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