We get to keep The Hobbit. Yay! Everyone has opinions on the matter, because everyone knows someone who’s worked on LOTR (my mum made some of the mugs in the “it comes in pints?” scene in the last movie). We’re stoked for the people who work in our film industry, but less impressed about the […]
Earlier this afternoon, final results for the Wellington mayoral election were released. Finally the reign of Prendergast comes to an end, etc, and we rejoice in the election of our new Green mayor. Official results: Celia Wade-Brown 24,881 Kerry Prendergast 24,705 Jack Yan 7,426 Bryan Robert Pepperell 5,954 Bernard O’Shaughnessy 1,174 Al Mansell 542 We’ll […]
We offered to publish the answers from any candidates in the local body elections and Simon Marsh 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?
It’s a city with a beating heart and good people. You’ll love WOW, The Sevens, Te Papa, City Gallery, shopping and business opportunities.
2. How do you think traffic flow to the hospital and airport could be improved?
Safer cycling routes, wider roads, convenient and reliable public transport, progress on Basin Reserve/Mt Vic bottleneck.
3. Where do you stand on the issue of opening up government data?
All data? We compete in a global market, why tell the world our plans before we implement them.
4. What plans have do you have to improve recycling/composting facilities?
Roll on household recycling wheelibins. Offer each household one annual free dump pass for green waste only.
5. What is your policy on street alcoholics?
Support the Salvation Army and others that have the skill but few funds to help.
6. Do you support pedestrianisation of the Golden Mile? Why/Why not?
No, it’s impractical for an ageing population and also will incur major flow problems with public transport on the adjacent roads.
7. What’s the last local market you went to? What did you buy?
Chaffers, Broccoli.
8. Describe your bicycle, or your favourite bus route?
Two wheels, grey and No 11.
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.