Much ado about millions: One scene, two tellings in Wellington

Thursday, 12 June 2025

A Shakespearean sidebar talk which could have dramatically changed the course of Wellington’s ledger book has hit a snag, with the two parties involved disagreeing on what was said.

Wellington mayoral candidate Ray Chung said he ran into Wellington-based Finance Minister Nicola Willis at a recent Shakespeare event in the city when a discussion – potentially worth $439 million – took place.

The Wellington City Council is having to spend $439m in the coming 10 years to upgrade its social housing. It came after the Government in 2007 paid for half the upgrades at a cost of $220m. But with rising costs, the second half of the work, borne by the council, has doubled in cost – and it is money the council is contractually bound to spend.

Chung said that, if he became mayor, one of his first acts would be to renegotiate that deal with the Government to make it more favourable for the council. He said he discussed this with Willis, including the possibility of the Government taking over social housing from the council, and she expressed interest in the idea.

Not quite, said Willis in a statement on Wednesday.

“Mr Chung raised a range of issues when I talked to him at the Shakespeare event. As I do when any councillors talk to me, I listened to what he had to say. Our recollection of the conversation differs,” she said.

“Should Wellington City Council want to discuss its contractual obligations to the Crown then that would be a matter for it to take up with the Minister of Housing.”

Chung aimed to discuss his plans with Housing Minster Chris Bishop in the next few weeks.

Bishop on Wednesday told The Post the council’s 2007 obligations “are a matter for council”.

“I haven’t had any formal approaches by anyone on council or seeking to be on council,” he said.