August 11, 2024 • 33 mins
Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau believes she still has a majority of one vote in favour of selling the council's stake in Wellington Airport - but told Nick Mills she isn't sure if the next vote will succeed.
"We check it every week and people flip-flop. That's the problem."
The controversial idea passed during the council's long-term plan vote but will come back to the council for a second vote in December.
Multiple councillors now say there is a majority against the vote.
"It's going to be really difficult. Just like the [long-term plan], it takes a lot of political management," Whanau said.
"It's been a yes up until this point. We have councillors who have changed their mind, you have to ask them. If they want to be irresponsible with our finances, that's on them."
"I don't understand why you don't interrogate them as much as you interrogate me."
Whanau also spoke to Nick Mills about the state of roading changes on Thorndon Quay, the idea of a New Year's Eve party on Courtenay Place, and the state of Wellington Water.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
You're listening to the Wellington Mornings podcast with Nick Mills
from news Talk said, be.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Wanting to me at Tory Farno in the studio. Good morning, welcome,
I'll turn your mic on.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
Oh it might make a different there we go, good morning.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
We've already got a text sag. It sounds better with
the bike off. Excuse me, I have right? How are you?
Speaker 3 (00:27):
I'm really good here.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
You went to a really good function that Ethan was
attended as well.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
Yeah, it was a Wellington on a Plate event. It
was Harkety fusion at the at Government House, so the
Governor General and Wellington on a Plate hosted like a
just a wonderful Haney. They actually had a honey pit
at the residence and it included like one hundred and
eighty people who entered a ballot and it was so
it was like just like a lot of it was
(00:52):
really cool, just a really good buzz.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
And Ethan happens to get he won one of the ballots.
I reckon it was me, but he just pulled put
it and took his changed it over.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
I reckon, possibly he totally probably did.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
I reckon, That's exactly what happened. I thought. I reckon.
I won it because I entered and I didn't make it,
didn't get through. So I entered two did you no, no,
no, no no.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
It's quite a funny story. So I saw it and
I was like, oh, yes, I'm definitely going to that.
And I entered and I was apparently one of the
first one hundred people out of four thousand people who
entered for plus one, you know sort of thing. But
then the organizable like Tory, You're getting an invite like,
calm down, well.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
You still could have lifted in and if you won't,
you could have given it to someone anyway. Right, let's
start it. Yeah, let's get started. Yes, let's get this
party started. The sale of the council's s taken well
into the Airport passed with a majority of councilors in
favor earlier this year, but support seems to have collapsed
and there's no longer a majority. It goes to another
vote in December, but many council are saying kill it
now and save the nine million dollars in staff costs
(01:53):
that are still going on. Do you, to your actual knowledge,
do you have the majority in favor of the sale.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
I believe I still have the majority by maybe one vote,
but those who do not support it are, you know,
a very vocal in their opposition. I don't know what
the notice emotion or the request says, but apparently there
is one floating around and we'll just have to take
(02:20):
a look at it when it comes in.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
Can I tell you that a prominent Wellington City councilor
named because my sources can't be revealed, said that the
numbers are nine against sixteen. Now that's telling you that
you haven't got a majority.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Yeah, I mean, look, look, I don't know if that's
accurate or not. It might be true, might be not,
but we'll have to see.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
Surely that we are in tough financial times right now,
right so surely we could actually you could go around
the council table and say, okay, how are you going
to vote in December? Is that locked in and solid
and gold? Then we could save the money the nine
million dollars apparently that we're going to spend on staff cost.
But wouldn't that be a sensible thing to do, knowing
that you're going to waste good money after bad number
if you don't have the numbers.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
So, I mean, where it stands at the moment is
that our long term plan has gone through and it's
met its legislative requirements based on the airport sale being
part of that. So to just stop it now that
we'll have some repercussions.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
So can it be stopped? You think it can legally
be stopped the click?
Speaker 3 (03:17):
Yeah, no, I can, and it'll be up to the
Council will take a look at it and see well.
I mean, at the end of the day, what it
means is that if the airport's sale doesn't go through,
it leaves Wellington City uninsured in the event of a disaster,
and we don't have we don't diversify our investments, so
(03:37):
we can either live with having no insurance, which means
if our city is there.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
Must be another way of getting the insurance. I mean,
I don't want to. I don't want people to believe
that it's either sale of the airport or we're not insurance.
Speaker 3 (03:49):
So it's sale of the airport or cut our capital
program by about four hundred million dollars. So that would
likely be the next step. If we don't support the sale,
would have to cut basically everything else. It has to
come from somewhere, but.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
That money is supposedly going into this green fund somewhere
or so you can't use that.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
Which means that if there's a disaster, we can absolutely
access it in the event of it in the event
of disaster, whereas you can't if it's tied up in
a building.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
So why is there going to be this other next vote? Then?
Speaker 3 (04:20):
I don't know, you have to ask them. It's kind
of this is us, you know, being financially prudent. If
there was a proposal from one of them that came
to us and said, please keep the airport and we'll
just need to increase rates by two percent, I couldn't
do that. There's just no way I could do that.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
But you could cut your cloth to fit. Now, if
that vote does go against it, what does that mean
the whole ten year plans out the door and you
start all again.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
Yes, yeah, we'd have to go back out to consultation.
It's likely an observer might have to come in and
watch the process.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
So my question has to be, why don't you check
the numbers and go through that process now rather than
waste of December.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
We check end all that money, We check it every week.
People flip flop. That's the problem. So there's also I mean,
I genuinely believe there are a couple of councilors who
don't want this airport to be sold. That's fine, But
the rest it's it's it's politics, it's it's theater. It
gets the headlines.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
You know. Could you put your hand on your heart
and say you think it's still going to go through?
Speaker 3 (05:22):
I think it's it's not. Don't put words in my mind.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
I mean, I'm.
Speaker 3 (05:26):
Thinking, I'm going it's going to be really difficult. Like so,
just like the LTP we had to do. You know,
it takes a lot.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
It's a simple I mean, I'm sorry Tory, but this
is a simple yes or no answer. This is not
answer no no, My My question is really really simple.
Do you believe it's going to go through? That's a
yes or no, yes or no. It is you either
think it's going to go through and you don't yes.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
Up until this point, we have counselors who are changing
their mind. You'd have to ask them, like if they
want to be asking you, it's on them. Why you
don't interrogate them as much as you interrogate me.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
I'm thinking for a start path of the first start,
First I don't believe I'm interrogating. I believe I'm asking
you questions.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
And I've given my answer. No, you just give you
won't seem to accept it.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
You have not given me an answer whether you believe.
Speaker 3 (06:15):
I said, Look, I don't know because people keep changing
their minds.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
All right, let's move on. So we have to sit
there as people paying their rates till December to find
out what's going on. Is that what you're saying? And
another nine minutes.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
Yeah, well, or and cutting four hundred million dollars from
our CAPEX program or increasing their rates another few percent.
I don't want either of those things. You know, if
they ask the other counselors who don't want this to sell,
why they want that to happen.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Okay, still comment, and I take that on board, and
that's a fair comment. Why can't you say to me that, well,
maybe we can cut our cloth to foot and we
could cut half of that money off our expenditure.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
Because we've cut a lot from the budget already. So
we cut two hundred million dollars from the City to
Sea Bridge a project, We've cut eighty million dollars from
our cycleways, five million dollars from internal staffing and consultants
like it's it's already really tight.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
You know, we've got the people of waits down not
wanting that, clearly not wanting the cycle away from Wadstown.
Surely you could cut that as well.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
You have plenty of people who do want it, and
actually cycleways make up less than two percent of the rates.
What's making up the rates are things like water reform
and our big transport projects.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Well, now that's been sorted out by the government.
Speaker 3 (07:29):
It actually hasn't been sorted out.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
You don't like the new deal from the government.
Speaker 3 (07:33):
Because we don't know what it looks like yet from
a legislative perspective. So while we're working on a regional
CCO model, that's probably not going to take place for
another couple of years. So we still have to pay
for our pipes one point eight billion dollars.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Okay, well we will talk.
Speaker 3 (07:47):
About water of our border.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
I want to have our rates. I want to move
on to Thornton keep I want to keep our attention.
