Mayor fights to keep crown

The contest for the Wellington mayoralty comes down to a two-horse race. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Incumbent Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast is taking nothing for granted. And she shouldn't, as she faces the most serious challenge to her crown in her nine-year reign.

Celia Wade-Brown, a Green Party member whose preferred mode of transport is cycling, is considered as respected and hard-working as the incumbent.

This year's election is considered a two-horse race, and Ms Wade-Brown hopes to door-knock most of the city by the end of her campaign. The reaction, she says, is a mood for change.

"Whether people are just being polite to my face, I don't know."

But critics question whether she has the charisma to unite the council, and she faces a battle to unseat Ms Prendergast, who says her track-record speaks for itself.

"The city is on a roll," says the mayor. "We have the best quality of life in New Zealand, we are recognised as the arts and culture capital, we have the best events strategy ... the economy is as good as it can be, recovering from a recession."

Standard & Poor's recently gave the Wellington City Council a AA+ credit rating for "excellent financial management".

Ms Prendergast thinks her challenger is tainted green, colouring her views on public transport and making her less likely to appeal to all colours of the political spectrum.

"You need roads for public transport to go on, and what the Greens will never admit is they want no cars. They only want public transport, and the reality is you need a balance."

Ms Prendergast has built up relationships and contacts over the past nine years as mayor, which make her, she believes, the obvious choice.

"The biggest issue facing the rest of New Zealand is that we will be lost in the hunger for resources from Auckland, and we need strong leadership so that our voice continues to be heard," the mayor says.

But Ms Wade-Brown is confident. Ms Prendergast received only 35 per cent of the first preference vote in 2007 - less than in 2004 - and the challenger hopes to win support from the majority of Wellingtonians who, she believes, want someone different.

Though Ms Wade-Brown does not think her political colours are a barrier, she knows people might pigeon-hole her as a Greenie and is not campaigning as one.

"I've always worked well with people across council. I have good relationships with people like [Cabinet minister] Chris Finlayson; I've met [Transport Minister] Steven Joyce.

"There is more to deciding what is good for the capital than worrying about what party the mayor comes from."

Despite their political differences - Ms Prendergast was an unsuccessful list candidate for National in 1999 - the rivals have many similarities. They support the arts and music scene, more walkways, cycling and public transport. They expect rates to rise at roughly the rate of inflation.

The main point of difference is: light rail or more roads?

The council is looking at easing traffic congestion by doubling the tunnels at the Terrace and Mt Victoria and is also investigating light rail from the railway station to the airport via the hospital.

Ms Prendergast wants to double the tunnels while building infrastructure for a rapid system for the airport route for buses which could, in future, be used by light rail.

"Light rail is incredibly expensive, not only the capital costs but the annual operating costs," the incumbent says. "I don't think our community can afford that at this stage."

The current traffic bottlenecks make doubling the tunnels necessary, regardless of the merits of light rail, she says.

Ms Wade-Brown rejects this because a light rail system would double the capacity of the existing bus network. Extending light rail to Johnsonville, Porirua and Lower Hutt would reduce traffic through the tunnels and avoid the need to double them.

More roads, she says, will just put more one-person cars in the city.

"My advice is that total light rail costs to the airport are less than the total of the tunnels." The tunnels have a combined pricetag of about $340 million.

Ms Wade-Brown also criticises the incumbent for backing two projects - the Hilton Hotel on the waterfront and the Wellywood sign - that were met with public disdain, and for not being as inclusive as she could be.

"There are lots of meetings the mayor has to have but there's no reason why she can't take another portfolio leader with her."

She also wants to bring stakeholders in council decisions to the negotiating table at the same time.

"We'd be more like the conductor of an orchestra, rather than an arbiter."

Ms Prendergast says she is committed to keeping major events in Wellington, despite a cloud hanging over the future of the Sevens tournament and the popular Cuba St Carnival.

Other mayoral contenders include seasoned councillor Bryan Pepperell and businessman Jack Yan, but the former has tried and failed twice before while the latter has no council experience.

THE INCUMBENT

Kerry Prendergast

* Former midwife.
* Mayor since 2001.
* On council since 1989.
* Stood unsuccessfully on the National Party list in 1999 general election.
* Why she should be mayor: Has built relationships that make her the best leader for Wellington in the fight for resources with the Auckland Super City.

THE CHALLENGER

Celia Wade-Brown

* Former IT programmer.
* Born in London, moved to Wellington in 1983.
* Councillor from 1994-98 and since 2001; has environment portfolio.
* Green Party member.
* Why she should be mayor: Wants a light rail system to the airport by 2020, avoiding the need for more roads.