The Wellington Ratepayers’ Alliance says Wellingtonians are being denied the representation they voted for, after Councillor Karl Tiefenbacher was barred from voting on whether to continue the Golden Mile despite being elected on a promise to end the fiasco.

Wellington Ratepayers’ Alliance spokesperson James Ross said:

“Wellingtonians voted for change. Barring councillors such as Karl Tiefenbacher from delivering the mandate they were elected on makes a mockery of local democracy.”

“Conflict of interest rules should protect ratepayers from councillors lining their own pockets, not silence representatives trying to deliver what voters asked for.”

“If councillors cannot vote on the issues they campaigned on, what exactly were Wellingtonians voting for? Ratepayers deserve a system that respects the election result, not one hiding behind process to keep this $2,750-per-household white elephant alive.”