There's been a that everyone's been something that everyone keeps
talking about. I was down there on Saturday dropping off
of light at my local lighting shop down there, and
my great man Martin who looks after us down there.
He wanted to give me a hug. He was that
(08:09):
pleased that I was making people aware that there's a
problem down there. He's running a business down there and they'
you've cut now the speed humps from six to two
or five to two, whatever the numbers are. Yep, Because
basically Fire and Emergency in New Zealand made it public
that there was a problem. Where's everyone it where's everything
sitting with Thorndon right now?
Speaker 3 (08:30):
So the transport project itself, which does prioritize dedicated bus lanes,
pedestrian safety and cycle ways, it's about halfway through. The
speed bumps itself was kind of a separate decision, but
that has been reduced to two out with two high
traffic areas, so outside the kids and cope because of
(08:51):
course parents and kids they should have that safety raise
as well as the Timidi which gets a lot of
foot traffic as well.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
Where do all these works are going to be completed?
And is the council actually doing anything to help the
businesses down there?
Speaker 3 (09:06):
Looking directly with the businesses and you know, utilizing Wellington
and z trying to increase marketing to get more people
down there, but it's about halfway through. It'll be finished
in about a year.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
The council did they properly consult on this? I mean
the courts are saying no about another issue, but it's
basically Thornton as well. Courts have said you didn't consult.
Do you reckon that? You've done a good enough job
in consulting with those people.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
So we know that when the project was with let's
get Willington move and consultation wasn't great. So we've we've
started to meet with the businesses directly now take them
through the project, take on feedback where possible. So our
transport team have been meeting with them ongoing. I've met
with them. I met with Paul Robertson and took a
(09:51):
look down there. I've been in touch with the kids
and co owner as well. It is I know they
are really frustrated and I know that you.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
Reckon that the Thornton Key thing, And this is me
speaking here, do you think the corn the whole issue
with Thornton Key could be your Celia way Brown moment
of Island Bay. It could be the thing that people
most remember. You buy a complete cockup of a setup.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
No, I don't because well, I mean, I mean we're.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
Still worrying about Island Bay now ten years later.
Speaker 3 (10:21):
Yeah, I mean, you know, transport projects are always this hard,
are always this disruptive. But once it's completed, I'm really
confident that people will see it for what it is.
Speaker 2 (10:33):
Wellington Mornings with Tory Farno, Wellington Mayor in the studio
quick one here and I just want to put my
hand up because I'm not involved in this in any
way and know nothing about it apart from being told
from being on this radio station. A consortium of Courtney
Place business owners have come together and are trying to
seek counsel approval to host a New Year's Eve party. Tory,
(10:53):
when you were standing, I remember we did one of
the first interviews with you and at news talks they'd
be one into mornings and you said you're aught about
revitalizing the city center. Surely you'd be jumping at this
idea to close Courtney Place off and have a job
on New Year's Sorry was it working now?
Speaker 3 (11:15):
I'm hugely supportive of this. So last week we actually
signed off some other road closures like a New Town
and so forth to allow for other street parties outside
of the usual Newtown festival. I think we need more
of that stuff. It brings the community to get together,
and when it's when it's properly resourced, it means you
(11:35):
can keep the event vibrant, safe, a little bit family friendly,
and ensure that the local businesses have the support that
they need. So I'm very supportive of this.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
So right here, right now, you're saying yes, it's going
to go ahead.
Speaker 3 (11:48):
Like I haven't even seen the proposal. I hasn't got
that far yet, so I've seen what stands in their way.
Probably I would say, I'm assuming a consent for the
closure needs to come to res which would be I
think in about three weeks time, and so well, I
know I'll be advocating for it.
Speaker 2 (12:07):
Okay, serious matter, not that that New Year's Eve thinks
not serious. Council Chief Executive Barbara mciro says she's not
seeking another term. Firstly, your own personal thought thoughts. Has
Barbara mcciarro been good for Warnington City?
Speaker 3 (12:23):
I think she has absolutely. She's actually, you know, you
have these kind of negative people saying things and that
has been totally unfoid and unfair. I was looking at
my book, my phone. I wasn't looking at you, but
actually she is an incredible CEO and if you were
to talk to anyone else in the local government world,
(12:45):
they would say the same. She's in demand. I know,
she's already been approached for a couple of other ce
roles in this in this area and her staff have
loved her. So why Well, she's at the end of
her term, so it has to.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
Be would she have got in if she went for
it again?
Speaker 3 (13:00):
Yes, I believe she would have. Absolutely, she you know
she would have.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Would she have the numbers on council to get back?
Speaker 3 (13:04):
I think so?
Speaker 2 (13:05):
Do you really think so? I do? Okay, why is
she not being upfront and sort of talk to the
media and done? You know her? But as the CEE?
I mean, why isn't she spoken to her us another media?
Speaker 3 (13:20):
Well, I suppose it's it's more typical for you know,
the mayor and the and the politicians to front up
to media. It's not really that usual for staff too.
I mean, you don't really hear from Auckland City Council's
ce or any other CEE. It's it's generally a backroom role.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
So do you think she will before she leaves.
Speaker 3 (13:38):
Probably that's up to her. Probably, I don't think she's
obligated to. Okay, that's up, that's up to her. And
to be fair, you guys aren't very nice. I wouldn't
wow Mayor, I'm fair game. But like you know, if
I may that the media kind of sentiment and this
year has just been, you know, so negative, I wouldn't
(14:02):
want to put her in front of media.
Speaker 2 (14:04):
Gosh. I feel a little bit personally affronted by that.
I always thought it myself was a nice guy. Oh okay, yep,
Wellington Water, No, let's let's not move on to Warrington
Water because I actually want to spend some time with
that Paniki Promise.
Speaker 4 (14:19):
Yep.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
It was revealed earlier this month that Paniki Promise, the
council's plan to reduce sexual and violent harm in the city,
has spent most of its money on a new two
million dollar architecturally designed toilet block and another five million
dollars removing car parks to install outdoor seating, amongst other improvement.
I mean, some of that to me just doesn't sing
out reducing harm.
Speaker 3 (14:41):
So how this works? So we worked with an organization called,
you know, the Let Us Live rally THO were the
ones who really called for an improvement in safety. Their
three main asks, so this came from them was urban
design developments because it's been shown, you know, worldwide evidence
shows that that redesigning your space improves kind of safety
(15:01):
in the area. Funding for organizations like Take ten for
it to go through and to prevent sexual violence, and
working with our hospitality to improve training to deal with
you know, unsavory behavior. That's exactly what has happened and
that has been the request.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
Seems to me from an outsider looking in that you've
spent a hell of a lot of money on improvements
that make the city better, But really does that make
a young person walking down Wellington streets at night feel
any safer, which is what Planiki Promise was set out
to say.
Speaker 3 (15:35):
So for a lot of people, yes, So when you again,
when you redesign your area and make it safe, make
it vibrant, you increase foot traffic, more people want to
go there. Therefore you feel safer, and there's the behavior
does decrease a bit. So what has happened is that
there's been a bit of a gap since that happened,
and now it's time to really ramp up the work again.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
You spent one point four million dollars on a community
center on Mana Street, which I walk past quite often.
I think the maximum I've seen is two people in there.
It's basically a drop in. Has that worked?
Speaker 3 (16:08):
Yeah, yeah. So another request that we've had, and actually
we're going to open one up on Thursday morning, is
that a lot of youth, a lot of students who
only really have their hostels or dingy flats to hang
out with, kinda wanted some spaces where they could just
go and hang. So it's been It provides the feeling
of knowing that there's a safe space there if you
(16:28):
need help, almost like take ten as well on a
big night out. And yeah, you know, make no mistake,
there's still a lot more work to do. It's still
a problem, but it has improved a bit.
Speaker 2 (16:42):
I just don't see how putting a boardwalk down Dixon
Street and putting those booths for tables to sit outside,
with a cost of five million dollars in a very
very expensive lou is what the Paneky promise was really
all about.
Speaker 3 (16:56):
So for the third time, I'm going to tell you
that urban design is incredibly useful for making an area safer.
That's exactly what it's I.
