ETHAN ROGACION (HE/HIM)
OPINION: If you've read the news recently, you may have come across a few commentators proclaiming this: Wellington is dying. The evidence behind this gloomy news copy seems ample, too—see: an endless parade of sites closing down. Reading this in the context of the cost of living crisis and skyrocketing rents, it is hard not to fall into pessimism.
Despite all of that, the apparent mass exodus of Wellingtonians moving to Melbourne, and fewer places to buy a $6.50 coffee with a middling scone—there is still reason for hope.
Building Community, and Re-Building our Economy
According to statistics both from Aotearoa and overseas, outdoor festivals and community activations—CubaDupa, the Thorndon Fair, Rhythm and Vines—are great for the economy and community. They draw tourists from out of town (who spend money!), and draw locals out of their houses, fostering a greater sense of community.
And luckily for us, there ARE more street festivals coming—The Herald reported that Council has given the green light for a brand new New Year’s Eve festival on Courtenay Place this year. This is the first time that the nightlife side of town has been closed off to street traffic since 2017 and the event, according to the organisers, seeks to “bring back the community spirit of Wellington.”
As Councillor Geordie Rodgers told Salient in April, the city thrives when we have public spaces “where people want to spend time with their friends, where shopfronts are lively and open into a street full of people rather than an empty street with some parked cars.”
What’s more, we’re right about to enter this year’s cruise season, part of a summer tourist boom. Though The Post has reported a drop off in cruise visits, the reasons cited are broadly due to the global impacts of the cost of living. Importantly, what this demonstrates is that the challenges that Wellington faces in terms of its economy, while pressing, are not unique.
Government Decisions Have Not Been Helping
Pōneke’s issues are, however, exacerbated by Government decisions. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve certainly realised that the Coalition’s programme of job cuts and reductions in the public service have had immense impacts on the city’s economy. Councillor Ben McNulty told Salient that the role the Government’s cuts have had on the city has been “devastating”.
“The last estimate I saw was that over $250m of wages are no longer circulating within our local economy from the job cuts. What we're seeing across Wellington is the downstream impact of the callous number of job losses.
As one of the city’s main employers, any reductions in Government agencies will inevitably have impacts across the sector, even among those who are not laid off. As Cr. McNulty explained, “It also goes further as even those still employed within the public sector are facing high uncertainty and are cutting back to be safe.”
Some struggling businesses have been blaming another foe: cycle lanes and a lack of parking!!! McNulty says reportage blaming such infrastructure projects only adds fuel to the fire, and isn’t backed by evidence. “Perception, however, can become reality and I'm sure there are retail trips being made in the wider region with people avoiding our CBD as a result. I think that’s driving the negative sentiments we’re often hearing in the media.”
Hope Is The Thing With Feathers
Despite Wellington very clearly struggling at the moment, there are reasons for us to hope for something better. A key reason people leave the city is thanks to a lack of affordable, warm housing; the Council is making moves on this, too.
“If there's any issue that unites progressive councillors it's the need to have an abundant supply of housing in our city. That drives down rents and gives people real choice on where they want to live,” Cr. McNulty told Salient. “I've lived in flats with plants growing through the walls out of a lack of choice, it doesn't have to be that way.”
“Despite the current environment we are still a city of highly educated, passionate and creative people.”
With the 2025 Local Body Elections just around the corner, it is more important than ever that we all hold onto hope, and work towards a Pōneke that we can all call home.