| Wellington City Council | |
| Native Name: | Te Kaunihera o Pōneke |
| Logo Res: | 200px |
| Coa Pic: | Wellington Coat Of Arms.svg |
| Coa Res: | 100px |
| House Type: | City council |
| Jurisdiction: | Wellington |
| Leader1 Type: | Mayor |
| Party1: | Green |
| Leader2 Type: | Deputy Mayor |
| Leader2: | Laurie Foon |
| Party2: | Green |
| Leader3 Type: | CEO |
| Leader3: | Barbara McKerrow[1] |
| Members: | 16[2] |
| Political Groups1: |
|
| Voting System1: | STV |
| Last Election1: | 8 October 2022 |
| Next Election1: | 11 October 2025 |
| Meeting Place: | Ngake, Level 16, 113 The Terrace, Wellington[3] |
| Website: | wellington.govt.nz/ |
Wellington City Council is a territorial authority in New Zealand, governing the city of Wellington, the country's capital city and third-largest city by population, behind Auckland and Christchurch. It consists of the central historic town and certain additional areas within the Wellington metropolitan area, extending as far north as Linden and covering rural areas such as Mākara and Ohariu. The city adjoins Porirua in the north and Hutt City in the north-east. It is one of nine territorial authorities in the Wellington Region.
Wellington attained city status in 1886. The settlement had become the colonial capital and seat of government by 1865, replacing Auckland. Parliament officially sat in Wellington for the first time on 26 July 1865. During the last half of the nineteenth century, Wellington grew rapidly from 7,460 residents in 1867 to 49,344 by the end of the century.[4]
The council represents a population of as of and consists of a mayor and fifteen councillors elected from six wards (Northern, Onslow-Western, Lambton, Eastern, Southern general wards and Te Whanganui-a-Tara Māori ward).[5] It administers public works, sanitation, land use and building consents, among other local services. The council has used the marketing slogan "Absolutely Positively Wellington" in an official capacity since the early 1990s.[6]
The mayor and all councillors are members of council. Following a review in 2021 by former Local Government New Zealand chief executive Peter Winder, the council adopted a new committee structure.[7] All committees apart from Te Kaunihera o Pōneke Council and Ngutu Taki CEO Performance Review Committee include two mana whenua representatives, who are paid and have voting rights.[8]
| Committee | Chair | Deputy Chair | Membership | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Te Kaunihera o Pōneke | Mayor Tory Whanau | Deputy Mayor Laurie Foon | Mayor and all councillors | |
| Unaunahi Māhirahira Audit and Risk Subcommittee | Independent appointment | Cr Tony Randle | Mayor Tory Whanau, Cr John Apanowicz, Cr Ray Chung, Cr Iona Pannett, Pouiwi Liz Kelly (Tākai Here representative) | |
| Kōrau Tūāpapa Environment and Infrastructure Committee | Cr Tim Brown | Mayor and all councillors and two Tākai Here representatives | ||
| Kōrau Mātinitini Social, Cultural and Economic Committee | Cr Teri O'Neill | Cr Nureddin Abdurahman | Mayor and all councillors and two Tākai Here representatives | |
| Kāwai Whakatipu Grants Subcommittee | Cr Nicola Young | Cr Nīkau Wi Neera | Mayor and deputy mayor, Cr Brown, Cr Matthews, Cr O'Neill | |
| Kōrau Tōtōpū Annual Plan/Long-term Plan, Finance and Performance Committee | Cr Rebecca Matthews | Councillor John Apanowicz | Mayor and all councillors and two Tākai Here representatives | |
| Koata Hātepe Regulatory Processes Committee | Cr Sarah Free | Cr Ben McNulty | Mayor Whanau, Cr Abdurahman, Cr Calvert, Cr Paul, Pouiwi Holden Hohaia and Pouiwi Liz Kelly (Tākai Here representatives) | |
| Ngutu Taki CEO Performance Review Committee | Mayor Tory Whanau | Deputy Mayor Laurie Soon | Cr Matthews, Cr O'Neill, Cr Paul |
Wellington's local electoral wards were given Māori names in 2018, after consultation with mana whenua.[9]
See main article: Mayor of Wellington.
See also: 2019 Wellington City mayoral election and 2022 Wellington City mayoral election.
One mayor is elected at large from the entire Wellington City district.