Speaker 2 (17:04):
Thought the Panik promise was to actually help people feel
safer in the city.
Speaker 3 (17:08):
And like I keep telling you, urban design makes people
feel safer. That has been proven worldwide, and that is
exactly what this rally group asked for. And as a result,
we're seeing many more people dying outside, many more people
visit these cafes. You know, the swimsuit cafe is incredibly popular,
and that in itself, the foot traffic alone makes people
feel safer.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
Well, it's interesting because he was on this very show,
sitting on your very seat, saying that it hasn't made
any difference to his business at all.
Speaker 3 (17:34):
Well, we're talking about safety, not business.
Speaker 2 (17:36):
Okay, all right, thank you, thank you for that reminder.
Tory Farno Willington mayor in the studio, and we just
got a text and Tory asking your opinion or the
proposal to look at compulsory buybacker johnsonvile More. Yes, you
like the idea. I do so.
Speaker 3 (17:52):
I've been you know, basically supporting Counselor McNulty but also
Counselor Paneviiction and the Council of Randall to try and
take that further because Johnsonville needs needs, that needs that work,
and to be able to develop that mall area would
just be game changing.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
Now, I was privy to a little bit of information
over the weekend. You know, I know what's going on
in my city, right, our city. I know what's happening.
Speaker 3 (18:15):
But sometimes you get.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
No, I don't get it wrong. And I haven't got
the social housing wrong. Don't start me with the housing
social housing, because.
Speaker 3 (18:20):
I get of two people.
Speaker 2 (18:22):
I am not one or two people in the text
that has told me that is absolute. Absolutely, Maybe told
you because they're too scared of you, but they'll tell
me in the street. Nick, you're right scared of me.
We should sell the damn councils.
Speaker 3 (18:34):
That's not what consultation told us.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
All right, well, your consultation's wrong. But also told you
that you didn't need to put but you put them on.
Speaker 3 (18:41):
But you're right because of your opinion.
Speaker 2 (18:43):
I have more people listening to me than actually respond
to the council. But do you go a little birdie
told me that a huge, huge business deal is going
down at the Eastern suburbs. Do you know about it?
Like someone's just bought a massive massive block of land
(19:03):
and that's pretty well known to Wellington and it's not
Shelly Bay. Have you heard that?
Speaker 3 (19:08):
I know things, but it's not Do you know that?
I do know that.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
You have heard that.
Speaker 3 (19:12):
I have heard that.
Speaker 2 (19:14):
Do you know what's going in there?
Speaker 3 (19:14):
I'm not telling Oh, so you do know. It's not
my it's not my place to say, but.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
You know, and I do know. We're announcing it first
here on Wellington Mornings. That probably I would say. And
I'm not the business correspondent, I'm the talkback host. But
the biggest property deal to go down in Wellington for
a number of years, maybe many many years is going
down and you know about it and I know about it,
(19:40):
but the people of Wellington don't.
Speaker 3 (19:42):
Know about it because it's not finalized.
Speaker 2 (19:45):
Do you know what's going in there?
Speaker 4 (19:47):
Yes?
Speaker 2 (19:49):
Is it a certain?
Speaker 3 (19:50):
I'm not saying anything.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
Why not?
Speaker 3 (19:53):
Why should I? You're not entitled to this information.
Speaker 2 (19:56):
I am entitled, you're not. The people are entitled.
Speaker 3 (19:58):
This is not this is not counsel's deal, it's not
your deal.
Speaker 2 (20:01):
It's just the people of Wellington have this radio station
and they are entitled to know what's going on there.
If it's the major deal, not one of the biggest deal.
Speaker 3 (20:09):
It's not for me to say.
Speaker 2 (20:10):
And it's got nothing to do with Wellington the airport
as my source.
Speaker 5 (20:13):
Right.
Speaker 3 (20:14):
Uh no, no, you think it has got no, no, no,
I just I don't want to answer your questions about
this because this is not my deal.
Speaker 2 (20:23):
It's our deal. It's all of our deal.
Speaker 3 (20:27):
If you say so, you don't think it is, I
don't know. You're speaking in you know, garbage, vagueness and whatever.
The point is there's something happening. I'm not going to
talk about it. I don't have to.
Speaker 2 (20:40):
Just remember that you heard it first on the show.
Something is going to be announced.
Speaker 3 (20:44):
It was disastrous.
Speaker 2 (20:46):
It's not disastrous. It's a big deal. It's a major
deal in our city and we want to know about it.
Speaker 3 (20:52):
This interaction is disastrous.
Speaker 2 (20:54):
Okay, let's move on.
Speaker 4 (20:55):
Then.
Speaker 2 (20:55):
I haven't got anywhere there, And I apologize the listeners.
If you feel it's disaster, when you find out what's
going on, you'll say good on Nick for trying. And
that's what we want to do. Wellington Water. Yes, it's
one of the most serious issues that we've had in
in the last ten years, fifteen years. I think of
in the city and in terms of what's going on,
Wellington's Water's chief executive, Tanya has Schools, have resigned after
(21:16):
a fifty one million dollar budget blunder. The report looking
into the problem has found issues with culture and accountability
within the organization. Do you well, firstly, did you have
confidence in Tanya? Because I did, And I put my
hand up and say I did have confidence in here.
Speaker 3 (21:34):
Yeah, And I said that from the beginning as well,
because actually look that she didn't she inherited a lot
of these problems and you know, I you know, she
was actually quite collaborative. I got on very well with her.
So you know, this is a person, at the end
of the day that's publicly lost their role.
Speaker 2 (21:51):
So you know, do you have as mayor of Wellington,
do you have any confidence whatsoever in Wellington Water as
it stands right now?
Speaker 3 (21:59):
As it stands right now, I think there are significant
problems that if we don't fix, they'll lose the confidence
of Wellington.
Speaker 2 (22:06):
I've lost the confidence of Wellington already, don't you think. Yeah.
I mean I think they've lost the confidence of you.
Speaker 3 (22:12):
And they know that they know that.
Speaker 2 (22:14):
Whilst Tan You're pushed Oh no, I saw the report.
Speaker 3 (22:20):
I saw the report and yes, it showed significant problems
with Wellington Water that were not a surprise to Wellington
City Council. Because we had commissioned our own report and
had been raising these issues for some time. It was
obvious that some action needed to be taken. The Board
was quite clear about that, and you know some action.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
Was does the organization Wellington Water we're talking about with
Wellington met Tory faro? Does the Wellington Water need more
than just the chief executive leaving? Is it a problem
that starts at the top and goes all the way down?
Is it more major than just her?
Speaker 3 (22:59):
We'll have to say that's not for me to say.
Speaker 2 (23:03):
This is an organization. Can I just interrupt you there slightly?
This is an organization that comes cap in hand to
you all the time for multi multimillion dollars worth to
deal money cost us as ratepayers huge amount of money.
Surely you'd have a good idea of what the organization's like.
Speaker 3 (23:20):
Yes, and look, I think the sea stepping down is
quite a significant piece of action. I think the board
also needs to take a look at itself and how
they help manage Wellington Water.
Speaker 2 (23:29):
Would you get rid of the board.
Speaker 3 (23:30):
No, no, no, no, no. I think that's quite extreme,
but I think they need to take some responsibility and they.
Speaker 2 (23:36):
Get his chair. Does he need to take some responsibility?
Speaker 3 (23:38):
Not for me to say, well, and he has taken responsibility.
And you know they'll do a report back to the
Water Committee and Council soon about what the next sections
will be. They've acknowledged that urgent action is needed to
change the culture and to create more accountability for our ratepayers.
They've promised to do that and at the same time
we're working on water reform with the Regional group.
Speaker 2 (24:00):
Once again a yes or no answer if when water
done well is broader or done better is brought in,
is Wellington Water the organization to be entrusted to spend
the borrowed money smartly.
Speaker 3 (24:18):
Well, no, and that's why we're moving to a CEO model.
But in saying that, look, Wellington Water have had a
lot of flack over the recent wildland you know, the
report shows that that was justified. But that's not to
say that there isn't a lot of amazing staff within
that organization, especially those on the ground we're fixing the pipes.
(24:39):
They're likely get transferred over to the new entity, which
is great because they actually are doing a great job.
