Iona Pannett had the backing of the Green Party for many years. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Wellington's longest-serving city councillor Iona Pannett has announced she will not be standing again in the upcoming local body elections.
Representing the Pukehīnau Lambton ward, she was first elected in 2007.
For many years she had the backing of the Green Party, but in 2022 she was dropped from the ticket, with her advocacy for preserving heritage and character areas clashing with party values.
She said representing her constituents had been "an enormous privilege".
But she said it was time for her to explore opportunities in the areas of health, history, the environment and social justice.
"I am deeply grateful to the many hundreds of people who have supported me during my time on council - my family, friends, constituents, stakeholders, colleagues and volunteers on my campaigns," she said. "Having this support has been such a gift."
"I have been proud to be a strong voice for the environment and climate, for social inclusion and for investing in the city for current and future generations," Pannett said.
Among her proudest achievements she listed the declaration of the climate and ecological emergency and plans to reduce emissions, helping to stop the Basin Reserve flyover, advocating for the protection of listed heritage buildings and increasing protection of the Town Belt.
With local elections coming up in October, see who's in the running for the Wellington mayoralty here.
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