We’ve pro­vid­ed a set of ques­tions for the may­oral and coun­cil­lor can­di­dates to answer. First 25 words to an answer get post­ed. Check our 2013 Elec­tion cov­er­age for all respons­es as they come in.

Here’s Peter Gilberd for the North­ern Ward

  1. What should be the city council’s role in help­ing home­less peo­ple and beg­gars?

Sup­port­ing the expert and com­mit­ted agen­cies such as the Down­town Com­mu­ni­ty Min­istry and the Night Shel­ter, pro­vid­ing social hous­ing, liais­ing with Gov­ern­ment agen­cies.

  1. What would you do to make Welling­ton more cycle and pedes­tri­an friend­ly?

Sup­port the Great Har­bour Way! Devote resources to build­ing com­plete stretch­es of cycle­way, such as the pro­posed route from Island Bay to the city.

  1. How do you think traf­fic flow to the hos­pi­tal and air­port should be improved?

A fly­over might do the trick but it’s like the lady who swal­lowed a fly. Sen­si­ble road­ing and greater invest­ment in pub­lic trans­port will do.

  1. What are your views on the sug­ges­tion Welling­ton needs to be “more than just Weta and Gov­ern­ment” – what do you think are Wellington’s strengths?

A cul­ture and a stun­ning nat­ur­al envi­ron­ment that attract tal­ent­ed peo­ple, a high­ly edu­cat­ed work­force, and our sci­en­tif­ic insti­tu­tions.

  1. What will YOU do to get more invest­ment, busi­ness­es, and busi­ness con­fi­dence in Welling­ton?

Build on our strengths. I’m run­ning with a pol­i­cy, “Sci­ence for the city”, that does just that.

  1. What does Welling­ton need more of, and what does Welling­ton need less of?

More absolute­ly pos­i­tive peo­ple. A lit­tle less aga­pan­thus and old man’s beard might help.

  1. What would your city coun­cil pro­vide for chil­dren and young peo­ple?

Wi-Fi has been a good start, skate parks (one for John­sonville!), play­grounds, events, a safe city, spaces to hang out, sub­ur­ban cin­e­mas, …

  1. What steps would you take to encour­age civic engage­ment?

We might not be great vot­ers but par­tic­i­pa­tion in com­mu­ni­ty activ­i­ties is high. Coun­cils can pro­vide advice, grants, and recog­ni­tion.

  1. Tell us about your per­son­al earth­quake plan / What’s unusu­al about your earth­quake kit?

Our earth­quake kit has plen­ty of food for the cats – all the fam­i­ly had bet­ter devel­op a taste for it if we get a 7.5!

  1. Why should we vote for you?

If you would like a pro­gres­sive coun­cil, then please con­sid­er it. But do vote.

  1. Where can we find out more about what you stand for?

www.petergilberd.org