Business resignations another blow for Tory Whanau’s leadership – Editorial

Two members of Tory Whanau's business advisory group have quit after seven months. Photo / Mark Mitchell

When Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau unveiled a new business advisory group in May, made up of some the capital’s most well-known movers and shakers, it seemed she was on to a good thing.

Residents were told the new team of leaders from the retail, hospitality, tech, property development and creative sectors would advise the mayor directly as the city undergoes major redevelopment - and reels from public sector cuts and the rising cost of living.

The group of 10 would provide feedback on upcoming council projects and have the opportunity to put new ideas on the table to address the city’s challenges, Whanau said at the time.

The highflyers chosen were locals, the likes of Willis Bond’s Mark McGuinness, Yu Mei handbag designer Jessie Wong and Brooke Roberts from online investment platform Sharesies.

A very important fact after the embarrassing collapse of Whanau’s controversial Reading Cinema deal. A deal deemed corporate welfare by some, and that was seen to be propping up an international business that wouldn’t even front to speak to the Wellington public.

It was a group that held huge potential, at a time Wellington needed it most. It showed Whanau was willing to listen to those in the know and take advice.

But seven months on... two of the 10 have already thrown in the towel.

High-profile developer Mark McGuinness and bar owner Justin McKenzie have resigned from the group, with McKenzie rather scathingly stating that “the actual survivability of our business was more important to me than sitting around the table having a cup of tea and a cheese board”.

He said he didn’t feel the meetings were getting anywhere because the council wasn’t listening.

He has also had to close his Courtenay Place business CGR Merchant & Co.

It’s a bleak insight to an initiative that held so much promise and doesn’t instil much confidence about what the group is likely to achieve.

It’s also just disappointing for a city in need of some entrepreneurial thinking and fresh ideas and raises further questions about Whanau’s leadership. About her ability to drive positive change with cohesion - and to deliver results.

Whanau says she’s already been speaking to “some very keen candidates to become new members in the new year”, saying she especially wants to focus on building the city’s creative, fashion, screen and tech sectors.

But any candidate with the nous and success to be considered is likely to be exceptionally busy, driven and sought-after. Their time is valuable, and they know when they’re on to a good thing - and when they’re not.

If they feel the mayor and the council aren’t listening, it doesn’t matter whose name makes the list next. We’ll simply see more members walk away to drive “transformational change” themselves through their own endeavours.

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