Royal Observer to keep an eye on Wellington City Council

Official attention turns to Wellington City Council. The local government minister appoints a crown monitor to monitor and report on what he calls unrest. Matters came to a head after a plan to sell the council’s stake in Wellington Airport, backed by mayor Tory Whānau, was vetoed. further split of the council. The money was intended to finance development and insurance shortfalls the city might face if it had to recover from the disaster. This means we’re back to the drawing board for the long-term plan. Councilors held an emergency meeting following the announcement and have ten days to respond to Simeon Brown’s decision to appoint a monitor. Tori Whanau subsequently told media she was not surprised by the minister’s decision. Wellington City Councilor Tim Brown spoke to Lisa Owen.