From the Chair
August 2025
Phew there is a bit of a gap since the last update with a few hiccups along the way. I’m glad you’re back to check on this news. We look forward to seeing lots of people at our AGM in September, we really value your support in the work of our Association. It doesn’t happen without wonderful people like you. We are hosting the local council candidate meetings once again, with the Greater Wellington regional council and Māori Ward candidates on 3 September at St Peter’s on Willis St, and the Mayoral and Pukehinau Lambton ward candidates on 4 September after our AGM at St Jospeh’s Church on Ellice St. Thanks to the churches for supporting this important democratic korero.
Despite the lack of online presence here, we have been busy on our new Association Rules (or constitution) required by changes to legislation. All not-for-profit incorporated and charitable organisations are busy doing this. We have been advocating for a new toilet at Pirie St children’s playground, meeting our new WREMO coordinator, attending City Safety meetings, supporting walk-only tracks on Matairangi so that there is equitable space for pleasant walking, keeping track of the Golden Mile work and advocating strongly for a better designed crossing outside the Embassy (unfortunately not to be), and meeting with our councillors from time to time.
With our AGM coming up we are keen for people to renew membership and to join us so we can expand our work in and for the community. Reasons to be part of our resident association include supporting community action (like getting new public seats), to advocate on issues that you care about, to get to know more about the community and what is happening here, and attend our monthly meetings.
November 2024
Our meeting last night with Councillor Geordie Rodgers traversed a range of topical issues, including my recent trip away returning through the USA – we have all heard the results of that election.
We decided to support the Inner City Wellington proposals for the Civic Square – Te Ngākau which includes more green space, sorely needed in the central city. We are concerned that this area retains a civic function like council offices and a Town Hall or is public space.
We raised concerns about the redesign of the Embassy pedestrian crossing as part of the Courtenay Place – Golden Mile redevelopment. We understand this is being resited away from the theatre with cycle lane position uncertainty and possible conflicts with the loss of our much valued shelter in the middle of the crossing.
We discussed the government announcement that there will be a parallel new Mt Victoria tunnel with changes at Arras tunnel and the Basin Reserve. We are concerned that residents and the many schools in this area will have no ability to influence the design and build, yet suffer significant impacts from the development. We are unconvinced that new road and tunnel will solve congestion or improve public transport.
We also talked about the progress of the Earthquake-prone buildings legislation through Parliament, that will provide some relief for those with yellow-stickered buildings. This led to a discussion on insurance changes and impacts of higher rates on residents.
August 2024
Our AGM (Annual General Meeting) is our next meeting on 5 September at 7pm at St Josephs church hall on Ellice/Brougham St. All welcome. To vote and stand for the committee please join us as a member.
We were fortunate to have Lily from MP Tamatha Paul’s office join us for our August meeting, along with Joel Cosgrove from the Mt Vic Hub and Wellington Councillor Geordie Roger’s join us for our meeting on 1 August. Despite the chilly weather we had some warm conversation about the role and concerns of all of those present.
Some of the topics included the rates increases and the different types of apartment rating, the Courtenay Place redevelopment (previously known as Let’s Get Wellington Moving) councillors will have a workshop about this soon, the next WREMO training workshop, and our project to get a toilet at Pirie St childrens playground.
July 2024
Our next committee meeting is this Thursday 1 August 5.30pm at the Mt Vic Hub on Elizabeth St. July has sped by and we are pleased to see the longer days already evident. We attended a hearing on the proposed Wellington Long Term Plan in June failing to gain support for a new toilet at Pirie St park. We will continue other avenues to achieve this. Keep an eye out for our next WREMO emergency management workshop in the next few months and our AGM on 5 September.
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
MVRA is the organisation that works to improve our neighbourhood. We hold regular monthly meetings at the Mt Vic Hub on the first Thursday of the month at 5.30pm. All residents of Mt Victoria are able to join the Association for a small annual fee.
At our March meeting we accepted the resignation of Angela Rothwell as our President over the last several years. She has got us through the tough times of Covid and the heated debates around the fast track process of the Wellington Proposed District Plan. She has agreed to stay on out committee as Treasurer, thanks. This meant we elected a new President until our next AGM in September, and that was Ellen Blake. Avryl has agreed to take over as Secretary. So we are continuing as an active functioning group.
Proposed District Plan fast track part has recently been discussed by WCC councillors and with the amendments they wanted has automatically been referred to the Minister for decision-making. We have concerns about the process since our submissions were given to the IHP, who duly considered them. There is no further action we can take on this part, so we await the results and the Ministers decision.
The Long Term Plan will be out for consultation in April. MVRA will be holding a public meeting to look at what is in that and how people can have their say on the funding priorities for the next 10 years. The LTP focus on key issues rather than providing the whole budget. We will hold this meeting at Clyde Quay School hall on 18 April at 7pm – watch our facebook for any updates. Come along and ask your questions.
