Auckland Mayor Slams Govt on Bed Levy | Wellington News

Wellington News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 26, 2026 · 2m

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown is blasting Wellington for holding back Auckland’s progress, accusing the central government of undermining local autonomy and backing away from a key tourism funding plan — the bed levy. While Brown draws parallels to the UK’s devolved model, Auckland Minister Simon Watts defends the government’s “partnership” approach, warning that the mayor’s fiery rhetoric could harm future generations. With New Zealand First confirming the Auckland Deal remains a government-wide agreement — not just National Party policy — tensions simmer as Brown vows to wait until after the…