We offered to publish the answers from any candidates in the local body elections and Mike Mellor who is standing in the Eastern Ward has stepped up.
1. You have 30 seconds to convince someone to come to Wellington. What’s your pitch?
We offered to publish the answers from any candidates in the local body elections and John Bishop who is standing in Lambton Ward has stepped up.
1. You have 30 seconds to convince someone to come to Wellington. What’s your pitch?
A raft of wonderful entertainment and recreation in a compact city – good for mind, body and soul
2. How do you think traffic flow to the hospital and airport could be improved?
Wider roads, more buses and more space for cyclists. Perhaps light rail too depending on cost
3. Where do you stand on the issue of opening up government data?
Shine the light.
4. What plans have do you have to improve recycling/composting facilities?
Lids on bins to reduce rubbish blowing about. Support council’s new plan for kerbside sorting
We offered to publish the answers from any candidates in the local body elections and Marcus Gangley who is standing in the Lambton Ward has stepped up.
We offered to publish the answers from any candidates in the local body elections and Mark Greening who is standing in the Lambton Ward has stepped up.
1. You have 30 seconds to convince someone to come to Wellington. What’s your pitch?
Wow, a capital city with the heart of a village. Waterfront vistas, green hills, amazing: coffee, food, art and culture!
We offered to publish the answers from any candidates in the local body elections and Rex Nairn who is standing in Southern Ward has stepped up.
1. You have 30 seconds to convince someone to come to Wellington. What’s your pitch?
Central city harbour jewel
A zephyr blows through
Event and party H.Q.
2. How do you think traffic flow to the hospital and airport could be improved?
Can’t get through the CBD
Transport system, hah!
Buses, not automobiles
3. Where do you stand on the issue of opening up government data?
Sorry some stuff you can’t see
Most of it you should
Nothing to hide from no-one
4. What plans do you have to improve recycling/composting facilities?
We need to reduce our waste
Compost organics
Put it on public gardens
We offered to publish the answers from any candidates in the local body elections and Kris Price who is standing in the Lambton Ward stepped up for his "15 page views of fame".
1. You have 30 seconds to convince someone to come to Wellington. What’s your pitch?
Show them a photo of our beautiful Wellington at its best on a sunny day. (Then tell them not to come during winter.)
2. How do you think traffic flow to the hospital and airport could be improved?
Two words: Light Rail.
3. Where do you stand on the issue of opening up government data?
Mmm sweet data. I’m seriously anal retentive about data. Let’s open it all up.
4. What plans have do you have to improve recycling/composting facilities?
I want to see our boring ovoid black trash cans replaced with colourful trash cans that separate glass, plastic, paper, and general trash.
5. What is your policy on street alcoholics?
I support a wet house and getting the DHB involved in treatment.
6. Do you support pedestrianisation of the Golden Mile? Why/Why not?
Yes. Pedestrians are equal users of our streetscape. It beautifies, increases values, gives recreation, and goes hand-in-hand with PT route, which must happen.
7. What’s the last local market you went to? What did you buy?
Uh-oh. I’m guessing New World isn’t the answer you’re looking for. Hilo farmers market about a month back count? ‘Spose that’s hardly local.
Some people have asked why we only sent out questions to the mayoral candidates, not councillor-wannabes or people running for community and health boards. That’s a valid question. To be honest, it was partly because mayors tend to be the ones that attract the headlines, but also because there are a metric buttload of candidates from all over the city and I just did not have the time to deal with all of them. However, since I’ve now discovered that one of my favourite tutors from uni is running (he had such a hard-on for the NZ electoral system, it was adorable), I’ve thought a little bit more about the whole thing. So, let’s see if the candidates are at where you are at. If anyone running for any position is reading this (I won’t be approaching anyone), please feel free to answer the questions that we asked the mayoral candidates, answer according to the rules, and send them to me – joanna@wellingtonista.com, and you’ll get your moment in the sun here on the Wellingtonista.
Thanks to Bryan Pepperell for answering our questions.
