My Wellington votes
September 24th, 2007 at 8:59 am by David FarrarWell I have the ballot paper, so time to vote.
Wellington City Mayoralty
The Mayoral election is pretty easy for me as I have known Kerry (and Rex) for a long time. Not that I agree with Kerry on everything the Council has done – I do think spending has been too high, and the opposition to Transmission Gully annoyed me. And don’t even mention the Stock Exchange sign.
But none of the other candidates come close. John McGrath looked good for a while but when your own brother disassociates himself from you, that’s not a good sign. And I’ve been surprised by the large number of people who have a negative impression of him. But would probably still be No 2 as I don’t believe in voting for candidates who are standing for both Mayor and Council.
Helene Ritchie will be ranked bottom. People shouldn’t have to ask why. Probable order is:
- Kerry Predergast
- John McGrath
- Ray Ahipene-Mercer – the best of the Councillors standing for Mayor
- Rob Goulden – too many conflicts with others
- Bryan Pepperell – not a team player
- Jack Ruben – provides criticisms not solutions
- Nick Wang – single issue candidate
- Paul Bailey – unknown
- Carl Gifford – unknown
- Nick Kelly – communist
- Helene Ritchie – her 47th attempt at Mayor
Lambton Ward
I’m going to be a bit boring here and vote for the three incumbents – in order Ian McKinnon, Alick Shaw and Stephanie Cook. They’re a balanced team with Ian non aligned but from a conservative background, Alick standing for Labour (but sensible) and Stephanie being Alliance/Green background. All three make a good contribution, even if I obviously disagree with Alick and Stephanie on some issues.
The second Green candidate, Iona Pannett, is campaigning hard. And I give her kudos that she actually knocked on my door. But having two out of three Ward Councillors from the Green Party would be unbalanced. I want a Council that doesn’t go crazy with huge rates increases.
- Ian McKinnon
- Alick Shaw
- Stephanie Cook
- Michael Durrant – for low rates
- Iona Pannett – would make the Council unbalanced but prospect for the future
- Ed Van Son – little known but focused on core services
- Callum Strong – little known, potentially anti all development
- Frank Lawton – unknown
Capital & Coast District Health Board
Generally I avoid voting for those actually employed or funded by the DHB, such as Doctors. They generate terrible conflicts of interest and we have seen elsewhere how badly they get managed. The seven I would put top are:
- Judith Aitken has a good reputation as a sensible administrator
- David Chamberlain has useful professional experience also
- John Cook – has significant NGO governance experience in the health field
- Gordon Strachan – has wide ranging governance experience
- Virginia Hope – has a medical background but employed by ESR not CCDHB and has experience on another DHB
- Felicity McLennan – looks ok on paper.
- Ruth Gotlieb – reliable
- Margaret Faulkner – has some useful experience but too ideological
- Donald Urquhart-Hay – highly respected doctor, but again some conflict
- Hayley Wain – has been a good City Councillor but prefer people serve on just one public board
- Kent Clark – made little impact as a Councillor
- Trisha Inglis – there just to get more money for Kapiti
- Michael Appleby – DHB not the place for Legalise Cannabis politics
- Sandra Patton – too ideological
- Karen Coutts – too party aligned
- Petra Van Den Munckoff – too party aligned and huge numbers of conflicts
- Peter Roberts – totally conflicted as employed by DHB, and former head of doctors union
- Coltyn Shaw – unqualified
- Adrian Webster – a retired and presumably bored “social justice advocate”
- Jim Delahunty – beware anyone describing themself as a “health activist”
- Helene Ritchie
Wellington Regional Council
We need five Councillors for the Wellington City ward.
- Fran Wilde – an superb Mayor, and a real doer.
- Judith Aitken – very solid
- Mike Gibson – keeps things lively, and is indpendent
- Hugh Barr – good conservation focus
- Bernard Darnton – would be a good voice for less regulation
- Sally Baber – incumbent, not heard anything bad
- Tony Coard – his technical background may be of use
- John Gilberthorpe – experienced
- Michael Fleming – looks to have solid background
- Chris Laidlaw – was not a successful MP
- Daran Ponter – talks about fast broadband access but this is a TLA not a RC issue
- Yvonne Legarth – seems a bit inexperienced
- Michael Appleby – perennial election candidate
- Paul Bruce – prefer parliamentary politics left out of Regional Council
- Matt Barclay – unknown
- Ian Hamlin -unknown
- Thomas Morgan – Thomas specialises in coming last
Feel free to post your own orders in the comments.
