Celia Wade-Brown today finally joined Jack Yan, Nicola Young and John Morrison as official mayoral candidates. Nominations close Friday (August 16th) at 12pm. Here’s her statement:
Celia Wade-Brown lodged her nomination for re-election as Mayor of Wellington on Thursday August 15th. Much has been achieved despite tough economic times and she’s keen to continue to deliver genuine progress for Wellington citizens.
She says “Highlights of the last three years include Rugby World Cup, The Hobbit Premiere, introducing cbdfree wi-fi, and enabling successful business expansion into China. My warmest moment was re-opening the Central Park flats after seismic strengthening and refurbishment. Four town centre upgrades, four new artificial turfs, four school pool upgrades and new mountain bike tracks show we’ve supported the community while keeping rates to their lowest level in years.”
“On the transport front, introducing Courtenay Place bus lanes, the Tawa shared path, slower speeds in several suburban centres, transferable parking tickets, Snapper and txts for parking payment and getting rid of the “spy car” show we support real transport choices. Kicking off the resource consent process for the airport extension gave a boost for business confidence.”
“Our Smart Capital vision supports hi-tech digital jobs with NetHui, Webstock and Digital Earth events. Introducing the principle of a Living Wage means we’re a compassionate Council. Despite public sector cuts, we’ve promoted Wellington, added new events, confirmed well-loved favourites like WOW, Homegrown and the Sevens. We’ve had significant job growth of over 5000 jobs in the region in the last year.”
“The Smart Capital vision created Our Living City, including water-use reduction, increased recycling, e-waste recovery, native re-vegetation, more community gardens, clean-ups and more sustainable urban design to reduce pollution of our coast and harbour. Two Million Trees by 2020 connects staff, volunteers and corporates to green the city and our reserves.”
One aspect of our Smart Capital is a focus on putting people at the centre of our concern – a multicultural, inclusive place to live, aiming to solve homelessness by 2020. Another is a proud focus on being New Zealand’s capital city; leading engagement with the diplomatic corps, welcoming New Zealand and overseas students to enjoy our national institutions from Te Papa to Parliament and promoting our excellent public sector expertise.”
“And, very importantly, long term investment in earthquake preparedness has had a boost in funding so we will complete all pre-1976 building assessments by mid-2014. Home assessments, earthquake seminars and business expos and continual communications have enhanced Our physical and community earthquake preparedness. This was put to the test with the July Cook Strait earthquake and emergency management came through with flying colours.”
It’s easy to criticize the way she’s operated and performed as mayor. A lot of it is probably warranted, but given the challenges she’s faced from herself, unfriendly councillors, central government, and council officers, she’s made a decent fist of things. Voters of course will be able to fairly judge her, her first term record and vision for the future against the other mayoral contenders shortly.
“Looking forward, now I have lodged my nomination, I shall cease using the @WellingtonMayor twitter account my friendly competitor Jack Yan gave me in October 2010 until after the elections. I’ve been scrupulous in using it for comments consistent with Council policy and to promote Wellington.” Any followers may switch to @celiaformayor. All tweets on either account have been from Celia herself, providing an authentic voice in cyberspace.
She made the right decision switching over now she’s an official candidate. While it wouldn’t have hurt to switch earlier it will now at least stop the cries that she’s using council resources to campaign.
“In the next three years I’ll focus on growing the new low-carbon economy, realising the immediate potential of shared services, promoting urban regeneration without urban sprawl, extending bus priority and cycle lanes into more suburbs and mitigating the effects of the Roads of National Significance.”
An Innovation Hub, a conference centre without a casino, a Blue Belt along the inner harbour, the Ocean Exploration Centre, Centres of International Excellence and affordable housing to rent and buy will be brought to fruition if there is a progressive Council elected.”Our new CEO’s idea of initiating a Decade of Culture is a good way to introduce new Arts infrastructure and events, while supporting existing theatres and national institutions. I support exciting new propositions such as a National Māori Performing Arts Centre and transforming our acoustically outstanding Town Hall into a significant music hub.”
“Wellington’s future is bright and I look forward to continuing a collaborative leadership style while making faster progress to genuine wellbeing.”
Good to see her outline some of her second term (and long-term city) vision and I look forward to her fleshing the details out and debating it against her competitors. Unlike Auckland, Dunedin and Christchurch, Wellington has a well contested mayoral race with solid candidates. That is great thing, let the campaign really start!
WCC Watch 
Can you please clarify if this site is a platform for the left/CWB camp? Was keen on keeping up with election issues but it doesn’t seem like your coverage thus far has been very balanced. That in of itself is fine, but I would appreciate knowing if you do have a bias/preference?
Thanks.
I’m a naturally centre-left person, but in saying that I’m not a ideologue. I’ll criticise and and praise as needed, whatever their politics. I don’t think Celia’s been outstanding, but I also don’t think she’s been a dud. If someone does something stupid I’ll say so. On the other hand if they do something good, I’ll highlight it. I think most of the time I’m pretty fair, but I’m sorry if you don’t think so. I can’t speak for other authors on this blog, but I suspect they’re in a similar position.
Lol seriously? I think you should scroll back to the last few articles on Celia – I don’t think you could say this is a platform for her… btw referring to her as Celia Wade-Bicycle wasn’t exactly a compliment.
I am undoubtedly to the right of my WCC Watch colleagues, and maybe that provides some balance, but personally, I don’t think party politics comes into it too much, gaffes are gaffes and cock ups are cock ups, no matter what colour their hoardings might be and we will slam them all the same. Hei kona mai.