Speaker 2 (24:45):
Charlie, good morning, Nice to see you calling up. You've
got a question for Wellington mea Torrifino.
Speaker 6 (24:50):
Yeah, hi Tory, Hey, good hell are you not bad?
Thank you. My question is about political affiliations Tory, and
my question to you is that what place do you
think political affiliations should have in council? And probably more
importantly to turn is right now what place do you
think it has right now in Wellington City Council.
Speaker 3 (25:11):
Yeah, So there are two areas I'd like to discuss
with this. In one sense, I've found it's quite useful
for party aligned candidates to come through the trained they've
been vetted and you know they have they have really
great values. On the other hand, you do have some
who perhaps you know, you sign an oath to put
(25:34):
Wellington first, you know when it comes to decision making
that that is what you should do. Some don't do that,
and so it's quite it's quite tricky.
Speaker 2 (25:42):
Well they signed the oath and don't don't.
Speaker 3 (25:45):
Yeah, yeah, Ok, it's tricky though, So that's why I
think they should do what I did. So I'm party aligned,
but I'm still an independent, so I can still push
Green Party policy and co papper. But I'm not going
to get in trouble if I don't.
Speaker 2 (26:00):
Don't start me on there, because every time you come
in you're a different thing.
Speaker 3 (26:04):
No, I'm not. I've always said I'm agree member.
Speaker 2 (26:07):
Right, Okay, you just don't. You keep telling me I
do listen, you.
Speaker 3 (26:12):
Don't understand how it works.
Speaker 2 (26:14):
Well, don't have a crack at me because I'm a
slow learner. I mean that's easy.
Speaker 3 (26:16):
It's easy that septimize yourself.
Speaker 2 (26:20):
Don't start that. But you do change the shop.
Speaker 3 (26:22):
And no, I don't. I have no, I haven't.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
Well you said when we first met, you said, I'm
an independent. I've had my time with the Greens, but
now I'm an independent. I'm Tory Farno and I stand
for myself. Went in and got the position as mere
based on that.
Speaker 3 (26:37):
Now you remember, No, I was a Green member at
that time.
Speaker 2 (26:41):
You resigned, you didn't renew.
Speaker 3 (26:43):
I didn't renew my membership in the March like a
few months later.
Speaker 2 (26:47):
Okay, Wellington got some bad rap over the weekend. An
interesting story. Over the weekend, Kiwi Bank gave every region
in the country a score out of ten for how
their economy is doing. Wellington got a two out of ten,
and it follows multiple hospitality closes, job losses and a
grim all black test on the weekend with a sea
(27:07):
of empty yellow seats, the worst attendance in all that
game in decades could be forever. How tough is it
right now to be a Wellingtonian?
Speaker 3 (27:16):
Yeah, it's pretty tough, especially for those who have lost
their jobs through the public service cuts and there have
been a lot several thousand so and of course are
there's not like an opening of jobs for them to
go to. We'll also have the media sector lose their
jobs as well. So it's tough times and not unique
to Wellington.
Speaker 2 (27:36):
Why if we are we are in those tough times?
I'm not actually debating that. Why is the council not
doing more to support businesses and people in Wellington? Why
is it not out there saying we're going to get
us all through this? We are, We're not.
Speaker 3 (27:50):
No, we do do that. But people like yourself again,
like to change the narrative and jump to the negative.
Speaker 2 (27:55):
And I want to be honest to be I don't
want to change the narrative at all. I want to
be honest and I know through business connections that I
have that it's very tough to get anything through counsel
at the moment, making you jump through hoops. Now I've
been in the licensing industry for forty five years. It's
tougher now by ten or fifteen times than it was
(28:15):
ten years ago to get a license in the city.
Speaker 3 (28:17):
Well, I need people to raise that as an issue
with me, okay, but.
Speaker 2 (28:21):
I'm saying it is. We know that it's tough out there.
We need the council to be actually out our sidecent.
Speaker 3 (28:26):
I didn't realize it was that bad. I thought it
had improved over the last year. Clearly it hasn't. I'm
very keen to raise that.
Speaker 2 (28:34):
Because I think also there's a lot of people out
there saying that you know that voted for you based
on the fact that you are going to get things going,
and they're struggling. Developers are struggling to get throings through council.
Business is struggling to get through well.
Speaker 3 (28:47):
So the district plan will help with the consenting process
and make things go a lot faster. So I'm looking
forward to that pass that through this particular business one
old raise I didn't realize it was such a big problem.
I'm meeting with my business advisory and two weeks time
to talk about, especially when there's when the Golden Mile
(29:10):
is happening. What sort of grant system or relief can
we provide to businesses during construction?
Speaker 2 (29:16):
Can I I'll tell you when we come back about
my personal experience with that group, which was positive, which
was positive, I will put it out there. Okay, they
came around and they presented what they were going to
do to my family, not to me, but it was positive.
Well into mornings with mea torri Fano. Susan, good morning.
You've got a question for me, Tori Fano.
Speaker 5 (29:35):
Yes, I have, and it's a really big question. I'll
be quick. The motorized scooters on our foot paths, they
are just so dangerous. You've come here in the coming
I've nearly been collected a few times and one bike
has what already collected me by being on the part
(29:56):
being on a footpath too around Tarro area, Victoria Street
while they go down everywhere. But it is very, very scary.
Speaker 2 (30:07):
Thanks Susan. Thanks get meyor torri Fino to reply to that.
Speaker 3 (30:11):
Yep, so I would love for scooters to be allowed
in cycle lanes. Technically they're not at the moment. It
requires a legisative change otherwise. That's why kind of thirty
kilometer speed zones are quite good across the city because
then a scooter rider like myself will just go on
the road. But until they're allowed in cycle lanes, it's
(30:35):
quite scary for some to do it on the road.
Speaker 2 (30:38):
I didn't know. I didn't know that dave scooters weren't
allowed on cycle ways. That's something I learned.
Speaker 3 (30:43):
No, No, I learned that a couple of months ago
because I was disappointed.
Speaker 2 (30:46):
Yeah, Nicole, you have a question for Torrifino.
Speaker 4 (30:51):
Yeah, it is about the cycle lanes. I mean, that's
sort of biggest belief considering how long we've had a
cycle lane starting to spool through Wellington, but the proliferation
of them. Gary Muller, who's you know, New Zealand Cyclist,
has been citing for decades. He published a really good
(31:12):
article last week and he just said he just thinks
they're a disaster for Wellington, that we're prioritizing cycling over
commerce and the movement of traffic. And these inline bus
stops now that stop in the middle of the road,
so it stops any traffic getting passed, whether you're a
car or another bus.
Speaker 2 (31:30):
Nicole, Sorry, I'm running out of time. Can you just
ask your question please? Sorry, I'm not being rude. I
just need to get to a time break.
Speaker 4 (31:37):
So what's the justification for these cycle lanes. We're prioritizing
them over primary traffic and also at the expense of businesses.
Speaker 3 (31:48):
So we're not actually prioritizing them over roads. We're just
adding them to roads to ensure that no matter where
you go, you haven't the option to walk, cycle, bus
or drive. There are still lots of roads everywhere, but
we want to give you know, every on the ability
to be able to safe cycling across across the city.
And that's what people are doing. So cycle ways are
(32:10):
the way of the future. But you'll still get your roads,
You'll still get your places where you can drive your car.
Speaker 2 (32:16):
Just a quick one, thanks, Tori. I going to text
he how I went to an Island Bay, New Calf
last night, no alcohol, that I've been waiting over four
months to get approval. The council should be supporting anyone
brave enough to open a new business. But you've already
knew that and you're onto it. Tory, thank you for
coming in. Appreciate your time as always. I know it's
not the greatest hour in your month, but I think
(32:36):
that it's great that you do show up and do
answer the questions the best to your abilities. I appreciate
you and I appreciate the fact that you come on
the show.
Speaker 3 (32:44):
Thank you, Nick. It's always good to see you. Even
if we have a tiff.
Speaker 2 (32:47):
It's fine, it's fine, it's all right. It's not personal. No,
it's not personal. You've got a job to do it.
I've got a job to do.
Speaker 3 (32:53):
It's all good.
