Voters want new housing

Bungled bus systems, substandard housing and lacklustre infrastructure are the hot topics among Wellington Central electorate voters.

What they didn’t talk about was the area’s low enrolment rates.

This electorate has the lowest enrolment level across the region, with about 20 per cent still not registered to vote, according to the Electoral Commission. All other electorates in the area have a rate of more than 90 per cent.

The electorate encompasses the central and inner-city suburbs of Wellington City, together with Brooklyn, Mt Cook, Mt Victoria, Kelburn, Karori, Northland, and Wilton.

It has been held by Labour deputy leader Grant Robertson since 2008.

Voters spoken to were concerned that public transport was expensive and unreliable with Wellington City Council research showing they pay three times more than the rest of the country.

For others, important issues included the condition of Wellington’s roads, the need for greater pedestrian spaces, ease of access to the airport, and the airport runway extension.

People were also keen to discuss Wellington’s housing crisis, including Mt Victoria resident Maggie Chan, who said the housing shortage was difficult to ignore.

‘‘Finding affordable and reasonable rental homes in Wellington is very difficult, even with two fulltime salaries. The homes that are of reasonable quality are often overpriced and will generally result in a bidding war amongst applicants.’’

According to Statistics New Zealand, up to 45 per cent of renters experience some level of dampness or mould, 65 per cent of rentals require maintenance or repair, and more than 60 per cent of renters feel the cold more than they would like.

❚ Articles written by students from Massey University School of Journalism.