Getting an annual budget across the line is no easy task for mayors, with councillors acting as both their caucus and opposition, not to mention the public consultation process.

Baldwin Boyle Group and a Heart of the City board member Chamanthie Sinhalage-Fonseka says mayors lead the direction of budgets and often go through them line-by-line with senior council officers before the draft version is tabled.

Auckland Council is facing an almost $300 million shortfall. Residential rates will rise by a net average of 5.66 per cent. Christchurch City Council is looking at a similar rates increase of 5.58 per cent. Meanwhile, Wellington City Council’s proposed rates increase is more than double that.