Wellington City Council Chief Executive Matt Prosser has today released the independent analysis of City Council processes and spending, the Future Fit Pōneke report by Deloitte.
In August, Mr Prosser commissioned Deloitte to provide a high-level, independent view of the Council’s current processes, and assess opportunities to improve performance and rates affordability.
“The report provides a diagnostic snapshot of the Council, and our job is now to test and consider Deloitte’s views and work out what’s realistic within our local government context,” he said.
He says operational adjustments are already underway which address some of the report’s recommendations. Other suggestions, particularly around increased use of technology require significant financial investment to achieve efficiencies.
Mr Prosser says some of Deloitte’s recommendations are at odds with the wishes of the community and the decisions previously made by the Council.
“It’s important we don’t get ahead of the democratic decision processes at the heart of local government. We will critically assess everything in the report against the needs and aspirations of our communities.”
Mr Prosser says in the short-term the Council is focussed on finding cost savings and making operational improvements.
“Throughout this process our staff will be kept informed, and we will seek their views on the initiatives raised in the report. As is Council’s practice, we will also be engaging with the Unions.
“In the past few months, we’ve removed 58 roles from our organisational structure and we’re continuing with tight vacancy management. We’ve also kicked off a programme to improve our delivery across a number of areas including contract management, procurement and asset management.
“We face some major challenges, but we are determined to do better, and we will,” he says.
Meanwhile, the Public Service Association (PSA) is calling on Mr Prosser, to reject the Deloitte report, saying the report is fundamentally flawed.
“This is a flimsy PowerPoint presentation that lacks any depth, rigour or even a basic understanding of what the Council’s role is. Hidden in the fine print, the report notes that its assumptions need to be validated and shouldn’t be relied upon for decision-making,” said Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi National Secretary, Duane Leo.
“Deloitte is recommending cutting 330 positions – nearly one in five staff – based on crude benchmarking that ignores Wellington provides services many other councils don’t, including social housing, city safety programmes, and addressing homelessness. It also ignores the fact an extra 22,000 people come into the city every day for work.
“This is slash-and-burn cost-cutting, not a serious analysis of how to improve the Council’s operations.”
Mr Leo said the PSA was particularly concerned about heavy reliance on automation and AI as a substitute for experienced staff.
“Deloitte is assuming AI can deliver productivity gains of up to 50% but they haven’t done the work to show replacing experienced staff with ChatGPT would actually deliver those results. They’re asking Council to invest millions in unproven technology while cutting the people who actually serve our communities. This is a recipe for disaster, particularly for vulnerable residents who need face-to-face support.”
He said PSA members want to work constructively on genuine improvements.
“Our members deliver services to Wellingtonians every day. They know what works, what doesn’t, and where real efficiencies can be found. But you don’t get that knowledge by hiring consultants to produce PowerPoint presentations – you get it by sitting down with staff in good faith and listening to their expertise.”
“We’re calling on the Chief Executive to reject Deloitte’s slash-and-burn agenda and work with staff and unions on realistic improvements that don’t gut the organisation.”
A copy of the report document can be downloaded here: Future Fit Pōneke report.
