Andrew Little: Wellington mayoral candidate says city needs 'urgent change'

Former Labour leader Andrew Little has today confirmed he will stand for the Wellington mayoralty in the upcoming local body elections.

Little said he is standing for mayor because Wellington needs “urgent change” and “serious leadership”.

“I’m confident I can win,” he said today.

He had previously ruled out throwing his hat in the ring but has revealed this morning that he wants to “end the chaos at council” which he believed he had the experience to do.

He wanted to return the council to “what it should be doing” and serving the people.

Little says he’s been approached by “quite a cross-section” of Wellingtonians asking him to run.

“Obviously Labour people but also National Party, Green Party people, community leaders, business people.”

He said the city was in a fragile state and believed some major projects could be reconsidered.

“We need to make sure what we are doing isn’t causing disruption at a particularly sensitive time.”

The first phase of the Golden Mile project was scheduled to start this month, but Little suggested further work could be deferred.

“For the remainder of the project, I’m not saying don’t do it, what I am saying is let’s have a think about when it might be best to do that.”

The city needed to recover, he said.

Little’s main priorities have been listed as investing in parks, swimming pools and libraries, prioritising cheaper transport and housing development, supporting small businesses, taking action on climate and honouring the Treaty.

He said it was clear to him that Wellington “is in trouble”.

He highlighted the city’s cost of living crisis, public service cuts and the council being “out of touch” as three of the major issues facing Wellington residents.

He said he wants to do away with “regressive” policies like asset sales, closure of community facilities and “millions of dollars in corporate welfare for an international cinema owner”.

“My focus 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.”

“This council [has] on the block a number of community facilities like the Khandallah pool, like Begonia House - those things should be our priorities, they’re certainly my priorities. Those are the things that strengthen communities and make a city.“

He said the recent rates rises were “not acceptable” and making the city unaffordable, and thought the council needed a “much tighter grip on council finances”.

While he believed cycleways were a good thing some routes had been poorly executed.

He said his track record showed he was able to work with people from across the political spectrum.

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

“Wellington is the place I chose with my wife Leigh to raise our family and there’s nowhere else we would rather be.”

He has submitted his nomination seeking the Wellington Labour Party’s support for his mayoral campaign and a formal campaign launch will follow in the coming weeks.

Little entered Parliament in 2011 and was leader of the Labour Party and leader of the Opposition from 2014 to 2017.

Little was a senior minister under former prime ministers Dame Jacinda Ardern and Chris Hipkins.

Candidates who have confirmed plans to run for the mayoralty are Tory Whanau, councillor Ray Chung, businessman Karl Tiefenbacher, conservationist Kelvin Hastie, Wellington Live owner Graham Bloxham and former city councillor Rob Goulden.

The election will be held on October 11.

Little joined Nick Mills to discuss his

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:07):
You're listening to the Wellington Mornings podcast with Nick Mills
from news Talk.

Speaker 2 (00:11):
Said b joining us in the studio now is Andrew
Little Morning. Andrew Morning.

Speaker 1 (00:17):
Nick.

Speaker 3 (00:17):
Okay, why because the city is in pretty serious trouble.
It looks like to me, I think the heart of
those problems is a lack of leadership. I think there
are a lot of problems being ignored. I think there's
a lot of issues being given priority that, in my
view aren't really the priorities for Wellington. Wellington's changed a
lot in the last couple of years because of the

(00:38):
public service cuts and the pressure on business, and we
need a counsel that actually is respectful of that and
it is prepared to change course to accommodate that.

Speaker 2 (00:46):
It's being a lawyer. Lawyer that boring, that you need
some excitement in your life.

Speaker 3 (00:51):
I've loved going back to the law. I've got a
great bunch of colleagues. But in the end, through a
lot of conversations with a lot of people from across
the spectrum, you know, I recognize that I do have
a set of skills and that I think those skills
are what Wellington See Council needs at this point.

Speaker 2 (01:06):
Everyone's going to say the same thing that's going to
go for that position. They're going to say they're going
to bring the rates down, they are going to relook
at the Golden Mile, and plumbing and water works is
going to be the most important. What makes you any different?

