Wellington City Council staff called to meetings over proposed cuts

Author: Ethan Manera,
Publish Date: Fri, 31 Jul 2026, 2:24pm

Staff have been called to meetings at Wellington City Council this week to hear of proposed layoffs. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Wellington City Council staff have been called to meetings this week regarding a proposed restructure that could impact dozens of staff, the Herald understands.

The proposals would cut staff from the council’s climate change response, planning, communications, property, and events teams.

The cuts, which could affect up to 50 staff members, come after a cost-saving effort led by Deputy Mayor Ben McNulty, as well as an independent report which found the council was overstaffed in the hundreds.

Staff from the impacted teams have been presented with the proposals at a number of meetings this week, and a consultation process is expected to follow.

A spokesman for Wellington Mayor Andrew Little would not comment on the proposed cuts, saying it was an operational matter.

The Public Service Association (PSA) has been supporting staff, with a spokesman for the union saying it was urging the council to rethink the proposal.

“The PSA is standing by and supporting all those impacted by the proposal.

“The last thing Wellington needs right now is more job losses, on top of the cuts that have already hit this city hard.

“These are people with skills, with experience, and with families to support. They deserve better, particularly at a time when the job market is tight,” the spokesman said.

“This also doesn’t make much sense with amalgamation of councils on the cards - this is precisely the wrong time to be doing a restructure like this.”

The council has been contacted for comment.

Ethan Manera is a Wellington-based journalist covering Wellington issues, local politics and business in the capital. He can be emailed at ethan.manera@nzme.co.nz.