Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 15hNot exactly a mystery as to why National dropped "back on track" for this election: 0163
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 09/10/2026This week at council 🏛 A potential $25m in annual savings, acknowledgement from government candidates Wellingtonians cannot afford to fund the replacement of our water infrastructure solo, two cycleway projects and our dividend from Wellington Airport is up 42%. Plenty to talk about in update 44. 020
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 09/10/2026Apparently it was 10, fixed and then defaced again to 110. 100
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 08/10/2026If council just stopped [PROJECT], it could save $60m easy! Unfortunately it's not that simple. Council has two budgets; OPEX and CAPEX, and the way they interact with each other is a bit tricky. Here's my attempt to lay out the difference in less than 120 seconds. 010
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 08/10/2026Article 🔗 www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3610...thepost.co.nzPledge for Crown help to keep Tiaki Wai bills downThey were more-measured but Wellington North candidates largely join their neighbours in saying Government help is needed 000
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 08/10/2026Excellent to see Wellington North candidates also step up to the plate. National and ACT Party candidates on the ground here in Wellington know ratepayers cannot afford the government's water reforms. Will Simon Watts and Christopher Luxon listen to them? 120
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 07/10/2026Completely unsurprised to see National pulling the 'in case of losing an election blame beneficiaries' lever. 010
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 07/10/2026The real scandal is the complete abscene of any policy discussion around water this election. When the new water services entities go online next year shit will hit the fan nationally. 110
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 07/10/2026Yeah being privy to what's happening in the background politically I don't quite buy everything in that statement. 100
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 07/10/2026Article 🔗 www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361...thepost.co.nz‘Is the shovel in the room with us?’ Wellington Bays candidates face off on water, tunnels and bike lanesWater funding, tunnel tolls, cycle lanes and homelessness divided the five people vying to represent the electorate. 000
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 07/10/2026The only thing bringing down prices is relaxing quality standards which is obviously a no nonetheless price regulation is an important part of building a functioning water regulation regime and a simple thing to actually do. Capital injection needed but that's politically much harder. 100
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 07/10/2026A good start would be the regulation of water price quality by the Commerce Commission (as the Mayor has been requesting for months now). 250
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 07/10/2026It's fantastic that government candidates and MPs have realised the impact of their Local Water Done Well legislation will result in Wellingtonians paying thousands more in water rates through Tiaki Wai. Water must be affordable so I'm looking forward to their advocacy. 2140
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 06/10/2026Today I presented the first tranche of work of how the council can save $25m+ as we land our 10 year Long-term Plan 📉 The government's rates caps and ongoing cost of living pressures mean we need to find savings more than ever while protecting the council facilities and services. 000
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 05/10/2026Got a behind the scenes look at Cornelia Parker today which opens at the City Gallery this weekend and holy hell is it good. 020
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 02/10/2026🗣 Two big financial discussions at the Council table this week and a welcome to our newest city councillor representing the mighty Takapū/Northern Ward. 000
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Just another example of why Wellington's Northern Suburbs are the best. On top of a bevy of pie awards, Nada Bakery now claim the crown of New Zealand's third best sausage roll 🏆 Why would you want to live literally anywhere else? 030
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Consultation live Oct 19 but paper we discussed: wellington.govt.nz/-/media/Your...wellington.govt.nz 110
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Heritage asbestos. www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3610...thepost.co.nzAsbestos delays Gordon Wilson flats demolitionVictoria University, which owns the building, says work is happening behind the scenes but proper demolition has been delayed until the new year. 051
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Yesterday I challenged councillors to be courageous and have a conversation about the best tax settings for our city. Because it's not just the amount of rates council collects that impacts the local economy. Who we collect it from and on what basis can either drive or turn away investment. 120
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 01/10/2026If it wasn't in the middle of a general election campaign I think you may have seen other hands go up. 010
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Congratulations to now Councillor Greg O'Connor for winning the Takapū/Northern Ward by-election after no other nominations were recieved. I'm looking forward to us working together to keep the Northern Suburbs well represented at the council table. 130
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Seriously though, thank you to Minister Bishop for finally bringing this saga to an end. The Kelburn Viaduct, Karori Tunnel are also being delisted and height limits in the Courtenay Place Heritage Area are increasing between 28.5-42.5m. Big wins for sanity. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...nzherald.co.nzWellington sites stripped of heritage protection, buildings over 40m allowedChris Bishop says the controversial changes will make way for growth and development. 020
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 30/09/2026How to remove the heritage protection on a rusting hunk of junk under the RMA: You'll need 2.5 years, a unanimous council vote, letters to the relevant Minister, a co-operative government, an independent economic investigation, further consultation and you're done. Easy. 121
