Auckland councillors clash over new trial for rubbish collection

An outgoing Auckland councillor says she may file a police complaint against a fellow councillor, accusing them of inciting anger towards her because she supports a fortnightly rubbish collection trial.

Manurewa-Papakura councillor Angela Dalton says she has been unfairly targeted by Daniel Newman in a series of public meetings he has held in south Auckland regarding the proposed trial.

In one of Newman's meeting slides, he states that Dalton said neighbourhoods in her ward would be willing to participate in the trial.

"[It's] generating anger from people attending, to the point where they want to know my address so they can dump their rubbish on my driveway," Dalton said.

"I have spoken with people who would be willing to participate in a trial, but he is using this quote in the media as a weapon to incite anger. I’m not even standing [in the election]."

In response, Newman said there was no incitement and people had a right to know how councillors voted on the rubbish trial.

Manurewa-Papakura councillor Angela Dalton says she feels targeted by her colleague over a vote to start a trial on rubbish collection. Photo/LDR/Stuff

Parts of Clendon Park/Weymouth in south Auckland, Te Atatū Peninsula in the west and Panmure/Tāmaki in the east have been selected for a proposed six-month trial of fortnightly rubbish collections.

The trial, expected to begin in February for 10,000 households, would be used in a decision on a regional rollout.

Dalton, who isn't running for re-election, said residents at Newman's meeting had threatened to dump their rubbish on her driveway.

Manurewa-Papakura councillor Daniel Newman has been holding a string of public meetings on the proposed fortnightly rubbish collection trial, the latest in Clendon Park on Wednesday. Photo/LDR/Stuff/Torika Tokalau

"Councillor Newman is blaming me for the selection of this area for the trial. This was actually an officer's decision based on a weighted model."

Dalton was one of 14 councillors who voted for the proposed trial at a Planning and Policy Committee meeting last October.

Newman was one of four who voted against it, including Waitematā and Gulf ward's Mike Lee, Ken Turner from Waitākere and Howick's Maurice Williamson.

"I am considering contacting the police about his incitement of action against me," Dalton said. “It’s just to the point where it’s uncomfortable.”

Newman said Dalton should be accountable for her vote, as he was for his in opposing the trial.

"I used the two statements because people have a right to know how their respective councillors voted and what they said, I am informing the community on the trial, and people appreciate the information. No one should dump rubbish illegally on anyone's driveway."

Parts of Clendon Park/Weymouth in south Auckland, and two other places in Auckland have been selected for the proposed trial. Photo/LDR/Supplied

He said there was no incitement against Dalton. “Both she and I are Manurewa-Papakura Ward councillors, and people want to know how we voted and what we said.

“My thoughts are with the people of Weymouth and Clendon who are facing the prospect of a six-month-long fortnightly rubbish collection service next year (if it proceeds).”

Proposal trial timeline

October 13 to 31, 2025: public consultation on proposed six-month trial.

December 2025: Council committee to decide whether to proceed with trial.

February 2026: Trial to begin, if agreed. Ends in August.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.