representative, Gill Plume confirmed that, while Business Onehunga had “done everything above board,” the team recommended reverting to the proposed rate based on its review.

The board’s decision to retain the expanded BID area while slashing its budget has left many wondering how the organisation will cope – and what this means for the wider Onehunga business community