Eighty-seven percent of a prominent Wellington community think WCC is not helping growth, doesn’t listen, and is overreaching “everywhere.” It provides 400 services, and the Government is 90% of the way through changing the Local Government Act to reduce the four wellbeings councils now provide—pools, iwi, social, and environmental. This would effectively reduce the current 2200 staff to a tuck shop.

With GWRC led by Labour comrade Darran Plonker, it is set to be abolished by Christmas 2028—just in time for another decisive “Do” Little victory in October 2028. With Karl Tiefenbacher diving down “Do” Little’s hole of love, we doubt anyone will get near Little in 2028, potentially gifting him $9.1b in rates income over five councils he effectively controls.

Back to the $435k Deloitte report.

What’s left of the whānau council is under major scrutiny after the release of the $435,000 Future Fit Pōneke report— a waffle of a document clearly sourced from flawed council staff data.

It finds WCC has 330 “excess” staff—probably more like 800—and poorly managed contracts. In a recent Post article, a local events company was found with its hands a bit too close to the till, with WCC completely exposed, giving away free ratepayers’ cash with absolutely no transparency or performance criteria set. Nothing! Hundreds of thousands of ratepayers’ dollars thrown out and remarkably given away year after year. A terrible web of conspiracies across many WCC spends. The wheels of the supply chain—from events to all buyers—are now on notice. If that’s the only thing Prosser fixes, WLG Inc will be in a much less toxic, corrosive place.

Yet Chief Executive Matt Prosser and Mayor Andrew Little stressed the report does not call for job cuts.

No, no, none of that under Angry Andy, who basically controls $4.4b in rates income. Every mayor and “do it my way or the highway” Little has the numbers to do what he likes. A home run. Total control from Upper Hutt to Kapiti. Never before in Wellington’s history has one man amassed total control.

Andrew Little, a red union leader seemingly allergic to staff cuts, appears able to leap them with one vote. And WCC CEO Mr Prosser seems powerless to do anything remotely outside of the Labour-led 2028 agenda, supported by the violent-censorship-led, blow-as-much-of-the-rich-#unts’-cash-as-we-can progressive green idealistic autocrats.

It looks like Wellington has done a complete about-face.

Previously, Green-led staff drove the madness; now that triangle of nepotism, censorship, and squandered millions is upside down, with Angry Andy at the top of the social-equality and wellbeing council totem pole.

WCC CEO Prosser told what’s left of mainstream media that the report is only a snapshot and contains recommendations that may conflict with community expectations and previous council decisions. NO SHIT, SHERLOCK!

He insisted the council is not planning staff cuts but careful management of vacancies. Here we see the CEO doing exactly what he’s told. Fifty-eight positions have already been left unfilled, he noted, and Little agreed.

The report recommends reducing “people managers” by 69 to 117 roles—30% to 50% of all managers—over the next one to three years. And if you can work out what Prosser means by this, you can have his $400k salary.

This, combined with removing duplication and lowering administration costs through automation and digitisation, could save the council between $15m and $37m. Wow—another really accurate statement from the $400k man.

The report continues: a further $11.8m could be saved by filling only half of vacant positions, equating to 117 fewer roles. It also flagged 48 roles as duplicating work.

WELL, THAT IS GOOD TO KNOW!

Compared with other councils, Wellington has 23.3 staff per 1,000 households, while most others sit between 17 and 19.

The report says this shows an opportunity to “right-size” the council by 330 FTEs. It also found $21m to $42m could be saved through “spend optimisation,” including divesting under-utilised or non-core assets. Additional gains could come from improved asset management, though no figures were confirmed.

Contract management was heavily criticised. The report found 80% of council contracts are not properly managed through the official system. Ask Nick Leggett, disgraced Hutt City mayor, and Roz Connolly and Fulton Hogan about that one.

Many contracts are rolled over or directly appointed based on past performance, risking missed competitive opportunities and better value for money.

Prosser acknowledged the council must improve, while Little said the report reinforced the need for change—which is political code for “call Lynda Clark; we need another investigation.” Prosser did not say how much overpayment may have occurred.

Let’s stop you there…

It has been estimated to be over $100m. Back to the spin…

Duane Leo from the Public Service Association called the report “fundamentally flawed” and said it lacked depth, rigour, and a basic understanding of the council’s role.

The report also highlighted other inefficiencies. LIM reports are long and complex, requiring data from 12 systems, while Hutt City does a LIM in five minutes.

Central procurement processes are often bypassed, creating inconsistent practices and allowing staff to set up payments to mates and avoid scrutiny—adding duplication and poor contract governance.

We’re sure the property development community will love to see that fixed.

Engagement and consultation processes differ across teams, leading to confusion, with praise from the Greens thanking the WCC comms team for excellent management of negative news, cost overruns, and censoring public sentiment.

The report questioned council involvement in areas where private providers already operate, such as EV infrastructure, comms, parks, pools, libraries, homes, recruitment—pretty much everything about to be taken off council for horrific performance. It also noted ambiguity between council and central government roles in city safety, community housing, and food insecurity.

Opportunities exist to generate more revenue from uncollected debt, commercial partnerships, and more service charges. YAY.

Local Wellington businesses are watching closely and are on their knees, many saying WCC has broken them.

If vacancies remain unfilled or projects slow, contractors, suppliers, and service providers could be affected. One leading Wellington man asked: “Is that a threat or one of the Prosser wonder statements—or was this from the Deloitte report?”

Based on past procurement, at least 1,200 Wellington businesses rely directly on council projects. Construction companies, cafés near development sites, transport operators, and planning services may face delays if staffing or contract issues persist. Another threat.

Despite criticism, the report offers a potential roadmap. Automation, digitisation, and clearer contract processes could reduce costs and improve efficiency.

Yet many claims—including the 330 excess staff and manager reduction proposals—may oversimplify Wellington’s complex services. WCC manages a wider range of areas than most councils, including arts, climate initiatives, housing, and community safety—many of which are about to be removed.

In short, the Future Fit Pōneke report has sparked debate across Wellington, with a major ambassador saying the fact it completely failed to address WellingtonNZ or tourism growth shows the council is not fit for purpose and should be abolished.

It highlights inefficiencies, potential savings, and contract weaknesses. However, its recommendations are not a simple plan for the city. WCC, residents, and businesses now wait.

Does Angry Andy have the guts to build 20 social hotels, reshape the CBD, and drive home the 2028 agenda while helping propel the Lab Rats into government one strike at a time?

Merge the councils, get control of spending, and remove Julie Anne Genter and Tam “f#ck da pigs” Paul— and it’s a Lab Rats wet-dream triennium.

As Cameron Bagrie—world-known and respected financial and social oracle numbers man—said:

“Wellington is rooted until Labour get back in.”

Written by GH Bloxham