Wellingtonians are the best - 2011 poll results

5/10/2011 10:39:00 a.m.

Photo: Matt Duncan.

WELLINGTONIANS are eclectic, busy and a little bit nuts and live in a city where the breeze keeps the air clean and the Aucklanders away.
Just some of your verdicts about the city we all call home revealed by readers in the Capital Times’ Best of Wellington poll.
Some winners have topped the lists year after year – Paul Bayliss the city’s best bus driver and Dan Slevin your favourite Capital Times writer. Others have pushed aside the competition to take top place for the first time – Mayor Celia Wade-Brown and street performer King Home Bay – while humbled businessman Terry Serepisos dropped from first place to third in the best dressed local man category, and that was before the shirt was taken off his back.
Your comments were both interesting and varied. You loved the city for its compactness, its harbour and stunning natural setting, its culture and community spirit and its great food and coffee. You’re not so keen on the drunk young people, expensive public transport, a lack of cycle paths and the fact everyone dresses in black. Oh and the weather – we don’t like the wind but would love more snow.
And while we know what we like we’re not always good with names. Nominations like the bloke who sings, the red head behind the bar and the rusty man on the wharf required a bit of research.
Our congratulations and thanks to you all, whether you won, placed, or nominated. You all lend a vibe to Wellington that’s, unmistakeably, Wellington. Plus our team at Capital Times is obviously really happy that you’re reading the paper.
Pin-up boy
Conrad Smith, you chose him as Wellington’s top sportsman. We announce it in the week that his career moves up a notch and he takes a central role in RWC rumour, conjecture and speculation. Smith, originally a Taranaki boy, came to the city to attend university. He’s now a barrister and solicitor, he plays for the Lions, and the Hurricanes and he’s the All Black centre.

BEST PEOPLE:
A1   Barista/ coffee maker
           Nick Clark @ Memphis Belle (2)
           Danny Minson @ Peoples (-)
           Kirk Hodgson @ Kapai C.Place (-)
A2   Barmaid
           Bryony Skillington @ Pit Bar (2)
           Sally Thompson @ Mighty Mighty (1)
           Emma Barry @ Lovelocks (-)
A3   Barman
           Gareth Perks @ Pit Bar (1)
           Neal Taylor @ Lovelocks (-)
           Dom Markham @ Mighty Mighty (-)
A4   Maitre d
           Shae Moleta @ Ambeli (1)
           Ben Allerby @ Sweet Mothers Kitchen (3)
           Kiwa Taylor @ Pan De Muerto
A5   City councillor
           Celia Wade-Brown (2)
           Justin Lester (-)
           Ian McKinnon (1)
A6   Local MP
           Grant Robertson (1)
           Annette King (2)
           Charles Chauvel (-)
A7   Bus driver
           Paul Bayliss (1)
           Reti Patea
           Marina Williams
A8   Capital Times writer/contributor
           Dan Slevin (1)
           Melody Thomas (-)
           Martin Doyle (-)
A9   Street performer
           King Home Boy (3)
           Juggler on Courtenay Place (2)
           Beat Box Guy (-)
A10   Best dressed local man
           Peter McLeavey (-)
           Dan Golding (-)
           Terry Serepisos (1)
A11   Best dressed local woman
           Christina O @ Hunters & Collectors (-)
           Nina Finigan @ Paper Bag Princess (-)
           Marion Castree @ Unity (3)
A12   Local sportsperson
           Conrad Smith
A13   Wellington band
           Fat Freddys Drop (2)
           Phoenix Foundation (1)
           Wgtn Intl Ukelele Orchestra (3)
A14 Wellingtonian
           John Miller – John Miller Law

BEST ARTS AND CULTURE:
B1   Gallery
           City Gallery (1)
           New Dowse (2)
           Portrait Gallery(-)
B2   Museum
           Te Papa (1)
           Museum of City and Sea (2)
           New Dowse (-)
B3   Cinema
           Embassy (1)
           Roxy (-)
           Penthouse (-)
B4   Live Theatre
           Bats (1)
           Circa (3)
           Downstage (2)
B5 Sculpture
           Solace in the Wind (1)
           Ferns in Civic Square (-)
           Bucket Fountain (2)

BEST VENUE:
C1   Sports
           Westpac Stadium (1)
           Basin Reserve (2)
           TSB Arena (3)
C2   Arts
           City Gallery
           Bats
           St James
C3   Concert / Gig
           San Francisco Bathhouse
           Michael Fowler Centre
           Mighty Mighty
C4   Late night
           Mighty Mighty
           San Francisco Bathhouse
           Hawthorne

BEST EVENT:
D1   Best Event
           NZ International Film Festival
           Sevens
           Cuba Carnival

