Wellington City Council

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Template:Short description Template:Use New Zealand English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox legislature

Wellington City Council is a territorial authority in New Zealand, governing the city of Wellington, the country's capital city and third-largest city by population, behind Auckland and Christchurch. It consists of the central historic town and certain additional areas within the Wellington metropolitan area, extending as far north as Linden and covering rural areas such as Mākara and Ohariu. The city adjoins Porirua in the north and Hutt City in the north-east. It is one of nine territorial authorities in the Wellington Region.

The council represents a population of Template:NZ population data 2018 as of Template:NZ population data 2018 and consists of a mayor and fifteen councillors elected from six wards (Northern, Onslow-Western, Lambton, Eastern, Southern general wards and Te Whanganui-a-Tara Māori ward).<ref group="n">Multiple councillors are elected to general wards using the single transferable vote (STV) system</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It administers public works, sanitation, land use and building consents, among other local services. The council has used the marketing slogan "Absolutely Positively Wellington" in an official capacity since the early 1990s.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Composition

Council

The mayor and all councillors are members of council.

Mayor

Template:Main Template:See also One mayor is elected at large from the entire Wellington City district.

Photo Name Affiliation (if any) First elected Responsibilities
bgcolor=Template:Party color| Andrew Little Labour 2025 Ex-officio member of all committees and subcommittees; Chair of Chief Executive Performance Review Committee

Te Whanganui-a-Tara Māori ward

Te Whanganui a Tara is a Māori ward created by Wellington City Council in 2021.<ref name="Stuff">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Wellington City Council">Template:Cite web</ref> The 2022 election returned Nīkau Wi-Neera as its first-ever councillor.<ref name="wcc-results">Template:Cite web</ref> Wi-Neera retired from the seat at the 2025 election, and was replaced by Labour's Matthew Reweti.

Photo Name Affiliation (if any) First elected Responsibilities
bgcolor=Template:Party color| File:Matthew Reweti official portrait 2025–2028 WCC term (cropped).jpg Matthew Reweti Labour 2025 Deputy Chair of Economic Growth and Development; member of Regulatory Processes Committee; member of Audit and Risk Committee

Motukairangi/Eastern ward

Motukairangi/Eastern ward returns three councillors to the Wellington City Council. Since 2025 the councillors are:

Photo Name Affiliation (if any) First elected Responsibilities
bgcolor=Template:Party color| Error creating thumbnail: Karl Tiefenbacher Independent 2025 Chair of Economic Growth and Development; member of Regulatory Processes Committee; member of Chief Executive Performance Review Committee
bgcolor=Template:Party color| Error creating thumbnail: Sam O'Brien Labour 2025 Deputy Chair of Council Planning and Finance; member of Revenue and Financial Value Review
bgcolor=Template:Party color| File:Jonny Osborne official portrait 2025–2028 WCC term (cropped).jpg Jonny Osborne Green 2025 Member of CCO Review and Appointments; member of Grants Subcommittee; member of Audit and Risk Committee

Pukehīnau/Lambton ward

Pukehīnau/Lambton ward returns three councillors to the Wellington City Council. Since 2025 the councillors are:

Photo Name Affiliation (if any) First elected Responsibilities
bgcolor=Template:Party color| Error creating thumbnail: Geordie Rogers Greens 2024 Chair of Regulatory Processes Committee
bgcolor=Template:Party color| File:Afnan Al-Rubayee official portrait 2025–2028 WCC term (cropped).jpg Afnan Al-Rubayee Labour 2025 Deputy Chair of Social, Cultural and Environment; member of CCO Review and Appointments; Deputy Chair of Grants Subcommittee
bgcolor=Template:Party color| Error creating thumbnail: Nicola Young Independent 2013 Member of Economic Growth and Development; Chair of Grants Subcommittee

Takapū/Northern ward

Takapū/Northern ward returns three councillors to the Wellington City Council. Since 2025 the councillors are:

Photo Name Affiliation (if any) First elected Responsibilities
bgcolor=Template:Party color| File:Ben McNulty October 2025 (cropped).jpg Ben McNulty Labour 2022 Deputy mayor;<ref>https://wellington.govt.nz/news-and-events/news-and-information/our-wellington/2025/10/deputy-mayor-announced</ref> Chair of Revenue and Financial Value Review; member of Economic Growth and Development; Deputy Chair of Chief Executive Performance Review Committee
bgcolor=Template:Party color| Error creating thumbnail: Tony Randle Independent 2022 Member of Revenue and Financial Value Review; Deputy Chair of CCO Review and Appointments
bgcolor=Template:Party color| File:Andrea Compton official portrait 2025–2028 WCC term (cropped).jpg Andrea Compton Independent 2025 Deputy Chair of City Strategy and Delivery; member of Revenue and Financial Value Review; member of CCO Review and Appointments; member of Grants Subcommittee

