Wellington Mayor Andy Foster has dismissed calls for a delay to a crucial vote today on his long-term plan due to a raft of last minute changes.
Wellington Mayor Andy Foster. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
The council is meeting today to vote on adopting the city's plan for the next 10 years.
In an exchange obtained by RNZ, Foster sent a message at 1.25am suggesting increasing the council's cycle ways budget, pulling back on the regional council's bulk water plan and reducing some other costs.
Councillor Diane Calvert responded just before 7.30am saying proposing such substantial late amendments was "alarming".
Councillor Jill Day criticised the mayor's process as "terrible governance".
Foster replied saying the timing was "tight" but all the issues had been well canvassed and were familiar to everyone.
Foster told the meeting the proposed changes were the result of feedback from councillors and the public that they were not comfortable with a 16 percent rates increase and wanted to reduce it.
Councillors will spend the day debating the final form of the plan, before it is formally adopted at the end of next month.