We invited all candidates in Wellington electorates to contact us with their answers to fifteen crowdsourced questions. Answers are restricted to 30 words each, and we publish them exactly as we receive them.
  1. Who are you and what do you want?
    I am National’s Candidate for Wellington Central – I want your party vote for National and your constituency vote so we can build a brighter future for all New Zealanders.
  2. You have 30 seconds to convince someone to come to Wellington. What’s your pitch?
    Wellington is a wonderful place to visit – a vibrant mix of artistic and commercially creative people. The most beautiful city in the most beautiful country in the world.
  3. Where do you stand on the issue of opening up government data?
    I believe that the government should pro-actively publish all information unless there is a good reason (e.g. privacy, commercial sensitivity, national security) to withhold it.
  4. Describe your bicycle, or your favourite bus route?|
    Not currently owning a car, the number 3 from Karori to Lyall Bay is the one I use most often. I love the ride past the Botanical Gardens.
  5. When did you last use the library, a community centre, or a council-run sports facility?
    I visit the library weekly on average, and last used a council community centre about three weeks ago for a meeting.
  6. Would you welcome a central government driven “super-city” amalgamation of local authorities?
    I believe some consolidation may be beneficial, especially around region-wide resource management, e.g. for water. But the Wellington Central CBD has little in common with many neighbouring authorities.
  7. What city inspires your vision for Wellington? How?
    I’d love to see a Wellington with Vienna’s music and cultural experience, Vancouver’s Pacific Rim cosmopolitanism – a compact capital like Edinburgh with an eclectic mix of architecture.
  8. Is the concept of democratic representation important to you? How so?
    I have lived in countries where democracy doesn’t exist – and it’s horrible to have no say in how your country is run. Democratic principles are core to National’s philosophy.
  9.  What achievement for Wellington are you most proud of?
    National standing up to the self-serving Aussie unions and win back The Hobbit, saving thousands of jobs, $500 million+ of investment and preventing an iconic industry from being destroyed.
  10. What role do you think central government should play in local roading/public transport issues?
    Government does have a role: National invested $88 million in refurbishments and new units for our rail network.
  11.  How can we make Wellington more environmentally friendly?
    Improvements to transport: $2 billion for the Levin-Airport corridor will keep traffic moving instead of sitting in traffic jams, emitting fumes.
  12.  What will you do to ensure diverse representation on government issues?
    As a one man melting pot of assorted British Isles, Portuguese and Maori ancestry I hope to add further diversity to our Parliament as Member for Wellington Central.
  13. What’s your personal history of living in Wellington?
    I’ve lived all my working life in Wellington, in Thorndon, Karori, Mount Victoria and Te Aro, except for a three-year assignment to the Middle East.
  14.  What policy of your party do you think will have the most impact on Wellington?
    Our economic policies will create a more vibrant, dynamic economy with more jobs, growth, smart industries (e.g. the ICT sector) and better opportunities for young Wellingtonians.
  15.  Do you genuinely believe you have a chance at winning the seat you’re contesting, or is this more of a party campaign?
    We need your party vote for National. But I believe can also be a strong voice in the John Key-led government and next MP for Wellington Central.