IF all goes to one young man’s plan, Wellington City Council will have a 21-year-old councillor representing the Lambton Ward in October’s Local Body Elections.
Local politics enthusiast Jevan Goulter has announced his candidacy in the elections, and says the council is in dire need of “fresh blood”.
“We need new ideas and new people. There’s too many people who’ve sat there comfortably for a long time,” says Goulter. “I’d walk into council with a youthful essence and motivation. I’d do something active, because after a while I think it just becomes part of the job.”
Goulter strongly believes there should be a two-term policy for all members of council.
“You’ve got two terms to make a difference, and then you’re gone,” he says. “That’s six years. It will motivate people to work a lot harder.”
Goulter grew up surrounded by politics and political figures. At 13 he joined the Labour Party, and went on to be active on youth boards. Through this work, he befriended some of the colourful figures of Wellington’s political history.
He recently celebrated his 21st birthday jointly with his good friend, 1977’s transvestite mayoralty candidate Carmen, 75. At the time she was backed by businessman Bob Jones, who is currently organising a much-anticipated team for the upcoming election.
“Carmen as a person inspires me, not just politically,” says Goulter. “She ran [for mayor] at a time when homosexuality was still illegal. Everything she wanted to happen has happened today.”
Other friends include former Commissioner for Children Cindy Kiro, who Goulter met as a 14 year-old at a children’s youth symposium, and the world’s first transsexual mayor, Georgina Beyer.
He says he’s aware people will question how he will manage a business-heavy electorate at 21, but he’s unfazed.
“Look at the people we’ve got and ask, ‘are they doing a good job?’ We’ve got one great person in the Lambton Ward, and that’s (Deputy Mayor) Ian McKinnon. He’s a good man with good intentions, and I’d definitely support him.”
Goulter’s first priority is to get Wellington ready for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. As the capital of New Zealand, Wellington does not reach its potential, he says.
“Improving the Golden Mile and making parts of it pedestrian only is a great idea. We also need to implement a free shuttle service in the city – Auckland and Christchurch has one, so why don’t we?”
He says Wellington needs more free events, and a focus on gaps in the arts and culture scene, such as a venue for entertainers who are too big to play in bars, but not big enough to play in arenas.
On the contentious issue of water metering, Goulter says Wellingtonians need to be more involved in the discussions about vital utilities.
He says being young and tech savvy will make him more accessible to a wide variety of people through both the traditional means, as well as Twitter, Facebook and Bebo.
“We need to communicate with the public, [past] consultation with people has been a huge problem,” he says. “I get really peeved off when [council] only discusses these issues in election years. That’s where money is wasted. I’ve met a lot of the councillors in Wellington and I’m disappointed. Half of them are a waste of $80,000 a year.”
“I support (mayoral candidate and businessman) Jack Yan for Mayor. I think he’s a smart guy.”
If successful, Goulter won’t be the first young Wellington Councillor. Current Northern-Ward councillor 22-year-old Hayley Wain entered council at the age of 18.
But Goulter is sceptical of her time in council.
“We’ve butted heads on a lot of issues. I think it’s time for new young people,” he says. “Move over Hayley, you’re sitting in my seat.”