The Upper Hutt City Council Mayoral Race

Candidates who are Standing

Angela McLeod

Confirmed attending It's in the Ballot in Person 
Website - https://angelamcleod.nz/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CrAngelaMcLeod
Twitter - https://twitter.com/angelamcleod4uh
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kiwimamabear/
Email - angela@angelamcleod.nz

Invited to appear on It's in the Ballot and awaiting conformations
Website - 
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084128450846
Twitter - 
Instagram - 
Email - blair.griffiths@uhcc.govt.nz

Hellen Swales

Confirmed attending It's in the Ballot in Person 
Website - 
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CouncillorHellenSwales
Twitter - https://twitter.com/hellen_swales
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hellenswales/
Email - hellen.swales@uhcc.govt.nz

Questions that are in the Shows Boxes

1. Do you support the use of masks, especially indoors as an important tool for keeping Covid at bay and others safe?
2. What will you bring that is different from the current leadership?
3. What are your views on challenging the new SNAs (Significant Natural Areas) so property owners don’t lose value on their biggest asset?
4. What is your vision for improving recycling in Upper Hutt?
5. What are your thoughts on Upper Hutt shifting to voting using STV (Single Transferable Vote) instead of FPP (First Past the Post)?
6. What leadership qualities do you have to cohesively bring together a group of random people? Some of these new councillors will have no experience at local authorities and are novices in this area.
7. What are your thoughts on the public libraries in Upper Hutt, and do you have any plans around them?
8. What are you doing to ensure young people’s voices are heard and actioned to keep our city vibrant and growing?
9. What’s your biggest priority for the next term, and how do you intend on delivering on that?
10. How will you personally role model reducing climate change? Such as cycling to work every day, or eating a plant based diet?
11. How do you propose to foster a more positive public impression of more active modes of transport such as cycling and walking?
12. What is your immediate actionable plan for upgrading decaying and failing infrastructure such as sewage, water, and stabilisation of hillsides for critical routes and suspending non critical projects?
13. Do you agree that if there is a move to introduce volumetric charges for water for residents, it should only be introduced with the consent of the majority of voters?
14. There is $6.5 million allocated in the Long Term Plan for the intersection improvements at Gibbons Street, Main Street and Fergusson Drive. Will you continue to support that project going ahead if elected and why?
15. Should ratepayers living in rural and residential zones be paying for upgrading your CBD?
16. Covid has shown us that we need a bit more space to move around to not catch contagious diseases. At the moment those in cars have all the space and pedestrians are squashed onto narrow pavements. What will you do to make more space for those of us walking around the city? Such as one way streets, change on street parking to pavement etc?
17. Should councils be funding and organising community events?
18. Do you think that the council (Mayor and Councillors) have enough say in the way the council is run?
19. How respectful is the relationship between the Central Government and Upper Hutt City Council?
20. Should ratepayers pay for climate change mitigation? Why or why not?
21. In your view is the Central Government overloading councils with regulation and legislation?
22. Do you think the beautification of dog amenities should be paid by ratepayers or should they be covered by their dog registration fee?
23. Water is a precious and needed resource.
    1. Should councils make it compulsory for houses to install water tank storage for watering their garden and/or offer tank storage at a discounted price?
24. Do you think climate change should be the number one concern at the ballot box?
25. What do you think will be the three biggest issues for Councils in this triennium (2022-2025)?
26. Do you think we should share a Dog Pound with neighbouring councils?
27. Do you believe that housing is a human right?
28. Why do people find Council matters so boring and what will you do to change it?

Hard hitting questions

1. What is your position on the Three Waters Reform and why have you come to that position?
2. There are talks about amalgamating Hutt City Council and Upper Hutt City Council into 1 council. What is your position on Amalgamation and why?
3. Could you please share your thoughts on Covid-19 vaccination, and whether you have any affiliation with Voices for Freedom, Freedom Rights Coalition, or any other organisation involved in the occupation of parliament?

Highlight Videos from the Night