Capital Times asked six keen Wellingtonians if there were one single deciding issue for their mayoralty vote what would it be? We put those questions to the candidates for you.

Tim Brown: Infratil executive
How do you want to make people feel they have a stake in the city?
Bernard O’Shaughnessy: Rates are becoming a burden. True, real consultation is needed, coupled with open accountability.
Bryan Pepperell: By giving the people a greater say in the sharing of the benefits as well as the losses.
Jack Yan: By transparency. Webcasting council meetings. Having a city blog. More frequent community visits by the mayor.
Celia Wade-Brown: Strengthen local communities with arts and sport, community centres and libraries. Involve volunteers so they belong locally.
Kerry Prendergast: Quality of Life rating already 93 percent approval. We’ll keep investing in safety and include residents in decision-making.
Al Mansell: We all need to work to create strong local communities, promoting communal values over crass individualism.
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John Shewan: tax expert, Chairman, PricewaterhouseCoopers
What clear polices have you that will encourage businesses (and therefore their staff) to stay and to expand in Wellington and to attract new business here?
Bernard O’Shaughnessy: A tax incentive for [starting] small businesses. A student loan reduction to assist their, and our countries’, future.
Bryan Pepperell: Better awareness Wellington’s quality of life, compactness and a responsive council to business and community needs.
Jack Yan: Building our creative clusters through mentoring, financing and working with Grow Wellington. We can grow our GDP sensibly.
Celia Wade-Brown: Ultra-fast broadband, clean technology support, efficient shared services, clear communications, good quality of life in our compact, cosmopolitan, close-to-nature city.
Kerry Prendergast: Support economic development unit, work with Government to introduce ultra-fast broadband, turning small IT businesses into exporters.
Al Mansell: My public drug parties make Wellington a better place for everyone.
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Tom Greally: General Manager Weta Digital
Have you got the experience, credentials and connections to further develop the quality of life for Wellington citizens…[and] address the significant central and local government infrastructure [eg transport] matters that are currently on the table?
Bernard O’Shaughnessy: Yes, I had 25 years in justice, social welfare, Education, DSIR/MAF on managing large projects [and]…10 years as professional teacher.
Bryan Pepperell: Yes, I have the important connections with business and Government.
Jack Yan: I am a unifier. I have run businesses worldwide and have global connections. I am quadrilingual and can secure our future.
Celia Wade-Brown: Collectively, citizens have the passion and knowledge. I have experience, conflict resolution and governance competencies to bring those skills together.
Kerry Prendergast: Yes, proven over nine years my experience and leadership, links to highest echelons in Government to make Wellington’s voice heard.
Al Mansell: Probably not. I’d suggest voting for Celia or Jack
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Mark Dunajtschik: Property developer
For umpteen years rates have increased much faster than the consumer price index (CPI). This shouldn’t be happening. Do you envisage increases above the CPI? If so why, and by how much?
Bernard O’Shaughnessy: My solution…[is] to peg rates to the CPI and have the city council fund the needs for other social events elsewhere.
Bryan Pepperell: The legacy of this council is increased debt and leaky buildings; the books must be opened to the public.
Jack Yan: I am against shifting of the burden on to residents and the rates’ rise. I would not implement further increases.
Celia Wade-Brown: Once harbour is clean, children can walk safely, arts and transport are excellent then we could maintain rates at CPI.
Kerry Prendergast: Total rates have not. In final year of moving the commercial differential, which has made residential rates increase more.
Al Mansell: We should do our best to keep rates down, but I will not make flippant promises on this issue.
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Mike Leon: Wellington Night Shelter manager
Would it benefit Wellingtonians if we had a regional housing strategy, which particularly focused on low income, single people? 
Bernard O’Shaughnessy [abridged]: We need a total new policy for the regional interests…I…think councils should be building more units/houses.
Bryan Pepperell: A regional housing strategy should be a government responsibility and not a justification for a super city.
Jack Yan: Regionalisation is not a must. Tying rents to income for council flats and revising the benefits’ system would be useful.
Celia Wade-Brown: Families and single people need affordable housing (public, private and third sector), close to public transport and cheap to heat.
Kerry Prendergast: We already work with other local authorities in region and Housing New Zealand on this issue; we complement each other.
Al Mansell: Yes. To survive the collapse of the world economy, we need to ensure all Wellingtonians reach their potential.
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Liz Thomas: Living Streets Aotearoa director
What steps would you put in place to make roads safer so that parents will let their children walk or cycle to school?
Bernard O’Shaughnessy: [The] speed limit at and by all schools to be 20km.
Bryan Pepperell: Walking buses and dedicated cycle ways is a solution but may require more funding and consultation.
Jack Yan: Our cycling and walking policies have not been well implemented. I’d do something about the culture inside council.
Celia Wade-Brown: Analyse safer routes to school with students and parents, add crossings and refuges, encourage “walking/cycling school buses”, reduce speeds.
Kerry Prendergast: Already support walking buses, slower speeds around schools. Would increase public awareness, particularly around active recreation for children.
Al Mansell: If elected, I will stop driving while intoxicated.