TypeAgencyParallel NameThe Citizens' AssociationOther NamesWellington Citizens LeagueWellington Civic LeagueWellington Citizens' CommitteeWellington Ratepayers and Citizens' CommitteeDate Range1907-Circa 1990sDescriptionThe Citizens' Association was founded in 1907 under the name of the Wellington Citizens League, created with the goal of electing 'desirable' candidates to the Wellington City Council to represent the needs of businessmen in the local community.
In 1921 the Citizens League was renamed as the Civic League until it changed it's name in the lead up to the 1933 civic elections to the Citizens' Association. The body grew from the earlier Civic League organisation and also absorbed the Greater Wellington Electors' Association and Ratepayers' Association to jointly nominate and endorse candidates for local government. It picked candidates from applicants for Wellington's mayoralty, City Council, Harbour Board and Hospital Board.
The Citizens' Committee was renamed Wellington Ratepayers and Citizen's Association from May 1953 was called the until May 1964, when the name changed to the Citizens' Association (Wellington) and subsequently The Wellington Citizens' Association.
The following extracts from the objects in the Associations Rules summarise the scope and activities of the Association:
- to maintain and foster the interests of citizens in the conduct and administration of the City of Wellington,
- to initiate or stimulate public discussion of civic affairs,
- to oppose the participation of organised parliamentary political parties in civic affairs,
- to seek, select and nominate but not to control or fetter candidates for election to local bodies in the City or for which the City elects members, and
- to sponsor and manage the election campaign of Citizens' Candidates.Internal StructuresThe following outlines the structure by the 1980s:
The affairs of the Association were managed by an Executive of about 18 people elected three yearly by members. The Executive are active in promoting involvement in local body affairs in Wellington and in stimulating the interest of those who may be suitable candidates and which the Association could select for support.
