Wellington City Council
Local democracy
Local government is a foundational part of our democracy. But local democracy isn’t just about holding elections every three years – it’s about the day-to-day ways people have their say in the decisions that affect us all.
Local democracy
Local government is a foundational part of our democracy. But local democracy isn’t just about holding elections every three years – it’s about the day-to-day ways people have their say in the decisions that affect us all.
Work meaningfully with mana whenua on council strategy and initiatives, including further work to signpost mana whenua history and identity.
Support council amalgamation to create a super city with more clout and ability to make more effective decisions at a regional level.
Support the Living Wage for council staff and the staff of its contractors. Support uptake of the Living Wage in the private sector.
Encourage engagement from sectors of voters with historically low turnout (eg students and young people).
Increase awareness of the role local governments play in residents' lives, especially with respect to housing supply and affordability.
Represent residents and not personal pet projects.
Be present and accessible as a councillor.
Push for more public engagement with less loaded questions and more honesty. Engage independent survey companies for major projects.
Implement a more business-like approach to how the council operates, remembering not only is the public their client but also their owner.
Focus on delivering value for money to the public in everything the council does.
Actively seek out diverse views on what needs to be done in different local areas before the plans get made.
Spend the time and do the talk to ensure success of the new Māori ward for Wellington.
Keep the local in local government.
Extend the voting age to 16.
Term limits with a maximum of three terms per councillor.
Trial participatory budgeting and Citizens' Assemblies to give people a direct say over local projects and issues in their community.
Publish an online, publicly-accessible record of both council's decisions and voting records.
Reduce the number of closed council and committee meetings to only those that are strictly necessary.
Engage with mana whenua as set out in Tākai Here (the relationship agreement between Wellington City Council and mana whenua).
Listen to Wellingtonians, instead of ignoring local voices. One example is the Cobham Drive pedestrian crossing that 94% didn't want.
Review council structure to ensure it delivers efficiently and effectively. Ensure councillors really govern; too much is decided by officers.
Increase transparency and accountability around council processes and decisions.
Work meaningfully with mana whenua on council strategy and initiatives, including further work to signpost mana whenua history and identity.
Support council amalgamation to create a super city with more clout and ability to make more effective decisions at a regional level.
Support the Living Wage for council staff and the staff of its contractors. Support uptake of the Living Wage in the private sector.
Encourage engagement from sectors of voters with historically low turnout (eg students and young people).
Increase awareness of the role local governments play in residents' lives, especially with respect to housing supply and affordability.
Represent residents and not personal pet projects.
Be present and accessible as a councillor.
Push for more public engagement with less loaded questions and more honesty. Engage independent survey companies for major projects.
Implement a more business-like approach to how the council operates, remembering not only is the public their client but also their owner.
Focus on delivering value for money to the public in everything the council does.
Actively seek out diverse views on what needs to be done in different local areas before the plans get made.
Spend the time and do the talk to ensure success of the new Māori ward for Wellington.
Keep the local in local government.
Extend the voting age to 16.
Term limits with a maximum of three terms per councillor.
Trial participatory budgeting and Citizens' Assemblies to give people a direct say over local projects and issues in their community.
Publish an online, publicly-accessible record of both council's decisions and voting records.
Reduce the number of closed council and committee meetings to only those that are strictly necessary.
Engage with mana whenua as set out in Tākai Here (the relationship agreement between Wellington City Council and mana whenua).
Listen to Wellingtonians, instead of ignoring local voices. One example is the Cobham Drive pedestrian crossing that 94% didn't want.
Review council structure to ensure it delivers efficiently and effectively. Ensure councillors really govern; too much is decided by officers.
Increase transparency and accountability around council processes and decisions.
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