Wellington Mayor clarifies after appearing to backtrack on car sale claim

Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau concedes her council still appears divided to voters, as she says the "dysfunctional behaviour" of some councillors is responsible for "overshadowing" its good work.

Speaking to Q+A, the first-term mayor was asked about her push to sell her council's shares in Wellington Airport and comments that she sold her car "to help pay the bills".

Whanau said she thought her comments had been "taken out of context" and "blown out of proportion". On Tuesday, the mayor, who makes $189,000 annually, was asked on a talkback show about whether she felt the financial pressure from the cost of living crisis.

She said: "It's a shame because it was taken out of context. It was an hour-long interview — you get a bit relaxed. The main reason actually, was because it's a walkable city. I don't need a car living in the city centre."

Asked if she needed to sell her car to pay the bills, she said: "No, I actually didn't." But in a subsequent statement, a spokesperson for Whanau asked to clarify her remarks.

The mayor's spokesperson said: "The mayor sold her car to help with her mortgage, where her weekly repayments had doubled. It also made sense to sell as it was no longer needed because she had moved into a townhouse near the city centre."

Whanau told Q+A she "didn't mislead people", but felt she had simply been "very generous" with her time on the radio show, and made an "off-hand comment".

"I answered a question. I think how it's generated seven different headlines is again a distraction from the real issue of Wellington City," she said.

"I want to be talking about the highest level of investment that we've put into our water infrastructure, $1.8 billion we have significant transport investment.

"I've delivered over 26km of cycleways across the city.

"This is really good stuff. My car is just such a blip on this."

Speaking to Newstalk ZB on Tuesday, she said: "I don’t want to downplay the privilege that I have. I am the mayor of the city, I have a house and I’m very thankful for that.

"However I’ve just sold my car recently to kind of help pay the bills, I walk to work again, my mortgage rates have doubled in the past few years. So I’m feeling the crunch as well, but I also recognise the privilege that I have."

Before becoming the capital's leader, Whanau pitched to voters she would help build consensus and bring "unity" back to the council. Two years later, when asked if she built a unified council, the mayor conceded, "well, it doesn't look that way".

She said: "What I will say is the majority of councillors that we have; put Wellington first, are there for the right reasons, want to ensure that we develop into a future-focused city that we can be proud of, for the future generation.

"There is a small few that unfortunately overshadow a lot of that good work, because of their dysfunctional behaviour. I think that's been carried on from previous terms and it's a shame.

"But, I'd just encourage the public, you know, don't let that sort of, you know, political riff-raff take over the good work that the council is doing. We have a really solid long term plan that will put our city into the future."

Whanau said she believed it would be a "really hard" re-election campaign, but that she would still have a "good chance at winning" next year.

Reflecting on her first term, the mayor said she "learnt that local government is very hard, and I underestimated just how difficult it is for local government and the little support that they receive."

"I've learnt that becoming a public figure — it's a completely unique experience — that you don't really come become prepared for and I've certainly learned my lessons in the first year.

"My first year in this mayoralty was a learning curve, and it was me learning how to be mayor, learning how to do things in local government.

"This year has been about setting the foundations of our long-term plan, and the next year we'll be seeing it through. I feel like I've learned a lot about myself — the way that I want to lead. I really like where I've landed.

"I feel healthier. I remain empathetic and compassionate and I know why I'm doing this now, and I want to live by my values and ensure that we create an equal, thriving, affordable city."

Q+A with Jack Tame is made with the support of New Zealand On Air

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