Wellington's Crown observer has laid out some of the challenges facing the city council

Lindsay McKenzie was appointed by the Government last year to watch over council meetings.

Now, his first report has been released, and he says he's surprised the council hasn't totally wilted under pressure.

McKenzie told the new Local Government Minister Simon Watts, while the council faces much of the same pressures as others - there are specific issues unique to Wellington, including political positioning and ideologies, the media spotlight, and proximity to central government.