Wellington City Council teeters on collapse, with 700m in costs and 650m income annually, nearly 2 billiin debt, many ratepayers on their knees, and not paying rates. Dirty streets, crime on the up  amd poor leadership, bitter infighting between councilors, and shocking behaviour have sparked outrage and frustration. 

A CITY ON THE BRINK

Almost daily unprofessional conduct has eroded trust. Every councillor faces challengers in the 2025 elections. A wave of new candidates aims to overhaul the council. Below, we list the current councillors with brief insights into their roles.

Wellington’s Current Councillors

The council has 15 councillors alongside Mayor Tory Whanau. Each serves a ward or community. Here’s who they are and how they have performed.

Currently the balance of power sits with 🟩🟩🟥

Nīkau Wi-Neera🟩
Nīkau Wi-Neera holds the Te Whanganui-a-Tara Māori Ward seat. He champions Māori issues. His focus is cultural unity. A green man he voted for then against the airport sale. Told fellow green councillors they coukd loose the support base if they voted to sell the airport. Kept his head down. 

6.4/10

Tory Whanau🟩

Voted in as a change agent on her vision to unify council, but had the numbers to vote through cycleways, more emergency housing, and quickly set out to spend spend spend and divide the council. Voted to sell the airport. Caught giving oral sex in a bar, often intox at events, Left a restaurant without paying whikst celebrating the Lets Get Wellington Golden mile win with a high paid consultant, which was subsequently over turned by govt  Caught lying about selling her car.  Suggestions of widespread drug use throughout her tumultuous campaign, with lying and manipulation at the centre of many situations. Limited meetings to 45 mins,  and had her dog removed from the office. Didnt turn up to Airport board meetings. A total and complete train wreck. Not one good thing has been achieved, unless you call the revamped golden mile a win. 3/10

Geordie Rogers 🟩

Geordie Rogers was elected to represent the Pukehīnau/Lambton ward during the 2024 by-election.

Geordie’s passion is affordable housing, talks of a lower carbon city that’s fit for the future. Was closely linked to a late surge of voting papers, which shocked the city, and looked anything but legitimate. 

Geordie advocated for renters at a national level as the President & led in securing the rights of renters during the COVID pandemic.

A green team player. Does what is expected. 

5.1/10

Ben McNulty🟥🟩
Ben McNulty, Labour, represents Takapū/Northern Ward. He pushes for better roads. He’s a Johnsonville local and voted no airport sale. Had the lowest approval rating of any sitting councilor, often in the middle of a fracus and is now seen supporting otger candidates in Upper HUTT for the Labour maching. Very hit and miss. Part of the current problem. 5.1/10

Tony Randle🟦
Tony Randle, independent, serves Takapū/Northern Ward. He demands lower spending. Safety is his priority. Caught council officers out lying, and offers advice to many wealthy people. 7/10

Diane Calvert 🟥🟦
Diane Calvert, independent, represents Wharangi/Onslow-Western Ward. She fights for lower rates. Is the obe digging the dirt. A coleminers daughter, often found at events “after a wine or three” stiffing up support for her version of the oerfect city, tgemat sees her self in the leadership pace. Never far from trouble 4.1/10.

Rebecca Matthews 🟥
Rebecca Matthews, Labour, serves Wharangi/Onslow-Western Ward. She backs green policies. Her voice is strong but isnt standing. 5/10

Ray Chung  🟦
Ray Chung, independent, in Wharangi/Onslow-Western Ward, critiques council waste. His mayoral run draws attention. Very busy. His party Better Wlg minipulated a January poll to feel like it was in April, and “conveniently” omitted other mayoral candidates to make Ray look better tgrough blatant dishonesty. 6.3/10

Teri O’Neill 🟥🟩
Teri O’Neill, Labour, represents Pukehīnau/Lambton Ward. She supports arts initiatives. Her energy inspires locals.Was involved is a sexual abuse scandal. Too hot to stay. NOT RUNNING

Nicola Young 🟦🟥
Nicola Young, independent, serves Pukehīnau/Lambton Ward. She boosts businesses. Her experience fuels debate and is sitting quietly in the back room. A schemer and manipulator of sorts. Been there for 12 years and many feel is part of the problem. 5.3/10

Iona Pannett 🟩🟩🟥
Iona Pannett, Fired from Green, represents Pukehīnau/Lambton Ward. She drives climate action. Been part of the problems for 13 years. Experienced buy flakes. 4.1/10

Sarah Free 🟩🟩
Sarah Free, independent, serves Motukairangi/Eastern Ward. She focuses on transport. Her Green roots guide her. NOT RUNNING

Tim Brown 🟦🟦
Tim Brown, independent, in Motukairangi/Eastern Ward, prioritises economic growth. His business expertise shapes decisions. NOT RUNNING

Laurie Foon  🟩🟩🟥
Laurie Foon, Green, serves Paekawakawa/Southern Ward. She leads on climate issues, deputy mayor, cycle lane advocate. Keeps her head down as deputy mayor. Hard working, massive networker. 6.4/10

John Apanowicz 🟦🟦
John Apanowicz, independent, in Paekawakawa/Southern Ward, tackles local concerns. He offers practical solutions and appears to be Tory Whanau and the greeks go to person on financial matters. Experienced business person. Understands tourism and growth minded. 7.1/10

A Council in Disarray

Infighting has crippled the council. Disgraceful conduct has angered residents and tge govt observer has highlighted financial mismanagement. Leadership gaps have stalled progress and hurt downtown events and added to crine. Consequently, challengers are surging and amplifying. The October 2025 elections will be fierce. Voters demand change.

Total wipe out on the cards

The council shapes Wellington’s future—its roads, culture, and economy. Yet, chaos reigns so much so that over 40 potential new candidates have put up their hands to run for city hall. Thus, the “Total Wipe Out” of current councilors looms. Will the current breed of councillors recover? Or will new faces take over? The city watches closely.