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 Simon Woolf, candi­date for Onslow West­ern Ward Welling­ton.

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

I believe the Coun­cil should be sym­pa­thet­ic; how­ev­er any fund­ing should be in con­sul­ta­tion, and via organ­i­sa­tions like The City Mis­sion, and The Night Shel­ter

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

Edu­ca­tion, for all dri­vers, cyclists and pedes­tri­ans, and estab­lish­ing a Code of Con­duct for all. Greater enforce­ment, with all three modes. Cycle lanes ‚where prac­ti­ca­ble.

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

A greater empha­sis on ring road­ing the CBD.  Less con­ges­tion to cre­ate smoother flows. Bet­ter phas­ing of lights at key times.

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?

We do need to be more than just Weta and Gov­ern­ment. Welling­tons strengths lie in: The Cre­ative Indus­tries, IT, Events, and espe­cial­ly Adven­ture / Eco Tourism.

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

I’d pro­vide tan­gi­ble incen­tives eg includ­ing rates rebates, men­tor, and mar­ket­ing assis­tance to both keep, and attract enter­prise to Welling­ton. Pro­vide smoother compliance/ con­sent process­es.

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

Welling­ton needs a more can do, will do atti­tude, and less of a “where is ours”, approach. We need to show more ini­tia­tive and enter­prise.

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

More pure events eg like Car­ols by Can­dle­light, Wai­t­an­gi Day etc. Bet­ter sub­ur­ban ameni­ties pro­mot­ing health and well­be­ing eg Wheel and Adven­ture Parks.

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

Coun­cil would con­sult face to face with ratepay­ers and stake hold­ers inno­v­a­tive­ly, and reg­u­lar­ly. The engage­ment would be in tan­dem at gov­er­nance and oper­a­tional lev­els.

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

Our plan revolves around com­mon sense, com­mu­ni­ca­tion and sur­vival. We have a dia­bet­ic in our fam­i­ly, so noth­ing has been left to chance.

10.  Why should we vote for you?

I have diverse and unique set of skills. I am proven, and make things hap­pen. I have vast expe­ri­ence and exper­tise in some key areas.

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

https://www.facebook.com/OnslowWestern?ref=hl and www.simonwoolf.co.nz