Speaker 2 (32:54):
One of us has got better ratings than the other one.
That's a low blow to finishing. I apologize.
Speaker 3 (33:01):
Maybe on your show, I apologize if we you know.
Speaker 2 (33:03):
I apologize for that was a low blow. It just
came out at the time. I apologize. I do apologize.
That was terrible.
Speaker 1 (33:11):
For more from Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills, listen live
to news Talks It'd be Wellington from nine am weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Wellington Mornings podcast with Nick Mills
from news Talk said, be.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Wanting to me at Tory Farno in the studio. Good morning, welcome,
I'll turn your mic on.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
Oh it might make a different there we go, good morning.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
We've already got a text sag. It sounds better with
the bike off. Excuse me, I have right? How are you?
Speaker 3 (00:27):
I'm really good here.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
You went to a really good function that Ethan was
attended as well.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
Yeah, it was a Wellington on a Plate event. It
was Harkety fusion at the at Government House, so the
Governor General and Wellington on a Plate hosted like a
just a wonderful Haney. They actually had a honey pit
at the residence and it included like one hundred and
eighty people who entered a ballot and it was so
it was like just like a lot of it was
(00:52):
really cool, just a really good buzz.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
And Ethan happens to get he won one of the ballots.
I reckon it was me, but he just pulled put
it and took his changed it over.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
I reckon, possibly he totally probably did.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
I reckon, That's exactly what happened. I thought. I reckon.
I won it because I entered and I didn't make it,
didn't get through. So I entered two did you no, no,
no, no no.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
It's quite a funny story. So I saw it and
I was like, oh, yes, I'm definitely going to that.
And I entered and I was apparently one of the
first one hundred people out of four thousand people who
entered for plus one, you know sort of thing. But
then the organizable like Tory, You're getting an invite like,
calm down, well.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
You still could have lifted in and if you won't,
you could have given it to someone anyway. Right, let's
start it. Yeah, let's get started. Yes, let's get this
party started. The sale of the council's s taken well
into the Airport passed with a majority of councilors in
favor earlier this year, but support seems to have collapsed
and there's no longer a majority. It goes to another
vote in December, but many council are saying kill it
now and save the nine million dollars in staff costs
(01:53):
that are still going on. Do you, to your actual knowledge,
do you have the majority in favor of the sale.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
I believe I still have the majority by maybe one vote,
but those who do not support it are, you know,
a very vocal in their opposition. I don't know what
the notice emotion or the request says, but apparently there
is one floating around and we'll just have to take
(02:20):
a look at it when it comes in.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
Can I tell you that a prominent Wellington City councilor
named because my sources can't be revealed, said that the
numbers are nine against sixteen. Now that's telling you that
you haven't got a majority.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Yeah, I mean, look, look, I don't know if that's
accurate or not. It might be true, might be not,
but we'll have to see.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
Surely that we are in tough financial times right now,
right so surely we could actually you could go around
the council table and say, okay, how are you going
to vote in December? Is that locked in and solid
and gold? Then we could save the money the nine
million dollars apparently that we're going to spend on staff cost.
But wouldn't that be a sensible thing to do, knowing
that you're going to waste good money after bad number
if you don't have the numbers.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
So, I mean, where it stands at the moment is
that our long term plan has gone through and it's
met its legislative requirements based on the airport sale being
part of that. So to just stop it now that
we'll have some repercussions.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
So can it be stopped? You think it can legally
be stopped the click?
Speaker 3 (03:17):
Yeah, no, I can, and it'll be up to the
Council will take a look at it and see well.
I mean, at the end of the day, what it
means is that if the airport's sale doesn't go through,
it leaves Wellington City uninsured in the event of a disaster,
and we don't have we don't diversify our investments, so
(03:37):
we can either live with having no insurance, which means
if our city is there.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
Must be another way of getting the insurance. I mean,
I don't want to. I don't want people to believe
that it's either sale of the airport or we're not insurance.
Speaker 3 (03:49):
So it's sale of the airport or cut our capital
program by about four hundred million dollars. So that would
likely be the next step. If we don't support the sale,
would have to cut basically everything else. It has to
come from somewhere, but.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
That money is supposedly going into this green fund somewhere
or so you can't use that.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
Which means that if there's a disaster, we can absolutely
access it in the event of it in the event
of disaster, whereas you can't if it's tied up in
a building.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
So why is there going to be this other next vote? Then?
Speaker 3 (04:20):
I don't know, you have to ask them. It's kind
of this is us, you know, being financially prudent. If
there was a proposal from one of them that came
to us and said, please keep the airport and we'll
just need to increase rates by two percent, I couldn't
do that. There's just no way I could do that.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
But you could cut your cloth to fit. Now, if
that vote does go against it, what does that mean
the whole ten year plans out the door and you
start all again.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
Yes, yeah, we'd have to go back out to consultation.
It's likely an observer might have to come in and
watch the process.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
So my question has to be, why don't you check
the numbers and go through that process now rather than
waste of December.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
We check end all that money, We check it every week.
People flip flop. That's the problem. So there's also I mean,
I genuinely believe there are a couple of councilors who
don't want this airport to be sold. That's fine, But
the rest it's it's it's politics, it's it's theater. It
gets the headlines.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
You know. Could you put your hand on your heart
and say you think it's still going to go through?
Speaker 3 (05:22):
I think it's it's not. Don't put words in my mind.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
I mean, I'm.
Speaker 3 (05:26):
Thinking, I'm going it's going to be really difficult. Like so,
just like the LTP we had to do. You know,
it takes a lot.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
It's a simple I mean, I'm sorry Tory, but this
is a simple yes or no answer. This is not
answer no no, My My question is really really simple.
Do you believe it's going to go through? That's a
yes or no, yes or no. It is you either
think it's going to go through and you don't yes.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
Up until this point, we have counselors who are changing
their mind. You'd have to ask them, like if they
want to be asking you, it's on them. Why you
don't interrogate them as much as you interrogate me.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
I'm thinking for a start path of the first start,
First I don't believe I'm interrogating. I believe I'm asking
you questions.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
And I've given my answer. No, you just give you
won't seem to accept it.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
You have not given me an answer whether you believe.
Speaker 3 (06:15):
I said, Look, I don't know because people keep changing
their minds.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
All right, let's move on. So we have to sit
there as people paying their rates till December to find
out what's going on. Is that what you're saying? And
another nine minutes.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
Yeah, well, or and cutting four hundred million dollars from
our CAPEX program or increasing their rates another few percent.
I don't want either of those things. You know, if
they ask the other counselors who don't want this to sell,
why they want that to happen.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Okay, still comment, and I take that on board, and
that's a fair comment. Why can't you say to me that, well,
maybe we can cut our cloth to foot and we
could cut half of that money off our expenditure.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
Because we've cut a lot from the budget already. So
we cut two hundred million dollars from the City to
Sea Bridge a project, We've cut eighty million dollars from
our cycleways, five million dollars from internal staffing and consultants
like it's it's already really tight.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
You know, we've got the people of waits down not
wanting that, clearly not wanting the cycle away from Wadstown.
Surely you could cut that as well.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
You have plenty of people who do want it, and
actually cycleways make up less than two percent of the rates.
What's making up the rates are things like water reform
and our big transport projects.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Well, now that's been sorted out by the government.
Speaker 3 (07:29):
It actually hasn't been sorted out.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
You don't like the new deal from the government.
Speaker 3 (07:33):
Because we don't know what it looks like yet from
a legislative perspective. So while we're working on a regional
CCO model, that's probably not going to take place for
another couple of years. So we still have to pay
for our pipes one point eight billion dollars.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Okay, well we will talk.
Speaker 3 (07:47):
About water of our border.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
I want to have our rates. I want to move
on to Thornton keep I want to keep our attention.
There's been a that everyone's been something that everyone keeps
talking about. I was down there on Saturday dropping off
of light at my local lighting shop down there, and
my great man Martin who looks after us down there.
He wanted to give me a hug. He was that
(08:09):
pleased that I was making people aware that there's a
problem down there. He's running a business down there and they'
you've cut now the speed humps from six to two
or five to two, whatever the numbers are. Yep, Because
basically Fire and Emergency in New Zealand made it public
that there was a problem. Where's everyone it where's everything
sitting with Thorndon right now?
