Mayor Tripe announces Deputy Mayor and updates committees

Published on 19 November 2025

Whanganui Mayor Andrew Tripe has today announced his appointment of Michael Law as Deputy Mayor and confirmed a refreshed committee structure for elected representatives.

Mayor Tripe says the new structure for committees is designed to strengthen leadership, efficiency and delivery across the council for the 2025-2028 term.

“This term is about honouring the mandate the community gave this council in the recent elections by building on the strong foundations we’ve laid.  This means continuing to move Whanganui forward at the same time as continuing to hold onto what we all love about living in Whanganui. That means not standing still, it means keeping rate rises low, thinking differently, working smarter, partnering to increase the number of homes, attracting and growing higher value industry such as energy and technology while ensuring that we stay focussed on delivery and creating better lives for all who call Whanganui home.”

Mayor Tripe says he chose Michael Law (pictured) as Deputy Mayor because of Law’s skills in innovation and forward-focused leadership, to retain the council’s positive momentum. 

“Michael is someone who will constantly challenge my thinking and that of the council. 

This is about complementing my collaborative leadership style with someone who’s bold, visible and action-oriented.

“I’m confident that as Deputy Mayor Michael will bring courage, fresh ideas and a willingness to challenge the status quo when it’s in Whanganui’s best interests.”

Law was the top polling candidate in the recent elections.

The following changes have been made to committees:

• The operations and performance committee – to be chaired by Cr Rob Vinsen – will have more capacity to focus on core service delivery and key project and performance outcomes, with some activity shifting to other committees.

• The regulatory committee – to be chaired by Cr Charlotte Melser – has been given an expanded role, with further development planned over time.

• For efficiency, the projects and grants committee has been retired, with its responsibilities to be taken on by the operations and performance committee.

• Through the CCO and economic growth committee, there will be a strengthened focus on council-controlled organisations and economic growth – particularly as the wind-down of Whanganui Holdings Limited to cut costs (announced in 2024) takes effect this term, with subsidiary companies soon to be reporting directly to the CCO committee which will be chaired by independent Andrew Turner.

“These refinements are about sharpening focus, balancing workloads and ensuring we’re fit for purpose as a modern council,” Mayor Tripe says.

The strategy and policy committee will be chaired by Cr Glenda Brown and the risk and assurance committee will once again be chaired by independent Susan Kosmala.

The portfolio structure introduced last triennium will remain in place. Through this system, councillors are allocated a range of interest areas and people can connect with councillors to share perspectives and insights which can be brought to the council table.

Cr Charlotte Melser will lead on portfolios and community engagement with Geoff Hipango as deputy.

“While not part of the formal governance structure, the portfolio framework remains an important way for elected members to connect directly with communities, providing greater visibility and engagement,” Mayor Tripe says.

“Our goal is simple – to deliver strong, steady, effective leadership for Whanganui’s future for the benefit of everyone who lives in our district.”