Aaron Gilmore revealed on Tuesday that he plans to run for the Motukarangi/Eastern Ward seat – one of three up for grabs.
Active as an independent, Gilmore said he thinks Wellington “deserves better”.
“Come in October 2022, I want to be part of the Eastern Ward team that performs better. The current Wellington City Council team has not delivered what we as taxpayers want and need. It is time for a shake-up and a focus to meet meets the needs of the residents, the municipality has not been able to do.”
In 2013, Gilmore threatened to use his influence at then Prime Minister John Key’s office to fire a waiter at a Hanmer Springs hotel after the man questioned the Christchurch List MP’s behavior.
Christchurch attorney Andrew Riches, one of Gilmore’s dining companions, confirmed that he left a note at the hotel the next morning apologizing for Gilmore’s behavior, which he said was “rude” and “disgusting”.
Gilmore is said to have called the waiter a “jerk” when he refused him more wine and handed him his business card with something like “Don’t you know who I am? I’m an important politician.”
Gilmore resigned from Parliament ten days later, saying that staying on would further upset his friends and family.
Gilmore initially denied the allegations, but then apologized via Twitter and a later press release which read: “As a group of diners, our behavior has been rambunctious at times, and I sincerely apologize for any offense this may have caused to the staff and/or the customers.” †
“I intend to convey my apologies to hotel staff on behalf of the group and understand that MPs must maintain and maintain the highest standards at all times.”
Gilmore was born in Christchurch to shopkeeper parents and attended Parkview Primary School. According to wikipedia, he attended Shirley Boys’ High School, before attending the University of Canterbury, where he earned a Masters of Commerce degree in economics in 1995.