Tags: Local Body Politics
September 24th, 2007 at 9:21 am
David,
Vote:just to satisfy my curiosity, what’s your issue with the Stock Exchange sign?
September 24th, 2007 at 9:28 am
Who is Jo Coughlan who is standing as a councillor in my ward?
Her literature says she is married to a Conor English.
Does that make her Bill’s brother-in-law?
I am very disappointed with there being only five candidates to choose from for the three spots in the Onslow-Western ward:
Jo Coughlan
Andy Foster
John Morrison
Jack Ruben
Pauline Scott
While I will certainly vote for Andy Foster because he is a nice guy who has got a lot done (just look at the revamped Karori Park, which he pushed through), I would never vote for the other two sitting councillors. John Morrison is a petrolhead who opposes public transport yet without it Karori would grind to a halt (we have Wellington’s busiest bus route up here) and Jack Ruben is one of the most disruptive councillors I have seen at the many council meetings I’ve attended.
That leaves only Jo Coughlin and Pauline Scott and I know nothing about either of them.
Vote:September 24th, 2007 at 9:39 am
Ian Hamlin is an artist. A very good one who makes a living at it on merit. Standing on environmental issues.
Vote:September 24th, 2007 at 9:42 am
Pauline Scott is on the Labour ticket.
Vote:Jo Coughlan is a PR person, I would suspect she is on the Right as several of the properties on which she has billboards had Mark Blumsky National billboards in 2005.
September 24th, 2007 at 9:45 am
Can I express my disappointment in the campaign pamphlet of Kerry’s I received over the weekend – PO Box, rather than physical address. Naughty, naughty Kerry.
And can I point out that those deliberately over-spending their campaign limits face up to TWO years in jail.
And that their spending limits are 50% higher than those of candidates standing for Parliament for the same three month period…
Vote:September 24th, 2007 at 9:48 am
I saw Helene Richie had an ad on telly last night, that must have cost a bomb!
Vote:September 24th, 2007 at 9:49 am
Sorry what? WCC is stumping up the cash, and not Seripisos? WTF?
Vote:September 24th, 2007 at 9:55 am
Bryan Pepperell at 5?
That would be generous.
Vote:September 24th, 2007 at 10:03 am
One cool thing about STV, is that you vote for someone you think will lose without wasting your vote. I’m seriously considering a Nick Kelly no. 1, with my real choice at 2…
Vote:September 24th, 2007 at 10:13 am
Heard Morrison on zb. Bec money from an inner city events fund, apparently the events fund financed by inner city businesses.
Vote:September 24th, 2007 at 10:32 am
Jo Coughlan went to uni and my hostel with me. She’s a great sort and would be a good Councillor. Both energetic and focused. Yes she is Bill’s sister in law.
Vote:September 24th, 2007 at 10:37 am
ellgee – my issues is ratepayers helped pay for it. The stock exchange has market cap of $50 billion or so – I prefer not to donate to them.
Vote:September 24th, 2007 at 10:37 am
My notes on the mayoralty:
# John McGrath – restaurant owner, pro-business
# Ray Ahipene-Mercer – supported by Greens, pro-environment
# Rob Goulden – bad personal relations, pro-public waterfront
# Bryan Pepperell – bad personal relations
# Jack Ruben – bad personal relations
# Nick Wang – journalist, anti-Chinese government
# Paul Bailey – unknown
# Carl Gifford – has that funny metal sculpture park out near the tip
# Nick Kelly – communist, former-VUWSA President
# Helene Ritchie – ‘bit of an idiot’, pro-public waterfront
#Kerry Predergast – destroying our waterfront, I suspect that one day she may stand for National, main problem is that her husband is a property developer
And Onslow-Western:
Vote:# Jo Coughlan – Communication and PR background, Bill English’s sister-in-law
# Andy Foster – current councillor, Karori Wildlife Sanctuary suppporter and trustee, Conservation Board, crazy runner( goes running with my father), apparently a “Right wing conservationist”
# John Morrison – current councillor, cricketer, sports radio presenter, pro-business, pro-sandwich board advertising
# Jack Ruben – current councillor, opposes Alick Shaw being deputy mayor, pro-waterfront being public
# Pauline Scott – Labour Party ticket, educational health books author, stood in Bay of Plenty for Labour at 2005 election
September 24th, 2007 at 10:39 am
And someone should tell Jo Coughlan that Kelburn is not in her ward and that delivering pamphlets in Kelburn is thus a waste of time. (I’m in Northland and have not heard a word from her, my parents are in Kelburn and received a pamphlet from her).
Vote:September 24th, 2007 at 10:41 am
“Nick Kelly no. 1, with my real choice at 2…” Go ahead, throw your vote away. What if everyone was thinking this and he got in?
Guy Fawkes is oft said to be the only honest man to have entered Parliament. Nick Kelly is possibly the most honest candidate in this election. I was reading his material at the weekend and his platform is to destroy capitalism. No ifs, no buts, no maybes.
Bizarrely, he was driving the 7.50am No 3 trolley bus that I caught to work on Friday. I recognised him from when I met him during the 2005 election campaign when his platform included supporting the Maoist rebels in Nepal. I did a double-take when I saw him behind the wheel of the bus. I now see he is a bus driver (he was a Vic student back then). I hope this doesn’t mean lots of bus strikes coming up
Vote:September 24th, 2007 at 11:04 am
Jo Coughlan went to uni and my hostel with me. She’s a great sort and would be a good Councillor. Both energetic and focused.
Her pamphlet says she has SIX children and she’s only 39 so she must be. She will almost certainly get my vote, despite my inbred suspicion of PR types.
Incidentally, a closer reading of the STV rules shows you don’t have to vote for every candidate. You can vote only for one, or two or three, if only one or a few take your fancy, and leave the rest unnumbered.
Vote:September 24th, 2007 at 11:06 am
“Nick Kelly is possibly the most honest candidate in this election.” How does that defend utterly stupid policies?
It’s called humour, Jaz.
Sigh.
Vote:September 24th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
“Nick Kelly is possibly the most honest candidate in this election.”
How does that defend utterly stupid policies?
Of course none of his policies woudl be put through when they are the exact oppisite of every other counciller there, but he woudl go a long way towards keeping the rest of the council honest, which in my opinion is sorely needed
Vote:September 24th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
Nick Kelly came across as reasonable in the Wellingtonian two weeks ago, but has not done so anywhere else.
Vote:September 24th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
“ellgee – my issues is ratepayers helped pay for it. The stock exchange has market cap of $50 billion or so – I prefer not to donate to them.”
Impressive, a Market Cap the greater than all other stock exchanges globally combined, or perhaps you mistook the Stock Exchange company market cap for the value of all the companies on the Stock Exchange. Personally I don’t understand it’s in Wellington full stop given the commercial capital of NZ is Auckland, perhaps the sign was not such a silly move.
Vote:September 24th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
Yes I mean the companies combined have a market cap, not NZX personally. The point I was making is their pockets are deeper
Vote:September 24th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Bwaaaa…….Laidlaw……. self important mega lefty handwringer, who is convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the prols owe him a living.
Vote:September 24th, 2007 at 4:21 pm
Indeed Tina. Why is it that Councils attract these D-list would-be “celebrities”? I’m sure half these people are only desperate to get elected so they have a chance of a spot on “Dancing with the Stars” or “Celebrity Treasure Island”. Then they break a toe or get hives and only last a week, but still get a double page spread in the Wimmins Weakly about how “brave” they’ve been. Very curious and rather sad.
Vote:September 24th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
anyone seen the stupid ‘fake quote from famous person endprsong me’ posters John McGrath is using? Given that’s the best adverstising he can come up with, he doesn’t appear to stand for anything other than his own ego.
He’s also been sending campaign spam to customers of his restuarant, what a cunt.
Vote:September 24th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
Trouble picking a winner? Luxury compared to the wide range of nutbar looneys running in the Hutt. If David Ogden gets another term it will further reinforce my belief that no-one in that dodgy little Valley/floodplain gives a toss about anything other than avoiding rush hour traffic. He is mad. In a scary way.
Vote:September 24th, 2007 at 5:51 pm
If talentless lefty sludge like Laidlaw can’t secure a 3 year sincure on some obscure Labour advisory board for even a couple of thou a month with Labour at the end of a multi year govt cycle……….well, we’re talking lack of entrepreneurialpirit at the very least.
The pickings for the Laid look lean under Key.
Not to worry, he’ll find an African charity that provides work experience employment for the children of the concerned NZ middle class.