Wharangi/Onslow-Western ward

Wharangi/Onslow-Western ward returns three councillors to the Wellington City Council. Since 2025 the councillors are:

Photo Name Affiliation (if any) First elected Responsibilities
bgcolor=Template:Party color| Error creating thumbnail: Diane Calvert Independent 2016 Chair of Council Planning and Finance; member of Economic Growth and Development; member of Chief Executive Performance Review Committee
bgcolor=Template:Party color| File:Rebecca Matthews official portrait 2025–2028 WCC term (cropped).jpg Rebecca Matthews Green 2019 Deputy Chair of Revenue and Financial Value Review; member of Regulatory Processes Committee; Deputy Chair of Audit and Risk Committee
bgcolor=Template:NZLBGC| Error creating thumbnail: Ray Chung Independent Together 2022 Member of Revenue and Financial Value Review; Chair of CCO Review and Appointments; member of Grants Subcommittee; member of Audit and Risk Committee

Paekawakawa/Southern ward

Paekawakawa/Southern ward is the only ward that returns two councillors to the Wellington City Council (all others returning one or three). Since 2025 the councillors are:

Photo Name Affiliation (if any) First elected Responsibilities
bgcolor=Template:Party color| File:Nureddin Abdurahman official portrait 2025–2028 WCC term (cropped).jpg Nureddin Abdurahman Labour 2022 Chair of City Strategy and Delivery; member of Grants Subcommittee; member of Chief Executive Performance Review Committee
bgcolor=Template:Party color| File:Laurie Foon council portrait (cropped).jpg Laurie Foon Greens 2019 Chair of Social, Cultural and Environment; member of Economic Growth and Development; member of Regulatory Processes Committee

Pouiwi

Two pouiwi (tribal representatives) were appointed in 2023 by the Council's Tākai Here partners, Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko o te Ika and Ngāti Toa Rangatira. They have voting rights on Council committees, including committees of the whole, but not on the full Council.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Since 2023 the pouiwi are:

Photo Name Appointed by Responsibilities
File:Holden Hohaia WCC (cropped).jpg Holden Hohaia Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko o te Ika
  • Member, Kōrau Tōtōpū | Long-term Plan, Finance, and Performance Committee
  • Member, Pītau Pūmanawa | Grants Subcommittee
  • Member, Kōrau Tūāpapa | Environment and Infrastructure Committee
  • Member, Kōrau Mātinitini | Social, Cultural, and Economic Committee<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
File:Liz Kelly WCC (cropped).jpg Liz Kelly Ngāti Toa Rangatira
  • Member, Kōrau Tōtōpū | Long-term Plan, Finance, and Performance Committee
  • Member, Koata Hātepe | Regulatory Processes Committee
  • Member, Kōrau Tūāpapa | Environment and Infrastructure Committee
  • Member, Kōrau Mātinitini | Social, Cultural, and Economic Committee
  • Member, Unaunahi Māhirahira | Audit and Risk Committee<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Committees

