Latest news with #WellingtonCouncil
RNZ News
18-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
More council candidates quit Ray Chung's Independent Together campaign group
Independent Together billboards showing Andrea Compton, Dan Milward, and Lily Brown are up around Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Two more Wellington council candidates running under the Independent Together ticket have left the group following mayoral candidate Ray Chung's email about Tory Whanau. In a press release, the group confirmed that Andrea Compton and Dan Milward had left their organisation to campaign independently of it. It follows fellow candidate Lily Brown's announcement on Wednesday that she would not run with the group either. She said she did not feel aligned with tactics employed by Better Wellington who has helped run Independent Together. The changes meant that the number of candidates that stood under Independent Together had reduced from nine to six. Independent Together billboards showing Andrea Compton, Dan Milward, and Lily Brown are up around Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone In a statement Milward said that he was surprised by "recent allegations and the subsequent media coverage storm". He said that at an Independent Together roadshow event on Tuesday his wife was threatened by "agitators". "I knew it was time to take a different approach. "I'm proud of what we have achieved together but this is the right call for me, my family, and my community - it's time to run the 'Dan Milward Campaign'". Independent Together said the media scrutiny on its team had been intense. "The extent of it has been unnerving on our business and community minded candidates. "While the team feels the loss of both Andrea Compton and Dan Milward, we acknowledge the impact this is having on both of their families." They said that threats and bullying tactics from "the political establishment won't work on Independent Together candidates anymore". Compton said standing independently offered her the best opportunity to connect directly with her community. "This election is about listening, offering practical solutions, and having the courage to stand by what you believe in." Ray Chung sent an email, seen by RNZ, to three fellow councillors in early 2023 recounting a story he'd been told by his neighbour about the neighbour's son allegedly having a sexual encounter with the mayor. The email surfaced last week. Whanau rejected the contents of the email and said it was false and contained a "malicious and sexist" rumour. She has since received an apology from Chung. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
26-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Council vote to pass Wellington's amended long-term plan
Councillors during the public participation section of Wellington Council's long-term budget meeting. Photo: RNZ / Nick James Eight months after Wellington City Council back tracked over its Wellington Airport share sale, it has rubber stamped its amended long term plan. As part of the council's long term plan from last year, it agreed to sell its 34 percent stake in the Wellington International Airport to establish a new perpetual investment fund. In October that plan was shot down which required the council to go through an amended long term plan process. The changes saw then local government Minister Simeon Brown install Lindsay McKenzie on the council as a crown observer . In the months that followed council went through a process of trimming its investment in a range of services and facilities - soon of which caused community outrage such as plans to shut Khandallah Pool and Begonia House. Those two facilities have been saved, but councillors have decided to make cutbacks in several areas. Those include to slash the Paneke Pōneke cycleway budget from $115.2m to $66.9m, rescale and rephase low cost, low risk transport projects, which saved $67.8m, and push back some Wellington Zoo upgrades to name a few. Under the plan it would also create a perpetual investment fund out of the sale of council owned ground leases. The council have also agreed for an average rates increase of 12 percent for the next financial year. At the vote on the plan, councillor Rebecca Matthews said getting it across the line was an important first step in restoration of faith in the council as governors. Matthews thanked Lindsay McKenzie for his work. "I am not sure that the government ministers that appointed you would have anticipated that we would part as such good friends." She said the council had learned to do its processes better. Councillor Diane Calvert. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas Councillor Diane Calvert said she did not see the plan as a triumph. "It's a forced correction, created by the financial reality and the financial crisis that I have been warning about for the last several years that we are in." Councillors Ray Chung, Nicola Young and Tony Randle that voted against the plan. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
24-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Archaeologists Brought In For Wellington's $2.3 Million Light-Up Toilets
A Local Government Official Information Act request made by the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union shows a new toilet block is budgeted to cost ratepayers $2.3 million, which includes costs for a light-up exterior and archaeological work. Taxpayers' Union Local Government Campaigns Manager Sam Warren said: 'How reckless can Wellington Council be? It's unjustifiable to throw this kind of money around, including for archaeological costs, while a record number of locals are being rated out of their own homes.' "This build-at-all-costs approach needs to stop. On top of last year's 16.9 percent rates increase and this year's proposed 12.2 percent increase, we're looking at a cumulative 31 increase to average rates in just two years.' 'It's not hard to see why rates are soaring; Council has clearly lost focus. Toilet blocks don't need a social license, nor a dig find—they need to be delivered well and affordably.' 'Until rates capping laws are introduced, councils across New Zealand will continue to flush this kind of money away. Not enough pressure exists to keep councils on-task and focused, providing only the basics well.'
