Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Wellington Council's got another thing to worry about funding

Tell you what, if you think Wellington doesn't have enough problems already, let me tell you about a new one: Wellington Zoo.

Wellington Zoo needs $14 million for its lion enclosure. It's urgent. It's not something that can be deferred. Wellington City Council needs to cough up the money.

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Wellington Council doesn't need to fence off the sea

Rare thing to be able to say- but Wellington City Council has just made a sensible decision and voted against erecting a fence along the entire length of Kumutoto and Queen's Wharf.

Now, if you know the part of Wellington that I'm talking about here, it's the area seaside of the TSB Bank Arena and Fergs and Shed 5 and Foxglove and so on.

That whole area at the moment has beautiful concrete walkways that have been laid, lovely seating and lighting and so on.

David Hill: Local Government spending out of control

With the local body elections due in October this year we are once again seeing aspirational individuals coming forward to throw in their names for election of local councillors and Mayor.

All have a list of important issues that they are enthusiastic and compassionate about that they truly believe are the key issues facing ratepayers and individuals. However particularly over the last 10 to 20 years in New Zealand we have had councils that have been more and more influenced by left wing ideology and as Prime Minister Luxon alluded to “nice to have” projects rather than sticking to the basics of roading, water, rubbish collection and other core services.

Francesca Rudkin: What should councils be funding?

Yesterday the Prime Minister spoke at the Local Government NZ (LGNZ) conference, warning councils to restrain their spending to the basics or run the risk of having your hand forced by central government.

Apparently, the remarks got a frosty reception – possibly because no one likes being told off and possibly because since Covid all some councils have been doing is going through their budgets line by line.