With local body elections fast approaching, Labour List MP Tracey McLellan and Banks Peninsula MP Dr Vanessa Weenink joined Chris Lynch Media to share their views on the upcoming mayoral contest, council finances, and the broader political landscape.
Asked whether incumbent Mayor Phil Mauger is likely to retain the top job or face a serious challenge from Councillor Sara Templeton, both MPs were diplomatic.
“Gosh, who knows? That’s what I love about local body elections,” McLellan said. “They’re both great candidates with their own passions. I think it’s a real contest.”
Weenink agreed, saying she was “happy to work with either of them” and described the mayoral race as good for democracy.
When it came to standout candidates at council level, McLellan was quick to praise People’s Choice candidate Nathaniel Jardine, describing him as “an outstanding community advocate” who is already door-knocking and working hard on the ground.
Weenink, who said National did not formally align with local candidates, was more cautious in naming favourites but said she looked forward to seeing a range of voices emerge across wards.
Concerns linger over port sale
The two MPs diverged more clearly on the question of asset sales, particularly around the future of Lyttelton Port.
Earlier this week, Phil Mauger rejected suggestions he was open to a partial sale of the port, calling those claims “dangerous and irresponsible.”
McLellan, who attended a public meeting in Lyttelton, said residents were not convinced.
“He didn’t put the concerns to bed at all. He’s flip-flopped on this. Saying you have ‘no plans’ to sell isn’t a commitment. There should be no sell-down, no leasing, no loss of control,” she said.
“I accept Phil at his word, but I will investigate that word.”
Weenink accused Labour of using the issue for political gain. “The port is a fraught topic that can be easily manipulated. Councils should be open to exploring how they use their assets — not necessarily selling them, but being more strategic,” she said.
McLellan pushed back, saying the port was not “just an asset,” but critical infrastructure tied to people’s jobs, the local economy, and community wellbeing.
Rates cap debate
The MPs also sparred over proposals to cap rate increases, something supported by Finance Minister Nicola Willis and the Taxpayers’ Union.
Weenink believed concerns that a cap could harm essential services were overstated.
“Rates have been rising without councils taking a close enough look at their own spending. It’s not good practice to keep passing costs onto ratepayers,” she said.
McLellan argued councils were already doing line-by-line reviews but had limited options for raising revenue.
“There’s only so many libraries and swimming pools you can close. The idea of an artificial rates cap sounds good, but the consequences could be worse for communities,” she said.
Both MPs agreed the amount councils spend on consultants could be looked at more closely.
Weenink said it was an issue across both local and central government and that National was working to reduce reliance on consultants.
Should Jacinda Ardern appear before the COVID Royal Commission?
The pair also shared their thoughts on former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern potentially appearing publicly before the COVID-19 Royal Commission.
“She’s said she’ll participate, and I think that’s the right thing to do,” McLellan said. “She brings a unique perspective. We had one of the best pandemic responses in the world. Our health system didn’t collapse, and our economy bounced back.”
Weenink agreed Ardern should appear but said public sentiment toward her leadership had shifted.
“She was reassuring at first, but over time she became a more authoritarian figure than one of kindness. That hurt people,” she said.
McLellan disagreed with that characterisation but acknowledged the pain some New Zealanders felt during the later stages of the pandemic.
Poll shows rise in NZ First support
The MPs were also asked about the latest Taxpayers’ Union Curia poll, which showed New Zealand First ahead of ACT, the Greens, and Te Pāti Māori.
Weenink was cautious. “Polls go up and down. I wouldn’t read too much into one snapshot, but Winston Peters has done well as Foreign Minister.”
McLellan said Peters remained a political “phenomenon” but questioned whether New Zealand First was more than just its leader.
