Incentives and a review of our targeted rate could help Covid-stricken businesses in Auckland CBD

Colliers NZ figures show the city centre is becoming increasingly sparse, with retail vacancy rates rising from 1.4 percent in December 2019 to 14.4 percent last December.

Mayoral candidate and sitting council member Efeso Collins says we need to look at the 20-million dollars of city centre targeted rates the Auckland Council collects.

He wants to see where the money's being sent, and how it's supporting central businesses.

His main rival is Heart of the City's Viv Beck, who says we need investment in incentives.

She says that could be dining vouchers, or incentives to encourage spending on quieter days