STATEMENT FROM WELLINGTON MAYORAL CANDIDATE, NICK LEGGETT, ON CELIA WADE-BROWN’S RETIREMENT

I would like to convey my thanks to Celia Wade-Brown for her service over six years as Wellington’s Mayor. Celia came into the job with a clear vision for the city, and she has pursued that vision with gusto. She is a woman of sincere conviction, and deserves credit for that.

While we sometimes disagreed on on aspects of her vision for Wellington, I always respected her and we have enjoyed a positive and constructive working relationship. I hope and trust she continues to make a contribution to the city and the region, which will benefit from her experience and commitment.

The Deputy Mayor and the small battalion of incumbents seeking to become Mayor have benefited from Celia’s willingness to accept the lion’s share of the blame for the council’s now-notorious culture of dysfunction and inaction. With Celia now out of the running, I am sure voters will hold them to account for their respective roles. Any Mayor only has one vote, and Wellingtonian's are way too smart to believe that the blame for the council’s recent under performance lies with Celia alone.

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