Wellington councillors vote to save beloved community assets

RNZ News

22-05-2025

The community came out in support in February when the council talked about demolishing Begonia House.
Photo:
RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Wellington City Councillors have
saved beloved community assets including the Begonia House
from the chopping block while shaving back tens of millions for council projects.
In October last year the council
voted not to sell its 34 percent stake in the Wellington International Airport
as part of its 10-year budget - the long term plan.
The sale meant the plan needed to be amended.
The changes saw then Local Government Minister Simeon Brown install Lindsay McKenzie on the council as a crown observer.
Due to the lack of the airport share sale the council has had to look at setting up a small investment fund via ground leases for hazard risks and cutting back funding for projects and assets.
The council has agreed to save Begonia House and Khandallah Pool from demolition.
However, it did not give the same certainty to the Karori Events Centre. It has agreed to offer the facility back to its trust to fix the building and give them $1.9 million to do that.
The trust will then have to work with the council to come up with a plan to finish the site.
If that was not done in three months the council would then sell the building.
In terms of cuts councillors have decided to slash its Paneke Pōneke cycleway budget from $115.2m to $66.9m, rescale and rephase its low cost, low risk transport projects which saved $67.8m and push back some Wellington Zoo upgrades to name a few.
It will also introduce paid parking for motorcyclists and motor scooters at a cost of $1 per hour at a maximum of $6 per day to park in the 68 motorcycle parking bays across the CBD.
Councillor Geordie Rogers said that the other success that council has made today was the set up of its small investment fund for natural hazards.
"Today we have done a fantastic job ensuring we do have money set aside."
Ben McNulty said that the council did too many projects and policies without also asking for reports and what the impact of them would be.
"I do think that style has somewhat permeated the long term plan amendment process."
Rebecca Matthews asked councillors to be optimistic about the city following today's vote and to give each other grace.
Councillors have also agreed to establish a new water organisation jointly owned with councils in the Hutt Valley, Porirua and the regional council.
They have noted that they expected the new entity to be established with Wellington residents at the forefront of decision making.
It would also look at the establishment of a consumer advocacy group which would scrutinise the entity and support people with changes to a user charges model for water.