OPINION next local body elections.

Tory Whanau is completely unbeatable, at present. 

She is being completely transparent, mobilizing ADHD groups, even people living with Autism. It’s extremely cynical.

A quick check showed some Autistic sufferers shocked at her potentially saying this, with one asking for a declaration from a Dr, as the downstream impacts of a famous person coming out has potentially serious unintended consequences.

If you suffer from Alcoholism you have some sort of connection. She is playing a masterclass of empathy diversion, and the victim card is out daily.

She is also able to lie constantly and no one appears to hold her to account. Not even the mighty Nick Mills.

If you have met Tory, you will know she is strong, smiling, has a good vibe, positive energy, and has a political tendency to read the tea leaves well. She has the support of an unbelievable array of serious green leaders.

Prediction for the Wellington election next October. 

The right-leaning business executives now trying to “fuel up a campaign” will completely ignore that a huge portion of Wellington are public servants, like cycle lanes, cheap transport, and the green battler narrative fits them perfectly. That is a huge block of voters.

The green block of nine councilors are strong and they will need competitors and in the last two elections the ego’s on the right just couldn’t choose a winning candidate.

The current team led by  Whanau and supported by regional councilors Thomas Nash are extremely clear thinkers, supported by the Deputy Mayor and newcomer Geordie Rogers, they will romp home for these reasons alone. 

Secondly, they will win because of the green machine, and the way they build communities, like terrorist cells, that are prepared to attack, defend, sleep then pounce.

But with reports of irregularities around mail deliveries  being intercepted, and votes going to  candidates other than intended, that could be one of the early hopes that the right councilor contenders might use to mobilize their voters en masse, which would bring in homeowners, business owners, right-leaning   Wellingtonians to the vote.

That could make it a very, very interesting and exciting campaign leading into October 2025. 

The issues that will decide it.

Can the right mobilize voters?

Lack of vision.

Someone needs to stand up and ruthlessly cut costs, WCC staff, red tape and get council listening.

Adelaide Rd, Thorndon Quay and Newtown are becoming ghost streets. 

Airport sale.

The Chief Executive needs to go and costs need to be cut.

Water and pipes…again.

WCC managers must listen,  less of the trench warfare, combatant, unlistening style.

17% rates rise and nearly a doubling of rates planned.

Wellington needs to make a dramatic and decisive move on Town Hall, to limit costs.

With the vitriol abounding from the right, the wheel spinning, ego’s clashing, this appears to be over before it’s started.