Dave Burgess at Dom Post reports:

A motion by Wellington City Council opposing the controversial Wellywood sign has been condemned as “posturing” by one councillor.

Wellington mayor Celia Wade-Brown successfully moved a motion at last night’s full council meeting asking Wellington International Airport to reconsider its decision to put up the sign. It passed by 10-4.

That is excellent, and exactly the sort of leadership I was asking for.

But Wellington City councillor John Morrison told Radio New Zealand this morning that the resolution was “a posturing effort” that would achieve nothing.

“We were impetuous. We leaped into … the herd mentality.”

Instead, the council should be talking to the airport directly.

“Can’t we ring them up? Couldn’t we go to the board room? The airport are very reasonable people to talk to.”

Are they? Their chief executive is in the media saying it doesn’t matter what you all think, we are determined to put this sign up and there is no way it won’t go up.

Tags: Celia Wade-Brown, Wellywood

The Dom Post reports:

Some critics of the Wellywood sign have been caught up in a “pack mentality” that is “really, really ugly”, Wellington Airport chief executive Steve Fitzgerald says.

There have been threats on social media sites to cut down, burn or deface the proposed sign. Moa Breweries has even offered a “beer bounty” to anyone who knocks it down.

Last night about 80 to 100 cars – spurred by a Facebook group opposing the sign – staged a slow-moving blockade around the airport’s departures area.

But Mr Fitzgerald said there was no chance of the airport backing down over its plans for the eight-metre-high, 30-metre-long steel sign on hillside land that it owns next to the Miramar Cutting.

“It is sad that Wellington’s looking like it could be home to Lord of the Flies rather than Lord of the Rings,” he said.

“That sort of pack mentality is completely out of proportion to the plan for a sign that’s intended to do something positive for Wellington. It is very extreme.”

It is ironic for the airport CEO to refer to something being ugly, when he is the one trying to foist an ugly unwanted sign on the city.

Mr Fitzgerald doesn’t seem to get it, but most Wellingtonians do not want the airport company effectively re-naming the city. It is our city, not his, and I resent the hell out of the airport for forcing this name on us. It is outraegous that they think they have this right. Sure it is their land, but it is land which is effectively the front door to Wellington. No one would care if they just planted the sign next to a runway.

It is unbelievable that the RMA and the District Plan, which can in some areas stop you pruning your own trees, allows this giant montrosity to be erected without even notification. I hope there is a lawyer out there who might be prepared to fight this issue in court – if so I am confident we could fund-raise much of the legal costs online.

But there is another way i think the sign can be stopped. The power of leadership. This is a time for Celia-Wade Brown to use her office. Now don’t get me wrong. In no way do I blame Celia for this. It was the former Mayor who was the enthusiast for this (until the backlash). But Celia can and should do more than say she doesn’t support any sign there.

Do the numbers on the Council, and have them pass a motion deploring the sign. The airport company could well back down in the face of a clear Council resolution against it. If Council won’t do it, then write an open letter to the airport from you as Mayor explaining why they should back down. explain to them that Wellingtonians think our creative studios such as Weta are not pale imitations of Hollywood, but in fact do it better than Hollywood. The unique Kiwi way of doing things (which we heard about at the pro Hobbit rallies) with our movies, is special to us, and Wellywood just looks try hard.

But most of all Celia tell the airport company they have no mandate to effectively rename the city. That is a decision that belongs to the people of Wellington. Tell them to concentrate on extending the runways, and to give up on this plan. Point out that WCC is a significant share-holder, and that while you can instruct them as to what to do, you can express astonishment that they seem determined to lower their brand and value amongst the city. That their arrogance is appalling.

An airport is a virtual monopoly, unless people want to drive or train to Auckland. That monopoly protects Wellington Airport. If people had a choice of airports, then their market share would have dropped 75% over this idiotic campaign of theirs. If Wellingtonians could choose anotehr airport to use, we would be.

“The audience for this are potential international tourists whose interests we are trying to spark. The audience isn’t locals and we’re not trying to do something that means lots to locals in terms of the film industry.”

First of all far far more domestic passengers will see the sign, as will most Wellingtonians over time. And the reasons we locals get a say, is because you are effectively purporting to speak on our behalf. By erecting this sign, your message to the world is that Wellingtonains refer to Wellington as Wellywood. We don’t.

Twitter was awash with comments, including one from Hollywood actress Melanie Lynskey, who starred in Sir Peter Jackson’s Heavenly Creatures. “Is this Wellywood sign happening for reals? Who is behind this? So tacky!!”

It is tacky, and worse.

