The Wellington Mayoral election.

Not something I'm voting in being out in Lower Hutt. At the same time it's 'kinda' interesting. Mostly for John Morrision's campaigning..

Now I see he mentions Phoenix so " his work with the acquisition of the “A League” licence for Wellington" Source: 

Did he? Enough to warrant a mayoralty?

On the other hand there's the sexism he's accused of more than once.

I'm told Jack Yan is worth a punt. 

Meet the candidates.

Your views?

That's a particularly poorly written piece by Cricket Wellington. The claim that he was involved in the original acquisition of the A-League license is drawing a very long bow. John Dow, however, could definitely make that claim. He and Ian Wells were the two who really kept Wellington in the frame until Terry had his famous haircut. To be fair to Morrison, on his own website he only claims credit for getting Welnix together. I'd love to hear from a member of Welnix the extent to which that's true. Without accusing him of actually making stuff up I've always felt Morrison claims a little more credit for things than he really deserves.

I actually find the overall quality of Wellington's Mayoral candidates a bit depressing. It's been interesting hearing what the new CE of WCC has been saying about council performance. He clearly thinks that most of the current council is crap and that anyone being re-elected needs to up their game.

I can't say I think Celia's doing a great job but John Morrison is a really polarising character who seems like the last person who's gong to unite council and get them going either. Maybe someone from outside the current council like Jack Yan is worth a go?

Ermm. So about this election - when is it happening?

Details here.

Local Elections

My impression of John Morrison is that he likes to be in the paper, but I'm not sure exactly what he has done, wants to do, or stands for. 

Because of that, he seems to me to be more about his image and being a minor celeb than being Mayor. But that is just the impression I've formed from media coverage of him.

People who I know tell me he would be "good for football" but I haven't seen any evidence of that yet. The only things I've seen him claim to have been involved in with football are the Phoenix (which I believe to be a pretty big yarn), the All Whites qualifier (which I know to be a pretty big yarn) and the artificial turf roll out across Wellington (which isn't really anything to write home about). So I am not convinced.

I think he's more likely to be "good for cricket". The major projects I associate him with in my head are the over-priced and ongoing revamp of Karori Park, which has been accidentally okay for football, but is really a huge waste of money for a few games of cricket a year, and the proposal to build a new stand at the Basin to mask the flyover, which also seems to me to be pretty wasteful for a few games a year.

So, in summary, I will not be voting John Morrison, but I don't have anything particularly positive to say about any of his opponents. 

Vote Celia, just for her environmental stance. Also for meeting Hillary Clinton on a bicycle. That's badass.

I'm not even sure he is a candidate for Mayor but Paul Eagle has milllllllions of billboards. I'm not voting for him just because of that..

I live in Southern ward and the visual pollution created by Paul Eagle billboards is horrible.

Anyway, he's up against Lynn of Tawa this time so he's probably goneburgers

Lyn of tawa vs Paul Eagle - Eagle has to win for simply being a better class of human being - he is well repected in the wider community and is actively involved in everyday events. Lyn who is all I can say - and as for mayor as soon as celia is gone the better - she may be the moral compass blah bolah but turningup to a meet and greet at the airport on your bike is plain dumb!

We need a Monster Raving Loony Party candidate

(McGillicudy Serious Party are a bit too serious - the moat around Hamilton made sound social and economic sense)

Will vote for anyone against the runway extension. That simple.

Guessing he lives in Miramar. 

Nah I live in town. Reason I'm against it is purely value for rate-payer money. The airport company is going on a "build it and they will come" philosophy I disagree with. Air NZ have only shown a little interest in a direct Asia flight and it certainly won't be an everyday thing. The curfew hours at Wellington would be a big disincentive also for anyone else to try. Air Asia X couldn't last in Chch and it would cost more for anyone to start up here.

The latest figure I heard was putting and extension at about a million a metre for a 300m extension. That may only give 180m of extra usable length as there is a requirement for stopping room Wellington currently gets a partial exemption from but will probably need to comply with if extended further.

I think Celia Wade Brown is keen partially because she has been criticized for being a bit anti-business and every Mayor likes being involved with a huge project.

I understand why some of the candidates would want to explore the option, but I think they would probably come up with the same problem which is hugely expensive, would take a very long time and would have only small benefits.

but you do know that china is our fastest growing export market and tourism market don't you?

Yeah of course. Shanghai is on the Air NZ 767 route out of Auckland, they won't be flying in and out of here. I'd just like to know who will be. I get the preparing for the future view, it seems to me like an expensive risk. 

It's not about now, it's 5+ years down the line. No infrastructure and we will be a dead city.

like I said, I understand the view to the future I just don't believe a 300m runway extension is going to help enough to balance the cost.

All good. Everyone has their own level of risk acceptance when it comes to tax and rate spending.

Yeah indeed :)

Our airport is a bit of a dog unfortunately. Water and hills are tough combination. You'd be surprised how much effect the Newlands ridge has on departure weights in a northerly. Not so bad for domestic but the extra fuel required etc for the Aussie flights can be a problem. 

gotta take some risks or you end up with the PM saying the city is dying.

If anyone is interested the candidates are speaking at The Hub at Vic Uni tomorrow (25/9) at 1pm.

Not going to lie, I binned my Hutt council election papers. 

Also put this sign on the door on sunday after a couple of candidates came to my doorstep:

Wgtn Chamber of Commerce supporting it in the DP today (as well as lots of other infrastructure development).

Yep - an independent CBA would be required (should be part of any consent process?). 

Yeah read that article (yesterday?). Talked up the benefits but backed it up with vague statements. Can't quote without rereading but actually enforced most of my skepticism. 

I will be voting in the Upper Hutt election but living in Lower Hutt by the time results are declared.

I wonder what sort of dropkicks I can inflict upon the good folk of Upper Hutt as a parting gift...lol

If anyone is interested in where each candidate stands on environmental issues, Generation Zero have issued a 'candidate report card' here - http://localelections.generationzero.org.nz/wellington/mayoral-candidates/.

There's also one for council candidates.

As you were.