Following a review in 2021 by former Local Government New Zealand chief executive Peter Winder, the council adopted a new committee structure.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> All committees apart from Te Kaunihera o Pōneke Council and Unaunahi Ngaio Chief Executive Performance Review Committee include two mana whenua representatives (pouiwi), who are paid and have voting rights.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Committees and subcommittees of the Wellington City Council<ref name="Governance structure">Template:Cite web</ref>
Committee Chair Deputy Chair Membership
Te Kaunihera o Pōneke Mayor Andrew Little Deputy Mayor Ben McNulty All councillors
Council Planning and Finance Cr Diane Calvert Cr Sam O’Brien
City Strategy and Delivery Cr Nureddin Abdurahman Cr Andrea Compton
Social, Cultural and Environment Cr Laurie Foon Cr Afnan Al-Rubayee
Revenue and Financial Value Review Deputy Mayor Ben McNulty Cr Rebecca Matthews Mayor Andrew Little, Cr Ray Chung, Cr Andrea Compton, Cr Sam O’Brien, Cr Tony Randle, Pouiwi representative
Economic Growth and Development Cr Karl Tiefenbacher Cr Matthew Reweti Mayor Andrew Little, Deputy Mayor McNulty, Cr Calvert, Cr Laurie Foon, Cr Nicola Young, Pouiwi representative
CCO Review and Appointments Cr Ray Chung Cr Tony Randle Mayor Andrew Little, Cr Afnan Al-Rubayee, Cr Andrea Compton, Cr Jonny Osborne, Pouiwi representative
Grants Subcommittee Cr Nicola Young Cr Afnan Al-Rubayee Mayor Andrew Little, Cr Nureddin Abdurahman, Cr Andrea Compton, Cr Jonny Osborne, Cr Ray Chung, Pouiwi representative
Regulatory Processes Committee Cr Geordie Rogers Cr Tony Randle Mayor Andrew Little, Cr Laurie Foon, Cr Sam O’Brien, Cr Rebecca Matthews, Cr Matthew Reweti, Cr Karl Tiefenbacher, Pouiwi representative
Chief Executive Performance Review Committee Mayor Andrew Little Deputy Mayor McNulty Cr Nureddin Abdurahman, Cr Diane Calvert, Cr Karl Tiefenbacher
Audit and Risk Committee Independent Chair Cr Rebecca Matthews Mayor Andrew Little, Cr Ray Chung, Cr Sam O’Brien, Cr Jonny Osborne, Cr Tony Randle, Cr Matthew Reweti, Pouiwi representative, independent Member

Community boards

The council has created two local community boards under the provisions of Part 4 of the Local Government Act 2002,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> with members elected using a single transferable vote (STV) system<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> or appointed by the council.

These are:

Wellington City Council community boards<ref name="Governance structure"/>
Committee Chair Deputy Chair Membership
Mākara/Ōhāriu Community Board Mark Reed Darren Hoskins Christine Grace, Chris Renner, Wayne Rudd, Hamish Todd
Tawa Community Board Jill Day Liz Langham Cr McNulty, Cr Randle, Rachel Allan, Tim Davin, Jesse Elias, Miriam Moore
Tawa Community Board Grants Committee vacant Rachel Allan, Miriam Moore, Jill Day, Tim Davin

History

City status and council origin

File:Wellington - ISS016-E-5121 lrg.jpg
Satellite photo of central Wellington (south at bottom left)

The settlement became the colonial capital and seat of government in 1865, replacing Auckland.<ref name="wcc-1865-1890">Template:Cite web</ref> Parliament officially sat in Wellington for the first time on 26 July 1865. During the last half of the nineteenth century, Wellington grew rapidly from 7,460 residents in 1867 to 49,344 by the end of the century.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1870, the Wellington City Corporation was formed, with former town board chairman Joe Dransfield being elected as its mayor.<ref name="wcc-1865-1890"/><ref name="TeAra-cities">Template:Cite web</ref> Wellington formally attained city status in 1881 when its non-Māori population surpassed 20,000.<ref name="wcc-1865-1890"/> The Municipal Corporations Act 1886 further ratified Wellington's status as a city, alongside Auckland, Dunedin, Christchurch and Nelson,<ref name="TeAra-cities"/> retroactively recognising it to have been such since 16 September 1870.<ref>Template:Cite Legislation NZ</ref>

Amalgamations

The City of Wellington has subsumed many neighbouring boroughs including:

Wards

Wellington's local electoral wards were given Māori names in 2018, after consultation with mana whenua.<ref name="māori-names-for-wards">Template:Cite web</ref>

In May 2021, the Wellington City Council voted 13–2 to establish a Māori ward,<ref name="Stuff"/><ref name="Wellington City Council"/> with the Te Whanganui-a-Tara Māori ward first contested in the 2022 elections.

In July 2024, the National-led coalition government passed the Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2024 which reinstated the requirement that councils must hold a referendum before establishing Māori wards or constituencies. In September 2024, the council voted 13–3 to affirm their decision to establish the Māori constituency, thereby triggering a referendum on the constituency to be held alongside the 2025 local elections.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On 22 October 2024 the New Zealand government appointed Lindsay McKenzie as a Crown Observer to the council after the Council was forced to revise its 2023–2024 Long Term Plan in response to a failed attempt to sell its airport shares.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> MP and former Wellington City councillor Tamatha Paul has accused the government's decision to appoint the Crown Observer as politically motivated.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

List of town clerks/chief executives

The city council was legally headed by a town clerk, who was in charge of the council administration and operations, later renamed as chief executive officer in 1991.Template:Sfn Holders of the office since 1842 are:Template:Sfn