Again I call on Celia and the Council to come out and condemn this sign. Use the moral authority of your positions to tell the Airport that they need to take the people with them, not force a sign on us against our will. Otherwise I reckon we should set up a new ticket for the 2013 local body elections – their one policy will be to amend the District Plan to scrap the sign!

UPDATE: A UMR poll shows 64% of Wellingtonians opposed, and only 22% in favour.  Only 8% of under 30s approve of the sign.  Again – this is a time for leadership from the Council – tell the airport that it is not their job to give Wellington a new name – against the clear wishes of Wellingtonians.

Tags: Celia Wade-Brown, Wellywood

Dave Brugess at the Dom Post reports:

Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown has accused Deputy Mayor Ian McKinnon of betrayal in a furious rant in the public reception area of the city council’s offices.

The minute-long verbal spray on Thursday was aimed at Mr McKinnon for supporting calls for an extraordinary meeting of the council to confirm its full support for $2.4 billion of government roading projects.

Ms Wade-Brown had already told councillors that she would schedule a meeting within six weeks. But nine councillors, including Mr McKinnon, sped up the process by signing a resolution forcing the council to schedule the meeting for Wednesday.

The transport issues loom as the biggest threat to the leadership of Ms Wade-Brown, who does not support big roading projects, since she took office six months ago.

The reality is that Celia is in a minority on her own Council on transport issues. The NZTA has warned funding is at risk if the Council keeps sending mixed messages, so the Council is acting to make its formal position clear.

Ms Wade-Brown’s flash of fury after the committee meeting in the council offices was seen by councillors, staff and members of the public. One witness said: “She just totally lost her rag.”

A source said: “Everybody is talking about it in the council building. It is the only topic of conversation.”

Witnesses said Mr McKinnon appeared incandescent with rage at the public dressing-down as Ms Wade-Brown accused him of betrayal for not trying to stop councillors from setting up the meeting, and for supporting it himself

Ian McKinnon made clear when he became Deputy Mayor that he would vote with his conscience on policy issues – and this is a policy issue.

Councillor John Morrison said Mr McKinnon had worked tirelessly to help maintain the integrity of the office of the mayor.

“So for him to be attacked in public and accused of being disloyal to the mayor is totally out of order.”

Councillor Ray Ahipene-Mercer, who saw the mayor’s outburst, said: “It was an aggressive confrontation in a public arena.

“It was inappropriate because staff, visitors and the public were present. The deputy mayor tried to reason with her but was unsuccessful.”

Celia is very silly in attacking Ian like this. Ian is an old fashioned gentleman who has gone out of his way as Deputy Mayor to protect Celia. He has told numerous people that he doesn’t want people to attack her personally or portray her as unsuited to the office, as she deserves respect as the incumbent. He has said that any opposition should be to her policies (when warranted), not to her personally.

I doubt Ian will hold a grudge – he isn’t like that. But if I was Celia, I’d consider apologising. Having a public slanging match with your deputy in such a public area will not engender confidence in her – and it may especially make her Council colleagues less supportive.

Tags: Celia Wade-Brown, Ian McKinnon, Wellington City Council

Dave Burgess in the Dom Post reports:

Celia Wade-Brown has failed the first big political test of her mayoralty.

She has long been a supporter of moves to bring the Wellington Waterfront development company under full council control, and tried to rally support against a proposal yesterday to keep it as a standalone council-controlled organisation.

This is a good thing. Council should sign off on the major decisions, but it should not be directly managing the waterfront. A reversion to direct Council control would just be a nightmare.

But by the time her amendment was introduced, it had been watered down, and she said was not willing to muster councillors’ support on the issue.

“In the end, it is up to each of us in our own responsibilities. I’m not into herding cats or sheep, or whatever particular species you feel you represent.”

Umm Celia – that is in fact the role of the Mayor. If you want something badly, then you fight for it.

Its possible of course that Celia isn’t too upset that she lost. Sometimes you have to promise things to your supporters, but you also know that implementing them would be a big headache.

Councillor Helene Ritchie said there was vast management experience within the council, which should have full control of waterfront developments and should not allow any more bars.

Good God. Why not? This is exactly why politicians should not be in control. It would be bye bye to Dockside, St Johns, Foxglove, Shed 5 etc.

Tags: Celia Wade-Brown, Wellington Waterfront

Dave Burgess in the Dom Post reports:

There are too many taxis in Wellington and it is time to put a limit on them, the mayor says.

The taxi industry agrees and has called on the Government to introduce legislation to cap or reduce numbers in the city.

It is no surprise the taxi industry wants a cap – because that would protect incumbents and lead to higher earnings for current drivers.

It does not mean it will be a better service for those who want to hire taxis.

