Andrew Little gets the tick of approval from Labour to run for mayor of Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Former Labour MP Andrew Little has secured the party's backing for his Wellington mayoral campaign.
The Wellington Labour Local Body Committee held a confirmation meeting on Monday evening to decide on its support, although Little was the only nominee for the Labour candidacy.
Forty minutes after the meeting started, a statement was sent out confirming the backing.
"I'm honoured to have received Labour's support for my mayoral campaign," Little said.
"I intend to run a people-powered volunteer campaign involving tens of thousands of door knocks, phone calls and deliveries.
"The support of local Labour volunteers will be invaluable as we build our campaign network."
The former cabinet minister, who left Parliament in 2023, said he would prioritise fixing the pipes, making public transport cheaper, investing in parks, swimming pools and libraries, and developing more housing.
A few hours before the meeting, Labour leader Chris Hipkins, who was not involved in the decision, said Little was held in high regard by the party.
"I'd be very, very surprised if there are any complications in that. I expect that'll be a very, very straightforward process."
Little had been sought by Labour to run on the party ticket for mayor, up against incumbent Tory Whanau, who after running as an independent in 2022 is now running on the Green Party endorsement.
The other candidates consist of current councillor Ray Chung, former councillor Rob Goulden, conservationist Kelvin Hastie, businessman Karl Tiefenbacher, and Wellington Live's Graham Bloxham.
Little said a formal campaign launch would follow in the coming weeks.
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