Business.Scoop " Upper Hutt City Council To Borrow $4.4 Million, Earmarks $500K For AI

Upper Hutt City Council To Borrow $4.4 Million, Earmarks $500K For AI details a council decision dated July 02, 2026 on adopting artificial intelligence within local government operations. About $4.4 million in new borrowing was approved from the Local Government Funding Agency (LGFA), with $2.8 million earmarked to repave the city centre’s footpaths. A total of $513,000 is allocated for “adopting AI, and risk mitigation,” while remaining funds cover safety upgrades on rural roads, CCTV replacement in the central city, and road sealing. The council said it was in the operation planning phase and did not yet confirm total costs. It already uses ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Copilot, budgeting $75,000 annually for software licences, and cited efficiency gains from generative AI testing that its neighbour, Hutt City Council, has used since 2024.