BEST PLACE YOU LIKE:
E1   Bookshop
           Unity (1)
           Arty Bees (2)
           Whitcoulls - Lambton Quay (-)
E2   Florist
           Flowers Manuela (1)
           Woodstock (-)
           Bunches (-)
E3   Gym
           Les Mills (1)
           Exodus (-)
           Habit (-)
E4   Hairdresser
           Powder Room (3)
           Jam (1)
           Willis York (-)
E5   Men’s Clothing shop
           Mandatory (3)
           Hunters & Collectors (-)
           Vance Vivian (-)
E6   Women’s Clothing shop
           Recycle Boutique (1)
           Hunters & Collectors (-)
           Good as Gold (-)
E7   Supermarket
           Moore Wilson’s (2)
           Chaffers New World (1)
           Thorndon New World (3)
E8   Taxi Co
           Green Cabs (2)
           Wellington Combined (1)
           Kiwi (-)
E9   Weekend market
           City Market (3)
           Harbourside Market (1)
           Newtown Market (-)
E10   Shopping Destination
           Cuba St (1)
           Westfield / Queensgate (2)
           Lambton Quay (3)
E11   I really like
           The vibe on Cuba St and
           the Wellington Waterfront.

BEST SPOTS YOU LIKE:
F1   Beach
           Oriental Bay (1)
           Scorching Bay (2)
           Lyall Bay (3)
F2   City building
           Old Bank (1)
           Wgtn Public Library (2)
           City Gallery (3)
F3   City park
           Waitangi Park (1)
           Botanical Gardens (2)
           Frank Kitts Park (3)
F4   Public loo
           Lobster Loos (-)
            Courtenay Place (-)
           ANZ Bank Corner Featherston St / Lambton Quay (1)
F5   Public mural
           Opera House Lane (-)
           Prostitute on Marion St (3)
           Aro Valley Community Centre (-)
F6   Shop window
           Hunters & Collectors (2)
           Kirkcaldies (1)
           Iko Iko (3)
F7   Regional Park
           Belmont (2)
           Kaitoke (1)
           Town Belt (-)
F8   View
           Mt Victoria (1)
           Wind Turbine (2)
           Top of Cable Car (3)
F9   Walk
           Wgtn Waterfront (1)
           Oriental Bay (-)
           Botanical Gardens (3)
F10   Fun for kids
           Capital E (1)
           Te Papa (-)
           Wellington Zoo (-)
F11    Other
           The Amazing Travelling
           Photo Booth

BEST RESTAURANT:
G1   Cafe
           Memphis Belle (-)
           Deluxe (2=)
           Fidels (-)
G2   Breakfast
           Maranui (1)
           Floriditas (-)
           Sweet Mothers Kitchen (2)
G3   Fine Dining
           Logan Brown (1)
           Hippopotomus @ Museum Hotel (-)
           White House (-)
G4   Steak
           Crazy Horse (1)
           Lone Star (3)
           Green Parrot (2)
G5   Fish
           Ortega (-)
           Martin Bosley’s (1)
           Sweet Mothers Kitchen (-)
G6   Pizza
           Pizza Pommodoro (2=)
           Scopa (1)
           Hell (3=)
G7   Vegetarian
           Aunty Menas (2)
           Kapai (-)
           Higher Taste (1)
G8   Dessert
           Library Bar (-)
           Strawberry Fare (1)
           Sweet Mothers Kitchen (2)

BEST ETHNIC RESTAURANT:
H1   Cambodian
           Siem Reap (1)
H2   Chinese
           Big Thumb (1)
           Beijing (2=)
H3   Japanese
           Kazu (1)
           Ozeki (-)
H4   Malay
           KK Malaysia (3)
           Satay Kingdom (2)
H5   Thai
           Phu Thai (2)
           Thai Chefs (1)
H6   Italian
           Nicollinis (3)
           Scopa (1)
H7   French
           Le Metropolitan (1)
           Simply Paris (3)
H8   Indian
           Little India (1)
           Tulsi (-)
H9   Korean
           Seoul House (1)
H10 Mexican
           La Boca Loca (-)
           Viva Mexico Left Bank (2)

BEST TAKEAWAY:
I1   Fish & Chips
         Wellington Sea Market
           Cuba St (1=)
           Aro St Fish Supply (2)
           Fish Fins Newtown (-)
I2   Burger
           Burger Fuel (1)
           Wisconsin (3)
           Offbeat (-)
I3   Kebab
           Phoenician (2)
           Abrakebara (1)
           Cuba Kebabs (3)
I4   Pie
           Trishas (2)
           Hataitai Bakery (-)
           Patrishas (2)
I5   Pizza
            Pizza Pommodoro (2)
           Hell (1)
           Mediterranean Food Warehouse (3)
I6   Indian
           Little India (-)
           Tulsi (-)
           Khana Khazana (3)
I7   Chinese
           KC Café (1)
           Beijing (3)
           HK Kitchen (-)
I8   Sushi
           Sushi Bi Woodward St (-)
           California Sushi (2)
           Midland Sushi (1)
I9   Sandwich
           Kapai (-)
           Subway (1)
           Wishbone (3)
I10 Chicken
           Nandos (2)
           KFC (1)
           Sweet Mothers Kitchen (-)
I11   Salad
           Kapai (1)
           Deluxe (2)
           Fidels (-)
I12 Vegetarian
           Aunty Menas (2)
           Kapai (-)
           Higher Taste (1)

