Candidates judged on their stance

Many Wellington and Wairarapa council candidates would put economic growth before climate change action, a Stuff survey has found.

Compared to the national average, more candidates running for the Wellington City Council, Carterton District Council, Hastings District Council, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and Porirua City Council disagreed that a response to climate change may need to come at the expense of economic growth.

But Victoria University of Wellington professor Dr James Renwick said the results overall were heartening.

‘‘I am encouraged by this. Most of the people polled are saying climate change is a really important issue, and it will affect the people in my community, and we should be doing everything we can.’’

Renwick said it seemed most candidates for Wellington and the Wairarapa had ‘‘the right mindset’’.

However, how the candidates rated the economy over climate change responses was ‘‘one of the weaker’’ responses, Renwick said.

Compared to a national average of 56 per cent, 50 per cent of Wellington City Council candidates agreed a response to climate change may need to come at the expense of economic growth.

That was followed by Carterton District candidates at 45 per cent, Hastings at 42 per cent, Hawke’s Bay at 40 per cent and Porirua at 36 per cent.

‘‘Maybe it’s a reflection that we’ve all lived our lives in a way that just absolutely glorifies economic growth,’’ Renwick said.

The real cost on the economy would come from doing nothing, he said.

The election was a chance for people to actually make a difference, Renwick said.

‘‘Getting in to a position like this, whether it’s central Government or local Government, you do have power to make things happen ... but I am not saying that it’s easy or cheap. These are not things that will happen overnight.’’

Renwick said he’d encourage everyone to get out and vote.

‘‘The people that get in for the next three years really have the power to make the difference."