Lester eyes a second term as city’s mayor
Wellington Mayor Justin Lester has tossed his hat in the ring for a second term.
Labour announced its line-up yesterday, with all the existing Wellington City Council Labour councillors Brian Dawson, Peter Gilberd and Fleur Fitzsimons seeking re-election next year.
They will be joined by new candidates Rebecca MatthewsHeron for the Onslow-Western ward and 20-year-old Teri O’Neill for the Eastern ward.
‘‘I love Wellington and with our Labour team on council over the last few years we have been striving to make the city even better,’’ Lester said.
‘‘We’ve achieved much already – major investments in social and affordable housing, becoming the first accredited Living Wage council in the country, kicking off Predator Free Wellington, embarking on our plans to become a te reo capital and developing plans to celebrate a decade of culture and creativity.’’
The election would be the first time in decades that Labour has run candidates in every ward.
O’Neill is a non-governmental organisation campaigner, who grew up in the eastern suburbs.
A self-described ‘‘nerd for local politics’’, she thought councils often lacked a voice representing young people.
‘‘[Wellington is] a studentfriendly city and I think it’s time young people had a seat at the table.’’
She said her priorities for Eastern ward would be city safety, safe and effective transport, and quality housing.
‘‘I’m running for council because I know first-hand how important local services are.’’
Onslow-Western ward candidate Rebecca Matthews, who lives in Ngaio, works as a community campaigner and unionist.
Matthews has helped deliver campaigns for the Living Wage Movement and the campaign to extend paid parental leave.
‘‘As a local working mother, I want to see a council that supports our families,’’ she said.
‘‘That means delivering good pools, parks and community facilities that makes a parent’s job easier and better.’’
Labour has also selected sitting councillor Daran Ponter for Greater Wellington Regional Council’s Wellington ward, plus sitting District Health Board member Eileen Brown and newcomer Ayesha Verrall for the DHB.