The race for Wellington

The three main contenders for the Wellington Mayoralty are incumbent Andy Foster, Paul Eagle backed by Labour and Tory Whanau backed by the Greens. One of those three will win, so what matters in this STV election are where they are ranked in relation to each other. Rank the one you most want to win highest, the one you can tolerate second and the one you least want to win last.

All three candidates are decent people, and would bring different strengths to the job.

On policy grounds alone, I have the most in common with Andy Foster. But the Q+A poll had him in third place, so how his voters second preference may decide the election. The Council under Andy has achieved quite a bit, but it has been hamstrung by constant infighting and a lack of unity. Now a lot of this can be laid at the party blocs, but not all of it. The fact that two of the CR Councillors are not backing Foster suggests there is more to it than party politics.

Paul Eagle is endorsed by Labour, but not an official Labour candidate. That is good as it means he is not bound to do what the Labour Party orders, unlike those standing on the ticket. Paul is a former Deputy Mayor and was known to be good at working with Councillors from both the left and the right, which is why he has support from both Labour Party Councillors and some of those on the right. Paul would be the best chance of having a Mayor who can unite the Council.

Tory is endorsed by the Greens. Now on policy grounds I could never back her, but I should say she does come from the sane faction of the Greens. Now yes it might be a very small faction, but it does exist. She actually has a corporate background before getting involved in politics, and is a good person.

Now, as with all Councils, the Mayor is just one vote. Here’s some thoughts on some of the ward candidates.

Northern Ward

My No 1 pick is Tony Randle. I have known Tony since university but that is not why I am so excited he is standing. Tony is an expert on public transport. He is hugely pro public transport but even more hugely pro good analysis. Whenever NZTA or GWRC or LGWM puts out a business case for something, Tony gets hold of the detailed work sheets and literally picks up all their errors, their misguided assumptions etc. The ability of WCC to scrutinise transport projects would be hugely enhanced if Tony is a Councillor. If you want public transport decisions based on reality, not fantasy, then Tony is your person.

I also know John Apanowicz. He has been a good community board chair and would be a sensible voice on Council.

For the third slot, both John Peters and Rachel Qi have been recommended to me as sensible people who would focus Council or doing core things well, rather than drowning us in rates and debt.

If you are left leaning incumbent Jenny Condie is diligent. And Ben McNulty is standing for Labour which means I won’t rank him in the top three, but he is from the more sensible side of Labour and would be more rational than some of his colleagues.

Onslow-Western

Diane Calvert is an incumbent and extremely hard working advocate for her area. I don’t agree with her on all issues, but she is a good Councillor who should be re-elected.

I don’t really know them but Ryan Bothma and Ray Chung both strike me as moderate and concerned about keeping rates affordable. If I was in this ward, I’d have them in my top three.

I should mention Labour Councillor Rebecca Matthews. I disagree with her on the vast majority of issues, but I do admire her staunchness in voting for housing rules that will make housing more affordable for future home owners. On that issue she has been a good champion.

Lambton

Nicola Young is a star, and a superb Councillor. She is principled and will defend her own corner – sometimes a sole dissenting voice. But she is also able to work across ideological lines and has developed good relationships with Labour Councillors etc. She is an easy No 1.

Jane O’Loughlin has really impressed me as a candidate. She has done an excellent blog on the problems with the proposed light rail for Wellington (goes to the wrong place, is too short etc). If you want Councillors who can put reality ahead of fantasy, she would be a good pick.

Karl Tiefenbacher seems to be sensible based on his bio, and again if you want affordable rates a good third pick.

I like Iona Pannett, and if it was a decision between her and Tamatha Paul, you have to back the one who was deselected by the Greens for exercising independent thinking.

Eastern

Tim Brown and Steph Edlin would both be great Councillors. I know Steph well and she would bring rational analysis to the Council, rather than ideology. Tim Brown has had a great business career with Infratril and Wellington Airport and WCC would be lucky to have someone of his calibre on the Council.

I like Aaron Gilmore’s policies, but suspect bad publicity will make it hard for him to come through. Rob Goulden also has good policies.

Sarah Free I have known since I was a child, as I was best friends with her sister. Sarah has also been unendorsed by the Greens. She has been a diligent Deputy Mayor and done her best to make the Council work, and while we disagree on policies I think she is a good Councillor.

Southern

I grew up in Island Bay. It still distresses me to see what the terrible cycleway has done to Island Bay. Cycleways are great when done well. The one between Kaiwharawhara and Petone is gong to be amazing, but the Island Bay one is terrible for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.

Two independents stand out as worth supporting – Paula Muollo and Inoke Afeaki.

Te Whanganui-a-Tara Māori

Labour’s Matthew Reweti is the clear choice between him and Green’s Nīkau Wi Neera.