Auckland mayor Wayne Brown aims to disestablish the city's tourism and economic development agency.

The mayor is progressing plans to fold Tātaki Auckland Unlimited back into council control and reduce its functions.

He says the agency spent more than $700,000 on a campaign promoting Auckland to Aucklanders.

He says these things need to stop happening with ratepayer money.

Hospitality New Zealand CEO Steve Armitage Tātaki says is essential - and plays a pivotal role for the city's tourism.

"There are a lot of ancillary benefits, there are jobs created - particularly off the strength of Auckland's visitor economy in recent years."

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