Public servants – or what’s left of them – have been ordered back to the office in Wellington. 

The Government’s call has been welcomed by central city businesses, who said that the absence of workers has impacted on their business.  

The decline of the city centre is one of a number of issues the capital is facing, including soaring costs from rates and struggling council finances. 

Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has not helped things, after a week of conflicting statements on selling her car that has caused a distraction. 

To discuss the state of Wellington and its council, today on The Front Page, we are joined by Newstalk ZB Wellington host, Nick Mills, and Wellington editor for The Spinoff, Joel MacManus.  

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Susie Nordqvist
Sound Engineer: Dan Goodwin
Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.