Parks, pools, pipes, potholes will be some of the first things Paul Eagle tackles when he wins Wellington’s mayor in this year’s municipal election.
He used the launch of his campaign to announce that he would focus on returning to the basics of the council, reviving the arts and hospitality industry and establishing a new authority to face up to the major infrastructure changes coming for Wellington.
While Eagle previously confirmed he would run for mayor — and would trigger a by-election for his Rongotai seat in parliament if he won — he officially launched his campaign Sunday in the Te Aro Room, of the Mac’s Brewbar on the waterfront Wellington.
A real cross-section of Wellington turned out, including Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson and newly appointed Labor Party chairman Jill Day. Current Wellington City councilors Fleur Fitzsimons and her ideological counterpart Diane Calvert were in attendance, as was Councilor Nicola Young, while DJ King Kapisi played the tunes.
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Monique Ford/Stuff
A cross-section of Wellington revealed for the launch of Paul Eagle’s mayoral campaign
Former Porirua mayor Nick Leggett – who once contested the mayoralty of Wellington under the national banner – showed up with wife and new baby in a backpack to find current Porirua mayor, Anita Baker, also there. Representatives of the Chamber of Commerce also showed up.
“There’s no one I know who could bring this group together except Paul Eagle,” said Robertson, Wellington Central MP.
Eagle, a former deputy mayor of Wellington and current Labor MP, is supported by Labour, but is running in local elections as an independent.
A key part of Eagle’s campaign launch was a focus on “parks, pools, pipes and pits” and a pledge to publish a plan if he is mayor of which of these would receive additional funding and how much. It would be part of a wider review of council spending.
“Many of our suburban libraries are dilapidated or not open on weekends. The local pools are often closed due to unplanned issues such as insufficient lifeguards and maintenance issues. We have burst pipes through which sewage and water flow through our streets and our parks and playgrounds are dilapidated.”
He also pledged to work with the central government to make major improvements to the city’s three waters – drinking water, waste and storms.
ROSA WOODS/Stuff
Mayor Andy Foster has confirmed he wants to run for mayor again.
Eagle pledged to create a City Development Authority to come up with neighborhood plans to make decisions about homes, transportation, infrastructure and community amenities.
He said he would get an audit of sports fees: “Our region has some of the most expensive fees in the country for sports, clubs and schools to use municipal lands.”
He pledged to restore the city’s arts, culture and hospitality sectors, including establishing a ‘world-class arts district’ along Courtenay Place and completing redevelopment around the Te Ngākau Civic Center.
“As mayor, I will use the Urban Development Authority and work with developers, companies, creatives and the city community to realize this district. I will also enable mixed use on the square with shops, catering, offices and apartments to complement the public use.”
More policies were promised in the coming weeks and months.
With just over three months to go before the next mayor and aldermen are sworn in, and weeks after the nominations close the Wellington mayoral race, it’s already become a seven-horse race.
Sitting Mayor Andy Fosterthe Green Party Tory familyindependent Ray ChungSignificant Natural Areas opponent Dr. Barbara McKenzie, independent Ellen Blakeand independent Chris Dudfield have all previously announced that they will contest the mayoralty.
Voting by post will start on September 16 and voting closes on October 8.