Wondering what Tory Whanau's council has been doing since elected? - first 100 days
From Scoop
Tory Whanau: my first 100 days
by Tory Whanau. Friday 3 February 2022
Today marks 100 days since I was inaugurated as the Mayor or Wellington. That was a day to remember, packed full of firsts.
The inauguration took place for the first time at Pipitea Marae, I became the city’s first wahine Māori Mayor and Nikau Wi Neera became Wellington’s first Māori Ward councillor. This marks a successful foundation for our Tākai Here agreement with mana whenua.
I was also the first Wellington mayor since Mark Blumsky in 1995 to be elected without having first served as a councillor. That is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it ensures a clean break from the past which makes it easier to set a new direction. But it also presents challenges.
Perhaps the biggest challenge has been quickly getting up to speed with everything the council does. While it has caused brain overload at times, and there is still plenty to learn, it has filled me with admiration for the council and the vast amount of work they do.
One of my early priorities was to establish a good council committee structure and have the most appropriate people leading each committee. There will always be political divides but getting the committee structure right is essential to ensure decision making goes smoothly over the next three years.
I have forged a strong working relationship with the council’s Chief Executive Barbara McKerrow. We share a very similar vision for Wellington and together will lead the transformation of Wellington into a City of Impact. We both want a climate-resilient city, with safe, accessible, and walkable streets. We want affordable homes. We want effective public transport. We want a city that isn’t burdened with burst pipes. We want a city where everyone is proud to call it home.
I also have good working relationships with city councillors built on trust, respect and transparency. To aid that, I stood down from the Green Party. That was a tough decision but I want to work collaboratively with all city councillors irrespective of political allegiances. Stepping away from the Greens sets a good example.
From this platform, we have achieved plenty in the first 100 days. It includes:
Appointment of Manu Whenua reps Liz Kelly & Holden Hohaia.
Establishing the council committee structure for the triennium
Appointments made to Council Organisations, Council Controlled Organisations, external or Joint Committees and organisations.
E-scooter providers Flamingo and Beam authorised to introduce up to 150 e-bikes each for hire.
Community Housing Provider Trust Deed approved, paving the way for more affordable rents for tenants.
Agreed to guiding design principles for Te Matapihi – the Central Library. (It will provide a great visitor experience which represents Pōneke’s unique cultural identity and integrates specific services including City Archive, Customer Service and Experience Wellington’s Capital E.)
Purchased 474 unit titled car parks in a parking building at 70 Tory St, to offset on-street parking revenue to be lost as part of LGWM, and to enable greater future control of parking in the city to promote electrification of the fleet.
Agreed to progress the Sludge Minimisation Plant, vital if we are to meet our goal of being carbon neutral by 2050.
A way forward agreed for the stalled redevelopment of Frank Kitts Park playground due to Armstrong Downs liquidation.
Land Acquisition for a roundabout on Aotea Quay, to better cater for large trucks boarding the Interisland ferries.
Bus, bike and pedestrian improvements for Aro Valley and Ngaio approved.
11 new EV chargers to be installed at convenient Wellington City Council sites around the city, with provision for many more.
All hospitality venues in Wellington with outdoor dining on Council land will become smoke-free and vape-free from 1 March 2023.
WCC co-hosted the Black Ferns Rugby World Cup celebration at Parliament.
The former ASB Sports Centre in Kilbirnie given the enduring name Ākau Tangi. The name speaks to the sound and energy of the wind and waves crashing.
Expanded criteria for Te Kainga housing to include artists, transport workers, hospitality workers and more.
I’m also pleased to have established a collaborative relationship with our business community through the Chamber of Commerce and lobby groups. Keep an eye out for a new City Manager role and business forum which will ensure our businesses are being heard.
Looking ahead, Wellington will be a city in transition as we progress work on the Golden Mile, fix pipes, and continue work on key infrastructure projects such as the Town Hall and Te Matapihi.
I am focused on ensuring all residents – including business owners – are aware not just of the work planned but the timetable of work and how it may affect them. There is so much more on the agenda for Wellington and I will have plenty more to say about this later in the year.
So as the council knuckles down to a busy year, I wish all Scoop readers and their respective whānau a happy 2023.