Name Years
George White 1842–1843
Robert Suckling Cheesman Template:Centre
William Bannister 1863–1865
J. B. Wallace 1865–1867
John Rigg 1867–1871
William Hester 1872–1877
Charles C. Graham 1877–1883
Thomas F. Martin 1883–1889
Joseph Page 1889-1902
John R. Palmer 1902–1925
Robert Tait Jr. (acting) 1925–1926
Edwin Philip Norman 1926–1952
Basil Peterson 1952–1956
Mervyn Sinclair Duckworth 1956–1964
Francis W. Pringle 1964–1972
Ian McCutcheon 1972–1984
David Niven 1984–1991
Doug Matheson (acting) Template:Centre
Angela C. Griffin 1991–1997
Garry Poole 1998–2013
Kevin Lavery 2013–2019
Barbara McKerrow 2019–2025
Matt Prosser 2025–present

Civic symbols

Coat of arms

The Wellington City Council first adopted a coat of arms in 1878.<ref name="wcc-timeline">Template:Cite web</ref> This coat of arms had the description: Template:Quote frame

The Wellington City Corporation was granted an official coat of arms by the College of Arms in 1951,<ref name="wcc-timeline"/> the blazon for which is:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Emblem table

Badge and Flag

File:Flag of Wellington City, New Zealand.svg

Template:Main Wellington City Council was also granted a badge by the College of Arms in 1963, with the heraldic description:

A Roundel Azure thereon a Lymphad Or the sail argent charged with a Dolphin naiant Azure pennon and flags flying Argent each charged with a Cross Gules.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The flag of Wellington, adopted on 12 December 1962, incorporates the city's badge over a black cross on a gold field.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Suburbs

Wellington city has 57 officially defined suburbs; one can group them by the wards used to elect the city council. Some areas, while officially forming part of a larger suburb (or several suburbs), are considered by some to be separate communities. The officially defined suburbs include:

File:WellingtonSuburbsMap.png
Official suburbs of Wellington: the darker tone indicate built-up areas, the lighter parkland, green belt or rural areas.

Takapū Northern ward

Wharangi Onslow-Western ward

Pukehīnau Lambton ward

Within Lambton ward, the council's tourism agency has designated three inner-city "quarters", as marketing subdivisions to promote international and domestic tourism. They are:

Paekawakawa Southern ward

Motukairangi Eastern ward

Buildings

File:Wellington Town Hall.jpg
Wellington Town Hall, incorporating the Mayor's Office and Council Chambers

The Wellington City Council owns and until May 2019 operated from a complex on Wakefield Street, with various extensions each representing a distinctive architectural period. The complex incorporates the Wellington Town Hall which opened in 1904, with the most recent extension completed in 1991 alongside the Wellington Central Library.

The Wakefield Street complex has been cleared of back office functions, and since 28 May 2019 will be closed completely for repairs and earthquake strengthening. In the interim, most of the council's central office staff are located in commercial premises at 113 The Terrace. The council operates two public service desks out of Johnsonville Library and Te Awe Library in the CBD.<ref name="wcc-service-desk">Template:Cite web</ref> Due to repairs also being needed to the Wellington Central Library, and Capital E, all of the civic buildings on Civic Square are closed, except for the City Gallery.

Council-owned companies and enterprises

The Wellington City Council owns or directly operates several companies.

The council is a part-owner of Wellington Airport, and has two representatives on the airport's board. Former Mayor Andy Foster was a member of the board from 2016 to 2022 and was criticised for poor attendance at board meetings.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="wlg-air-2022">Template:Cite web</ref> In 2022 he was replaced by incoming mayor Tory Whanau, who was also criticised for poor attendance.<ref name="wlg-air-2022" /><ref name="herald-2024">Template:Cite web</ref>

The seven council-controlled organisations (CCOs) are<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The council has a similar interest in the Wellington Regional Stadium Trust.

Sister-city relationships

File:Wellington mace.jpg
The ceremonial mace of Wellington City Council, gifted to the city by Harrogate in 1954<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Sister cities<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Historical sister cities<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Friendly cities<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Proposed/earmarked future sister cities

See also

Notes

Footnotes

Template:Reflist

Citations

Template:Reflist

References

Template:Wikivoyage

Template:Territorial Authorities of New Zealand Template:Wellington, New Zealand Template:Mayors of Wellington Template:Suburbs of Wellington City Template:Authority control

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