Local Body Politics

At the last local body elections, a friend of mine was running for mayor. This meant that I went to some meet the candidates meetings. Local body meet the candidate forums are a surreal experience. I remember driving up to a church hall where there were about as many members of the public as there were candidates. After each person had made their statement the first question went something like this: "The district plan was released last night and I stayed up all night reading it all, and the proposal, on page 294, for water run-off is completely inadequate...."

It's a strange person who runs for local body office, and an even stranger person who cares desperately about the results. So I'm not promising full coverage of the Wellington local government election. I haven't even decided if I can be bothered voting to mayor. I am planning to vote for councillor and for health board. Although I will endorse Jim Delahunty as my #1 choice for health board, here and now.

But there was an important piece of information in the newspaper the other day which I thought should be shared. The Wellington Chamber of Commerce has said that the only candidates that would be business friendly are Kerry Prendergast, Rob Goulden, Ray Ahipene-Mercer and John McGrath. Apparently the Wellington Chamber of Commerce would have problems working with any other candidates. If you were thinking of voting for mayor that cuts four candidates right out off the top.