Can Foster wrangle the Left?
Wellington’s new mayor faces an uphill battle with a majority of the new councillors politically and philosophically opposed to his views.
With three Labour, three Green and two notably-Left leaning independents – Jill Day and Tamatha Paul – cracks have already started to show between new Wellington Mayor Andy Foster, a one-time NZ First campaigner, and his team.
Several councillors have told Stuff, under the condition of anonymity, that Foster faces an uphill battle over the coming years with many opposed to what are perceived as his Centre-Right views.
Ousted Wellington mayor Justin Lester understood Labour-backed councillor Fleur Fitzsimons was working to bring councillors from across the political spectrum together.
‘‘Wellington will need strong leadership from the likes of Fleur, Iona Pannett, and Jill Day for the council to be successful and get things done in the city,’’ Lester said.
Former Porirua mayor, and Wellington mayoral contender, Nick Leggett said the Left-Right split was not necessarily a problem in local government. ‘‘It should be more about what is good for the community in terms of infrastructure.’’
Foster’s job now was to talk to councillors and explain his views.
‘‘Now is the chance to get things going and if that stops because of party politics that would be a real shame,’’ Leggett said.
Councillor Simon Woolf said Foster had been given a mandate.
He believed that the city’s councillors would work together for the sake of Wellington.
But already storm clouds are brewing, with rumours of intense lobbying for the deputy mayor role.
It is understood that Diane Calvert and Nicola Young are lobbying for the role but both choices are too far Right for some on the Left, who would rather see Iona Pannett or Fleur Fitzsimons in the deputy role.
Calvert – who came third in the mayoral race but was the highestpolling elected councillor – confirmed she was ‘‘lobbying hard’’ for the role. Young would not confirm that she wanted the deputy role.
Foster hoped to make some announcements by the week’s end. There was a get-together of all the new councillors yesterday, he said. ‘‘It would be fair to say there’s people I’m thinking about [for the deputy role].’’