There are 1237 taxis licensed for Wellington City. About 400 were on the road before deregulation. This tripling of taxis in the past 20 years has led to overcrowded taxi stands and dubious parking practices as drivers clamour for business, especially in the late-night Courtenay Place party zone.

I regard it as a good thing that when you want to go home from Courtenay Place at 2 am, you can easily find a taxi.

I’d support tougher tests for becoming a taxi driver – both in English skills and location knowledge. But I don’t support an arbitrary cap on cab numbers.

You know what would be useful though – a website showing each taxi firm, and what their fares are.

Tags: Celia Wade-Brown, taxis, Wellington

On two local issue in the last few days concerning Wellington City Council, Mayor Celia has popped up in comments on this blog and others to defend or explain her statements.

Regardless of politics, this is a good thing – to have a Mayor who engages through social media when it is relevant to do so. Not too many capital cities would be able to claim this.

In some regards this is no big surprise. Celia was in fact one of the inaugural Councillors of Internet New Zealand (then ISOCNZ). But good to see being Internet savvy continue in office.

In terms of previous Mayors, I guess one could claim that Andrew Williams used to engage with Whale Oil – but I’m not sure abusive faxes at 4 am fall into the same category as a blog comment

UPDATE: And in today’s Dom Post, an issue on which Celia has my full support:

Mayor Celia Wade-Brown is using her influence to pressure Wellington Airport into axing plans to put up a King-Kong-sized Wellywood sign.

But airport chief executive Steve Fitzgerald says the project is still alive, with a decision likely in about two months.

The airport was granted resource consent last year by Wellington City Council for a Hollywood-style sign to stand 3.5 metres high and span 28 metres along the airport-owned hillside next to Miramar cutting.

Ms Wade-Brown said she had flexed her new-found mayoral muscles when speaking informally to airport officials.

“I have influence and I hope the Wellywood sign won’t happen.”

If it does, I predict it will last less than a week. The Judean People’s Army will assemble a commando team to destroy it. The idea of a “Wellywood” sign is ghastly. If there has to be something, my preference is a giant weta.

Tags: Celia Wade-Brown

Dave Burgess in the Dom Post reports:

Cars could be banned from Courtenay Place under a proposal from Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown.

The move would affect about 6500 private vehicles that use Courtenay Place on weekdays. It is aimed at creating a more reliable bus service and lifting bus use.

A shop-owner says it is an “absolutely ridiculous” plan that would hit retailers and was for a traffic problem that did not exist.

I have to say that I don’t think there are huge traffic problems on Courtenay Place, and can’t see what the problem is to be solved by this.

My preference is for the vision of Bob Jones – to have Courtenay Place to Lampton Quay turned into a huge mall, with no buses or cars. I’m not sure it is entirely practical, but would love to see it costed.

Removing vehicles from Courtenay Place would build on the successful opening of Manners Mall to buses, which had created a public transport spine through the central city, Ms Wade-Brown said.

The only thing sucessful about it, is that none of the pedesterians hit so far have been killed.

Any proposal will go out for consultation.

Tags: Celia Wade-Brown, public transport

Like some other bloggers, I received a copy of the e-mail below by Wellingtom Mayor Celia-Wade Brown to her Council colleagues:

Dear colleagues,

I’d like to discuss training, conferences and personal development when we’re back. I hope some courses on chairing, speed-reading, engagement and participatory democracy, new media or the RMA will appeal. We do need to reduce our expenditure but not to zero. Instead of waiting for conferences to be put up at SPC and then trying to decide who should go, what clashes etc, there are other ways – on-line webinars, local tertiary institutions e.g. Otago’s Sustainable Cities or Victoria’s Policy Institute – or LGNZ’s courses.

Or we can take new lessons in te reo, Mandarin or ballroom dancing – all exercise neural pathways and keep us mentally fit. http://www.newsweek.com/2011/01/03/can-you-build-a-better-brain.html
That might explain why skills we’re already good at don’t make us much smarter: we don’t pay much attention to them. In contrast, taking up a new, cognitively demanding activity ­ballroom dancing, a foreign language ­is more likely to boost processing speed, strengthen synapses, and expand or create functional networks.

