Lindsay McKenzie says she hopes to meet with the mayor next week.
Photo: supplied

Wellington City Council’s new Crown observer says he has been impressed so far by the respectful behavior and information sharing between councillors.

Lindsay McKenzie, former chief executive of Tasmania and Gisborne district councils, has been fixed to resolve infighting among councillors.

Councilors were told about the council’s financial shortfall on Tuesday after they opted not to sell their shares in the airport.

McKenzie, who starts Wednesday, said she attended some of the Zoom briefings and that it was “well-chaired, especially in the way the opportunity to ask questions was presented, and it was very respectful.”

“There is a huge amount of information to digest, and the amendment to the LTP (Long Term Plan) will certainly require some work, but it was an excellent contribution to the exchange of information.”

Ultimately, it will be up to the council to sort things out, he added.

“My contribution is just making sure that they consider all the appropriate topics that are given to them, and based on (Tuesday), that seems to be on track.”

McKenzie said he had not yet developed a view of what needs to be done in terms of amending the long-term plan, and that it would be “too early and inappropriate to comment”.

He said he had communicated with Mayor Tory Whanau by email and was hoping to have a face-to-face meeting next week.

Councilors met again on Wednesday to discuss the 2025-2026 plan.

McKenzie said he would not be able to attend that meeting either, as he was due to arrive in Wellington around lunchtime.

But he said he hoped to call again, “maybe at the airport.”