Inauguration speech

Tūia te rangi e tū nei.

Tūia te papa e takoto nei.

Tūia ngā pou tapu o Te Whanganui a Tara.

Ka rere i Pukeatua, ki Ahumairangi, ki Mātairangi, ki Tarikākā.

Ka rere mā Te Awa Kairangi, mā Te Kumutoto ki Te Whanganui a Tara, ka puta ki te Moana o Raukawa.

Te ara a Ngake rāua ko Whātaitai.

Ki ngā tini mate o te wā, haere.

Ki a tātou te hunga ora, tīhei mauri ora.

Te Ātiawa whenua, Te Ātiawa tangata, tēnā koutou.

Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Toa tangata, tēnā hoki koutou.

Kia ora mai tatau katoa.

I thank all of you here tonight as we mark the inauguration for this Wellington City Council.

It’s an honour to stand here as your mayor. And it is a privilege to lead this Council as we embark on a new journey for Wellington to face the challenges and realise the opportunities this city has to offer.

I am grateful for the support Wellington has shown me. I know my job is to work hard everyday to reward the trust you have put in my leadership.

Wellington is a special place. It’s a city brimming with some of the most talented, creative, and innovative people in the country. It’s a city of dramatic landscapes and dramatic weather.

Our environment makes us who we are. Creative, adaptive, resilient.

It’s an honour to be inaugurated here at Pipitea Marae.

To our mana whenua partners, our iwi and our Takai Here partners, Taranaki Whanui, Te Runanganui o Te Ati Awa and Te Runanga o Toa Rangatira, nga mihi nui kia koutou, thank you for your partnership.

To our hosts Ngati Poneke, thank you for elevating this special occasion.

Wellington city has led the way in developing a relationship with mana whenua that is respectful of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and respectful of each other.

Next year marks the fifth anniversary of the Takai Here agreement between the Council and local iwi. That anniversary is an opportunity for all partners to take some time to reflect on the relationship.

I am keen to have a korero about our partnership to make sure all partners are realising the promise of the kaupapa, and to explore how together we strengthen it and make it enduring.

I’d like to acknowledge my predecessor Tory Whanau. He mihi nui ki a koe, whaea.

Be proud of the path you carved for others and the work you did for our city. You have stood resilient and you will be an inspiration for future generations.

I’d also like to acknowledge previous Councillors. Thank you for your public service and dedication to our city and our communities.

To my elected Councillors. Congratulations. I think we are an incredible team. This journey is ours to lead together.

Some of you I’ve already known, others I’ve more recently met.

I know some of you have experienced challenges, but I am confident that we are all in a place to start the next chapter of this incredible city positively.

My message to you all is the same.

Public service is a great privilege. You have been chosen as the voices of your people and advocates for your communities.

We have great talent around our Council table. Now it’s time for us to work together and serve those who elected us with integrity.

The last three weeks have demonstrated to me the depth of talent in this Council and the ability of all members to address difficult issues thoughtfully. I look forward to continuing to nurture that spirit.

To Council Chief Executive Matt Prosser, our wider executive leadership team, and everyone at Wellington City Council. I look forward to working with you over the coming years.

I’d like to acknowledge the role you all play in keeping our city going.

Council staff aren’t just those on The Terrace. It’s our parks and recreation folks, our library assistants, our recreation facility staff and many others. You are all vital in making this city work.

I’d like to acknowledge the members of our diplomatic community who are here tonight. Wellington is a global city, and I look forward to continuing to strengthen our connection and international partnerships.

We all love Wellington. But, our city is facing major challenges.

Wellington has delivered a clear message through the elections.

Wellingtonians want a strong vision and positive change that draws on the best of what we have, that unlocks our potential, that creates a city for all its people to thrive.

We must be a city where no matter who you are, where you come from, or what part of the city you live in, this is the place where you get to live your best life and be your best self.

For that, we need to be a city that embraces its dreamers and doers, its wealth creators and workers, its creatives and carers

We need to be a city where people can afford their first home and where support is given to those without one.

A city that honours Te Tiriti. A city that celebrates its relationship with mana whenua and maatawaka Māori.

A city that continues to rise to the challenge of climate change.

We must be a city that tackles our infrastructure challenges seriously, and delivers our core services well and affordably.

Above all, we must be a council that listens. A council that is engaged with our communities, that is transparent and accountable for the decisions we make and the impact they have.

Facing these challenges will require hard work and tough decisions, dedication and commitment.

That’s why I’m ready to lead a Council and city that delivers on this promise.

It is for Councillors to lead, individually and collectively. Leadership is not about the title you have or what committee you sit on.

Leadership is about two things. It is about whether you pick up the opportunity to make positive change, and it is about how you rise to that challenge.

I look forward to being part of a Council of leaders who turn our potential into progress, our challenges into change.

As a Council, we have won the backing of the people of Wellington. Now it’s our job to back Wellington.

Let’s make sure our actions reflect the aspirations and ambitions of our great city.

Let’s get our city’s heart beating, our streets bustling and our people humming.

A new era is upon us. Let’s make Wellington the best, the brightest, the funkiest little capital in the world. 

No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa.