Local elections - time to vote for regional councillors - what do they do?
WHAT DOES THE REGIONAL COUNCIL DO?
From Stuff
What are Wellington regional council's priorities as local elections loom?
When it comes to decisions about our rivers, bush, parks, and bus fares, the regional council pulls the strings.
There are 13 seats around the table, and elections are held on the second Saturday in October every three years – this year, it's October 8.
Greater Wellington Regional Council, or Te Pane Matua Taiao, is often able to fly under the radar where the public is concerned. Where the city council is blamed and badgered for burst pipes, inner-city slips and lost libraries, the regional council is quietly cleaning up rivers, chasing wallabies, and setting our bus fares.
With climate change already making itself felt around the region, extreme weather events battering coastlines and emissions targets shaping transport decisions, the regional council is at the nexus of decision-making. Here are the big issues a newly elected council will face.
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WHO ARE THE CANDIDATES?
From Wtn Regional Council website
PONĒKE/WELLINGTON
5 councillors are needed- here are the candidates:
ARTHUR, Jake. Independent. jake8arthur@gmail.com
BLAKELEY, Roger. Independent. 021 229 69 28. roger.blakeley@outlook.com
BRYAN, Thomas. Independent. 029 235 80 57. tsbryan@outlook.co.nz
CALVI-FREEMAN, Chris. Independent. 021 0288 3839. chris.calvifreeman@gmail.com
CATLEY, Leigh. Independent. 027 241 4350. leighcatley42@gmail.com
HUGHES, Glenda. Independent. 027 495 36 73. glenda@glendahughes.co.nz
LEE, David. Connecting Wellington. 021 220 23 57. david@coupdetat.co.nz
MONTGOMERIE, Chris. Independent. 021 515 127. chrismontgomerienz@gmail.com
NASH, Thomas. Green. 029 123 1536. thomas.nash.nz@gmail.com
PONTER, Daran. Labour. 027 454 06 89. ponter.amor@xtra.co.nz
SAW, Yadana. Green. 027 492 3262. yadanajsaw@gmail.com
WOOLF, Simon. Independent. 027 501 67 89. simonwoolf@xtra.co.nz