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 30/09/2026TIL I am a right-wing Nat (for supporting consultation on reducing commercial rating differential) and a left-wing extremist (for supporting consultation on a move to land value rates). 070
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Should Wellington move to a Land Value Rates system? While we consider a change to the commercial differential, we'll also be asking about a fundamental move to LVR. If we want to have a serious discussion about tax settings in our city then we need to discuss both changes 👇 051
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 29/09/2026We don't have the organisational capability to wait for a change of govt and then meet our statutory deadlines. If the govt is re-elected rates capping will be law in December. 000
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Not accepting it as binding today. We are doing the budget prep work for 1 July 2027 and need to be prepared for what happens if the government is re-elected. That also means having respect for public to get their input into their decisions. 200
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 29/09/2026From my experience, significant when in the planning and consenting stages becasue you're calculating ROI, showing bank finance stacks up etc. Once something is built market forces are dominant factor at play. Right now the maths on ROI is dire which is why nothing of substance is being built. 100
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 29/09/2026is then in a better position to make decisions for our 10 year Long-term Plan around our local taxation settings. 000
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 29/09/2026We have to be pragmatic with the economic settings infront of us. If there is a change of govt, hell yeah. If not then yelling at them won't change anything because they don't care. Either way our consultation finishes mid Nov (includes a change to LVR, extending vacant land rate) and WCC 100
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 29/09/2026I mean that's the point though. The servicing and holding costs of investing in Wellington which result in businesses setting up shop here are the highest in the country so they actively go elsewhere. Council's investment capability under rates capping is also massively constrained. 200
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 29/09/2026The same way literally every other council decision works. We consult as part of our requirements under the LGA. We're also consulting on a switch to LVR, extending the vacant land differential etc. If your argument is we shouldn't do this work then nothing will change. 000
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Of course that won't happen. The difference is when a firm is looking at a project and they plug in the holding costs of doing it in Wgtn vs. anywhere else in NZ and our rates make it uneconomic to build it in Wgtn so the investment goes elsewhere. We're competing against the rest of NZ. 100
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 29/09/2026It's not a comfortable space politically to be in but right now we're in a state of managed decline and need to explore the levers we have to influence change. 000
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 29/09/2026In the local govt sense it's much more tangible. I've sat with firms who've put projects infront of me with their pricing models for Wgtn, Porirua, Hamilton that take into account rates and it becomes an academic exercise as to why they choose to build elsewhere. We compete with rest of NZ. 200
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Yep and then the reality that govt services will need more funding with baby boomers. At some point the dam will burst (pun) on water rates. Govt haven't included them on rates capping because they know how bad it is. I'm bemused we've got an election campaign and basically zero mention of water. 160
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Should Wellington continue to charge the highest commercial rates in New Zealand? It's a confronting question because any reduction means residents will pay more. On Thursday we'll vote whether to consult on a change 👇 511
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Seated scooters are safer for both riders and pedestrians with their lower centre of gravity and dual handbrakes. They offer a smoother ride with enhanced suspension and are perfect for a light shopping run with 15L of onboard storage. 040
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 29/09/2026New eScooter alert 🛴🚨 A few months ago Wellington City Council revisited the rules for eMobility providers. As part of that work I successfully pushed for seated scooters to be an approved vehicle type and it's great seeing these ones from Lime start to hit the streets. 160
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 27/09/2026When you've spent three years gaslighting the nation that economic prosperity is just around the corner, yet the economy remains turgid, the accusation of economic vandalism really doesn't come with a great deal of integrity. 1101
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 25/09/2026The council owns the St James Theatre, Opera House, Town Hall, TSB Arena, Shed 6, Hannah Playhouse & Michael Fowler Centre. This update I'm covering the big decisions ahead on the future of council venues to make sure we balance financial sustainability, public access and creative sector needs 🎶 010
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 24/09/2026104 new units at Arlington + $6m of grant funding + $47m saved from our social housing upgrade project + upgraded credit rating = a more secure future for social housing in Wellington 🏘 000
Reposted by Ben McNultyThe Post @thepost-nz.bsky.social · 24/09/2026The mayors are not happy.thepost.co.nzCouncils ‘fuming’: Government pauses council amalgamations until after electionAfter being asked to submit a proposal in three months, councils have been told no decisions will be made ahead of the election. 131
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 23/09/2026The government's council amalgamation decision is no decision ✨️ Assumedly the government doesn't want to piss off voters a few weeks ahead of the election. Not at all helpful for the local government sector who desperately need certainty for our long-term plans. 010
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Breaking: WCC credit rating outlook upgraded from negative to stable ✅️ Rating of AA-/A-1+ affirmed. 050
Ben McNulty @ponekeben.bsky.social · 22/09/2026Declined due to "adverse effects on the historic heritage values of the Courtenay Place Heritage Area". 010