At a glance

Actual vs budgeted amounts ($billions) for all councils combined, 2020/21

In 2020/21, councils were making efforts to address historical underinvestment in infrastructure – capital renewal expenditure was 78% of depreciation (in 2020, this was 74%).

In 2020/21, councils invested $2 billion in three waters assets, which represented 53% of total council capital expenditure on infrastructure assets for the year.

This is an increase of $283.9 million (17%) from 2019/20.

Local Authorities (Members’ Interests) Act

During 2020/21, we gave approval to 22 councillors for providing services to their councils under one or more contracts in which payments exceeded $25,000 in the financial year.

Types of audit reports we issued

76 councils We issued audit reports to 76 councils. Two councils have yet to have their 2020/21 audits finalised.

	54 of the audit reports we issued had an emphasis of matter paragraph on the Government’s three waters reform.
	19 of the audit reports we issued received qualified opinions on performance information.*
	6 of the audit reports received qualifications on their financial performance.*

* Two councils received qualifications for both their financial and performance information.

Building and Resource Management Act consent applications