1. You have 30 seconds to convince someone to come to Wellington. What’s your pitch?
Wellington is one of the most beautiful compact cafe and cultural centres in the world.
2. How do you think traffic flow to the hospital and airport could be improved?
Traffic flow to the hospital and airport could be improved by having mode shift from private to public with light rail, park and ride on bus and cycle.
3. Where do you stand on the issue of opening up government data?
I believe government data should be made more open to the public.
4. What plans have do you have to improve recycling/composting facilities?
Public composting and recycling while energy intensive should take place here rather than in China as is the case with most recycled materials now.
5. What is your policy on street alcoholics?
Help find a place for the drinkers
6. Do you support pedestrianisation of the Golden Mile? Why/Why not?
Not sure it would work but would be happy to give it a try in parts with the agreement of stakeholders and the community.
7. What’s the last local market you went to? What did you buy?
Victoria Market to buy Broccoli, celery, bok choy.
8. Describe your bicycle, or your favourite bus route?
Avanti Montari dual purpose bike with road tyres and twenty four gear options and disc brakes
9. When did you last use the library, a community centre, or a council-run sports facility?
Newtown community Centre for a residents meeting.
10. Would you welcome a central government driven "super-city" amalgamation of local authorities? If not, why not?
Thanks to Jack Yan for taking the time to answer our questions.
1. You have 30 seconds to convince someone to come to Wellington. What’s your pitch?
You’ll never find a city with a better work–lifestyle mix. If I’m elected, it’ll be the most forward-thinking city in the world.
2. How do you think traffic flow to the hospital and airport could be improved?
By reducing the traffic. Part of why I am passionate about free wifi will be allowing more teleworking and flexible hours.
3. Where do you stand on the issue of opening up government data?
I’m the only candidate with ideas about transparency and open source. The more these data can be opened, the more we can collaborate.
4. What plans have do you have to improve recycling/composting facilities?
Get people involved via a city blog, and being transparent about our issues. People can learn about setting up their own composting bins, for example.
5. What is your policy on street alcoholics?
Working with police on enforcement. We need to get to the root cause. If it’s economic, it fits with why I’ve talked about job creation.
6. Do you support pedestrianization of the Golden Mile? Why/Why not?
I support greater pedestrianization but not the Golden Mile—yet. I’ve proposed a carless weekend in summer 2011, as a prelude for the World Cup.
7. What’s the last local market you went to? What did you buy?
The Sunday one at Chaffers, and a huge bunch of bananas.
8. Describe your bicycle, or your favourite bus route?
The Airport Flyer goes past my street. Comfy seats, free wifi, and friendly drivers—I’d vote for any route the Flyers go on.
Thanks to Kerry for sending in her answers to our questions. As you can see, we were serious about only publishing 25 word answers.
1. You have 30 seconds to convince someone to come to Wellington. What’s your pitch?
We have it all – great food, great recreation and art, and great nightlife. It’s the cultural hub of New Zealand. 93% of Wellingtonians rate our…
2. How do you think traffic flow to the hospital and airport could be improved?
We need to complete our planning for and implement a rapid transport system on dedicated lanes from the Railway station to the Airport and the…
3. Where do you stand on the issue of opening up government data?
It’s important to understand it isn’t the Council’s job to deal with Government data. I have always taken the view that the majority of local…
4. What plans have do you have to improve recycling/composting facilities?
We recently announced a new recycling contract which will see Wellingtonians continuing to use their current green bins (used by 85% of residents) but with improved…
5. What is your policy on street alcoholics?
We need to provide care and shelter for these people and I support the Night Shelter. I drove a Mayoral Taskforce on this issue which…
6. Do you support pedestrianisation of the Golden Mile Why/Why not?
This is and should remain the pre-eminent public transport artery, along with service vehicles and taxis. It is a narrow portion of Wellington CBD and…
7. What’s the last local market you went to? What did you buy?
Chaffers market last weekend. I tend to buy the fresh veges, cheese, oil, bread, and fresh fish from Yellow Brick Road Distributors. No matter how…