Speaker 3 (08:30):
So the transport project itself, which does prioritize dedicated bus lanes,
pedestrian safety and cycle ways, it's about halfway through. The
speed bumps itself was kind of a separate decision, but
that has been reduced to two out with two high
traffic areas, so outside the kids and cope because of
(08:51):
course parents and kids they should have that safety raise
as well as the Timidi which gets a lot of
foot traffic as well.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
Where do all these works are going to be completed?
And is the council actually doing anything to help the
businesses down there?
Speaker 3 (09:06):
Looking directly with the businesses and you know, utilizing Wellington
and z trying to increase marketing to get more people
down there, but it's about halfway through. It'll be finished
in about a year.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
The council did they properly consult on this? I mean
the courts are saying no about another issue, but it's
basically Thornton as well. Courts have said you didn't consult.
Do you reckon that? You've done a good enough job
in consulting with those people.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
So we know that when the project was with let's
get Willington move and consultation wasn't great. So we've we've
started to meet with the businesses directly now take them
through the project, take on feedback where possible. So our
transport team have been meeting with them ongoing. I've met
with them. I met with Paul Robertson and took a
(09:51):
look down there. I've been in touch with the kids
and co owner as well. It is I know they
are really frustrated and I know that you.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
Reckon that the Thornton Key thing, And this is me
speaking here, do you think the corn the whole issue
with Thornton Key could be your Celia way Brown moment
of Island Bay. It could be the thing that people
most remember. You buy a complete cockup of a setup.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
No, I don't because well, I mean, I mean we're.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
Still worrying about Island Bay now ten years later.
Speaker 3 (10:21):
Yeah, I mean, you know, transport projects are always this hard,
are always this disruptive. But once it's completed, I'm really
confident that people will see it for what it is.
Speaker 2 (10:33):
Wellington Mornings with Tory Farno, Wellington Mayor in the studio
quick one here and I just want to put my
hand up because I'm not involved in this in any
way and know nothing about it apart from being told
from being on this radio station. A consortium of Courtney
Place business owners have come together and are trying to
seek counsel approval to host a New Year's Eve party. Tory,
(10:53):
when you were standing, I remember we did one of
the first interviews with you and at news talks they'd
be one into mornings and you said you're aught about
revitalizing the city center. Surely you'd be jumping at this
idea to close Courtney Place off and have a job
on New Year's Sorry was it working now?
Speaker 3 (11:15):
I'm hugely supportive of this. So last week we actually
signed off some other road closures like a New Town
and so forth to allow for other street parties outside
of the usual Newtown festival. I think we need more
of that stuff. It brings the community to get together,
and when it's when it's properly resourced, it means you
(11:35):
can keep the event vibrant, safe, a little bit family friendly,
and ensure that the local businesses have the support that
they need. So I'm very supportive of this.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
So right here, right now, you're saying yes, it's going
to go ahead.
Speaker 3 (11:48):
Like I haven't even seen the proposal. I hasn't got
that far yet, so I've seen what stands in their way.
Probably I would say, I'm assuming a consent for the
closure needs to come to res which would be I
think in about three weeks time, and so well, I
know I'll be advocating for it.
Speaker 2 (12:07):
Okay, serious matter, not that that New Year's Eve thinks
not serious. Council Chief Executive Barbara mciro says she's not
seeking another term. Firstly, your own personal thought thoughts. Has
Barbara mcciarro been good for Warnington City?
Speaker 3 (12:23):
I think she has absolutely. She's actually, you know, you
have these kind of negative people saying things and that
has been totally unfoid and unfair. I was looking at
my book, my phone. I wasn't looking at you, but
actually she is an incredible CEO and if you were
to talk to anyone else in the local government world,
(12:45):
they would say the same. She's in demand. I know,
she's already been approached for a couple of other ce
roles in this in this area and her staff have
loved her. So why Well, she's at the end of
her term, so it has to.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
Be would she have got in if she went for
it again?
Speaker 3 (13:00):
Yes, I believe she would have. Absolutely, she you know
she would have.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Would she have the numbers on council to get back?
Speaker 3 (13:04):
I think so?
Speaker 2 (13:05):
Do you really think so? I do? Okay, why is
she not being upfront and sort of talk to the
media and done? You know her? But as the CEE?
I mean, why isn't she spoken to her us another media?
Speaker 3 (13:20):
Well, I suppose it's it's more typical for you know,
the mayor and the and the politicians to front up
to media. It's not really that usual for staff too.
I mean, you don't really hear from Auckland City Council's
ce or any other CEE. It's it's generally a backroom role.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
So do you think she will before she leaves.
Speaker 3 (13:38):
Probably that's up to her. Probably, I don't think she's
obligated to. Okay, that's up, that's up to her. And
to be fair, you guys aren't very nice. I wouldn't
wow Mayor, I'm fair game. But like you know, if
I may that the media kind of sentiment and this
year has just been, you know, so negative, I wouldn't
(14:02):
want to put her in front of media.
Speaker 2 (14:04):
Gosh. I feel a little bit personally affronted by that.
I always thought it myself was a nice guy. Oh okay, yep,
Wellington Water, No, let's let's not move on to Warrington
Water because I actually want to spend some time with
that Paniki Promise.
Speaker 4 (14:19):
Yep.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
It was revealed earlier this month that Paniki Promise, the
council's plan to reduce sexual and violent harm in the city,
has spent most of its money on a new two
million dollar architecturally designed toilet block and another five million
dollars removing car parks to install outdoor seating, amongst other improvement.
I mean, some of that to me just doesn't sing
out reducing harm.
Speaker 3 (14:41):
So how this works? So we worked with an organization called,
you know, the Let Us Live rally THO were the
ones who really called for an improvement in safety. Their
three main asks, so this came from them was urban
design developments because it's been shown, you know, worldwide evidence
shows that that redesigning your space improves kind of safety
(15:01):
in the area. Funding for organizations like Take ten for
it to go through and to prevent sexual violence, and
working with our hospitality to improve training to deal with
you know, unsavory behavior. That's exactly what has happened and
that has been the request.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
Seems to me from an outsider looking in that you've
spent a hell of a lot of money on improvements
that make the city better, But really does that make
a young person walking down Wellington streets at night feel
any safer, which is what Planiki Promise was set out
to say.
Speaker 3 (15:35):
So for a lot of people, yes, So when you again,
when you redesign your area and make it safe, make
it vibrant, you increase foot traffic, more people want to
go there. Therefore you feel safer, and there's the behavior
does decrease a bit. So what has happened is that
there's been a bit of a gap since that happened,
and now it's time to really ramp up the work again.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
You spent one point four million dollars on a community
center on Mana Street, which I walk past quite often.
I think the maximum I've seen is two people in there.
It's basically a drop in. Has that worked?
Speaker 3 (16:08):
Yeah, yeah. So another request that we've had, and actually
we're going to open one up on Thursday morning, is
that a lot of youth, a lot of students who
only really have their hostels or dingy flats to hang
out with, kinda wanted some spaces where they could just
go and hang. So it's been It provides the feeling
of knowing that there's a safe space there if you
(16:28):
need help, almost like take ten as well on a
big night out. And yeah, you know, make no mistake,
there's still a lot more work to do. It's still
a problem, but it has improved a bit.
Speaker 2 (16:42):
I just don't see how putting a boardwalk down Dixon
Street and putting those booths for tables to sit outside,
with a cost of five million dollars in a very
very expensive lou is what the Paneky promise was really
all about.
Speaker 3 (16:56):
So for the third time, I'm going to tell you
that urban design is incredibly useful for making an area safer.
That's exactly what it's I.
Speaker 2 (17:04):
Thought the Panik promise was to actually help people feel
safer in the city.
Speaker 3 (17:08):
And like I keep telling you, urban design makes people
feel safer. That has been proven worldwide, and that is
exactly what this rally group asked for. And as a result,
we're seeing many more people dying outside, many more people
visit these cafes. You know, the swimsuit cafe is incredibly popular,
and that in itself, the foot traffic alone makes people
feel safer.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
Well, it's interesting because he was on this very show,
sitting on your very seat, saying that it hasn't made
any difference to his business at all.
Speaker 3 (17:34):
Well, we're talking about safety, not business.
Speaker 2 (17:36):
Okay, all right, thank you, thank you for that reminder.
Tory Farno Willington mayor in the studio, and we just
got a text and Tory asking your opinion or the
proposal to look at compulsory buybacker johnsonvile More. Yes, you
like the idea. I do so.
Speaker 3 (17:52):
I've been you know, basically supporting Counselor McNulty but also
Counselor Paneviiction and the Council of Randall to try and
take that further because Johnsonville needs needs, that needs that work,
and to be able to develop that mall area would
just be game changing.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
Now, I was privy to a little bit of information
over the weekend. You know, I know what's going on
in my city, right, our city. I know what's happening.
Speaker 3 (18:15):
But sometimes you get.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
No, I don't get it wrong. And I haven't got
the social housing wrong. Don't start me with the housing
social housing, because.
Speaker 3 (18:20):
I get of two people.
Speaker 2 (18:22):
I am not one or two people in the text
that has told me that is absolute. Absolutely, Maybe told
you because they're too scared of you, but they'll tell
me in the street. Nick, you're right scared of me.
We should sell the damn councils.
Speaker 3 (18:34):
That's not what consultation told us.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
All right, well, your consultation's wrong. But also told you
that you didn't need to put but you put them on.
Speaker 3 (18:41):
But you're right because of your opinion.
Speaker 2 (18:43):
I have more people listening to me than actually respond
to the council. But do you go a little birdie
told me that a huge, huge business deal is going
down at the Eastern suburbs. Do you know about it?
Like someone's just bought a massive massive block of land
(19:03):
and that's pretty well known to Wellington and it's not
Shelly Bay. Have you heard that?
Speaker 3 (19:08):
I know things, but it's not Do you know that?
I do know that.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
You have heard that.
Speaker 3 (19:12):
I have heard that.
Speaker 2 (19:14):
Do you know what's going in there?
Speaker 3 (19:14):
I'm not telling Oh, so you do know. It's not
my it's not my place to say, but.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
You know, and I do know. We're announcing it first
here on Wellington Mornings. That probably I would say. And
I'm not the business correspondent, I'm the talkback host. But
the biggest property deal to go down in Wellington for
a number of years, maybe many many years is going
down and you know about it and I know about it,
(19:40):
but the people of Wellington don't.
Speaker 3 (19:42):
Know about it because it's not finalized.
Speaker 2 (19:45):
Do you know what's going in there?
Speaker 4 (19:47):
Yes?
Speaker 2 (19:49):
Is it a certain?
Speaker 3 (19:50):
I'm not saying anything.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
Why not?
Speaker 3 (19:53):
Why should I? You're not entitled to this information.
Speaker 2 (19:56):
I am entitled, you're not. The people are entitled.
Speaker 3 (19:58):
This is not this is not counsel's deal, it's not
your deal.
Speaker 2 (20:01):
It's just the people of Wellington have this radio station
and they are entitled to know what's going on there.
If it's the major deal, not one of the biggest deal.
Speaker 3 (20:09):
It's not for me to say.
Speaker 2 (20:10):
And it's got nothing to do with Wellington the airport
as my source.
Speaker 5 (20:13):
Right.
Speaker 3 (20:14):
Uh no, no, you think it has got no, no, no,
I just I don't want to answer your questions about
this because this is not my deal.
Speaker 2 (20:23):
It's our deal. It's all of our deal.
Speaker 3 (20:27):
If you say so, you don't think it is, I
don't know. You're speaking in you know, garbage, vagueness and whatever.
The point is there's something happening. I'm not going to
talk about it. I don't have to.
Speaker 2 (20:40):
Just remember that you heard it first on the show.
Something is going to be announced.
Speaker 3 (20:44):
It was disastrous.
Speaker 2 (20:46):
It's not disastrous. It's a big deal. It's a major
deal in our city and we want to know about it.
Speaker 3 (20:52):
This interaction is disastrous.
Speaker 2 (20:54):
Okay, let's move on.
Speaker 4 (20:55):
Then.
Speaker 2 (20:55):
I haven't got anywhere there, And I apologize the listeners.
If you feel it's disaster, when you find out what's
going on, you'll say good on Nick for trying. And
that's what we want to do. Wellington Water. Yes, it's
one of the most serious issues that we've had in
in the last ten years, fifteen years. I think of
in the city and in terms of what's going on,
Wellington's Water's chief executive, Tanya has Schools, have resigned after
(21:16):
a fifty one million dollar budget blunder. The report looking
into the problem has found issues with culture and accountability
within the organization. Do you well, firstly, did you have
confidence in Tanya? Because I did, And I put my
hand up and say I did have confidence in here.
Speaker 3 (21:34):
Yeah, And I said that from the beginning as well,
because actually look that she didn't she inherited a lot
of these problems and you know, I you know, she
was actually quite collaborative. I got on very well with her.
So you know, this is a person, at the end
of the day that's publicly lost their role.
Speaker 2 (21:51):
So you know, do you have as mayor of Wellington,
do you have any confidence whatsoever in Wellington Water as
it stands right now?
Speaker 3 (21:59):
As it stands right now, I think there are significant
problems that if we don't fix, they'll lose the confidence
of Wellington.
Speaker 2 (22:06):
I've lost the confidence of Wellington already, don't you think. Yeah.
I mean I think they've lost the confidence of you.
Speaker 3 (22:12):
And they know that they know that.
Speaker 2 (22:14):
Whilst Tan You're pushed Oh no, I saw the report.
Speaker 3 (22:20):
I saw the report and yes, it showed significant problems
with Wellington Water that were not a surprise to Wellington
City Council. Because we had commissioned our own report and
had been raising these issues for some time. It was
obvious that some action needed to be taken. The Board
was quite clear about that, and you know some action.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
Was does the organization Wellington Water we're talking about with
Wellington met Tory faro? Does the Wellington Water need more
than just the chief executive leaving? Is it a problem
that starts at the top and goes all the way down?
Is it more major than just her?
Speaker 3 (22:59):
We'll have to say that's not for me to say.
Speaker 2 (23:03):
This is an organization. Can I just interrupt you there slightly?
This is an organization that comes cap in hand to
you all the time for multi multimillion dollars worth to
deal money cost us as ratepayers huge amount of money.
Surely you'd have a good idea of what the organization's like.
Speaker 3 (23:20):
Yes, and look, I think the sea stepping down is
quite a significant piece of action. I think the board
also needs to take a look at itself and how
they help manage Wellington Water.
Speaker 2 (23:29):
Would you get rid of the board.
Speaker 3 (23:30):
No, no, no, no, no. I think that's quite extreme,
but I think they need to take some responsibility and they.
Speaker 2 (23:36):
Get his chair. Does he need to take some responsibility?
Speaker 3 (23:38):
Not for me to say, well, and he has taken responsibility.
And you know they'll do a report back to the
Water Committee and Council soon about what the next sections
will be. They've acknowledged that urgent action is needed to
change the culture and to create more accountability for our ratepayers.
They've promised to do that and at the same time
we're working on water reform with the Regional group.
Speaker 2 (24:00):
Once again a yes or no answer if when water
done well is broader or done better is brought in,
is Wellington Water the organization to be entrusted to spend
the borrowed money smartly.
Speaker 3 (24:18):
Well, no, and that's why we're moving to a CEO model.
But in saying that, look, Wellington Water have had a
lot of flack over the recent wildland you know, the
report shows that that was justified. But that's not to
say that there isn't a lot of amazing staff within
that organization, especially those on the ground we're fixing the pipes.
(24:39):
They're likely get transferred over to the new entity, which
is great because they actually are doing a great job.
Speaker 2 (24:45):
Charlie, good morning, Nice to see you calling up. You've
got a question for Wellington mea Torrifino.
Speaker 6 (24:50):
Yeah, hi Tory, Hey, good hell are you not bad?
Thank you. My question is about political affiliations Tory, and
my question to you is that what place do you
think political affiliations should have in council? And probably more
importantly to turn is right now what place do you
think it has right now in Wellington City Council.
