First, hats off to Tory Whanau. Her decision to bow out and run for the Māori ward instead, putting the city’s future above her personal ambition, is commendable. Facing a torrent of personal abuse and a council mired in chaos, she still delivered on water investment, cycleways, and housing reforms. Her exit clears the path for Little, ensuring the left vote isn't split down the middle.
Some left wingers won’t like it, but Andrew Little’s bid to be Mayor is the best shot progressives have to keep Wellington from sliding into the clutches of right-wing opportunists who are only proposing to increase austerity.
Yesterday, 1 News reported:
Tory Whanau drops out of Wellington mayoral race
Wellington mayor Tory Whanau has announced she is no longer running for a second term.
In a statement, Whanau said Andrew Little entering the race had "changed the game", and she did not want a "Green vs. Labour narrative to distract from what’s important for our city".
"I have a lot of respect for Andrew and his leadership skills. He has support from many corners and the skills and experience to unite our Council. The progressive goals I have fought for are at risk this election and I do not want a Green vs. Labour narrative to distract from what’s important for our city. That is not what this election should be about."
Wellington mayor Tory Whanau has announced she is no longer running for a second term.
In a statement, Whanau said Andrew Little entering the race had "changed the game", and she did not want a "Green vs. Labour narrative to distract from what’s important for our city".
"I have a lot of respect for Andrew and his leadership skills. He has support from many corners and the skills and experience to unite our Council. The progressive goals I have fought for are at risk this election and I do not want a Green vs. Labour narrative to distract from what’s important for our city. That is not what this election should be about."
Now, Andrew Little. He’s not perfect. His tenure as Labour leader was rocky, and some on the left still grumble about his pragmatic streak. But let’s be real: the man’s infinitely qualified for the job. His experience includes 11 years as a Union leader and he's held twelve ministerial portfolios, from Health to Treaty Negotiations, which proves he can handle complex, sometimes messy issues. He also did the right thing by stepping aside to let Jacinda Ardern take over the leadership of the Labour Party, which resulted in a landslide victory.
Wellington’s a city choking on unaffordable rates, crumbling pipes, and a council that’s often dysfunctional. There’s no doubt that Little will have his work cut out for him, especially with the coalition of chaos continuing to demoralise Wellington with budget cuts and increased unemployment. But to begin with Little’s promising cheaper transport, housing development, and saving community assets like the Khandallah Pool and the Begonia House. He’s got the experience to deliver, the foresight to compromise, and his Labour endorsement means he has the backing to bring the capital city back to life, particularly if there’s a change of government.
The contenders? A motley crew of small-thinkers and populists in it for themselves who’d run Wellington into the ground. Ray Chung, a councillor obsessed with “financial responsibility,” peddles simplistic cost-cutting that ignores the city’s long-term needs. His track record shows little vision beyond saying no. Rob Goulden, a former councillor, wants to “rethink” cycleways and pause major projects...code for stalling progress to appease NIMBYs. Kelvin Hastie, a conservationist, sounds noble but his call for council mergers and project freezes reeks of cost cutting and indecision. Karl Tiefenbacher, the “ice cream guy,” might charm at the gelato counter, but his "back on track" catchphrase and business-first mantra risks prioritising profit over people, which has already been disastrous for Wellington. And Graham Bloxham? A media personality with no clear platform beyond a small amount of name recognition. He’s also promised to fire around 800 council staff to save a few dollars. These folks lack the depth to tackle Wellington’s entrenched housing, infrastructure, and climate resilience problems, which demand more than just soundbites.
The left’s choice is clear. Little’s not the flashy visionary some crave, but he’s a steady hand with a progressive core. Wellington can’t afford a right-wing mayor who’ll slash services or cling to the status quo. That’s why the left must unify and support Andrew Little to become Wellington’s Mayor.
