CAPITAL TIMES continues its look at the election campaign and in particular the fight for Wellington Central. The electorate is the best educated in the country, has the highest proportion of 20-29 year olds, and the highest income earners. Labour has held the seat since Marian Hobbs took it from Richard Prebble in 1999. Its MP since 2008 has been Grant Robertson.
This week we profile two more Wellington Central hopefuls: Paul Foster-Bell stands for National, against incumbent Labour MP, Grant Robertson.

In the red
ON the eve of the general election Grant Robertson will be at the Clean gig at San Francisco Bathhouse.
He loves New Zealand music and going to see the Clean will be his treat after the hard work of campaigning for a general election and continuing to function as an electorate MP.
Just turned 40, Robertson won Wellington Central in 2008. He is Labour’s spokesperson for health and associate spokesperson on for arts, culture and heritage.
Though born in Palmerston North and having lived in Hastings for a short time, Robertson was brought up in Dunedin by Presbyterian parents who he says instilled in him his keen belief in social justice. He went to Otago University, gaining a BA honours degree in political studies. It was there he became involved in politics, first as president of the Otago University Students’ Association in 1995and as president of the national body in 1996.
“It was there that I learnt how to organise a political group. I learnt how to campaign and how to work with the media.”
Robertson then joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was first placed in charge of New Zealand’s overseas aid programme to Samoa and then for two and-a-half years worked at the United Nations in New York. He returned to New Zealand to be an advisor for environment Minister Marian Hobbs and then in the office of the Prime Minister Helen Clark.
While frustrated at being in Opposition Robertson says he really enjoys being the MP for Wellington Central. He lists among his achievements the campaign for Wellington to be a fair trade city, working with the city council to protect the town belt and starting the petition which helped retain the Sevens in the Capital. He himself is a keen sports fan, particularly cricket and rugby. He met his civil union partner Alf when they played together for the Wellington based gay rugby team the Crazy Knights.
Priorities for a second term, Robertson says, are housing, health and transport. He’s concerned about a lack of emergency housing in Wellington and about housing affordability in the city in general. He’s also critical of service cuts at Capital Coast Health and of Transport Agency’s roading plans for the Basin Reserve. Another priority is to lead a regional approach to economic development.
Most of all, however, Robertson wants to continue helping individual constituents who come to his electoral office every day for assistance.
“It’s the electorate part of the job that gives me the most satisfaction. I enjoy helping people.”

In the blue PAUL Foster-Bell says he’s a bluegreen.
The 34 year old doesn’t drive a car, supports the need for better public transport and sees the economic benefits of New Zealand being clean and green. But he’s also calling for more spending on roads, Transmission Gully, and a second Mt Victoria tunnel.
“It’s all about balance,” Foster-Bell says. “The worst possible thing is to have cars sitting in traffic jams emitting exhaust.”
Of English, Scots and Maori descent Foster-Bell grew up in Northland before heading south to Otago University where he gained a degree in archaeology and a diploma in business.
He moved to Wellington eight years ago and after a brief stint working at Parliament and at the Ministry of Justice joined the diplomatic service with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. A three year posting to Tehran as deputy head of mission ended last year when he returned to Wellington as MFAT’s deputy chief of protocol.
“I see working overseas and helping New Zealanders in trouble very similar to the work of a local MP who is often the call of last resort for people needing assistance.”
Foster-Bell is single and lives by himself in an inner city apartment. He loves the city, but rather than the nightlife enjoys its heritage, its museums and art galleries and its culture and theatre. Politics was a hobby, “now it’s full-time,” and he admits to being a computer geek and an on-line social networker.
Foster-Bell has been a National supporter since his days at Otago University. As a student he stood for National in Dunedin South in the 2002 general election.
“The balance in National is about right and I’m committed to National’s core principles. I’m also proud of what the Government has done under John Key in tacking the causes of poverty, benefit dependency, and the fact that under National Maori have been partners rather than last off the ramp.”
He says his time in the public service has also readied him for political office.
“In the public service you learn how the system works, but you’re only implementing public policy. I’m looking forward to having a say in it.