Here are the nominees for Wellingtonian of the Year

This is the big one. These people have done their best and made us proud. Ranging from sport, to entertainment, to public service, businees and charity, these folks make our city a better place.

Callum Brown, managing director of Green Cabs
In a city where we use so much public transport (and drink so much) we need taxis – and we also need to work on saving the environment. Coming into to the taxi game as a businessman rather than a driver is a new approach and we think it’s paying off. What we like so much about Green Cabs - apart from that their cute, easily spottable green Prius fleet uses a lot less petrol and they’re are cheaper than most companies - is that managing director Callum fronts up directly to answer questions and address criticisms. They know their target market well enough to support the Girl Geek dinners with a discount for attendees. We also like that they’ve scared the bejesus out of Combined Taxis, who’ve grown really smug and complacent in recent years.

Richard Meros
There are many Wellingtonians who liked former PM Helen Clark, but Richard Meros loved NZ’s first elected prime ministeress so much that he wrote a book, which was then turned into the massively successful play On the Conditions and Possibilitites of Helen Clark Taking Me as her Young Lover. Even though he’s technically a fictional character, we like his passionate Power Point presentation that put paid to petty politics.

Marian Hobbs
In her first attempt at the Wellington Central Electorate she ousted Richard Prebble and after that she never looked back. Re-elected twice more Hobbs has been a very Wellington Minister participating in various activities about town while never being caught drunk on her doorstep. She was on stage at our last awards as a last minute, and very keen, call up. She’s served us well for over a decade, and is well deserving of this nomination.

Jamie Joseph and the Wellington Lions
Wellington was the best team in the country (up until the last game). They made the dreams of Wellington fans come true by bringing the Ranfurly Shield back to the capital after a very lengthy absence. Joseph had a fantastic and tragic year as he coached many of his players into the current All Black squad but lost his father a week after securing the Shield. We rode the rollercoaster with them and it was a heck of a ride.

Stephanie McIntyre at the Downtown City Ministry
As director of the Downtown Community Ministry, Stephanie leads a team who helps those who can't help themselves. She is the driving force behind trying to establish a 'wet house' in Wellington and is on the board of places such as the Night Shelter and the Problem Gambling Foundation. She's an inspiring person who makes you believe there is hope out there for those who exist in the margins.