Speaker 3 (01:19):
I think I've got a strong background and a set
of experiences. That means that I've got a proven track record.
I've working with people and a whole array of people
and difficult personalities. I'm a good negotiator. I can do
what's best for Wellington, whether it's with other local councils
over the future of Wellington Water, or whether it's with
central government. I know government, I know many of the ministers.

(01:42):
I can both have a constructive relationship when that's needed,
but stand up to government when that's needed for Willington too.

Speaker 2 (01:47):
What sort of disadvantage is that We've talked about it
on the show for three years about going into council
for the first time and being mayor you are you
concerned about that?

Speaker 3 (01:58):
I think what I've demonstrated. I think as a minister
twelve portfolios, you go into all those portfolios with not
a lot of knowledge or deep knowledge. I very quickly
come up to speed. I read everything, I talk to people,
I engage with people. I think that's one of my
skills too, that compared to a lot of other people
in public office. I'm a good listener and that's what

(02:19):
I will do. I can see the problems that Wellington
City has from the outside of the council. I back
myself if I'm elected and get inside council to help
sort those problems out.

Speaker 2 (02:31):
What are you going to do with golden may.

Speaker 3 (02:33):
I know that the contracts for Corney, Placy and have
been lead so I'm not intending on ripping those up.
I just think we have to recognize that right now
business a lot of businesses, particularly hospitality and retail on
that stretch, are fragile because of the loss of people,
the loss of foot traffic and all the rest of it.
So maybe now's not the time to be barging ahead. Regardless,

(02:54):
I think we have to be sensitive to the needs.

Speaker 2 (02:57):
Can we get it kind of like a real I mean,
everyone's going to want to know, yes, the contract signed
to do the intersection, so we'll go with that.

Speaker 3 (03:05):
It's a halt on the Golden Mile. If you become mayor,
it's it's it's see what the story is. But I
don't want to barge a head and cause disruption. That's
just going to put unnecessary pressure on businesses at a
fragile time. So I expect it'll be more like rephasing
it and pushing it out lot. We don't have to
do it all now, we don't have to do it

(03:26):
all quickly. And I'm almost certain a good idea, it
just doesn't have to happen in a way that's going
to put unnecessary pressure.

Speaker 2 (03:33):
Do you personally like the idea of the Golden Mile? Look,
I'm not, I'm not wedded to it.

Speaker 3 (03:39):
I know that there's been a lot of consultation over it,
a lot of planning, a lot of design, and maybe
I've got to just have a close look at it.
What I'm more concerned about, and I get it every
day going to work and coming home from work, is
just the pressure that businesses on that stretch of road
are under and they can't They're not in a position
to absorb a whole heap of disruption. We've got to

(04:01):
be realistic about it.

Speaker 2 (04:02):
Can I ask you your thoughts on social housing. I've
always been an advocate for getting rid of social housing
from the council. We have the government to look after
social housing. I think social health is a very very
important part of society, but surely it should be done
by the Government, not by Wellington City Council. Your thoughts
on that, No, I think the.

Speaker 3 (04:18):
Council should continue to be a social housing provider. They
do with to toy Mahuna now they do a very
good job, They've got a good reputation. I think central
Government sort of waxes and wanes on it, and actually,
you know, we need We've got a big homelessness problem
at the moment with Wellington, so we need to toy
Mahuna and the council's social housing program to be the
best it can be. But I remain firmly of the

(04:40):
view that council does have a responsibility in that regard.

Speaker 2 (04:42):
What would you have voted for? Would you have voted
to sell the airport chairs.

Speaker 3 (04:45):
No, I wouldn't have done because it's a big as set,
it's an asset that makes a good return for Wellington.
It's a monopoly and we should retain our ownership, our
partial ownership of it.

Speaker 2 (04:56):
One of the things that I was thinking about yesterday
was you were part of a very unpopular government at
the end. I mean, you know, your first admit, I
would think you admit that, do you reckon that's going
to hurt you when you actually stand for the council.
Do you think people will say, oh, gosh, wasn't he
just ender Ardurn's right hand man?

