Wellington mayor Celia Wade-Brown won't be standing for re-election

Wellington mayor Celia Wade-Brown announced today she will not be standing for re-election in October.

After 20 years of local government service, including six years as Wellington mayor, Wade-Brown said she was ready to move on and contribute to the community in other ways.

When she hangs up the mayoral robe and chains for the last time on October 8, Wade-Brown will begin new projects.

"I've been accepted into a local English language teaching course that starts in late September," she said.

Several other projects were on the cards for next year, including walking the Te Araroa trail from Cape Reinga to Bluff.

One of her proudest moments as Mayor was contributing to a culturally and gender diverse city.

"On a personal level there have been many highlights in the role, from greeting Hilary Clinton at the airport to attending The Hobbit premiere.

"However I'm most inspired by the many different groups that show me the advantages of cultural and gender diversity," Wade-Brown said.

Mayoral candidate Nick Leggett said: "Celia came into the job with a clear vision for the city, and she has pursued that vision with gusto."

While they sometimes disagreed on their vision for Wellington, Leggett enjoyed a positive and constructive working relationship with Wade-Brown and he hoped that she would continue making a contribution to the capital.
 
With continuous controversy over cycle ways, such as the one along Island Bay, Wade-Brown was pleased to have secured over $37 million in council and government money to build a network that will transform the way people get around the city which will reduce carbon emissions and make it easier for people to travel.

There were a few disappointments during her time as mayor, such as the unfinished light rail project which is part of the "Let's Get Welly Moving" initiative, she said.

But the light rail, which will be extended through the city CBD and to the hospital and airport, is still on the medium-term agenda, and it is a far better place to start than fighting the failed flyover project, she said.

With many mayoral candidates well into campaigning, Wade-Brown planned to seize campaigning immediately and stepped down "with both the capital and myself in good heart".