Politics Live Blog - ongoing OLD
PM Luxon is 'punching down on Wellington' according to its mayor, Tory Whanau
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon made some comments about local government, and Wellington in particular, which its mayor Tory Whanau has rejected.
Speaking to the ANZ breakfast, Luxon said there was "way too much ideology and party politics" in local government.
“Wellington should be more than just a public service town. We’ve just gone and invested $500 million in film rebates in this country.”
He said there was ambition and aspiration in Wellington, but there needed to be a council that did the basics well, such as managing water, adding Wellington Water was a “total basket case”.
Luxon wouldn’t be drawn on who he thought should be the capital’s next mayor, instead saying “whoever is the next mayor needs to have a vision where it’s going to, they need to get the finances under control".
He also said: “But ultimately, also the good people of Wellington have to vote. And when you look at voter turnout in local body elections running at 35% sometimes you get what you deserve."
Later in Parliament he affirmed the comment.
Speaking to the ANZ breakfast, Luxon said there was "way too much ideology and party politics" in local government.
“Wellington should be more than just a public service town. We’ve just gone and invested $500 million in film rebates in this country.”
He said there was ambition and aspiration in Wellington, but there needed to be a council that did the basics well, such as managing water, adding Wellington Water was a “total basket case”.
Luxon wouldn’t be drawn on who he thought should be the capital’s next mayor, instead saying “whoever is the next mayor needs to have a vision where it’s going to, they need to get the finances under control".
He also said: “But ultimately, also the good people of Wellington have to vote. And when you look at voter turnout in local body elections running at 35% sometimes you get what you deserve."
Later in Parliament he affirmed the comment.
Whanau, who in April said she would not run for a second term, took issue with the comments which she said are "once again a blatant punching down on Wellington". She pointed out "groundbreaking, transformative projects are under way".
"Just last week, we successfully passed our Long-Term Plan 2024-34 and progressed our water reforms. Perhaps he should look at his own policy choices – like the recent decision to slash pay for women on low incomes and the disastrous school lunch programme," she said.
"We need solutions and collaboration from the prime minister, not rhetoric designed to distract from his own failings. We’re doing just fine in Wellington, and the prime minister should focus on his chaotic coalition instead."
-Additional reporting by Emma Ricketts.
"Just last week, we successfully passed our Long-Term Plan 2024-34 and progressed our water reforms. Perhaps he should look at his own policy choices – like the recent decision to slash pay for women on low incomes and the disastrous school lunch programme," she said.
"We need solutions and collaboration from the prime minister, not rhetoric designed to distract from his own failings. We’re doing just fine in Wellington, and the prime minister should focus on his chaotic coalition instead."
-Additional reporting by Emma Ricketts.