We asked all the can­did­ates the same ques­tions. See the full list of responses so far here and read on for Justin’s answers.

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

Coun­cil recently developed an excel­lent strategy to reduce home­less­ness: Te Mahana. It’s a multi-sec­tor­al approach includ­ing gov­ern­ment, sup­port organ­isa­tions and home­less, which I whole­heartedly sup­port.

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

I’d start by invest­ing $5m per year for the next 5 years, which I’ve advoc­ated for the past year. This will speed up planned ini­ti­at­ives.

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

A com­bin­a­tion of bus pri­or­ity lanes, ded­ic­ated cyc­ling lanes, grade sep­ar­a­tion (prefer­ably a tun­nel) at the Basin and a second Mt Vic­tor­ia tun­nel.

4.     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?

Wellington’s strength is its cre­at­ive people. By attract­ing and retain­ing the best cre­at­ive minds we’ll con­tin­ue to grow as a city.

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

Util­ise my own busi­ness exper­i­ence in estab­lish­ing and grow­ing Kapai to help ment­or young entre­pren­eurs and help them seed the next gen­er­a­tion of busi­ness enter­prise.

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

More cre­at­ives, more entre­pren­eurs, more art, more sport­ing trophies, more dol­phins and more Kaka. Less of the Wel­ling­ton is dying type atti­tude.

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

More water-based activ­it­ies on the water­front, hydro­slides at Kil­birnie, an indoors CBD play­ground and a bet­ter con­cert ven­ue to attract acts.

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

I’d like to help imple­ment a civic edu­ca­tion pro­gramme for all young New Zeal­anders to come to Wel­ling­ton and learn about the demo­crat­ic pro­cess.

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

Firstly, keep safe and try to get to my wife and kids. My earth­quake kit includes nap­pies, which might be con­sidered slightly unusu­al.

9.     Why should we vote for you?

In my first term I’ve shown an abil­ity to get things done. I’ve offered unique insights as a busi­ness own­er and a young­er person’s per­spect­ive.

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

Call me on 021 247 8312, email me at justin@kapainewzealand.co.nz or read about my pri­or­it­ies at www.justinlesterforwcc.co.nz