The Government has released its Policy Statement on Land Transport with expected and unexpected changes foreshadowed, we are not surprised to see proposals for a third Mt Victoria tunnel. This will be hugely disruptive to Mt Victoria if built. We will hold a public meeting to discuss the impacts if this tunnel if it goes ahead and what we can do about it. The meeting will be on 11 April at 7pm at St Josephs church.
Other actions we are taking are finalising our petition for a toilet at Pirie St park which will be presented to the Council shortly.
We await a new seat to be installed on the corner of Earls Terrace expected any day now.
I look forward to getting your ideas for improving our neighbourhood, contact us at mtvicra@gmail.com.
Ellen Blake
Mt Victoria Residents Association
March 2020
I’m writing this as we’re about to go into lockdown, and I expect I’m the same as you –trying to anticipate what’s coming up, wondering if we will still be in lockdown when the next newsletter comes out.
In my house, we’re set up to work and learn from home, and have online connection to everyone we need to. We’re well and can get to essential services if it’s required. But I’m aware not everyone has that – so please, if you’re able to do so, and it’s safe, lend a hand where you can.
News from our last month at MVRA: the public meeting about the second tunnel was well attended and spirited. It’ll be interesting to see what the city feels like with everyone on orders to stay home. The Planning for Growth program is progressing: changes coming for Mt Victoria, with regards to the Spatial Plan. There’ll be information about that on our website. Have a look and let us know your thoughts.
We’re always interested in what you think. Email us at mtvicra@gmail.com
More than ever, check us out online at:
facebook.com/MtVictoriaResidents
twitter.com/MtVictoria2
Instagram.com/mtvicresidents
We’re posting updates from council, as well as other information to keep us going. Also, check out the Mt Vic Hub and the Wellington Community Notice Board on Facebook.
Angela Rothwell
Mt Victoria Residents’ Association
Election Confusion?
It’s hard to know who to vote for in the upcoming Local Body elections. So many candidates, some many different views, so little time … Fortunately, The Spinoff is here to help with their Policy Local website. Click on the link to find out who’s running and what they stand for. They’ve surveyed over 3,000 local election candidates from around the country to learn their policy positions on a range of topics, from climate change to rates. The site is strictly neutral, focused only on providing voters with the information they need to exercise their democratic right.
Just enter your address and you’ll get all your local candidates for the mayoralty, city council, regional council and DHB. Learn about the candidate and their views. The site is interactive so you can mark the policies you approve of and they’ll be added to a personal selection list to help you decide who you should vote for. It’s a fantastic resource. Check it out!
Mt Victoria maps
We’ve added a selection of maps from a variety of Council documents showing some interesting details (such as heritage areas) and projected effects (such as sea level rise, liquefaction and tsunami evacuation areas) specifically related to Mt Victoria. Check them out here.
Our 10-Year Plan — update
Our submission on the Council’s Our 10-Year Plan has been acknowledged and oral hearings and forums are happening Tuesday 22 May-Thursday 24 May. These meetings are public and anyone can go along. You’ll find times and venue details on the WCC’s Meetings Calendar here.
Have your say!
Two online surveys are currently available. Make sure your voice gets heard! Simply click the graphics below to get started …
Each survey takes around 10 minutes.
And don’t forget …
Who are we?
The Mt Victoria Residents Association is an active advocate on behalf of our community, aiming to further the interests of our neighbourhood with local and central government. We’ve been doing this work for decades, promoting the needs of residents and opposing inappropriate development in our neighbourhood.
The things we care about
The MVRA is actively involved in promoting the interests of our community in a number of areas:
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- We make submissions on issues affecting Mt Victoria, such as proposals to have a Wellington super-city Council, Wellington City and Regional Councils’ draft long-term and annual plans, the Town Belt and transport plans. You’ll find copies on this website.
- We actively monitor and make submissions to the Council on resource consent issues, particularly demolitions, that affect local residents, We have worked with the Council to put in place in the District Plan rules and guidelines to protect the heritage of our unique inner-city neighbourhood. This was in response to the wholesale destruction of Mt Victoria’s heritage through inappropriate development in the 1970s and 1980s.
- We work with other groups – such as the Mt Victoria Historical Society and the Save the Basin Campaign – on issues of common concern.
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Join the MVRA
Anyone living in Mt Victoria can join the Association, and we greatly appreciate your financial support! Annual membership costs;
- $10 for individuals
- $20 for families
- $5 for the unwaged
To join by bank transfer, please credit the following account:
Bank: BNZ
Branch: Manners Street, Wellington
Account Number: 02-0560-0030689-00
Please add you name and address in the Particulars / Code / Reference fields.
To join by post, send your details and a cheque to:
Mt Victoria Residents Association
PO Box 19-056
Courtenay Place
Wellington 6149
Join the Committee
Each September, the Association holds an AGM where officers are elected from amongst our local residents. If you’d like to contribute your time and energies to helping make our community a better place, enter your details in the contact form below. We’d love to hear from you!
Mt Victoria Residents Association 