Andrew Little: Rate hikes signal council disconnect, vows grounded leadership

Former Labour leader Andrew Little is running for the mayoral seat in Wellington and says his experience can make a significant impact in a city that “most needs it”.

The former Cabinet minister is competing against six other contenders, including the incumbent mayor, Tory Whanau, and independent candidate Ray Chung.

Speaking to William Terite on Pacific Mornings, Little argues that his return to politics, after “happily” leaving parliament for his law practice, is inspired by his skill set, which he believes the windy city needs.

He feels Wellington is facing “a fair amount of trouble”, with councillors becoming disconnected from local residents. This includes the escalating costs of the Town Hall rebuild and the Golden Mile street works, which could push retailers over the edge.

“When you look at the rate rises that we've had in the last couple of years: 30 per cent in the last two years alone,” Little says.

“It suggests to me that the council isn't managing its finances properly and in a way that I think respects where a lot of people are at. There's a sense that the council just isn't listening.”

Little’s plans

Regarding the Golden Mile, which involves revitalising Courtenay Place, Little says he will not “rip up” existing contracts but instead phase the disruptive construction in a more manageable way. He also wants to retain the council’s 34 per cent share in Wellington Airport, supporting last year’s 9-7 overturn to halt its sale.

Little says he plans to back a regional water‑services merger to tackle decades of underinvestment. Wellington Water reports that leaks on the metropolitan network have fallen by more than 75 per cent since councils increased funding.

“The city should be exciting [with] people doing things in the city, the promoters, business leaders, community leaders, the activities that happen, that's the exciting stuff, that's what makes a city.

Watch Andrew Little’s full interview below.

“We want to have a city that means people can get around it regardless of their mode of transport, that they can get around safely, they can do those things and enjoy what the city has got to offer,” Little says.

“But the council has got to be a supporter, a leader and a facilitator, not the source of chatter and its own excitement, which sometimes isn't particularly helpful to the city.”