Vote:September 24th, 2007 at 5:52 pm
that’s “entrepreneurial spirit”…..of course
Vote:September 24th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
OMG “sinecure”
Vote:September 24th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
The most hilarious part of Ritchie and Ruben’s campaigns are their “..time for a change slogans..”
If there’s a change to be had their removal from office seems like a decent idea.
Oh, and Jack has comprehension difficulties and isn’t careful with the reply all function – http://100wordblog.wordpress.com/nick-and-jack-take-to-their-keyboards/
Vote:September 24th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
There are some really alarming comments above.
DO NOT VOTE FOSTER. He is a closet leftie/green. He is also a parasite who has lived for too long from the proceeds of his hoodwinking the simpletons who haven’t bothered to look at his voting record. If you want progress or Transmission Gully don’t go near him.
Gilberthorpe is very good. David, have a look at the analysis on http://www.wellingtonchamber.co.nz
I am also worried about Pannett. She is threatening to unseat Shaw. That would lead to real unbalance.
Jo Couglan is OK. She clearly doesn’t know much about business (see her silly answer on the rating differential on the Chamber website) but she is MUCH better than Foster.
Vote:September 24th, 2007 at 9:40 pm
For gods sake – don’t rank John McGrath second. He’s honestly under the impression that he’s going to split the vote and has the means to win under the STV system.
Vote:September 24th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
Far from the truth – Callum Strong is pro-development. Development in harmony with nature and the city character. Callum supports sustainable environmental infrastructure with a long term vision for stormwater, wastewater and roading networks. He is an advocate for developing the cities public transport network and has ideas to support local business.
Vote:Good on you Kiwiblog for your fine research!
September 24th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
Is it just me, or is there a stronger “Party” presence…particularly Labour and associates…through all the local and regional body candidates this time around?
Vote:September 26th, 2007 at 9:23 am
“Chris Laidlaw – was not a successful MP” Didn’t he have some legal problems?
Vote:September 28th, 2007 at 12:12 am
Some very sharp observations in your comments on candidates.
With respect to your comments on my (Daran Ponter) approach to broadband, you may of course be aware that one of the key planks of the growth of the Wellington region, identified in the Wellington Growth Strategy (Feb 2007) is “Affordable, high speed broadband available to all houses and businesses in the region”. The Regional Growth Strategy included two regional councillors, one of whom was Fran Wilde (commonse, practical).
A number of other regional councils are starting to get involved with facilitating community broadband inititaives, unless of course companies like Telecom show more enthusiasm for providing us with the sort of broadband service which is becoming stand in many parts of the OECD.
An inititaive like this can only be contemplated as a parnetship between business, city and district councils and regional councils.
A copy of the Strategy can be found at http://www.wrs.govt.nz/docs/latest_updates/WRS_Consultation_Doc.pdf
cheers
Daran Ponter
Vote:Greater Wellington Regional Council Candidate
October 3rd, 2007 at 1:10 pm
OK, as a relatively new Wellingtonian (moved here from the UK last year) I’m finding chosing candidates really hard. I’m in the Southern Ward.
I want to vote for candidates who at a local level:
- Did not support the Aquarium
- Would retain the waterfront access for the public, not for hotel building
- Would not build more roads
- Would support public transport, cycling and pedestrians
- Would improve recycling
- Would do something about the tagging and litter
- I also support water metering, so am happy if they are pro that.
And on wider issues:
- Are serious about mitigating climate change (not just making the right noises)
- Would support more renewable energy, including windfarms locally
- Are anti-nuclear
- Are credible and respected, and commited to transparency
- Is not particularly religious
Anyone got any pointers? (other than those that relate specifically to my political views!)
Cheers.
Vote:October 6th, 2007 at 11:25 am
Thomas Morgan, what a joke. This individual has a narcissistic personality disorder, and is utterly delusional. It would be amusing to see him submit himself to scrutiny in a public forum such as this.
Vote:June 16th, 2008 at 9:00 am
Jo Coughlan went to uni and my hostel with me. She’s a great sort and would be a good Councillor. Both energetic and focused.
Well, last week she came out against public transport, like her petrolhead fellow councillor John Morrison. I now seriously regret voting for her. She might hate buses, but I catch them every day. She won’t be getting my vote next time, that is for sure.
[DPF: Can you give more details of what she came out against. One can be pro public transport but anti a specific proposal]
Vote: