Auckland Council is to explore a bigger role for the private sector in everything from major transport projects to footpaths and swimming pools.
Mayor Len Brown says traditional revenue sources such as property rates will not meet all the city's needs, and he wants a debate on where the private sector might be able to step in.
Public private partnerships (PPPs) are already used by the Government and some school buildings and prisons are now either funded, built or maintained by private companies.
Mr Brown says in Auckland possibilities may include building and maintaining footpaths or running swimming pools but in most cases ownership would remain in the public realm.
He says the council's finances alone cannot afford the upfront costs of major projects such as the rail-tunnel link or arterial roads.
His office has produced a discussion paper on PPPs to encourage debate on how they might work in the city.
