Rebecca Matthews
Official Candidate Biography
I believe Wellington can be a city that works for everyone, and I’m putting my hand up again to help make that happen by tackling our city’s challenges.
I have experience and a real track record. As chair of the budget committee, I oversaw the biggest increase in funding ever to fix our water pipes. I led the most significant improvements to Wellington’s housing rules in a generation, making our city more livable for everyone. I scrapped fines from our libraries, removing barriers and making knowledge accessible to all Wellingtonians.
I’ve spent my career standing up for what makes Wellington strong: great public services, thriving communities, a city where everyone belongs. I don’t believe in empty promises. I believe in rolling up my sleeves, working constructively with others, and delivering results that matter.
If you want progressive leadership that’s pragmatic and gets results, I’d be honoured to receive your vote.
Connect with Rebecca Matthews
Rebecca Matthews’s Elections & Candidacies
Note: This database contains data from the 2023, 2020, 2017 and 2014 general elections, the 2025 local government election and is gradually being backfilled with other election data.
Contested 2 races — 2 elected
-
Wharangi/Onslow-Western General WardWellington City CouncilAffiliation: Green Party[email protected] Ballot name: Rebecca MatthewsFinal ElectedVote share • 20.2%4,876 votes
-
Wharangi/Onslow-Western General WardWellington City CouncilAffiliation: LabourFinal ElectedVote share • 19.9%4,219 votes
Offices held
-
Wharangi/Onslow-Western General WardWellington City CouncilAffiliation: GreenOct 2025 – present
-
Wharangi/Onslow-Western General WardWellington City CouncilAffiliation: LabourOct 2019 – Oct 2025
In the News
Andrew Little buddies up to the right
The Spinoff — November 25, 2025In his first council meeting as Wellington mayor, Andrew Little gave a big promotion to controversial rival Ray Chung and opened a political rift between Labour and the Greens.
Mayoralty schmayoralty: these ward races will decide Wellington’s future
The Spinoff — September 24, 2025Barring a major upset, polling suggests Andrew Little will win the capital’s mayoral chains with relative ease. But the type of council he will lead is still up in the air. Andrew Little must be feeling pretty good right now. A recent Q+A Verian poll gave him a commanding lead in the race to be Wellington’s next mayor, with 58% of first-choice votes, way ahead of second-placed candidate Ray Chung on 16%.
Women councillors are experiencing a staggering level of online abuse
The Spinoff — September 16, 2025Gendered attacks and smear campaigns are pushing women out of local politics – and forcing those who remain to protect themselves.
Better Wellington attacks ‘tarnishing’ Independent Together candidates
The Post — September 15, 2025A social media post from the group backing Ray Chung’s mayoralty called Green Party councillor Rebecca Matthews a “trans-loving retard” and “grift monkey”. Chung isn’t talking, but another member of his team is distancing herself from the comments.
Better Wellington deletes post comparing Green councillor to Charlie Kirk’s alleged murderer
NZ Herald — September 14, 2025The post singled out Green councillor Rebecca Matthews in a personal attack.
Have more information about Rebecca Matthews? Help improve this page by suggesting additional details.
This database currently contains data from the 2025 local government eleciton, and general elections in 2023, 2020, 2017 and 2014. It is being backfilled with older data. Please get in touch if you want to help.