For those who consider that mental and physical fitness might be unrelated, have a look at this link… http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100826141327.htm

A study published this year in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience provided evidence that aerobic fitness can keep aging brains healthy. “Even modest amounts of walking, 40 minutes three times a week, can engender substantial improvements in memory, decision making, and other cognitive processes,” said the study’s lead author, University of Illinois psychology professor Art Kramer.

and if you didn’t think it was relevant to your role … “Those with more connectivity … also tend to be better at planning, prioritizing, strategizing and multi-tasking. “- that’s what we have to do – and preferably enjoy doing it!

and for Leonie in particular – Nicotine, they found, has “significant positive effects” on fine motor skills, the accuracy of short-term memory, some forms of attention, and working memory, among other basic cognitive skills. The improvements “likely represent true performance enhancement” and “beneficial cognitive effects.” The reason is that nicotine binds to the brain receptors for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine that are central players in cortical circuits. (Caveat: smoking also increases your risk of dementia, so while cigarettes may boost your memory and attention now, you could pay for it later. ) but I’m not taking it up again – shortness of breath, coughing, lung or throat cancer and most of all, the smell…

Meanwhile, I look forward to us finding efficiencies and shared ways of working so we don’t have to increase prices at Toi Poneke – nor drastically cut library hours ( some may be ok if there really is low use – well said, Stephanie). However we can’t say no to all savings , efficiencies and accept 8% rates!

Warm regards
Celia
Celia Wade-Brown
Mayor of Wellington

Perhaps it would be easier to avoid an 8% rates rise if Council did not spend its Councillor training budget on ballroom dancing lessons for Councillors.

WCC Watch and Phil Quin also blog on this topic. Quin has a response from Celia also.

Tags: Celia Wade-Brown, Wellington City Council

The Dom Post reports:

The plum Wellington City Council appointment to the Wellington International Airport board has gone to deputy mayor Ian McKinnon – but not before a colleague suggested he was unqualified for the job.

The role, worth at least $37,500 a year, was previously held by former mayor Kerry Prendergast.

Councillor appointments to council-controlled organisations, committees, boards and portfolios were voted on yesterday at a meeting of the full council.

Mr McKinnon said councillors appointed to eight CCOs, as well as Wellington Airport, were there on merit.

But councillor Helene Ritchie said she would be best suited for the airport role as she is a former chairwoman of both the city’s airport authority and the airport company’s interim board.

“I don’t understand what knowledge and experience he has other than flying in an aeroplane.”

Mayor Celia Wade-Brown, who showed great backroom diplomacy in getting almost unanimous support for scores of councillor appointments, backed Mr McKinnon.

“It’s not totally based on the knowledge of the subject matter. It’s also knowledge about governance, finance and relationships.”

Good to see near-unanimous agreement on the roles.If the only dissent is from someone saying they wanted that role instead (rather than someone else saying that person should get that role), then you’ve done a good job.

Tags: Celia Wade-Brown, Wellington City Council

The Dom Post reports:

New Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown has nominated Ian McKinnon to be her deputy for the next three years.

This is a very good call in two respects.

The first is that Ian has been a good Deputy Mayor, and will continue to do so.

The second is that it should lead to a more harmonious Council. If Celia played favourites with who is nominated for Deputy Mayor and Committee Chairs, then she would have a grumpy minority.

So a good start.

Tags: Celia Wade-Brown, Ian McKinnon, Wellington City Council

Kerry Prendergast has a margin of just 40 votes on the ordinary votes. If this holds up against specials, then it will be congrats to Kerry on winning a 4th term – a hard thing to do in an STV environment where all the votes of those against you accumulate.

Either way it is congrats to Celia Wade-Brown for a strong campaign. Celia did not stand for Council again, but if she does lose and stays active may be a front runner for 2013.

There are 900 special votes, so Celia may still win. She needs to be ranked higher than Kerry in 52.3% of the specials.

(Note re-written from the original which was based on a media story declaring Kerry elected)

UPDATE: We now have fuller results:

• In Northern Ward Justin Lester has beaten Hayley Wain. Lester topped the ward followed by best and then Ritchie – groan but at least she was last elected.
• In Onslow-Western the three sitting Councillors all got re-elected. in order Foster, Morrison and Coughlan. Ruben lost badly which is good.
• Lambton Ward saw the three incumbents re-elected also – in order McKinnon, Pannett and Cook. Marcus Ganley came close to winning the last spot off Cook.
• In Eastern Ward, Rob Goulden lost his seat to Swampy Marsh. Most of his fellow Councillors will be happy with that. In fact Goulden came 5th behind Allan Probert also. Gill topped the ward ahead of Ahipene-Mercer which surprises me a bit.
• In Southern Ward they re-elected Paul Eagle and sadly Bryan Pepperell.

For the Wellington Regional Council, the results are:

• Wellington – Fran Wilde, Chris Laidlaw, Judith Aitken, Paul Bruce and Daran Ponter
• Lower Hutt – Peter Glensor, Sandra Greig, Prudence Lamason
• Porirua-Tawa – Jenny Brash, Barbara Donaldson
• Kapiti Coast – not known
• Upper Hutt – Paul Swain
• Wairarapa – Gary McPhee

Tags: Celia Wade-Brown, Kerry Prendergast, Wellington City Council