Speaker 3 (05:14):
You know, the feedback I've had from people is that
what they want is somebody who is used to dealing
with tough issues, used to dealing with a whole bunch
of people, a whole different array of ideas, who get
up to speed quickly. That's what people are looking for.
I think what they see in the Counsel at the
moment is it's just not gripping up the problems as

(05:34):
they are today, all very well, you know, following plans
that were set three or four years ago, but circumstances
have changed. They want somebody who can talk and deal
and engage and listen and adapt accordingly. And I bring
those skills.

Speaker 2 (05:48):
What's your relationship like with Tory, Fano?

Speaker 3 (05:51):
I've known, I knew Tory when she was in Parliament.
I haven't seen him for a long time, but again, look,
you know, people will take on roles sometimes things you know,
don't work out. That maybe is what has happened here.
But you know, I'm not I'm not crushing anybody. I'm
not here to eviscerate anybody. Wellington is in the situation

(06:12):
that it's in. I look at the whole of council.
I think there's a collective responsibility to go with it
and it needs a change of leadership.

Speaker 2 (06:19):
Would you have redone the library? Yeah?

Speaker 3 (06:25):
I think. I think the libraries are important. I think that's,
you know, an important community facilities. In the end, what
a city is built on are built on people, residents
having access to good community facilities and whether it's libraries,
swimming pools, whatever, Begonia houses, that's the stuff.

Speaker 2 (06:41):
What is your thoughts on Bergonia House? Would you would
you pull it down or would you No? I would
keep it.

Speaker 3 (06:46):
Let's have a lock and I think there's some options
about what can be done with it, but I'll keep it.
It's been around a long time. It's an important facility.
That's a community facility that we should be keeping.

Speaker 2 (06:55):
You're a very fit man. Do you cycle? Are you
a cycle wave fan?

Speaker 3 (06:58):
I'm only a mountain bike is my main cycle activity.
I don't cycle I do cycle on the cycleways, but
I'm a mountain biker and a kayaker by habit.

Speaker 2 (07:06):
Would you spend more money on cycle ways or would
you look at them or what's your view on them?

Speaker 1 (07:11):
No?

Speaker 3 (07:11):
Look, I think it's important to have a way that
cyclists can move safely through the city. That's fine. I
just think I do question the execution of some of them,
I questioned molas Worth Street. I look at the stuff
around the botanical gardens, and again I think I look
at the disruption that implementing them can cause. Right now,

(07:32):
Wellington business cannot absorb a whole heap of disruption. I
just think we have to be realistic about if there
are more plans to do more things, let's just think
carefully about the impact on people.

Speaker 2 (07:42):
Now, you're a union man, right, and I grew up
with the union, so I understand union people are union people.
If you look at the books with the new CEO
and you realize that there's twenty percent, which is my
gut feeling, there is too many employees at the Wellington
City Council. Can you make twenty percent of them redundant?
Is that in your blood?

Speaker 3 (08:01):
I'm not afraid to make those hard decisions I did
as a union leader. You know, unions or organizations too,
they've got to make their fit, their budgets and stuff
as well. I've been on organizations and boards of organizations
that have had to make those hard decisions. I'm not
afraid to. I think it is very important that the
Council lives within its means, is realistic about what it

(08:22):
is spending. We can't have a situation whe're over two
years we have thirty percent rate increases. That's that's not acceptable,
that's unaffordable for people, and the Council has to do
it's bit to keep its costs under control.

Speaker 2 (08:34):
Do you think that they are the councilor presently living
within their means? Well, if I look at.

Speaker 3 (08:40):
The level of rates and creases, it just seems it
just seems unrealistic. Again, this is early days. I've only
just announced there'll be an opening of the council books
before the election and I have a close lock then.

Speaker 2 (08:52):
But are you a numbers guy? Are you good with numbers?

Speaker 3 (08:55):
Yes, I do. I look very closely at them. Yeah right,
I've been through a few budget rounds and you know,
got my numbers up, particularly as the Minister of defense.

Speaker 2 (09:02):
Okay. What happens is if you get a whole lot
of Green councilors around the table and you're a mayor
and you're obviously labor, you're hoping to get their endorsement.
It hasn't come yet. How are you going to deal
with that?

