Fast facts

Party politics: Pick for deputy: Campaign budget: A Wellington weekend:

Independent, but stood for Labour in 2010 Andy Foster Nil

His typical Wellington weekend starts with the boys’ soccer. There’s probably socialising on Saturday night, recovery time on Sunday morning and a long walk or drive on Sunday afternoon. Social Development ministries, as well as the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research.

He’s probably the only mayoral candidate to have been shot at, he jokes. These days he’s a stay-athome dad who blogs about politics, poetry, country music and fiscally irresponsible councillors. A 3.6 per cent rates rise with inflation at 0.4 per cent is a disgrace, he says.

There’s a fat Guardians Of The Bay ring-binder on the dining table. Unlike most of his fellow guardians, Johnson doesn’t oppose the airport runway extension, per se. He just opposes the ‘‘scandalous’’ suggestion the council should contribute $90 million to a profitable company.

Ditto plans to build space into the council-funded convention centre to house Peter Jackson’s movie museum. And while we’re on the subject – has anyone even run a proper ruler over the convention centre business case?

And do we really need people boozing after 3am? From personal experience, no good can come of that, Johnson says. Actually, if he’s honest, it’s probably a decade since he’s been out after 1am. His partner, Jane, is a Health Ministry nursing adviser so alcohol impacts are a hot topic.

In 10 to 20 years, Johnson wants to see a rapid transit system running under Mt Cook and Newtown. But for now, Wellington’s growth is already outstripping Auckland’s, without any major new projects.

So there’s plenty of time for that cup of tea.