Capital’s incoming Mayor announces Deputy and key committees

Wellington’s Mayor-elect Andrew Little has today announced his pick to be Deputy Mayor alongside his structure for Council committees for the new 2025-28 triennium.

A key feature of the new structure will be for all appointments to be 18 months. 

“When I campaigned for Mayor I pledged to be a leader for all of Wellington, to build a resilient and accountable team of councillors, and to work across the range of views and positions held by elected members. 

“Today I make good on that pledge. In deciding the new structure for Council committees and appointments I have signalled my resolve to get the best out of the new Wellington City Council. I want to incentivise good performance for the sole benefit of Wellington City and all who live here. 

“Ben McNulty will be the new Deputy Mayor for Wellington City. He is a strong local councillor for Takapū / Northern Ward and was the top-polling councillor in Wellington City at the recent local body elections.

“I’ve been impressed with Ben’s grasp of the important issues facing Wellington, such as housing affordability, transport and community facilities. Crucially, he was among councillors who consistently advocated for public transparency, including issues like the sale of the airport shares.

Deputy Mayor-elect Ben McNulty says he is excited for the opportunity to help lead the Capital during challenging times.

“I am grateful for the trust and faith that Andrew Little has placed in me. The challenge in front of this Council is huge. Public trust must be restored, rates need to be brought under control and Wellington needs to grow out of its current malaise.

“I’ll be throwing absolutely everything I’ve got into this role to ensure we build a cohesive team and positive council culture where all voices are heard.”

The Mayor-elect will be introducing 18-month appointments for all key roles, including the Deputy Mayor.

“I am determined that this Council will be transparent and accountable to the people of Wellington. 

“One mechanism to achieve this is to introduce 18-month appointments for all key roles so Councillors can remain sharply focused on providing the best service for residents and what’s best for the growth of our city.

“We have a lot of talent around the Council table and it is important that there are opportunities for councillors to grow and flourish.”

Both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor will be presented with their respective chains at an official inauguration ceremony on Thursday 30 October.

Committee Titles and Purpose

Committees of the whole:

Council Planning and Finance – responsible for Annual Plan, Long Term Plan and general financial oversight.

Chair: Cr Diane Calvert. Deputy Chair Cr Sam O’Brien

City Strategy and Delivery – responsible for infrastructure, urban planning, transport, economic development, council services performance.

Chair: Cr Nureddin Abdurahman; Deputy Chair: Cr Andrea Compton

Social, Cultural and Environment – responsible for social housing, community facilities, communities, natural environment.

Chair: Cr Laurie Foon; Deputy Chair: Cr Afnan Al-Rubayee

Subcommittees and other groups:

Revenue and Financial Value Review – a sub-group of the Council Planning and Finance committee to review council spending, the current rating scheme other revenue streams. This group makes recommendations to the committee.

Chair: Deputy Mayor Ben McNulty; Deputy Chair: Cr Rebecca Matthews. Members: Mayor Andrew Little, Crs Ray Chung, Andrea Compton, Sam O’Brien, Tony Randle and Pouiwi representative.

Economic Growth and Development – a subcommittee of the City Strategy and Delivery committee, responsible for recommending policies and initiatives to generate growth and economic development.

Chair: Cr Karl Tiefenbacher; Deputy Chair: Cr Matthew Reweti. Members: Mayor Little, Deputy Mayor McNulty, Crs Calvert, Foon, Young and Pouiwi representative.

CCO Review and Appointments – a subcommittee of the City Strategy and Delivery committee that is responsible for periodic review of CCO performance and recommending appointments to boards.

Chair: Cr Chung; Deputy Chair: Cr Randle. Members Mayor Little, Crs Al-Rubayee, Compton, Osborne and Pouiwi representative.

Grants Subcommittee – a subcommittee of the Social, Cultural and Environment Committee that is responsible for the effective allocation and monitoring of the Council’s grants.

Chair: Cr Young; Deputy Chair: Cr Al-Rubayee. Members: Mayor Little, Crs Abdurahman, Compton, Osborne, Chung and Pouiwi representative.

Regulatory Processes Committee – responsible for Council’s regulatory functions, such as naming places, leases, licenses and easements, traffic resolutions and temporary road closures, dog classifications and other regulations.

Chair: Cr Rogers; Deputy Chair: Cr Randle. Members: Mayor Little, Crs Foon, O’Brien, Matthews, Reweti, Tiefenbacher and Pouiwi representative. 

Chief Executive Performance Review Committee – responsible for effective monitoring of the CE’s performance, with the authority to undertake the annual remuneration review.

Chair: Mayor Little; Deputy Chair: Deputy Mayor McNulty. Members: Crs Abdurahman, Calvert and Tiefenbacher

Audit and Risk Committee – oversees the work of the Council in discharging its responsibilities in areas of risk management, statutory reporting, internal and external audit and assurance, monitoring of compliance with laws and regulations, including health and safety. 

Chair: Independent Chair; Deputy Chair: Cr Matthews. Members: Mayor Little, Crs Chung, O’Brien, Osborne, Randle, Reweti, Pouiwi representative and an independent Member.