What does the ARC do?

See the Annual Plan - Chapter 2

Statutory requirements

• Resource Management Act 1991
• Local Government (Auckland) Amendment Act 2004
• Transit NZ Act 1989
• Land Transport Management Act 2003
• Biosecurity Act 1993
• Local Government Act 2002. 

Governance responsibilities

Auckland Regional Holdings (ARH)

ARH manage regional infrastructure assets including Ports of Auckland Ltd, Sea +City Projects Ltd, and provides funds to the ARC.

Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA)

ARTA is responsible for planning, funding and developing the regional land transport system, including passenger transport, local roading and sustainable transport activities. 

For further governance information see Annual Plan - Chapter 4 

Built Environment  

The region's growth and transport strategies are designed to provide a built environment that offers a range of residential, commercial, industrial and recreational opportunities.
The aim is to develop a region that looks good, is compact, has integrated infrastructure that works well, and is economically and environmentally sustainable.

Natural environment and heritage  

The ARC protects the regions natural environment by seeking to minimise the effects of development and pollution on the region's air, land and water. We look after the regions coastal and marine areas and work with local councils to manage stormwater and wastewater discharges.
We monitor the state of the environment, respond to pollution incidents, and regulate land use activities.
The ARC protects Auckland's geological features, native plants and animals, historic buildings and cultural heritage, and we control animal and plant pests. We also co-ordinate community conservation programmes.

Economic development

The Auckland Regional Economic Development Strategy has been developed through the ARC by local government, business, education, Maori and Pacific peoples and the wider community. The result is the Metro Project Action Plan which includes a to-do list of 31 projects designed to build a skilled labour force, business innovation, and to attract visitors and investors. It aims to improve urban form and infrastructure and to make the region internationally competitive as a high-income knowledge-based economy.

Regional leadership and community development  

The public and central government want the region's eight councils to work more co-operatively, and the regional council is best placed to lead that change. The ARC will help build an integrated decision-making framework for the long-term sustainable economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being of the region.

Regional parks

The ARC owns 26 regional parks on behalf of the public, including the Waitakere and Hunua ranges, Long Bay, Auckland Botanic Gardens, Mt Smart Stadium, and a range of coastal parks. As the region grows, the ARC needs to ensure sufficient parkland is available for outdoor recreation, and to protect important natural habitats and historic heritage sites.
Last year the ARC acquired new regional parks at Pakiri, South Kaipara and Atiu Creek, in the Rodney District. The ARC is the region's largest farming operation. It holds community events such as Ambury Farm Day and Omana Children's Day in regional parks. 

Safety (including Civil Defence and Harbourmaster)

The ARC oversees regional civil defence planning and does research into natural and man-made hazards.
We also manage navigational safety on our harbours through the ARC Harbourmasters office.

Transport

The ARC funds the region's transport network. Through the Auckland Regional Transport Authority, we provide bus, train and ferry services, and fund smart travel services like walking school buses. We contribute to providing the MAXX public transport information service.
The ARC also leads the development of the Regional Land Transport Strategy.

ARC subsidiaries - Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA)

ARTA is responsible for transport activities across the region including

• Planning purchasing and improving bus, train and ferry services
• Providing the public transport information
• Planning and funding school bus services
• Working with councils on local roading projects.

ARTA is funded by the ARC through regional rates, and by Auckland Regional Holdings, Land Transport New Zealand and revenue from services.

Auckland Regional Holdings (ARH)

Auckland Regional Holdings (ARH) is a statutory organisation involved in investment management activities. ARH's investment portfolio includes 100% ownership of Ports of Auckland and a specialist company, Sea+City Projects Limited which is project managing the revitilisation of ARH's Auckland waterfront investment property within Wynyard Quarter. ARH's portfolio also includes diversified financial assets. Most of the money generated from ARH's investments is used by the ARC to fund transport (through ARTA) and stormwater programmes throughout the region.