In the middle of last year, Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau needed a win.
She was being criticised for absences from civic functions, she claimed she was booed and heckled at a residents’ association meeting to the point she said “f*** that was rough” on her way out, and voting blocks were hardening around the council table.
She hinted she had a win up her sleeve in the form of an upcoming announcement about the Reading Cinema building on Courtenay Pl which has become an eyesore since it closed in 2019 due to an earthquake risk.
Eight months later, an announcement on Reading Cinema is yet to be made and Whanau needs a win now more than ever after her personal life went on to become a distraction last year.
However, the impending announcement of what has been labelled a “secret deal” has already soured to some extent after details of it were leaked – fuelling public suspicion and aggravation.
Whanau has learnt the hard way that secrecy can often be worse than the secret itself.
NZ Herald
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