Capital 85 - Wellington city's mayoral candidates

Chain reaction 20 questions with Wellington city’s mayoral candidates

To provide really useful material for our readers we have used a chart format. We recognise it limits candidates to extreme brevity on some major issues. To preserve the integrity of the answers we committed to only very light editing mostly for purposes of length – Ed.

Agree

Undecided

Disagree

STATEMENT ↓ CANDIDATE → Ellen Blake

Ray Chung

Chris Dudfield

Paul Eagle

Andy Foster

Kelvin Hastie

Donald McDonald

Barbara McKenzie

Tory Whanau

1. Wellington City Council works well with mana whenua.

It’s exciting to see the recent changes.

Looking forward to making a great place to live for all of us.

Overly so, to the extent that in discussions with residents, there is too much emphasis to everyone else’s detriment.

Engagement with mana whenua can bring delays and additional costs to essential resilience or climate change mitigation projects.

I will ensure mana whenua are integral in restoring the mana of Wellington as the capital city.

We’ve made huge strides, signing Tākai Here, iwi committee representation, Māori Ward, resourced Māori unit, regular hui with iwi leaders.

We must uphold the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, partnership, participation and protection in everything we do.

Recent crrs answer .01* msges fixs lgoima parking water impt electoral oath constituents. Tk croneill.

They consistently ignore at least 88% of us so they must be talking to someone.

There’s always more to do but I commend council for signing a partnership between mana whenua and WCC.

2. Rates increases can only be justified as a way to pay for the council essentials: three waters and waste.

Rates should only pay for what we need. The essentials include many good things for Wellingtonians – public libraries, parks, and services.

Council continues to waste ratepayers’ money on ideological nice-to-haves when the focus should be on fixing the infrastucture.

Agree in principle, but “essentials” should encompass ALL infrastructural and resilience work including repairs, maintenance and upgrades.

We also need to invest to maintain and upgrade other important assets, such as pools, parks and playgrounds and potholes.

We need to be careful with money, but our community has repeatedly wanted investment in our city, helping us be a world class, liveable, city.

Tunnel bypass paid for by central government is part of the SH1 network, no cost to the ratepayer.

Efficiency. Call centre complete audit. Rept 2500 times. Rate is pc . rates is $$revenue. en

Question is loaded: agree in principle, but there are more responsibilities that are essential.

To ensure our city remains attractive for families we must invest in other areas eg libraries, pools. Not doing so means passing the cost to our kids.

3. A connected network of safe, separated cycleways is an urgent priority.

Safe travel for all is a priority. An integrated multimodal transport system serving the people is the way to go.

The council is borrowing more and more. They need to show some restraint and while I’m also a cyclist, these aren’t urgent.

Most cycleways installed by the WCC & its “consultants” are ill-conceived, badly designed, ridiculously expensive & under-utilised.

We need affordable, reliable options for all Wellingtonians, including quality roads for public & private transport, walking & cycling infrastructure.

We need a safe cycleway network as part of transport plan.

However need case by case to weigh up benefits v costs to others. Devil always in the detail/design.

There needs to be transformational change in this area.

Pop-up cycleways don’t deliver the safety and future resilience required.

Policy world population cut/2 xplanet survive. Cars/4 flights/8. Cycle predominantly

Not supported by Wellingtonians; there is no way we can afford it; no way 99% of roads have space.

Housing and water infrastructure are also priorities. But children and our residents are entitled to ride across our city safely.

4. Light rail from the city to Island Bay is a pipe dream.

It’s a plan on the table, no pipe dream. We need to transform transport with better climatefriendly options for all.

The 21,000 houses light rail is intended to serve is a hopeful dream and we don’t have the population to justify this.

Rapid transit bus services are a better option - more resilient, more flexible and less costly.

I support rapid transit to the southern suburbs and will deliver neighbourhood plans that accelerate housing and urban development.

We’ve agreed on light rail or bus rapid transit.

Suspect bus rapid transit is likely – more affordable and flexible though lower capacity.

The corridor can simply be broken into walkable catchments and the funds redirected into regional rail to improve connectivity.

Too cars .90 trips unnecessary. .88 on kerbside not use. $trln waste petrol.

Great if it was feasible. LGWM reports are all PR and totally useless at what would be required in practice.

It’s an opportunity to set up our city for future. Fast, accessible and efficient rail opens up access to city and more housing.

5. Let’s Get Welly Moving have got it right with their plan for a second Mt Victoria Tunnel.

LGWM is a large transformational programme with many parts. The early delivery initiatives will give us a big boost.

We have to consider traffic to Eastern suburbs. This will make it more efficient for public and private transport and cyclists.

We need to prioritise traffic flow and a 2nd (4 LANE!) Mt Vic Tunnel is essential. We also need another lane in the Terrace Tunnel.

I support the decision to double the tunnel. I will get spades in the ground as soon as possible.

Details and alignment still to be resolved. Plan allows future flexibility.

GW, WCC and Minister all want to accelerate LGWM delivery.

The tunnel bypass will future proof Wellington. The proposed second Mt Vic tunnel leaves us standing still, visionless

Planes/8 runways/20.

Don 1* intNTL Canberra war memorial 2014. Reluctant travlr.

It is obviously needed and should have started years ago. LGWM have only delayed and obfuscated.

A second tunnel will improve public transport and make it easier to travel by foot, scooter or cycle from the East to the cbd.

6. Wellington bus services have improved for users over the past three years.

There are improvements although with mixed results. Council can help with more bus lanes and better bus stops.

I live in Broadmeadows and the number 24 is superb compared to not having a service for many years.

The bus service is now unreliable. The buses are too large for many Wellington streets and cause too much damage to underground services.

Yes, but route design and driver shortages have affected service reliability. Wellingtonians desperately want this sorted.

Three years ago we emerged from ‘bustastrophe’. Main issue now is Covid impact on staffing.

Great to have Airport Express back.

Covid has had a massive impact on how Wellington’s Regional Council has been able to deliver services in the last triennium.

Not enough drivers mond Aug 5/7 services canxel. Greedy cars unable willing transport.

Consistently poor record of meeting timetables, let alone the need for more services. Only getting excuses from GWRC and contractors.

Too many delays. We need more dedicated bus lanes, free fares and salary increases for drivers to improve frequency and efficiency.

STATEMENT ↓ CANDIDATE → Ellen Blake

Ray Chung

Chris Dudfield

Paul Eagle

Andy Foster

Kelvin Hastie

Donald McDonald

Barbara McKenzie

Tory Whanau

7. Wellington’s central city is dying and something needs to be done.

The inner city is evolving and needs more green open public spaces for the people that live, work and visit there.

It does need sprucing up but we also need to retain businesses and removing car parks will drive them away.

The CBD is not dying - but something still needs to be done to enhance urban vitality. The Golden Mile proposal will achieve the reverse.

I will deliver a mixed-use Civic Square, and create a world-class arts precinct connecting Wellington’s iconic venues.

Covid hurt cities badly, but we are coming back. Buildings reopening/new builds, events, Poneke Promise, new business opportunities, return of tourism.

The CBD requires reactivation through business, events, placeleading, music, art, drama and entertainment initiatives.

The greedy planet diedie 2o30. Get right with Jesus. Go heaven Zion.

The less the council does, the better the city’s chances.

The city is dull, but not dead yet. Let’s bring the crowds back to the city with the arts, business support, safer streets and free public transport.

8. In post-COVID Wellington, investment should be in energising the suburbs not the city CBD.

We all must heal from Covid-19. Working from home in the suburbs or inner city needs support, as do essential workers.

I agree but it’s not one or the other.

Activity is increasing in the suburbs because of more working from home but the CBD shouldn’t be neglected.

Attract people back to the CBD by easing height controls & expanding multi-use zoning. The suburbs will thrive by offering lifestyle alternatives.

We need a thriving CBD and thriving communities. The City Development Authority I establish will develop masterplans to underpin investment.

Strong CBD heart is critical. We have great suburbs each with their own unique character to be nurtured. We can and must do both.

Forming partnerships across the city, key organisations to energise and reinvigorate to provide live, work and play centres to help reduce emissions.

Covid19-29 here to stay. Support community life is poverty $$ communcn allowce thermom save heat $$m.

Investment should be where it is most needed regardless of location, and what people want, rather than trying to remake the city.

It must be both. We are all one big community and efforts must be made across the region.

9. Wellington needs the Three Waters Reforms in order to fix its ageing pipes.

Well managed drinking, storm and waste-water is essential. Affordability the key. Not convinced a major restructure will address the issues.

Not in its current form as the additional management layer will just increase costs without the productivity or efficiency increase.

Assets paid for & owned by Wellington ratepayers should not be handed over & bundled into disparate entities without compensation or accountability.

Wellington’s pipes are in a sorry state, resulting in burst pipes, flooded roads and sewage in our harbour.

More investment needed. We are doing that. Three Waters doesn’t fix pipes, just gives the task to more distant entities who bill us for the work.

Decided at the 2023 NZ election. In the meantime council must plan and strategise to deliver transformaional change to regional infrastructure.

Wash u car ears.

Expn$$ve water. Cost filter water and showers wcc greyst.

Running down an essential service and then selling it off for a song in order to fulfil a political agenda is highly irresponsible.

Government investment in our pipes will allow the council to spend on other priorities such as public transport and community initiatives.

10. Council needs to do more to support businesses struggling after two years of COVID-19 disruption.

There is already some support available. I’d like to hear what business want council to do.

So many businesses are suffering and yet council are spending hundreds of millions on nonessentials.

Small businesses are an essential part of the local economy & should receive consideration.

It’s time we gave our business owners a break and I will be a transparent and business-friendly Mayor.

Covid restrictions hurt. Would like more friendly parking arrangements.

Working on several business opportunities. Work ongoing.

Agree we need to be more outward facing to our retailers and business communities. This will be done through the Reimagine Wellington campaign.

Bring upon selves.

Travel cause virus.

Rich people.

Better infrastructure will help business. But otherwise council needs to do less. In particular, not sabotaging businesses by removing car parks.

They’re struggling so we must invest in training for different sectors, public transport and safer streets to bring people to the city.

11. Wellington is still the arts & culture capital of New Zealand.

We have great events and activities happening all the time. For example, the outdoor public screen on Masons Lane.

I believe it is, but haven't really looked at other centres recently.

Infrastructure is crumbling & facilities are tired. The crown is slipping.

But we can be again, and it will be one of my key priorities.

Absolutely and will get better. Wgtn has heart and soul. We have great events, venues coming back.

Innovative initiatives/collaboration underway.

Without a doubt, but we must do much more through activation of all forms of art and entertainment to reactivate the city and make it safer.

Don newt poet dompost ban democracy ads their truth anything but whole.

Science astron math Jesus.

We do well. But if there is nowhere to park on a winter's night, going out of town for theatre and films will appeal.

Always, but we risk losing this. Artists and our arts infrastructure need more direct support to allow them to be creative.

12. The new convention centre will be an asset to the Wellington economy.

We built it, and I’m looking forward to using it. We need to make it work for us.

I hope so but it all depends on how well it's promoted so time will tell!

Assuming it is properly promoted and managed. A big ask for the current Council!

Tākina will help draw visitors to Wellington again but we need a plan to ensure we can accommodate additional visitors.

Looks stunning. On budget, ahead of time. Already 80+ conventions booked.

Lots of jobs created, and will drive investment eg in hotels.

Exciting long overdue asset for the city that now requires a thriving hospitality sector through activation and essential worker housing in the city.

Conference only rich mp coys. Spread virus donate newt cultural community centre halls.

It will never justify the huge investment. Would have preferred the money to be used to fix all the leaks.

This will bring international crowds to the city which will impact our hospitality industry, hotels and local businesses.

13. Housing intensification in the city suburbs is the only way to address Wellington’s housing shortage.

Affordability is a big part of the housing issue. Options for more quality housing for both renters and owners are needed.

The housing problem is not so much a lack of quantity, it’s cost. There are houses for sale but they’re too expensive!

Many options are available on a city wide basis - including those mentioned above.

All of Wellington needs to be part of the solution. Let’s start where there is broad agreement, like Adelaide Road.

We need more housing. Intensification encourages more walking and public transport use. Focus on Tawa, Jville, CBD and MRT corridor.

Intensification needs to take place across the the city in partnership with key landowners and infrastruture corridors and with community

Enough houses too population sustain.

World die soon expensive greedy rent house.

There are other options. But style of housing should be decided by people, not councils.

It’s one way. We must increase housing supply to ease costs of buying, renting and it must be warm, dry and well-designed.

STATEMENT ↓ CANDIDATE → Ellen Blake

Ray Chung

Chris Dudfield

Paul Eagle

Andy Foster

Kelvin Hastie

Donald McDonald

Barbara McKenzie

Tory Whanau

14. Maintaining Wellington’s heritage and character is more important than making space for new homes.

We can have quality and character, it’s not one or the other. Think outside the polarised boxes and come up with a better way forward.

It's not one or the other. There are plenty of places to build houses now but the cost is too high for many house buyers.

Council's interpretation of heritage & character is often questionable & can stifle quality renewal.

We need to protect Wellington’s iconic heritage buildings while unlocking developments.

Plenty of capacity to do both. I’ll ensure intelligent planning fully involving communities and active delivery.

Wellington needs partnership between heritage, character and the built environment. A bypass tunnel means we can have both, freeing up more land.

Derelict zoo bus shelter. Earthquakerisk library any borrow use function.

Not an either/or.

But Wellington's suburban character contributes to lifestyle, one of the reasons people want to live here.

Protecting historic places is important, but we must also create more homes for people. Good green design can maintain character.

15. The Shelly Bay housing development should be halted for the sake of environment and mana whenua.

Decisions have already been made, so I’ll work to get the best outcome possible.

There should be a development there that can be used by the public such as parks or leisure activities

It should be halted because the original proposal was an abomination. The idea of a heritage park should be revisited.

I support the aspirations of mana whenua to develop their land like any other landowner.

Sadly it’s largely beyond council control now. I want communities to be meaningfully involved in placemaking decisions.

It is not Wellington City Council's place to get involved, like any development it must stand up to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Agredecide? Too housing. Boring drive around bays Massey 1:20 years.

Shout taxi rotate seating.

Shouldn’t be a council decision.

I'd honour the commitment made in 2017 and increase housing, but understand the concerns communities have.

16. Major council projects should live or die based on their carbon footprint and impact on climate change.

Carbon neutral projects are the way of the future, do it now, not later when it's more expensive.

This should be a consideration but not the only factor.

Absolute nonsense!

As is the idea of carbon free by 2050.

Nothing we do in Wellington will endanger or save the planet.

I will integrate climate and environmental factors into decision-making, alongside economic, social and cultural factors.

We should take carbon footprint into account in all decision making, and seek to minimise it as best as possible.

There needs to be a strong business case for large infrastructure projects. This is why a tunnel bypass includes emission capture technology.

Climate changes wrong direction.

Bcos must reverse to half population you know wages sin.

Spend a fortune, mess with people's lives and achieve nothing except virtue signalling?

Batty.

We must build a climate-resilient city and climate change is already impacting our coasts. It's the way forward.

17. The no fluoride in the water debacle demonstrates that the way we manage water in the region needs a total overhaul.

We can address the issue with better council oversight to maintain confidence in water management.

This won't be improved by a total overhaul but the managers who were culpable for this should take responsibility.

GWRC and Wellington Water must be held to account for the current state of our water services generally. Heads must roll.

It is a major failure with serious public health risks.

Greater accountability is needed to ensure this never happens again.

A complete overhaul of Wellington Water would risk undermining its capability to do the work required.

There have already been changes made.

Wellington Water has suffered from decades of underinvestment. It is time for regional partners, especially Wellington city, to up our game.

Children bread elder need teeth. Losing.

Dental health. Poverty food without.

Another management failure.

They need to be held accountable for mistakes such as that. A review into how we manage water is needed.

18. There’s no place for party politics in local government.

We have party politics whether we like it or not.

Making it work for Wellington has to be a priority.

I absolutely agree and party ideology has been the primary cause of this dysfunctional council.

Party agendas, political partisanship, self-interest & blinkered advocacy have contributed to the dysfunction & ineptitude that permeates WCC.

I will focus on building a united council that puts Wellington first regardless of political affiliation.

Councillors swear an oath to ‘act in the best interests of Wellington City, using the best of their skill and judgement.’

That is antithetical to party politics and block voting which undermines co-operation.

Government is a key player in local government. Central party politics creates complicated vested interest, confusion, tension and division.

Stuff media viewers org NZ antidemocracy veteran campaign shxx on best candidate gratuitous gossip.

Party affiliation has some advantages but is generally destructive. Banning would only drive it underground.

The Mayor must be neutral but there's a place for party representation.

But not for petty politics and bad behaviour.

19. The outgoing council was divided and ineffective because of poor leadership.

Voters will decide that. I’m interested in making positive changes for the people of Wellington, better together.

To some extent but a major contributing factor was a council who refused to work together.

We need a new mayor & one who is not politically "endorsed". I've got vision, skill & I work effectively with others.

There has been no leadership – no vision, strategy or agreed plan of action – impacting council’s ability to deliver.

Absolutely it has been divided, but it improved and we got a huge amount done, more than any Council in a long time.

I don't how many times I have heard that, but Andy is a really nice guy.

Because ppl voter unintelligent choose counter person economy.

Council had a lot of people with their own agendas and would never cooperate with anyone who disagreed.

Mayor must be an effective team leader, relationship builder and able to bring Wellington on board. That has been missing.

20. Good leadership is: I’ve got a vision, a

The ability to assess the strengths and weaknesses of each person and to build on the strengths and negate the weaknesses.

Motivating & inspiring people to work together & achieve great things through effective communication coupled with skill, passion, integrity & empathy.

Good leadership is delivering a vision that unites Wellingtonians to restore the mana of Wellington.

Staying calm, positive, knowing where you want to go, getting results, overcoming odds and difficult circumstances – and I have.

The ability to unify through good practical thought leadership and social enterprise, whilst having the ability and open mind to work with everybody.

Answer phone listen to tape did wrong thing sick society gabble media rnz take your time.

Being courteous but firm while in the chair. Most important is having a team who want to work together for the good of the city.

Empathy, honesty, emotional intelligence, mana, team-building with a touch of charisma.

plan. I’m consistent and persistent with all the citizens of Wellington in mind.