Pukehīnau / Lambton General Ward candidates

Question: Who am I?

Afnan Al-Rubayee: Kia ora. Ko Afnan Al-Rubayee tōku ingoa and I'm proud to be standing in the upcoming Wellington City Council elections. I am also a Labour candidate for the Pukehīnau/Lambton Ward. I came to Wellington as a refugee, grew up in social housing and now rent in the heart of the city. I'm standing for a council that works for everyone and puts people first. Where everyone can afford to live, work and thrive.

Question: What skills or strengths would you bring to the Council?

Afnan Al-Rubayee: I bring experience from the public service, NGO governance, and grassroots organising. I know how to navigate complex systems, but I also know how to bring people together to get things done. I fought for a fair go my whole life, and that's the leadership, lived experience and governance I'll be bringing to council.

Question: How would you consider your communities' views when making a decision?

Afnan Al-Rubayee: We need a council that shapes decisions with communities on a grassroots level. That means getting out of the chambers and into the community to collaborate on solutions with those most affected. I believe decisions serve communities best when they are shaped by the people that are most impacted and that's how I'll lead.

Question: What is one key challenge and one opportunity for the city?

Afnan Al-Rubayee: The big challenges are affordability, housing, transport and infrastructure that are pushing people out of this place we call home. But the potential is huge. We need a city built for people, with communities shaping decisions, not just responding to them. Let's fix our pipes, upgrade our housing and invest in climate ready jobs. Let's all work together to create a Wellington that is a lot fairer for everyone.

Question: Who am I?

Rodney Barber: Kia ora, I'm Rodney Barber, standing for Wellington City Council in the Pukehīnau/Lambton Ward. Wellington's got huge potential, but too often we see money spent without clear results and/or community voices sidelined when big decisions are made. I'm running to change that.

Question: What skills or strengths would you bring to the Council?

Rodney Barber: I've spent my career helping governments make better investment decisions, the kind that delivers lasting value. I've worked at Treasury, I now run a business, I work for the IMF and I chair a national trust. I know real change starts close to home, so in a Wellington suburb I'm working to build grassroots resilience, help people connect and be able to speak into decision making. On council I'll bring that same approach, smarter spending so every rate payer dollar counts, strengthen communities so they're ready for whatever life throws at us, and ensure decisions reflect what actually matters to us.

Question: How would you consider your communities' views when making a decision?

Rodney Barber: For me, leadership starts with listening. That means being out in the community, not just in council chamber, hearing directly from residents, local groups and businesses. I'll make sure your voice is part of the conversation from the very beginning, not as an afterthought.

Question: What is one key challenge and one opportunity for the city?

Rodney Barber: One of Wellington's biggest challenges is the trust gap. When money is spent and no one sees the results, people lose faith in their council. The opportunity is to invest smarter, focus on results, and back projects that build resilience, strengthen communities, and build public trust. If you want smarter spending and stronger communities, I'd be honoured to earn your vote. Ngā mihi and thank you.

Question: Who am I?

Tony De Lorenzo: My name is Tony De Lorenzo and I'm standing for the Wellington City Council, Pukehīnau/Lambton Ward - my favourite ward.

Question: What skills or strengths would you bring to the Council?

Tony De Lorenzo: I've had a lot of experience running my own business and I've done a lot of work for various not-for-profits. Places that have lots of ambition, but very little resources. Through that I've developed very strong financial skills. So, I don't like spending no money, but I like spending what will get the best outcome for the organisation. I'm also that annoying person who turns up to meetings with a lot of financial questions. I know enough to get into trouble, but I know enough to ask questions and keep asking them until I get the right answers. So it's that sort of business financial skill.

Question: How would you consider your communities' views when making a decision?

Tony De Lorenzo: When considering the views of the community, it's important to go out early with all the available information. By talking to lots of people, either one-on-one through community groups or iwi, you get feedback and there's often a lot of good ideas. Now my role would be to assimilate all these ideas and then find out what's best for Wellington. And sometimes that will annoy some people, but if you go back and explain the reasons, why you'll often find out there's a lot more acceptance. But ultimately, I've got to put Wellington first.

Question: What is one key challenge and one opportunity for the city?

Tony De Lorenzo: There are many challenges facing Wellington, but I think one key challenge and one great opportunity would be the existing talent we already have. We've got great people here, we've got great businesses here, we've got great talent here. We just need to help them a bit more. We also need to attract the next generation of innovators and people back to the city. We have people leaving the city. We want to attract them, keep them and grow. Wrap that around really strong financial management and we can't help but succeed. We just need to do things a bit better.

