Council chief executive Barbara McKerrow is one of the leadership team taking a 10 per cent pay cut.

Wellington city councillors, the city's mayor and members of the council's executive team will take a pay cut and donate the money to community groups.

The council said on Wednesday that about $340,000 in total would be donated.

They would take a 10 per cent pay reduction for the rest of the year and redirect the money to "those most in need", the council said.

It comes as the council looks to fill a possible $70 million shortfall, due to the impact the coronavirus is having on the city.

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The pay freeze for the executive leadership team would extend into the first six months of next year as well, bringing the total to about $340,000.

Mayor Andy Foster had also written to the Remuneration Authority requesting no increase in elected members' remuneration, when it's next considered.

"We are all very aware that many in our community are feeling a lot of pain at this time. Businesses are really hurting, many people are losing jobs or are on reduced hours," Foster said.

"We as the council's leadership team decided unanimously that we should personally recognise the pain of our community."