Porirua’s Leggett may be on a council comeback train
Former Porirua mayor Nick Leggett is mulling over a return to politics at Wellington City Council’s table.
Leggett, who is currently chief executive of Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand, isn’t ruling out standing in Wellington’s Northern Ward at this year’s local body elections.
It’s not the first time he has eyed local government in Wellington City.
He unsuccessfully ran against Justin Lester in 2016 for the capital’s mayoralty. Whispers have been circulating for weeks now that Leggett is running this year, but when the Herald contacted him about the rumour it was clear he is far from having his mind made up. Leggett said he has been approached by several people about running and it’s something he is giving consideration, although with some reluctance. “I’ve got a job I love and I think I’m doing a good job. I’m not sure if I want to upend that to throw myself on the bonfire that is Wellington City Council.”
The timing could also be off with the recent arrival of his fourth child. Leggett said he could be persuaded into running if a group of quality candidates emerged who could drive a sense of direction for the city.
Andy Foster’s term as mayor has been nothing short of chaotic and Wellington City Council has made headlines for all the wrong reasons. He has battled with a left-leaning majority, more than one council meeting has stretched for hours into the night, while a narrative has taken hold that the city is in a death spiral. The one thing Leggett is sure about is that there needs to be a “cultural cleanout” of Wellington City councillors. “The councillors see themselves as mini managers rather than governors and therefore they spend too much time doing their council work.”