Mayor says axed public servants should ask for rates rebates

Thursday, 9 May 2024

Wellington mayor Tory Whanau met with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to discuss a range of issues facing Wellington including water reform, public service cuts and Māori wards

Wellington mayor Tory Whanau says the city council may consider rates relief for residents who lose their jobs due to public sector cuts.

“We're know it’s a tough time for a lot of people. We know that our public service, our media sector, and actually other sectors are facing cuts across the board,” Whanau said outside Parliament on Wednesday.

“That's why I would encourage people to really, if they need that assistance, to apply for the rates rebate, and we will look at the criteria to see where we can provide some flexibility as well.”

It comes as Wellington City Council is considering an 18% rates increase, including a levy for a new sewerage plant, for the coming financial year, along with projected rises one councillor has described as “eye -watering”.

Whanau’s comments follow a meeting with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Transport Minister Simeon Brown on Wednesday.

Wellington mayor Tory Whanau leaves Parliament after meeting with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his finance and transport ministers. On left is councillor John Apanowicz.

Whanau stated cuts to the public sector was an area where “we don’t have agreement”.

“Look, they are looking to cut as much funding and waste from the public services as possible. I shared my discomfort of that resulting in people losing their jobs,” Whanau said.

So far, about 4000 roles in the public service have been axed, with more to come. Luxon has repeatedly said New Zealanders expect his Government to “cut the waste”.

“They're going to push ahead”, Whanau said.

Whanau said she raised the notion of prioritising redeployments between agencies and said she was told that while each department had to find the savings, the Government’s incoming programmes would create some jobs.

Prime Minster Christopher Luxon Prime Minister made it clear he wants action on water reform.

“That was perhaps an area for hope there.”

Top of the agenda for the meeting was water reform, where Whanau said Luxon’s expectation was for a move to a council-controlled organisation (CCO) model quickly.

“The Prime Minister wants action on that. We heard loud and clear. So it's very much now up to the Wellington region to push forward on a solution and get support from Government.”

The second area of contention with Luxon was along the coalition Government’s plan to require referendums on Māori wards, an area Whanau said was personal.

“To put [Māori wards], through another referendum process — which will cost ratepayers money by the way — we don't think it's a good idea.

“It’s a te Tiriti obligation to have a Māori vote at the table. It’s not something I want to see go.”

Whanau was also “very disappointed” about Housing Minister Chris Bishop’s ruling not to de-list 10 heritage buildings in Wellington, including the famously derelict Gordon Wilson flats. While Bishop’s decision cannot be repealed, Whanau said the law needed to change to find another way to be able to remove the heritage listing from the eyesore.

Leaving the Gordon Wilson Flats on the heritage list was not what anyone wanted, Whanau said. “It's not what the university wants. That's why we're going to continue looking for an alternative route to get that de-listed.”