Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau acknowledges the economic challenges facing Wellington residents, saying she’s “feeling the crunch” too and recently sold her car to help pay the bills. The mayor’s annual salary has increased to $189,799 following a 3.7% pay rise in July. She also won $1.4 million through Lotto in 2002.
Speaking to Newstalk ZB’s Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills, Whanau acknowledged things were “really tough” currently.
“We are feeling a bit low at the moment, we’ve been hit by a number of things. Obviously, the economic downturn, public service cuts, the cost of living, people aren’t spending money and that is showing up in closures and whatnot.
“But what I want to say right now is yip, let’s acknowledge that it’s tough. I don’t want us to talk us further into doom and gloom.”
“I don’t want to downplay the privilege that I have. I am the mayor of the city, I have a house and I’m very thankful for that.
“However I’ve just sold my car recently to kind of help pay the bills, I walk to work again, my mortgage rates have doubled in the past few years. So I’m feeling the crunch as well, but I also recognise the privilege that I have.”
What the pundits say …
From that interview:
Other responses:
Wellington Hospo Sector speaks out …