Candidates Corner: Andrew Little on facing ‘the tough challenges’

Sunday, 20 April 2025

Former Labour leader and trade union boss Andrew Little wants to be Wellington’s next mayor.

Over the coming months, approaching the local government elections on October 11, the Sunday Star-Times will be highlighting the voices of local body candidates as they make their pitch for office, drawing attention to issues and challenges facing councils across the country.

Andrew Little is a former Labour Party and minister, running to be Wellington mayor.

OPINION: Since I announced I was running for mayor this week I’ve been heartened by all the feedback I’ve received from Wellingtonians from all different backgrounds and political persuasions who have been in touch to offer their support.

The overwhelming message I hear is very simple: Wellington is facing a crisis of confidence and if we’re going to get our city back to its best we need change and we need new leadership.

There’s no question, the challenges are big. Public service cuts are hurting our economy, small businesses are struggling and we have major challenges with our pipes, transport and housing affordability.

But I have never been one to turn away from tough challenges. I face them head on. I have dedicated my working life to helping people, dealing with conflict and bringing sides together.

I have a track record of finding solutions to really tricky problems, whether around the bargaining table as a union leader or around the Cabinet table as a senior minister who held 12 different portfolios.

These are the skills Wellington City Council needs right now.

I’m determined to get this right because I believe in this city. I love the fact that I can get down to the beach at Island Bay, get in a kayak and go for a paddle, or I can hop on my mountain bike and get into the hills or do both all in a day.

I love the fact that we’re a creative city, full of talent and diverse. We’re a place where people from all walks of life can feel included and make a home.

Like you, I’ve seen our city go through slumps before, and I’ve seen it at its buzzing, energetic best. CubaDupa a few weeks back reminded us all of what our cool wee capital was like all the time.

The former Labour Party leader believes Wellington has lost its confidence and the city council 'doesn't seem to be offering the leadership that's needed'.

I know we can turn this around.

I’ll have more to say over the course of the campaign, but these are my priorities for our city.

First of all, I will provide clear, progressive leadership. Selling off airport shares, closing community facilities like Khandallah Pool or giving a multimillion-dollar subsidy to an international cinema chain won’t happen on my watch.

At a time when working families and people on fixed incomes are under more pressure than ever, we need to be mindful of the cost of living.

Some rates increases are necessary if we want to fund the services and facilities that make this city a great place to live, but a 30% rates increase in two years is simply unaffordable.

It makes no sense to people when they see their rates increase by $1000 in a year while at the same time the council says it can’t afford to maintain Begonia House or a local swimming pool.

The council needs a firmer grip on its finances, and that requires leadership.

We need better oversight of project management to avoid blowouts like the town hall, better prioritisation and phasing of major capital investments and the ability to work constructively with central government on achieving a city deal.

The pipes need fixing. Right now that means stronger oversight of Wellington Water so we start getting value for the money we’re putting in, and faster action on leaking pipes.

“CubaDupa reminded us all of what our cool wee capital was like all the time,” Little says.

The proposed new region-wide water entity means we’ll need serious leadership to ensure our city’s interests are protected.

We need to act urgently on the housing crisis. I support the District Plan changes to enable more housing and I want to find new ways to get more housing built.

The cost of buying or renting a home has to be affordable if we want the next generation to see a future for themselves in this city.

At the same time that means investing in social housing and working to end homelessness.

On transport I want to work with Greater Wellington Regional Council to find ways to reduce costs and give people more options no matter how they get around.

For the growing number who cycle there has to be an ability to do that safely in separated cycle lanes.

I recognise however that on cycleways and many other issues the council hasn’t always done a good job at listening and bringing communities along with them.

Change is necessary and is often hard but we can do it better and people need to feel their voice is heard.

My priority as mayor will be getting the best for Wellington.

That means being able to work constructively with the Government in the city’s interests, and it means standing up to the Beehive when needed.

It means being clear in my Labour values but always working across political lines to be a mayor for all of Wellington.

I hope you’ll join with me to work towards that vision. It’s time for change.

What do you think? Email sundayletters@stuff.co.nz. Please include your full name and address.