By Moana Ellis, Local Democracy Reporting
Whanganui mayor Andrew Tripe has appointed second-term councillor Michael Law as his deputy, saying his innovation focus and willingness to challenge conventional thinking will help maintain the council’s momentum.
Tripe said Law – the highest-polling candidate in the recent local elections – would bring “courage, fresh ideas and a willingness to challenge the status quo when it’s in Whanganui’s best interests”.
“Michael is someone who will constantly challenge my thinking and that of the council,” Tripe said. “This is about complementing my collaborative leadership style with someone who’s bold, visible and action-oriented.”
Law said his immediate priority was “setting a clear rhythm” for how councillors work together and establishing a focused work programme aligned with economic growth, innovation and rate discipline.
The business consultant and former butcher said he wanted three key outcomes locked in before Christmas: progress on the Wakefield Street Bridge, a plan for central-city parking, and the launch of a Whanganui Innovation Hub.
The council’s financial pressures mean the new deputy mayor will face scrutiny from day one. Law said he would protect essential services while delivering the cost discipline ratepayers expect.
“We’ll keep rates pressure down by being smarter with delivery, not by cutting into what residents rely on,” he told Local Democracy Reporting.
“My focus is on efficiency, better systems, and growing the economic base so we’re not simply passing costs on to ratepayers.”
He said he would seek to align rate rises with household income growth “to ensure the council isn’t decreasing disposable income”.
On local facilities, Law – who fought for the city’s aviary and the Whanganui East Pool – said communities needed “honest conversations” backed by data and “clear trade-offs”.
“I’ll make sure we’re protecting the facilities that drive wellbeing while pacing upgrades in a way that fits our financial reality,” he said. “Whanganui people are capable of feeding into what is most important and what no longer meets the needs of our people.”
Improving public communication around major decisions would be a priority.
“I’ll push for clearer, earlier communication so people understand the ‘why’ behind decisions, not just the headlines.
“Transparency builds confidence, and we can’t grow the district without residents trusting the direction we’re taking.”
Rebuilding trust
Law acknowledged concerns about increasingly venomous public commentary and said the council must set the tone.
“I’ll lead calmly, listen well and back respectful debate across the table and outside,” he said.
“Toxic public discourse only happens when communication lines between councillors, council and the public is inhibited or slow.”
He said he had seen unpopular decisions receive “very little negative feedback” when the reasoning, speed and transparency were aligned with community needs.
Asked how he would apply the innovation skills highlighted by the mayor, Law said he would bring “data-driven thinking, future-focused planning, and the ability to turn ideas into action”.
“These skills help us unlock new industries, attract investment, and build high-income jobs for Whanganui,” he said.
“There is always more than one way to achieve an outcome. We have the right team to invent and commercialise great community ideas.”
On Tripe’s comments about choosing a deputy who would challenge him, Law said he saw his role as adding “pace, challenge and strategic thinking” to complement the mayor’s approach.
“Bold leadership and straight talk, paired with teamwork, will move us faster.… We must leverage not only the skills of the councillors but the combined skills of our community.”
Looking three years ahead, Law said he hoped people would say the council had lifted the economy, built momentum in future industries, supported strong councillor performance and kept rates under control.
“Success for me is a district that’s growing, confident and working together with a clear sense of direction,” he said.
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