1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:02,320 Speaker 1: So the Government pulled the Wellington trigger and will place 2 00:00:02,360 --> 00:00:05,400 Speaker 1: a Crown observer into the council that does observing dysfunction 3 00:00:05,519 --> 00:00:08,559 Speaker 1: sold the dysfunction. Former Wellington Mayor Dame Kerry Prindergast's well, 4 00:00:08,560 --> 00:00:09,520 Speaker 1: there's Kerry morning to you. 5 00:00:10,440 --> 00:00:11,200 Speaker 2: Good morning mate. 6 00:00:11,320 --> 00:00:13,640 Speaker 1: Does it pain your heart to watch alders? 7 00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:19,520 Speaker 2: I think for most Wellingtonian still be some relief this morning. 8 00:00:19,960 --> 00:00:23,560 Speaker 2: The poll set me indicate that not just Swllingtona's but 9 00:00:23,600 --> 00:00:26,880 Speaker 2: New Zealanders were tired of what was playing out in 10 00:00:26,920 --> 00:00:30,600 Speaker 2: our front pages. I am sure the Mayor and counselors 11 00:00:30,600 --> 00:00:34,320 Speaker 2: and management are also positive about this. It needs to 12 00:00:34,360 --> 00:00:34,920 Speaker 2: be sorted. 13 00:00:35,240 --> 00:00:38,280 Speaker 1: What does an observer do that's practical as opposed to 14 00:00:38,440 --> 00:00:40,080 Speaker 1: just observing and reporting back. 15 00:00:41,680 --> 00:00:44,280 Speaker 2: I think the terms of reference from what I read, 16 00:00:45,080 --> 00:00:50,479 Speaker 2: they have a role certainly in reporting and watching what's happening. 17 00:00:50,479 --> 00:00:53,680 Speaker 2: They have to ensure that quality advice is coming from 18 00:00:53,800 --> 00:00:56,920 Speaker 2: management and they have the ability to go outside council 19 00:00:56,960 --> 00:01:01,040 Speaker 2: to make sure there's quality advice. That they have to 20 00:01:01,080 --> 00:01:04,560 Speaker 2: make sure that all that advice goes into making sure 21 00:01:04,600 --> 00:01:07,240 Speaker 2: the next long term plan, which Council will have to 22 00:01:07,400 --> 00:01:12,000 Speaker 2: consult on again is financially sustainable and they've got to 23 00:01:12,440 --> 00:01:16,480 Speaker 2: pets give some guidance on leadership at all order. But 24 00:01:17,360 --> 00:01:19,640 Speaker 2: I think the response from the mayor was the right one. 25 00:01:19,720 --> 00:01:24,840 Speaker 2: Yesterday wants to work, positively accepts it, and I think 26 00:01:24,840 --> 00:01:26,640 Speaker 2: that is absolutely the right response. 27 00:01:26,800 --> 00:01:29,520 Speaker 1: From your observation, how much of it's about the mechanics 28 00:01:29,600 --> 00:01:32,320 Speaker 1: of running a city versus the ideology and never the 29 00:01:32,360 --> 00:01:33,080 Speaker 1: twin shall meet. 30 00:01:35,160 --> 00:01:38,360 Speaker 2: I think it's a combination of everything. A new mayor 31 00:01:38,560 --> 00:01:43,960 Speaker 2: and a diverse use around the table, and the complications 32 00:01:44,160 --> 00:01:48,720 Speaker 2: of massive under investment and in destruction. How do you 33 00:01:48,800 --> 00:01:51,800 Speaker 2: fund it? And all of that came to a head, 34 00:01:51,840 --> 00:01:55,280 Speaker 2: of course, when what they thought would help fund it 35 00:01:55,360 --> 00:02:00,080 Speaker 2: the sale of the airport shares, that vote changed. I 36 00:02:00,080 --> 00:02:02,280 Speaker 2: don't have to go back and try and find where 37 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:03,320 Speaker 2: they make up that gap. 38 00:02:03,640 --> 00:02:06,520 Speaker 1: Has Simeon read it right an observer for now, which 39 00:02:06,560 --> 00:02:09,280 Speaker 1: is a shot across the bow I'm assuming, or should 40 00:02:09,280 --> 00:02:11,840 Speaker 1: he have gone further in the first place. 41 00:02:13,800 --> 00:02:17,320 Speaker 2: I think the minister has made the right corn eye 42 00:02:17,400 --> 00:02:21,040 Speaker 2: and positive he didn't make that decision lightly. It is 43 00:02:21,160 --> 00:02:25,840 Speaker 2: not It is not easy for a central government to 44 00:02:25,880 --> 00:02:29,480 Speaker 2: step into local government. Local government's responsible for its own decisions, 45 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:32,519 Speaker 2: and this is a center right government. I am sure 46 00:02:32,600 --> 00:02:35,960 Speaker 2: that he took lots of advice and it wasn't something 47 00:02:36,080 --> 00:02:39,240 Speaker 2: that he came to an easy decision on. But I 48 00:02:39,280 --> 00:02:41,960 Speaker 2: do think it's the right decision. And let's hope with 49 00:02:42,120 --> 00:02:46,160 Speaker 2: the right person in there and a counsel and theyre 50 00:02:46,320 --> 00:02:48,800 Speaker 2: and management her. Now listening, we're going to see the 51 00:02:48,919 --> 00:02:50,359 Speaker 2: right response coming from them. 52 00:02:50,400 --> 00:02:51,800 Speaker 1: Would you want to be a Crown observer? 53 00:02:53,120 --> 00:02:55,400 Speaker 2: I don't think that's the skill set they're looking for. 54 00:02:55,600 --> 00:03:00,799 Speaker 2: They'll be looking for someone who is maybe an accountant, 55 00:03:00,800 --> 00:03:07,040 Speaker 2: a financial expert, someone who will be able to display 56 00:03:07,080 --> 00:03:09,880 Speaker 2: the qualities I've just said, that's the sort of person 57 00:03:09,880 --> 00:03:10,639 Speaker 2: they'll be looking for. 58 00:03:10,800 --> 00:03:12,320 Speaker 1: Nice to talk to, you appreciate it very much. Name 59 00:03:12,400 --> 00:03:15,280 Speaker 1: Kerry Prendergasta former willing to mirror, of course. For more 60 00:03:15,320 --> 00:03:18,440 Speaker 1: from the Mic Asking Breakfast, listen live to news talks. 61 00:03:18,440 --> 00:03:21,640 Speaker 1: It'd be from six am weekdays, or follow the podcast 62 00:03:21,680 --> 00:03:22,880 Speaker 1: on iHeartRadio.