David Farrar: The left may help Chung win in Wellington

Tom Hunt at The Post writes:

Already, with almost half the current council term still to run, Chung is confirming he is running for mayor in 2025. This time it is serious and he stands a good chance with the left on council partly to thank – or blame – for it.

Many Wellingtonians, even lifelong liberals, are increasingly frustrated with a council that appears not to be listening. ,,,

It was also last week revealed that government ministers Simeon Brown and Chris Bishop wrote to Whanau in what appears to be extreme frustration in her saying one thing to them – that the council would consult with businesses affected by Golden Mile changes – then her council telling businesses this would not happen … just three days later.

There is a perception, partly founded, that in a city awash with leaking pipes the council is focused on the wrong things. …

Councillors – and the council – need to show they are actually listening. They need to leave their party affiliations at the door when they walk into the council chamber. They need to vote for their communities, not political parties.

They need to stop saying their are listening to people when they only hear the people they agree with.

And they need to find some drastic ways to cut back on rates increases (at the current projected rates increases, a ratepayer charged $4000 in rates last year will face a $11,035 bill within a decade).

Because, if they don’t, a Chung-led council will find some drastic cuts – and they won’t be where the left like.

There is definitely a mood for change in Wellington.

David Farrar runs Curia Market Research, a specialist opinion polling and research agency, and the popular Kiwiblog where this article was sourced. He previously worked in the Parliament for eight years, serving two National Party Prime Ministers and three Opposition Leaders.