Te Whanganui a Tara is a Māori ward created by Wellington City Council in 2021.[10] The 2022 election returned Nīkau Wi-Neera as its first-ever councillor.[11]
Motukairangi/Eastern Ward returns three councillors to the Wellington City Council. Since 2022 the councillors are:
| Name | Affiliation (if any) | First elected | Responsibilities | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| bgcolor= | Sarah Free | 2013 |
| Regulatory Processes Committee
| Long-term Plan, Finance, and Performance Committee
| Environment and Infrastructure Committee
| Social, Cultural, and Economic Committee[13] | |||
| bgcolor= | Teri O'Neill | 2019 |
| Social, Cultural, and Economic Committee
| Chief Executive Performance Review Committee
| Long-term Plan, Finance, and Performance Committee
| Environment and Infrastructure Committee
| Grants Subcommittee[14] | ||
| bgcolor= | Tim Brown | Independent | 2022 |
| Environment and Infrastructure Committee
| Long-term Plan, Finance, and Performance Committee
| Social, Cultural, and Economic Committee
| Grants Subcommittee[15] |
Pukehīnau/Lambton Ward returns three councillors to the Wellington City Council. Since 2024 the councillors are:
| Name | Affiliation (if any) | First elected | Responsibilities | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| bgcolor= | Iona Pannett | Independent | 2007 |
| Long-term Plan, Finance, and Performance Committee
| Environment and Infrastructure Committee
| Social, Cultural, and Economic Committee
| Audit and Risk Committee[16] | |
| bgcolor= | Nicola Young | Independent | 2013 |
| Grants Subcommittee
| Long-term Plan, Finance, and Performance Committee
| Environment and Infrastructure Committee
| Social, Cultural, and Economic Committee[17] | |
| bgcolor= | Geordie Rogers | 2024 |
Takapū/Northern Ward returns three councillors to the Wellington City Council. Since 2022 the councillors are:
| Name | Affiliation (if any) | First elected | Responsibilities | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| bgcolor= | Ben McNulty | Labour | 2022 |
| Regulatory Processes Committee
| Long-term Plan, Finance, and Performance Committee
| Environment and Infrastructure Committee
| Social, Cultural, and Economic Committee[18] | ||
| bgcolor= | Tony Randle | Independent | 2022 |
| Audit and Risk Committee
| Long-term Plan, Finance, and Performance Committee
| Environment and Infrastructure Committee
| Social, Cultural, and Economic Committee[19] | ||
| bgcolor= | John Apanowicz | A Voice for Wellington | 2022 |
| Long-term Plan, Finance, and Performance Committee
| Environment and Infrastructure Committee
| Social, Cultural, and Economic Committee
| Audit and Risk Committee[20] |
Wharangi/Onslow-Western Ward returns three councillors to the Wellington City Council. Since 2022 the councillors are:
| Name | Affiliation (if any) | First elected | Responsibilities | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| bgcolor= | Diane Calvert | Independent | 2016 |
| Long-term Plan, Finance, and Performance Committee
| Regulatory Processes Committee
| Environment and Infrastructure Committee
| Social, Cultural, and Economic Committee[21] | ||
| bgcolor= | Rebecca Matthews | Labour | 2019 |
| Long-term Plan, Finance, and Performance Committee
| Chief Executive Performance Review Committee
| Environment and Infrastructure Committee
| Social, Cultural, and Economic Committee
| Grants Subcommittee[22] | |
| bgcolor= | Ray Chung | Independent | 2022 |
| Long-term Plan, Finance, and Performance Committee
| Environment and Infrastructure Committee
| Social, Cultural, and Economic Committee
| Audit and Risk Committee[23] |
Paekawakawa/Southern Ward is the only ward that returns two councillors to the Wellington City Council (all others returning one or three). Since 2022 the councillors are:
| Name | Affiliation (if any) | First elected | Responsibilities | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| bgcolor= | Laurie Foon | Greens | 2019 |
| Chief Executive Performance Review Committee
| Long-term Plan, Finance, and Performance Committee
| Environment and Infrastructure Committee
| Social, Cultural, and Economic Committee
| Grants Subcommittee[24] | |
| bgcolor= | Nureddin Abdurahman | Labour | 2022 |
| Social, Cultural, and Economic Committee
| Long-term Plan, Finance, and Performance Committee
| Regulatory Processes Committee
| Environment and Infrastructure Committee[25] |
The council has created two local community boards under the provisions of Part 4 of the Local Government Act 2002,[26] with members elected using a single transferable vote (STV) system[27] or appointed by the council.
These are:
The Wellington City Council first adopted a coat of arms in 1878.[31] This coat of arms had the description:
The Wellington City Corporation was granted an official coat of arms by the College of Arms in 1951,[31] the blazon for which is:[32] [33]
See main article: Flag of Wellington. Wellington City Council was also granted a badge by the College of Arms in 1963, with the heraldic description:
A Roundel Azure thereon a Lymphad Or the sail argent charged with a Dolphin naiant Azure pennon and flags flying Argent each charged with a Cross Gules.[34]
The flag of Wellington, adopted on 12 December 1962, incorporates the city's badge over a black cross on a gold field.[35]
Wellington City had a population of 202,737 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 11,781 people (6.2%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 23,271 people (13.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 74,841 households. There were 98,823 males and 103,911 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.95 males per female. The median age was 34.1 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 32,856 people (16.2%) aged under 15 years, 54,999 (27.1%) aged 15 to 29, 93,669 (46.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 21,213 (10.5%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 74.1% European/Pākehā, 8.6% Māori, 5.1% Pacific peoples, 18.3% Asian, and 4.5% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).
The proportion of people born overseas was 33.4%, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people objected to giving their religion, 53.2% had no religion, 31.4% were Christian, 3.7% were Hindu, 1.6% were Muslim, 1.7% were Buddhist and 3.3% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 74,922 (44.1%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 12,690 (7.5%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $41,800, compared with $31,800 nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 96,453 (56.8%) people were employed full-time, 24,738 (14.6%) were part-time, and 7,719 (4.5%) were unemployed.
| Name | Population | Households | Median age | Median income | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Takapū Northern Ward | 47,796 | 16,467 | 35.9 years | $41,500 | |
| Wharangi Onslow-Western Ward | 43,176 | 15,750 | 38.6 years | $51,800 | |
| Pukehīnau Lambton Ward | 46,140 | 18,204 | 28.4 years | $37,500 | |
| Motukairangi Eastern Ward | 37,965 | 14,199 | 37 years | $41,100 | |
| Paekawakawa Southern Ward | 27,654 | 10,221 | 34 years | $38,700 | |
| New Zealand | 37.4 years | $31,800 |
Wellington city has 57 officially defined suburbs; one can group them by the wards used to elect the city council. Some areas, while officially forming part of a larger suburb (or several suburbs), are considered by some to be separate communities. The officially defined suburbs include:
Within Lambton Ward, the council's tourism agency has designated three inner-city "quarters", as marketing subdivisions to promote international and domestic tourism. They are:
The Wellington City Council owns or directly operates several companies.
The council is a part-owner of Wellington Airport, and has two representatives on the airport's board. Mayor Andy Foster has been a member of the board since 2016, but has been criticised for poor attendance at board meetings.[36]
The seven council-controlled organisations (CCOs) are[37]
The council has a similar interest in the Wellington Regional Stadium Trust.
Sydney, Australia Canberra, Australia[39]
Beijing, People's Republic of China Xiamen, Fujian, People's Republic of China
Sakai, Osaka, Japan Tianjin, People's Republic of ChinaProposed/air marked future sister cities
The City of Wellington has subsumed many neighbouring boroughs including:
The city council was legally headed by a town clerk, who was in charge of the council administration and operations, later renamed as chief executive officer in 1991. Holders of the office since 1842 are:
| Name | Years | |
|---|---|---|
| George White | 1842–1843 | |
| Robert Suckling Cheesman | ||
| William Bannister | 1863–1865 | |
| J. B. Wallace | 1865–1867 | |
| John Rigg | 1867–1871 | |
| William Hester | 1872–1877 | |
| Charles C. Graham | 1877–1883 | |
| Thomas F. Martin | 1883–1889 | |
| Joseph Page | 1889-1902 | |
| John R. Palmer | 1902–1925 | |
| Robert Tait Jr. (acting) | 1925–1926 | |
| Edwin Philip Norman | 1926–1952 | |
| Basil Peterson | 1952–1956 | |
| Mervyn Sinclair Duckworth | 1956–1964 | |
| Francis W. Pringle | 1964–1972 | |
| Ian McCutcheon | 1972–1984 | |
| David Niven | 1984–1991 | |
| Doug Matheson (acting) | ||
| Angela C. Griffin | 1991–1997 | |
| Garry Poole | 1998–2013 | |
| Kevin Lavery | 2013–2019 | |
| Barbara McKerrow | 2019–present |
The Wellington City Council owns and until May 2019 operated from a complex on Wakefield Street, with various extensions each representing a distinctive architectural period. The complex incorporates the Wellington Town Hall which opened in 1904, with the most recent extension completed in 1991 alongside the Wellington Central Library.
The Wakefield Street complex has been cleared of back office functions, and since 28 May 2019 will be closed completely for repairs and earthquake strengthening. In the interim, most of the council's central office staff are located in commercial premises at 113 The Terrace, and the council's public service centre is at 12 Manners Street. Due to repairs also being needed to the Wellington Central Library, and Capital E, all of the civic buildings on Civic Square are closed, except for the City Gallery.
