Lindsay McKenzie says he looks forwarding to meeting the mayor next week. Photo: Supplied
Wellington City Council's new Crown observer says so far he's impressed by the respectful conduct and information sharing among councillors.
Lindsay McKenzie, a former chief executive of the Tasman and Gisborne District councils, has been appointed to sort out in-fighting among councillors.
On Tuesday councillors were briefed on the council's financial shortfall, after they opted not to sell its airport shares.
McKenzie, who starts Wednesday, said he sat in on some of the briefing by Zoom, and it was "well chaired, especially in the way the opportunity for questions was presented, and was very respectful".
"There is a tremendous amount of information to be taken in, and the amendment to the LTP's [Long Term Plan] certainly going to take a bit of work, but it was an excellent contribution to the information sharing."
Ultimately it would be up to the council to work things out, he added.
"My contribution is just to make sure they consider all of the appropriate issues that they're provided with, and, based on [Tuesday], that looks to be well on track."
McKenzie said he had not yet developed a view of what needs to be done in terms of the long term plan amendment, and it would be "too early and inappropriate to comment".
He said he had reached out to mayor Tory Whanau by email and was looking forward to a face to face meeting next week.
Councillors were meeting again Wednesday to discuss the 2025-2026 plan.
McKenzie said he would be unable to attend that meeting, either, as he was set to arrive in Wellington around lunchtime.
But he said he hoped to dial in again, "perhaps at the airport".