Ben McNulty

Ben McNulty (born 1987 or 1988^[1][2]) is a New Zealand politician who has served as the deputy mayor of Wellington since 29 October 2025. He has represented the Takapū/Northern general ward of the Wellington City Council since 14 October 2022.

McNulty grew up in Ngaio and attended Onslow College.^[3]

McNulty worked in financial services prior to running for office, including marketing, insurance broking, and funds management.^[3][4] He also ran a photography business.^[3][4]

McNulty first successfully stood for election as one of three councillors representing the Takapū/Northern ward in 2022.^[4]

During the 2022–2025 term, McNulty served as deputy chair of the regulatory processes committee, an external board appointee to Experience Wellington, and the Tawa Community Board.^[3][4]

McNulty withdrew his unconditional support of mayor Tory Whanau alongside three other left-wing councillors during the disagreements brought about by the proposed sale of the council's shares in Wellington Airport.^[3]

Talking to Heather du Plessis-Allan on Newstalk ZB in April 2025, he said that he supported giving 16 year olds the vote in local council elections and that he voted in favour of a council motion reaffirming the council's support of the issue.^[5]

In July 2025, McNulty put forward a motion for the council to change protections around heritage listings in the city's district plan. He said that residents of Wellington were "sick" of the urban decay caused by "dysfunctional" rules regarding the listing of "nightmare" properties as heritage.^[6] He had written a letter to Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop alongside mayor Whanau, urging a law change that would allow them to de-list such properties, pointing to concerns over "overly expensive upgrades".^[6] Noted properties contributing to urban decay included the Dixon St Flats, the Adelaide Road Hotel, and the Army Headquarters.^[6]

McNulty ran successfully for re-election in 2025,^[4] securing more votes than any councillor had ever received since the introduction of the single transferable vote method.^[3][7] McNulty told The Post that he "couldn't believe the numbers" as they came in on election day.^[7] He took the record from previous holder Tamatha Paul who was elected to the Pukehīnau/Lambton ward in 2022.^[7]

McNulty credited his use of social media and door-to-door communication with potential voters as a reason for his electoral success.^[7] Previous record holder Paul also pointed to his use of social media platforms like Reddit and TikTok as reasons for his "well-deserved" win.^[7]

Newly-elected mayor Andrew Little appointed McNulty to the position of deputy mayor for 18 months at the start of the 2025–2028 term.^[4][8] Little told the New Zealand Herald that McNulty indicated he did not want more than 18 months".^[3] McNulty told reporters that he was "grateful' for Little's trust in him, and that he thought "public trust must be restored, rates need to be bought under control, and [that] Wellington needs to grow out of its current malaise".^[4][3]

McNulty and Little will receive their respective chains of office at the official inauguration ceremony on 30 October.^[4] The ceremony and inaugural council meeting will be held at Pipitea Marae.^[3]

On 5 February 2026, McNulty was censured and forced to apologise after calling a member of the public a 'nonce'. The exchange, which took place on X, led to a code of conduct complaint that was later upheld. Mayor Little said of McNulty's behaviour that it was a "failure to remember the respect and dignity of the elected member’s office when dealing with the public". McNulty claimed to not know the exact connotations of the term, saying he took the phrase to be similar in meaning to calling someone a 'dick'.^[9]

McNulty lives in Johnsonville with his wife; they have two children.^[3][4]