Wellington City Council has confirmed 47 staff roles will be cut from the organisation in a bid to find more than $4 million in savings.
In June this year, the Council passed the 2026/27 Annual Plan which included directing the Chief Executive and Executive Leadership Team to find $4,480,000 in savings from Creative Capital, Economic and Engagement, Planning and Environment, and Property and Capital Projects for the 2026/27 Annual Plan budget.
Acting Chief Executive, Anna Calver says while some non-people-related savings were found, meeting the overall savings targets did require reduction of roles and changes to team structures.
She confirmed that 141 roles will be disestablished – of which 41 were already vacant – and 94 created as part of the changes. The staffing cuts will be from the Council’s Creative Capital, Economic and Engagement, Planning and Environment, and Property and Capital Projects teams.
“We have concluded our consultation with staff and final decisions have been made. As with all change processes, the most impacted kaimahi will have the opportunity to express their interest in any new roles,” she said.
“This is a very difficult time for our kaimahi and we will be doing all we can to support them through this period.
“Council Officers are committed to doing all we can to reduce rates increases and deliver services for our community as efficiently as possible.
‘We’ve also taken the opportunity through this change to deliver on a number of priorities our elected members outlined in their Triennium Plan. This includes establishing an Urban Development Office within the new Planning and Development business unit, to improve how the Council coordinates and supports residential and commercial development across the city.”
