Thomas Morgan, Wellington City Council Eastern Ward Candidate, is joining in the call for the country’s councils to be able to generate funds on their own account.

“Funding local government is becoming increasingly difficult with costs rising remarkably even during the process of commissioning a special project let alone all the basic costs of running the city,” he says.

“Historically there has been a general convention that government would not commercially compete with the private sector wherever possible however there may still be specialised areas of council that would not breach this if a careful look was taken.”

Morgan suggests that specialised areas might be in goods such as rubbish bags as a possible example and perhaps in the information technology space which could be developed internally and then owned by the council. Mr Morgan has previously worked in an enterprise unit for a polytechnic which supported students to commercialise their ideas with very useful outcomes.

“It is quite possible that a world leading technology or product could be developed by a council and sold off-shore to other governing agencies. And better still council staff might enjoy the chance to be creative with rewards for good ideas. An idea could come from any staff member in any area of operations at all.” He said.

Morgan is hoping that idea might be possible for all councils with the creation of a centralised development unit to help smaller councils explore their ideas where resources might be less accessible.

The election occurs on 11 October with voting starting early September when voting papers start to be posted out. Special votes can be cast by any resident right up to voting day and more information can be found here:- https://wellington.govt.nz/your-council/elections/2025-elections/information-for-voters/how-to-cast-a-special-vote

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