Wilde elected Wellington regional council chair

Former Wellington mayor and Labour MP Fran Wilde has been elected unopposed as the new chairwoman of the Greater Wellington Regional Council.

The new council met this morning for the first time since the local body elections.

Former chair Ian Buchanan had planned to put his name forward for the position, but decided not to go ahead with the move when it was revealed he would not get enough votes.

Fran Wilde said she was committed to leading the council forward with a number of transport and climate change initiatives.

She will be supported by new deputy chair Peter Glensor, who was also elected unopposed.

- NEWSTALK ZB