Speaker 3 (25:11):
Yeah, So there are two areas I'd like to discuss
with this. In one sense, I've found it's quite useful
for party aligned candidates to come through the trained they've
been vetted and you know they have they have really
great values. On the other hand, you do have some
who perhaps you know, you sign an oath to put
(25:34):
Wellington first, you know when it comes to decision making
that that is what you should do. Some don't do that,
and so it's quite it's quite tricky.
Speaker 2 (25:42):
Well they signed the oath and don't don't.
Speaker 3 (25:45):
Yeah, yeah, Ok, it's tricky though, So that's why I
think they should do what I did. So I'm party aligned,
but I'm still an independent, so I can still push
Green Party policy and co papper. But I'm not going
to get in trouble if I don't.
Speaker 2 (26:00):
Don't start me on there, because every time you come
in you're a different thing.
Speaker 3 (26:04):
No, I'm not. I've always said I'm agree member.
Speaker 2 (26:07):
Right, Okay, you just don't. You keep telling me I
do listen, you.
Speaker 3 (26:12):
Don't understand how it works.
Speaker 2 (26:14):
Well, don't have a crack at me because I'm a
slow learner. I mean that's easy.
Speaker 3 (26:16):
It's easy that septimize yourself.
Speaker 2 (26:20):
Don't start that. But you do change the shop.
Speaker 3 (26:22):
And no, I don't. I have no, I haven't.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
Well you said when we first met, you said, I'm
an independent. I've had my time with the Greens, but
now I'm an independent. I'm Tory Farno and I stand
for myself. Went in and got the position as mere
based on that.
Speaker 3 (26:37):
Now you remember, No, I was a Green member at
that time.
Speaker 2 (26:41):
You resigned, you didn't renew.
Speaker 3 (26:43):
I didn't renew my membership in the March like a
few months later.
Speaker 2 (26:47):
Okay, Wellington got some bad rap over the weekend. An
interesting story. Over the weekend, Kiwi Bank gave every region
in the country a score out of ten for how
their economy is doing. Wellington got a two out of ten,
and it follows multiple hospitality closes, job losses and a
grim all black test on the weekend with a sea
(27:07):
of empty yellow seats, the worst attendance in all that
game in decades could be forever. How tough is it
right now to be a Wellingtonian?
Speaker 3 (27:16):
Yeah, it's pretty tough, especially for those who have lost
their jobs through the public service cuts and there have
been a lot several thousand so and of course are
there's not like an opening of jobs for them to
go to. We'll also have the media sector lose their
jobs as well. So it's tough times and not unique
to Wellington.
Speaker 2 (27:36):
Why if we are we are in those tough times?
I'm not actually debating that. Why is the council not
doing more to support businesses and people in Wellington? Why
is it not out there saying we're going to get
us all through this? We are, We're not.
Speaker 3 (27:50):
No, we do do that. But people like yourself again,
like to change the narrative and jump to the negative.
Speaker 2 (27:55):
And I want to be honest to be I don't
want to change the narrative at all. I want to
be honest and I know through business connections that I
have that it's very tough to get anything through counsel
at the moment, making you jump through hoops. Now I've
been in the licensing industry for forty five years. It's
tougher now by ten or fifteen times than it was
(28:15):
ten years ago to get a license in the city.
Speaker 3 (28:17):
Well, I need people to raise that as an issue
with me, okay, but.
Speaker 2 (28:21):
I'm saying it is. We know that it's tough out there.
We need the council to be actually out our sidecent.
Speaker 3 (28:26):
I didn't realize it was that bad. I thought it
had improved over the last year. Clearly it hasn't. I'm
very keen to raise that.
Speaker 2 (28:34):
Because I think also there's a lot of people out
there saying that you know that voted for you based
on the fact that you are going to get things going,
and they're struggling. Developers are struggling to get throings through council.
Business is struggling to get through well.
Speaker 3 (28:47):
So the district plan will help with the consenting process
and make things go a lot faster. So I'm looking
forward to that pass that through this particular business one
old raise I didn't realize it was such a big problem.
I'm meeting with my business advisory and two weeks time
to talk about, especially when there's when the Golden Mile
(29:10):
is happening. What sort of grant system or relief can
we provide to businesses during construction?
Speaker 2 (29:16):
Can I I'll tell you when we come back about
my personal experience with that group, which was positive, which
was positive, I will put it out there. Okay, they
came around and they presented what they were going to
do to my family, not to me, but it was positive.
Well into mornings with mea torri Fano. Susan, good morning.
You've got a question for me, Tori Fano.
Speaker 5 (29:35):
Yes, I have, and it's a really big question. I'll
be quick. The motorized scooters on our foot paths, they
are just so dangerous. You've come here in the coming
I've nearly been collected a few times and one bike
has what already collected me by being on the part
(29:56):
being on a footpath too around Tarro area, Victoria Street
while they go down everywhere. But it is very, very scary.
Speaker 2 (30:07):
Thanks Susan. Thanks get meyor torri Fino to reply to that.
Speaker 3 (30:11):
Yep, so I would love for scooters to be allowed
in cycle lanes. Technically they're not at the moment. It
requires a legisative change otherwise. That's why kind of thirty
kilometer speed zones are quite good across the city because
then a scooter rider like myself will just go on
the road. But until they're allowed in cycle lanes, it's
(30:35):
quite scary for some to do it on the road.
Speaker 2 (30:38):
I didn't know. I didn't know that dave scooters weren't
allowed on cycle ways. That's something I learned.
Speaker 3 (30:43):
No, No, I learned that a couple of months ago
because I was disappointed.
Speaker 2 (30:46):
Yeah, Nicole, you have a question for Torrifino.
Speaker 4 (30:51):
Yeah, it is about the cycle lanes. I mean, that's
sort of biggest belief considering how long we've had a
cycle lane starting to spool through Wellington, but the proliferation
of them. Gary Muller, who's you know, New Zealand Cyclist,
has been citing for decades. He published a really good
(31:12):
article last week and he just said he just thinks
they're a disaster for Wellington, that we're prioritizing cycling over
commerce and the movement of traffic. And these inline bus
stops now that stop in the middle of the road,
so it stops any traffic getting passed, whether you're a
car or another bus.
Speaker 2 (31:30):
Nicole, Sorry, I'm running out of time. Can you just
ask your question please? Sorry, I'm not being rude. I
just need to get to a time break.
Speaker 4 (31:37):
So what's the justification for these cycle lanes. We're prioritizing
them over primary traffic and also at the expense of businesses.
Speaker 3 (31:48):
So we're not actually prioritizing them over roads. We're just
adding them to roads to ensure that no matter where
you go, you haven't the option to walk, cycle, bus
or drive. There are still lots of roads everywhere, but
we want to give you know, every on the ability
to be able to safe cycling across across the city.
And that's what people are doing. So cycle ways are
(32:10):
the way of the future. But you'll still get your roads,
You'll still get your places where you can drive your car.
Speaker 2 (32:16):
Just a quick one, thanks, Tori. I going to text
he how I went to an Island Bay, New Calf
last night, no alcohol, that I've been waiting over four
months to get approval. The council should be supporting anyone
brave enough to open a new business. But you've already
knew that and you're onto it. Tory, thank you for
coming in. Appreciate your time as always. I know it's
not the greatest hour in your month, but I think
(32:36):
that it's great that you do show up and do
answer the questions the best to your abilities. I appreciate
you and I appreciate the fact that you come on
the show.
Speaker 3 (32:44):
Thank you, Nick. It's always good to see you. Even
if we have a tiff.
Speaker 2 (32:47):
It's fine, it's fine, it's all right. It's not personal. No,
it's not personal. You've got a job to do it.
I've got a job to do.
Speaker 3 (32:53):
It's all good.
Speaker 2 (32:54):
One of us has got better ratings than the other one.
That's a low blow to finishing. I apologize.
Speaker 3 (33:01):
Maybe on your show, I apologize if we you know.
Speaker 2 (33:03):
I apologize for that was a low blow. It just
came out at the time. I apologize. I do apologize.
That was terrible.
Speaker 1 (33:11):
For more from Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills, listen live
to news Talks It'd be Wellington from nine am weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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