Wellington City Voting Guide

Here are my thoughts on voting in the Wellington Local Body Elections. My major focus is affordability. I want a Council that doesn’t put rates up 20% and doesn’t accept 200% cost blowouts on major projects.

I am generally just covering the candidates who have a significant chance of being elected. So don’t be offended if you are not mentioned. It doesn’t mean I am saying don’t vote for you – just that I don’t think you have a realistic chance of winning.

I will classify candidates as either preferred or acceptable.

Mayor

Preferred – Diane Calvert, Ray Chung, Karl Tiefenbacher

All three are strong advocates for lower (or zero) rates increases and Calvert and Chung on Council have consistently voted the right way.

Andrew Little has been critical of performance of the current Council, but I note he has gone out of his way to make any specific commitment on rates. If he is Mayor I have no doubt he will do a better job than the incumbent in managing the Council, but I am far from convinced he will prevent huge future rates increases.

Northern Ward

Preferred – Tony Randle, Andrea Compton, John Apanowicz

Tony is a great Councillor – both on wider fiscal issues at Council, and for his local ward. Andrea has been a voice for lower rates also and has an impressive resume. John is an active local councillor. He has voted for a few things though which I think were nice to haves, not must haves.

Acceptable – Ben McNulty, Mark Flynn

I like Ben. If he wasn’t Labour I would vote for him. Mark Flynn is standing for ACT so would vote the right way on key issues,. but I don’t know much about him.

Onslow-Western Ward

Preferred – Ray Chung , Diane Calvert, Ray Boyden, Guy Nunns, Lily Brown

Ray Chung and Diane Calvert are two of the four most fiscally responsible Councillors. We can’t afford to lose them. Lily Brown, Ray Boyden (ACT) and Guy Nunns (IT) all look good for the third slot. So rank them all in the top five.

Rebecca Matthews is standing for the Greens after a stoush with Labour. Rebecca is definitely not fiscally responsible so I would not vote for her, but I will say she has been a good advocate on issues of housing affordability.

Lambton Ward

Preferred – Nicola Young, Dan Millward, Stuart Wong (IT),

Nicola is one of the four fiscally responsible councillors and is a must retain. Dan Millwood impresses me and would be as good addition, as would Stuart Wong.

Acceptable – Teal Mau

I don’t know Teal but as a small business owner he should be a sensible voice if elected.

Eastern Ward

Preferred – Karl Tiefenbacher, Luke Kuggeleijn (ACT), Michelle McGuire (IT), Ken Ah Kuoi (IT)

Karl would be a great Councilor (or Mayor). Definitely have him No 1. Ken, Luke and Michelle are both standing on tickets on low or zero rates increases. Have them in your top four.

Acceptable – Chris Calvi-Freeman

Chris was a diligent Councillor when he was last on. Unsure though that he would vote to stop the costly projects forcing rates up, but we’ll see if he gets elected.

Southern Ward

Preferable – Paula Muollo (IT) and Mike Petrie

Paula is a strong advocate for her area and would be my No 1.

Te Whanganui-a-Tara Māori Ward

I’m not just saying this as his opponent is Tory, but Matthew Reweti (Labour) would be a good Councillor, albeit we wouldn’t agree on lots of stuff. Have met him a few times, and a good guy.

Won’t just see this as a stepping stone for Parliament.