Other WCC Wards
I’ve had a few people ask me to share my thoughts on the other Wellington City wards, after my main WCC post, so will do so below.
Northern Ward
- Robert Armstrong – experienced, hard worker, doesn’t grand stand
- Hayley Wain – a new face who has taken her role seriously and deserves a second term
- Ngaire Best – a former Councillor, strong community links, sensible
- Ian Hutchings – another former Councillor who would be an asset. Very strong on financial management and useful engineering background.
- Roger Ellis – would be a good Councillor but competing with other candidates. Useful business and community background. Former United Future board member.
- Jonathan Fletcher – no profile but has sensible outlook and policies
- Tane Woodley – demoted as he goes on about peak oil, otherwise looks ok
- Mike Collett – too parochial – only focused on his ward
- Jim Candiliotis – no policies
- Helene Ritchie – Was sacked by Labour as Deputy Mayor in 1980s, not got better since.
Onslow-Western Ward
- Andy Foster – Andy doesn’t need my help to get elected. Most in his ward know him. He’s involved in almost every major issue and works hard to get results.
- John Morrison – A sensible Councillor and even potential Mayor one day. Passionate about sports and rec especially but also about keeping costs down.
- Jo Coughlan – Jo would be a great Councillor. Vibrant, intelligent, positive about Wellington and with good business and community experience. I went to Otago Uni with Jo and she is a great sort.
- Jack Ruben – A crusader for causes but not a team player
- Pauline Scott – Waffly bio, hard to work out what she would do or vote on.
Eastern Ward
- Ray Ahipene-Mercer – don’t agree with him on a few issues, but he is respected for his work, and his willingness to work as part of a team.
- Leonie Gill – not a high flyer, but well attuned to local issues.
- Ruth Gotlieb – had a good run in the past, but now on DHB also
- Rob Goulden – Rob’s policies are generally ones I agree with, but the real concern is his abaility to work with staff, the Mayor and other Councillors. Rob would be higher if he hadn’t sued his own Council.
- Josie Bullock – gets marks for clear policies!
- Ian Macfarlane – is on the Executive of Grey Power
- Paul Bailey – unknown quantity
Southern Ward (2 spots)
- Celia Wade-Brown – A Green Councillor but a good one.
- Rex Nairn- like his focus on accountability for expenditure and debt
- Ida Faiumu-Isa’ako – a strong community background
- Shelagh Noble – a town planner which can be both good and bad.somewhat wishy washy bio statement
- Bryan Pepperell – wants to keep penalising business, rates would skyrocket
- Bernie Harris – lots of buzz words, no specifics
- Lorraine Edwards -anti aquatic education centre
- John Robinson – also oppossed to the aquatic education centre
Community Boards
Won’t give rankings for them, but people who I think should get a high ranking are:
Tawa – Ngaire Best, Graeme Sutton
Makara/Ohariu – Andrew Falloon, Christine Grace, Ruth Paul
All just my views of course. Any candidate who feels hard done by is welcome to make their case in the comments.