Calls for mayor to resign – council to move forward

Embattled Wellington mayor Tory Whanau has returned to the office amid another issue involving her drinking, but while some colleagues are ready to move on, others still believe she should resign.

Tony Randle believes Whanau, who this week said she had a problem with alcohol, should step down for the sake of the city and her own health.

Chief of staff Nadine Walker confirmed Whanau was back in the office after battling Covid and negative publicity resulting from her admission.

Randle sympathised with the mayor’s situation, but said the city must come first.

“I just think she is struggling and having a tough time being the mayor ... being the mayor is a tough job.”

Councillor Rebecca Matthews said as far as she was concerned “we’re going to be back to normal transmission” and there were just a few weeks at work before the council broke up for the summer break.

Matthews said councillors were by and large “getting on with the job”.

Fellow councillor Nicola Young had already suggested Whanau should resign, while The Post revealed a campaign volunteer had concerns about her behaviour and drinking, when she stood for the mayoralty.

Randle said her drinking was not the was grabbing all the media attention due to her behaviour, he said.

Randle said he accepted Whanau won the election and a majority of councillors back her. But that did not mean she could ignore the councillors who do not.

With Wellington facing significant issues in its upcoming 10-year plan, including the future of the town hall and funding Wellington Water, the council needed a mayor that was engaged with everyone, he said.

This included the contentious Newtown cycle lane and parking changes.

“Her conduct is taking away coverage of issues like essential health workers losing 1000 car parks.” issue that concerned him – a the lack Walker said Whanau remained comof leadership and poor communication mitted to the job and referred The Post to motivated him to speak out. an earlier media statement indicating she

He has had little contact with Whanau planned to continue in office. and he noted that she had campaigned on “I am a flawed person, but I care deepthe need to unify the council. Instead, five ly about this city. I will continue to repof her opponents – including Randle – are resent the hopes and aspirations of my facing Code of Conduct charges. Whanau local community and I will do so with the compassion and care of those around me and with the professional help required,” the statement read.

Walker said contrary to some reports Whanau had continued to work over the past few days, despite having Covid.

“The mayor has been in ongoing conversations with councillors in recent days.”

Councillor Tim Brown chaired Thursday’s Environment and Infrastructure Committee, where he acknowledged the recent tumultuous media coverage. Whanau had his “full support” and he was looking forward to having her coming back after she had recovered from her illness.

“You go through these challenges and come out stronger, which I’m sure you will.”

Brown said, despite media coverage, he believed the council worked well together.

“I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how effective we are as a council.”

“I just think she is struggling and having a tough time being the mayor ... being the mayor is a tough job.” Tony Randle, pictured Wellington City councillor

Ray Chung, speaking before the meeting, said Whanau should not be forced to resign.

He said the mayor and the council were under a lot of pressure, but only Whanau knew if she could carry on.

He later told The Post there had been a lot of friction over councillors missing from meetings.

Young agreed it had been “business as usual” and she had heard the mayor was back in the office, although Young hadn’t seen her as she hadn’t been in to council yesterday.

Councillor Diane Calvert said her focus had been on earlier meetings and she had now turned her attention to preparing for upcoming ones.

She felt it was still important for the council to come together to discuss how to move forward and place the best supports around Whanau.