BEST OTHER FOOD AND DRINK:
J1   Bar
           Mighty Mighty (1)
           Havana Bar (-)
           Library Bar (-)
J2   Outdoor bar
           Southern Cross (1)
           Matterhorn (3)
           St John’s (2)
J3   Cake shop
           Le Moulin(3)
           Martha’s Pantry (1)
           AroBake (-)
J4   Tea made at
           Martha’s Pantry (-)
           Memphis Belle (-)
           Olive (2)
J5   Hot Choc made at
           Scopa (1)
           Butlers (-)
           Memphis Belle (-)
J6   Milkshake
           Sweet Mothers Kitchen (-)
           Fidels (2)
           Offbeat (1)
J7   Bottle shop
           Regional Wines and Spirits (1)
           Moore Wilsons (-)
           Glengarry (2)
J8   Dairy
           Nic Nac’s Cuba Mall (-)
           Mount Victoria Foodmarket - Cnr Brougham and Elizabeth Sts (2)
           Montys Cuba Food Market Cuba St (-)
J9   Fruit & Vege
           Moore Wilson’s Fresh (3)
           Cuba St Fruit Market (-)
           Chaffers Market (1=)

FAVOURITE BRANDS:
K1   Coffee
           Havana (1)
           Flight (-)
           Peoples (2)
K2   NZ Beer
           Tuatara (1)
           Emersons (3
           Monteiths (2)
K3   Chocolate
           Whittakers (1)
           Schoc (3)
           Trade Aid (-)
K4   Bread
           Panadoro (1)
           Le Moulin (2)
           AroBake (-)
K5   Other
           Tip Top Ice Cream
           Kapiti Ice Cream

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Cover Story

Best of Wellington 2011

Fringe Festival

Briefs

He’s the man
SIR Richard Taylor, co-founder of the special effects company Weta Workshop, was named New Zealander of the Year at an awards ceremony late last week. Sir Richard was knighted in 2010 for services to film and was part of the team to win four Academy Awards for the Lord of the Rings movies. The other finalists for the award were Auckland skin cancer specialist Dr Sharad Paul and World of Wearable Arts founder Dame Suzie Moncrieff.
Liquor battle over
BUSINESSMAN Luv Khattar has withdrawn his application to operate a liquor store opposite Newtown School after the community banded together in opposition to his plans. Khattar’s withdrawal came after the Wellington District Licensing Agency received a record 111 objections to his application for Vee’s Liquor Planet, and after a petition with 676 signatures was presented to the agency by community representatives.
Jamie’s coming
A scout is currently looking for a site for 200 diners to bring Jamie Oliver’s Italian restaurant to Wellington. Oliver’s Australasian licensee Pacific Restaurant Group will operate the restaurant, as well as two further sites planned for Auckland and Queenstown.
Mojo not lost
MOJO Coffee on Kent Terrace is to close at the end of this month.
After five years on its current site the lease on the building expires on February 28.
Those still wanting their Mojo fix are still in luck with 16 outlets in the Capital selling Mojo coffee and three new Mojo cafés set to open in the next six months.
Digital world
INTERNETNZ is hosting a free workshop later this month for legal, media and Internet professionals to discuss the Law Commission’s recently published News Media meets New Media report. InternetNZ CEO Vikram Kumar says the evolving digital landscape has presented challenges for traditional media regulatory models. Kumar is confirmed to speak alongside Law Commissioner John Burrows and blogger David Farrar.
Dowse goes green
GREEN technologies are being embraced by The Dowse Art Museum.
The museum has teamed up with energy reduction company Ecosystems to reduce energy use by 15 percent.
The savings will be made by refining building management and incorporating more efficient measures of heating, cooling and lighting.
Capital risk
WELLINGTON’S economy would take a $37 billion hit in the event of a large earthquake, according to a report released by Wellington City Council.
The report identifies 435 unreinforced masonry buildings in the central city which could pose a risk to occupants and block city roads.
Council is currently investigating ways to try and speed up earthquake strengthening work and making such work cheaper for building owners.
Sweet success
A taste of Greece
GREEK cuisine is being celebrated in Wellington on February 25 at the annual Greek food festival.
The festival, at the Greek Community Centre in Hania Street, will feature authentic Greek food with drinks from the bar or Greek coffee.
Duck degustation
THORNDON French restaurant Le Canard is going quackers.
Le Canard is offering a special menu on February 26 featuring duck in all its disguises, from Foie Gras Mousse and duck gizzard terrine to lemon and thyme crème brulee, duck profiterole and apricot pascal.
Gem of opportunity
A jewellery maker with an eye for turning used and unwanted materials into wearable art has become this year’s recipient of Toi Poneke’s Deblyn artist-in-residence.
Vanessa Arthur will receive a rent-free studio, business mentorship, and costs towards materials for a solo exhibition at Toi Poneke Gallery at the end of her residence.
Big ‘A’ awards
NOMINATIONS have opened for the six award categories in the 2012 Big ‘A’ Awards, presented by Arts Access Aotearoa.
The awards recognise the works of people with physical or intellectual impairments, users of mental health services and organisations involved in using art as a tool to support the rehabilitation of prisoners.
Nominations close March 23.

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