When it comes to hiring in public service, one principle must stand above all else—merit. In Wellington and across New Zealand, jobs in the government sector should go to the most skilled, qualified, and experienced individuals, not those with political connections, favours, or friendships. This issue has become more pressing as Wellington City Council (WCC) and the central government continue to make appointments that seem to be driven by who you know rather than what you know. This approach is not just unfair but harms the city’s governance and public trust.

Current U.S. President Donald Trump understood the importance of merit-based hiring when, on his second day in office, he signed an executive order mandating that all federal hiring be on merit. Simple. Logical. Effective. Why should it be any different here? Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has the opportunity to bring a similar policy to New Zealand’s public sector. Even if he implemented just two or three of the key policies that Trump introduced, it would bring more fairness to government hiring in Wellington and across the country. Who can argue with that? You want the most capable people doing their jobs, not just someone chosen because they are politically connected.

Unfortunately, what we are seeing in Wellington today is often the opposite. Many key board roles, staff positions at WCC, and even appointments in the central government are influenced by relationships rather than true merit. This is where the system starts to fail. The public deserves to know that the individuals leading major projects, making crucial policy decisions, or managing taxpayer money are actually qualified—not just there because they were someone’s preferred choice.

Let’s take an example. One of the most widely discussed cases is that of Nick Leggett. Reports indicate that his nomination was not simply a process based on individual achievement but rather a manipulation orchestrated through internal connections. It is alleged that his nomination came through his father and was facilitated by Campbell Barry and Kane Thompson in a behind-the-scenes agreement. If leaders are being placed in key positions due to such manoeuvring rather than their actual skills, then how can Wellington expect effective governance? How can decisions be trusted?

This is not just about one case; it is a pattern that has been repeated too many times to ignore. When appointments in public service go to those who happen to be in the right political circles, rather than those who have the right expertise, it results in inefficiency, poor decision-making, and a decline in public confidence. Through data from the Public Service Commission, we see that New Zealand has always prided itself on a fair and transparent hiring process. However, when you take a closer look at recent trends, worrying gaps emerge. The question is, how many skilled individuals have been overlooked simply because they did not have the right connections?

It is time for Wellington to demand change. A true merit-based hiring system will mean that whether you are applying for a leadership role at WCC or a policy role in central government, your qualifications and experience will be the only factors that count. No favouritism. No backroom deals. No political interference. Just the right person for the job. Countries that have prioritised merit-based hiring show improvements in efficiency, better decision-making, and higher levels of public trust in government institutions. There is no reason why Wellington can’t follow the same path.

We need to ensure that public service hiring is fair and that board positions, councillor appointments, and major project leadership roles are given to the best candidates with no external influence. If Trump was able to make such a straightforward decision for the U.S. government, why can’t the same be embraced here in New Zealand? It’s about fairness. It’s about getting the right people in the right jobs. Most importantly, it’s about restoring faith in our government institutions.

Let this be the message to our leaders—Prime Minister Luxon and Wellington’s decision-makers: implement a system where merit rules above all. The people of Wellington, and all of New Zealand, deserve nothing less.

One Network Wellington Live stands for transparency, fairness, and accountability in public sector hiring. We believe Wellington can do better, and we urge our leaders to make merit-based hiring a reality.