Question: Who am I?

Zan Rai Gyaw: Hi, my name is Zan Rai Gyaw, this is my third time standing in Lambton Ward for the role of a city councillor.

Question: What skills or strengths would you bring to the Council?

Zan Rai Gyaw: With my mechanical background, I can understand technical systems and issues. I also describe myself as a student, albeit an amateur one, of history, politics and economics. That should help me appreciate a range of issues and bring out balanced solutions for going forward.

Question: How would you consider your communities' views when making a decision?

Zan Rai Gyaw: Yes, they are paramount. The councillors at the end of the day will make big yes-no decisions. And all the annual plans, district plans, bylaws – they have to be fit for purpose. And if we're not listening to the residents, the voters, we will end up with impractical solutions that will get us nowhere.

Question: What is one key challenge and one opportunity for the city?

Zan Rai Gyaw: The key challenge is very clear. It is to bring back the vibrancy and the functionality of Wellington it used to have not long ago. And the key opportunity is also very clear. Wellington being the capital, the one and only major crossroad for the country, everything and everyone has to go through it and therein lies the many opportunities. And we can make Wellington socially and economically vibrant city in no time.

Question: Who am I?

David Lee: Kia ora tātou, I'm David Lee. I'm standing in the Pukehīnau/Lambton Ward, the heart of Wellington City.

Question: What skills or strengths would you bring to the Council?

David Lee: I'm an experienced governor, entrepreneur and urban planner by profession. I have over 25 years of experience in central and local government, so I know the mechanics of government and I know how to get things done.

Question: How would you consider your communities' views when making a decision?

David Lee: When it comes to capturing community views and decision making, there is no one best approach. I would however favour more of a community-led engagement approach versus the classical or old school consultation approach.

Question: What is one key challenge and one opportunity for the city?

David Lee: The biggest challenge for Wellington is money or affordability. Austerity is the name of the game. I would prioritise what matters, fixing core infrastructure, restoring trust and getting the city back to basics. We have an opportunity to make Wellington the innovation capital. We are a knowledge-based economy. We have the talent, so let's get Wellington working.

Question: Who am I?

Dan Milward: I'm Dan Milward and I'm an independent candidate standing in the Lambton Ward. I'm a dad, a husband and a proud Wellington business owner. Wellington has always been my coolest little capital. I love this city, but it needs a reset. I'm standing for a safer city, better access for everyone and more affordable rates.

Question: What skills or strengths would you bring to the Council?

Dan Milward: I've been running technology companies for over 20 years. My products have supported millions of students across the world. Working in the startup space for decades has taught me how to make great products with tiny budgets. Wellingtonians can be confident that I'll treat every dollar in the budget like it matters. As a business owner with a future-focused mindset, I'll bring strong leadership and governance skills to the table.

Question: How would you consider your communities' views when making a decision?

Dan Milward: To represent any community, you need to know its people and their priorities. I'll be easy to reach through multiple channels including, monthly face-to-face community meetings, and I'm already engaging with residents' associations. I've been told that public consultation has fallen on deaf ears. If I'm elected, I want to amplify Lambton's voice, not ignore it.

Question: What is one key challenge and one opportunity for the city?

Dan Milward: The challenge for Wellington is that it's become increasingly unaffordable. We're the only city in New Zealand, other than the Chatham Islands, with a declining population. We must make Wellington safer, better for business and worth staying for. We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do something world-class with Civic Square. It should connect city to sea, add green space and showcase our art scene. Wellington has some of the best creative minds in the world. Let's partner with them and do it better.

Question: Who am I?

Geordie Rogers: Kia ora, my name is Geordie Rogers. I've had the privilege of being your councillor for the past year, and this year I'm running as your Green Party candidate for the Pukehīnau/Lambton Ward.

Question: What skills or strengths would you bring to the Council?

Geordie Rogers: We need a council that can work really strongly together. Over the past year, I'm really glad to have worked collaboratively across the council table to deliver things that really matter to our communities. I've had the privilege of delivering a really strong investment plan for our water, 183 affordable housing units across the city, and decarbonizing our swimming pools, which saves the environment and ratepayers ten million dollars. It's my ability to work across the entire council table, with everyone who's sitting there, that makes these things possible.

Question: How would you consider your communities' views when making a decision?

Geordie Rogers: Wellington needs to be a city where everyone can thrive, but in order to do that, we need to make sure everyone's voice is heard around the table. I am committed to making sure that every single person has a role to play in the decision-making that shapes our city. As part of that, I really want to be there as a representative for young people and renters in the city, who are so often left out of decision-making.

Question: What is one key challenge and one opportunity for the city?

Geordie Rogers: Unaffordability has hit every part of our city, but we won't solve today's problems by going back to the status quo. Making smart investments that Wellingtonians want will set our city up for success, because the city can be a place that people are excited to move to, not away from. But in order to do that, we need to invest in things like building more housing, having fast and reliable public transport that's connected to where we live, taking stronger action on climate change, and making sure we have an inner city that everyone can be proud of.

Question: Who am I?

Tim Ward: My name is Tim Ward and I'm standing for Lambton in Wellington City.

Question: What skills or strengths would you bring to the Council?

Tim Ward: The skills I bring to Council are strong communication, negotiation, and the ability to work with people who may see things differently. I'm not here for in-fighting, I'm here to find solutions. I have deep networks across our communities and our business sector, as well as with neighbouring councils. With Wellington heading towards more regional collaboration, possibly even amalgamation, those connections will be a key to planning for the future together.

Question: How would you consider your communities' views when making a decision?

Tim Ward: When making decisions, I will consider both community and business perspectives, by listening directly to the people affected. I will bring strong relationships with local leaders, from residents’ groups to business owners, small and large. I want to understand their priorities and challenges. My role will be to bring those voices into council. My door will always be open, and I will be an advocate for the people I represent.

Question: What is one key challenge and one opportunity for the city?

Tim Ward: One of Wellington's biggest challenges is that we've lost our confidence. People and businesses alike feel the city is not reaching its full potential. But that's also our opportunity. We can rebuild pride in our city, restore a thriving business environment and spark the creativity and community spirit we're famous for. Together we can make Wellington a place we're proud to live, work and invest in again.

Question: Who am I?

Stuart Wong: Hello, my name is Stuart Wong. I'm standing in the Lambton Ward for a seat on the council table. I've lived here in Wellington for over 50 years.

Question: What skills or strengths would you bring to the Council?

Stuart Wong: I will bring a very strong and honest work ethic. I've spent a long time in retailing, administrating, buying and procuring goods for sale. I'm currently employed by Moana New Zealand. It's been my job to keep tight budgets under stressful circumstances. I'll make these skills to help right the good ship of Wellington City Council.

Question: How would you consider your communities' views when making a decision?

Stuart Wong: I believe totally the importance of council being a democratic body. If elected to council, I will engage in an open and honest manner. I won't always make decisions you agree with, but I will be accountable and transparent in all my actions.

Question: What is one key challenge and one opportunity for the city?

Stuart Wong: Wellington City rates are out of control. Ideology and wishful thinking has led to the city being unaffordable and not fit for purpose. I propose to return to core business, the 'four Rs’ if you like – roading; reticulation of water; rubbish removal; recreation – libraries, pools and parks. I want to see Wellington shine again as the coolest little capital in the world.

Question: Who am I?

Nicola Young: My name is Nicola Young. I'm an independent councillor and I'm standing for re-election in the Pukehīnau/Lambton Ward, where I live.

Question: What skills or strengths would you bring to the Council?

Nicola Young: I'm a liberal centre-right councillor, but it's really important to work across the political divide, which I have done. I'm most recently working with Labour councillors to stop the corporate welfare for the Reading Cinema. And I think that's a really important skill to have in politics.

Question: How would you consider your communities' views when making a decision?

Nicola Young: I'm an independent councillor, so that means I'm free to make decisions that I want. I don't have to follow any particular political ideology, but I make a point of getting out in the community and meeting people – businesses, residents, residents’ associations, people in the arts, people who make the city tick, so that I know, I can get a feeling of what's going on in the city and what people think. But at the same time, I also take great pride and pleasure in attending a lot of community events and arts events, where again, I meet lots of people. I think it's essential that councillors spend time in the community talking with the people whom we represent.

Nicola Young: Times are really tight for people right now, so it's extremely important that the Council reigns in its spending to ensure that people can actually afford to live in Wellington. We’re spending too much money. Every year, we spend more and more. If we can restrain our spending, we can keep the rates down, and this will help restore people's confidence in the Council. This is our biggest challenge, and it's also our biggest opportunity, and it's something to which I am committed.