“He was never willing to be rushed and valued thorough analysis and quality decision-making above all else. He applied his analytical skills to public transport in particular and was always willing to engage with the public on detailed and principles grounds.”
During the current council term, he was deputy chair of the CCO review and appointments subcommittee and Te Takere regulatory processes committee.
Randle, who lived in Johnsonville, was a public transport advocate, and served on the Wellington regional transport committee.
Hutt South MP and senior Government minister Chris Bishop paid tribute to Randle as a “lovely man, passionate about Wellington”.
“We had many great conversations over the years,” Bishop said in a post on social media.
Fellow Northern Ward councillor and Deputy Mayor Ben McNulty said he had “never had a friend in life like Tony before”.
“We disagreed on so much but the fact we could head to the pub for a beer afterwards and put it all to the side says it all.”
“Tony’s love for his children and late wife was always there for all to see,” McNulty said.
“Even on the shittiest council day, pivoting the conversation to our kids would lighten to the mood, he was never afraid to share a parenting tip, story, anecdote and a piece of wisdom – usually all in one go.”
“I’m just devastated, I’m really going to miss you, mate,” the Deputy Mayor said on social media.
An independent councillor, Randle was not tied to any political party.
However political commentator and pollster David Farrar said Randle was involved in the Otago University Young Nationals, where the pair met 40 years ago.
“Even back then Tony was a super brain – he wrote detailed 12 page policy papers of the merits of privatisation, when most people were doing one sentence remits,” Farrar said in a tribute on his blog, Kiwiblog.
He described Randle as a “very principled councillor”, “lovely guy”, and “great local representative for the Northern suburbs”.
Council chief executive Matt Prosser said Randle was widely recognised for the care and attention to detail he brought to his work.
“He was also a strong and passionate advocate for his local community, engaging thoughtfully with residents and participating in public discussions on issues that mattered to Wellington,” Prosser said.
“Tony was deeply committed to better outcomes for the Wellington region and was widely recognised for both the care and attention to detail he brought to his work. These qualities helped define both his contribution as a councillor and his approach to public service.
“His love of a spreadsheet and its detailed analysis will be missed around the council and council table.”