Summarised by Centrist
Facing a proposed 15.9% rates increase, Wellington City Councillor Tony Randle explained on The Platform that councillors rely on bureaucrats to propose cuts due to restrictions on interfering with operational spending.
“They offer to cut things people want to keep, like libraries and swimming pools, but they don’t stop funding the 34 people in the climate change team,” he said.
Randle noted how Census data revealed 2,000 fewer children in Wellington, a drop Randle described as “a sign of a dying city.”
He added that the lack of transparency in the city’s operational budget limits councillors’ ability to make informed decisions. “We don’t even have an operating budget for the year, so we don’t know where the money is going,” he said.
The council’s submission to the Treaty Principles Bill deepened divisions. Green Party Councillor Teri O’Neill accused Randle and Councillor Ray Chung of “giving in to racist rhetoric for the sake of a cheap vote,” for opposing the submission.
“The council has no mandate to make any submission on behalf of all the citizens of Wellington,” Chung stated.
Randle called the comments “appalling,” stating, “Calling someone racist for disagreeing with a policy is toxic and undermines debate.”
O’Neill defended her comments:“I believe it’s my duty as pākehā to speak honestly and advocate for fairness and inclusion.”
Wellington’s council is already under a government-appointed observer for internal conflicts and criticisms of staff.
Catch the whole interview over on YouTube and The Post
Image: Facebook
