Wellington Mayor Andy Foster and deputy mayor Sarah Free.
Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas
At this morning council's meeting, mayor Andy Foster told councillors their very public spats, including those over the fate of the now closed central library building, had undermined public confidence.
While Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta had ruled out appointing a Crown Commissioner for now, she had clearly signalled she expected them to sort it out, he said.
"I want us all as elected representatives to seize this moment, dispel the current atmosphere of rancour and partisanship and move to a position where we can make better decisions and focus on what really matters."