Capital Times talks with mayoral hopefuls in the lead up to the Wellington City Council elections in early October.

COUNCILLOR Bryan Pepperell is a man on a mission, and he is not afraid to use technology to spread his message to his constituents.
The Southern Ward Councillor can claim Facebook and Myspace pages, a frequently updated blog and numerous Youtube videos in his arsenal as he attempts to topple incumbent mayor Kerry Prendergast at the upcoming council elections.
Pepperell feels it’s important to utilise every avenue possible when it comes to reaching voters, and addressing their concerns.
“I don’t feel the current mayor listens to people. Look at Manners Mall, there was a huge outpouring of annoyance on Facebook. It was the most feedback councillors have had in a long time and council ignores it. I would reconsider my opinion if public opinion were against me,” he says.
Pepperell feels that a number of critical issues need to be addressed immediately, with residential rates at the top of his list.
“We need to retain affordability, that’s not the case for many people. The decision to shift the commercial rates onto the residents doesn’t help, when many struggle to meet their overheads. I would like to see some relief there,” he says.
Pepperell wants as many utilities as possible to remain under council control.
“I oppose the taking of water and putting it in a local authority trading enterprise, ultimately giving it to the profit takers. Parking enforcement is also in the hands of the profit takers that have to come back in-house,” he says.
Council debt has always been a bugbear of Pepperell’s, and he insists that spending needs to be looked at.
“Some of the council’s projects, such as the Indoor Sports Centre and $350,000 Rugby World Cup monument, are ridiculous. The Global Financial Crisis is biting quite hard in Wellington. People are losing jobs, shops are left vacant, more offices are available to let. The council has to stop spending on projects that aren’t necessary,” he says.
Pepperell doesn’t feel potential increased tourism can justify current council spending on amenities.
“I don’t mind the tourists coming but I don’t want to pay for them coming, by moving business rates onto residents. I don’t want to subsidise visitors that come to the city.”
Compared with other councils in the Wellington region, Pepperell says WCC’s spending is worrying.
“I think that Hutt Valley and Upper Hutt are much more conservative with their spending. They have people there who are not so well off and they’re not going to put up with it. One of the problems with Wellington is traditionally you have a lot of people coming in and out so they never get too involved with what’s going on. They stay here for a year or two then move on. Outside of Wellington you have got people with a greater attachment to the area,” he says.
Changes to pedestrian areas in the city continue to be a contentious issue for Wellington ratepayers and Pepperell disagrees with many of the proposed changes.
“I wanted Manners Mall to stay pedestrian. I would like to see more pedestrian dedicated areas, e.g. Courtenay Place could open and close to traffic at different times. I would like to see more engagement with the public on this.”
He also wants to protect Queen’s Wharf’s Outer T.
“That’s an iconic area and there’s no way I want to see anything commercial on it, it should be a public space. I don’t want to see any more buildings on the waterfront.”
Pepperell admits he hasn’t had the best of luck in the mayoral race in past campaigns - suffering defeat on two occasions. However, if elected as mayor Pepperell says a pay increase would not affect the way he does business or how he deals with ratepayers.
“I’ve tried to keep my feet on the ground. I am one of the lowest paid councillors. A cluster of councillors are on $110,000 a year and that removes them from the problems that ordinary people face.”


What car do you drive?
A  bright yellow Toyota Funcargo.
What is your favourite and least favourite Wellington something?
Favourite: The hills of Wellington with their wonderful views from Mt Victoria lookout to Hawkins Hill or sweeping down Ngauranga flyover to the entrance of Wellington City and the harbour.  Least favourite: Being squeezed by a truck or bus on my bicycle going up Brooklyn Hill.
What is one issue in the past three years that has made you angry?
I was most angry at the cavalier way the Mayor and her team on council dismissed public opinion when it ran counter to their political agendas.
What needs the most attention in Wellington, public transport, or waterfront?
The waterfront needs the most attention with a commitment to open space with no more buildings. Public transport already exists and can be improved but is the primary responsibility of the regional council, government and business.
If you were a dictator what is the first thing you would implement in Wellington?
Compulsory education in civic responsibility and voting.
What was your worst/best subject at college?
Worst: Physical Education . Best: Mechanics.
What is your biggest weakness?
My biggest weakness is snacking on bad food that tastes good.
In six words describe your talents.
Creative, persistent, farseeing, intuitive, mechanical, logic.
If you were an animal what would you be?
Falcon.