Speaker 3 (09:14):
That's I think a skill that I have, you know,
goes back to my union leader days and union negotiation days.
I can deal with people with diametrically opposite views and
come to a conclusion that we can all agree with.
It takes effort on both sides, compromise on both sides.
But that's a skill I bring.

Speaker 1 (09:30):
I don't.

Speaker 3 (09:31):
I don't shrink from disagreement or conflict. I'm happy to
operate with disagreement and conflict. The main thing for me
is to get an outcome that everybody lives with.

Speaker 2 (09:40):
That's what I focus on. Do you get excited by much?
Do you excitable type of guy? I've never seen you smile?
Laugh at every type I've seen?

Speaker 1 (09:47):
You? Are?

Speaker 2 (09:47):
You are? You are? You? Can you be a fun
mayor for a fun city?

Speaker 3 (09:52):
Yes, yes I can be. But also, you know, public
office and running a city as a responsible task. I
think what people are looking for is a bit of
a serious approach, not as an approach to lacking humor
or fun, but a serious approach. The problems that we've
got will bring that to it. I'm quite capable of
having fun and making a joke on myself.

Speaker 2 (10:12):
With Okay, are you a business friendly leader? Yes?

Speaker 3 (10:16):
I think I can deal with business. You know, even
as a union leader, I have this thing. Look, you've
got to work with people, and the way the way
you see worker's best interest is to have the best
relationship you can with an employer. Workers want to know
your job is safe and secure. They want to be
paid as best as they can, but they want to
know the business is going to survive and is doing well.
And as a union leader, that's what you've got to

(10:37):
focus on. As mayor, I've got to focus on the
business community as much as anything else, because that's what's
going to keep the city going.

Speaker 2 (10:43):
Give me the scenario your first day at work. What
do you think you're going to do? What would you do?
What would be the first thing you do when you
go into that office.

Speaker 3 (10:50):
I think I send a couple of very clear signals
to particularly to the chief executive and the senior offices
about my expectations about having good quality information and also,
you know, as the local government access the mayor leads,
the mayor leads. And then have you met the CEO?
Have you met the new CEO? No? I haven't none.

Speaker 2 (11:06):
Okay, will you do that beforehand? I'm not quite sure.

Speaker 3 (11:09):
I'm not quite sure what's appropriate at this point. And
you know he won't want to compromise himself. He's got
to work with you know, whoever might become mere right?

Speaker 2 (11:17):
Are you running for council as well? Or straight?

Speaker 1 (11:18):
Now?

Speaker 2 (11:19):
Just just man, Okay, you're my final questioners, very serious question.

Speaker 3 (11:24):
You didn't know you told me.

Speaker 2 (11:26):
Okay. My final question is Taranaki are playing Wellington at Rugby.
Who do you support? And I'll tell you who I
support if you ask me.

Speaker 3 (11:35):
If I'm the mayor of Wellington, it has to be Wellington.
My heart's disappoints me. A large chunk still sits in Taranaki.

Speaker 2 (11:42):
That disappoints me because I left Taranaki when I was
eight years old. You know who I'd support, Taranakin never
ever wavered, never ever wavered.

Speaker 3 (11:51):
You know, I was really disappointed. The thing that really
disappointed me most about when Taranaki went off to the
Chiefs franchise and didn't stuck with the Hurricanes franchise. That
challenged me. I've stuck with the Hurricanes. I'm a big
support of the Hurricanes. I was really disapported that Taranaki
took off.

Speaker 2 (12:06):
Thanks for coming in, Yeah, good luck, I think, well, yeah,
nice to meet you too. I openly said that I
have never met you. I've seen you at a local
cafe a couple of times, and so it's nice to
meet you. All the very very best and you know
where we are. Cheers. Andrew Little, who this morning announced
excuse me for coughing on the microphone, announced that, and

(12:29):
it wasn't meant to be a cough that. I'd say that,
Andrew Little, that's coming road for running from beer, I apologize. Hey, ladies,
a journabal I've got a laugh out of him. And
he took me fifteen minutes, but I got a laugh
out of him. Here you go. Not too many people
can say that, can they?

Speaker 1 (12:44):
There?

Speaker 2 (12:45):
Thank you, Appreciate you.

Speaker 1 (12:47):
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