Skip to main content

Better Wellington began in 2022 by a group of friends determined to ensure that the next raft of councillors elected to represent Wellington residents and ratepayers will act in the best interests of the city. We don’t believe that presently every councillor respects that principle.

Better Wellington has since grown to include thousands of Wellington residents, all of whom share the same goals and objectives. Not everyone who has signed up in support of the goals of Better Wellington want their names on this page.

Collectively, we sit nowhere in the political spectrum. We opposed the sale of the Wellington Airport shares while at the same time want the political ideology removed from the decision-making. We are neither Left nor Right. We consider ourselves Pro-Wellington. Our supporters have voted across the political divide, but we all agree that party politics must play no role in the future governance of Wellington City. We believe that Wellington City is best served by councillors who are elected independent of any political party.

Check out our full policy position on our Vote Smart page.

Paul Heffernan

I have lived my whole life in Wellington – 33 years in the Hutt Valley and 33 years in Wellington City. My wife and I raised our 5 children here during my 42 years in the IT industry. Wellington was a vibrant, exciting city and I was proud to call it home. Now I am concerned for the future of the city. I want to see an end to political parties and their ideologies around the council table and being pushed down our throats. It is the local people who have a real, vested interest in our city who should be standing and voted onto council, to make our city better. Our city needs revitalising and that doesn’t happen when councillors bicker, are self-indulgent, righteous and have no empathy with the ratepayers who fund the council’s work. We need people who want the council to do what it’s supposed to do – provide affordable and reliable services that keep the city going, not people who are more concerned with their political beliefs. I’m proud to be a founding member of Better Wellington, and urge you to support us, come on board to help take back our city.

Alistair Boyce

I am a Product of Wellington. I was formed in this city and it shaped me. Most people know me as the publican, proprietor and chef of the famous Backbencher Pub. I am the guy who has satirized politicians since 1990. You can still find me there these ‘daze’, or I am roasting coffee at The Immigrant’s Son Espresso, Ngaio Gorge. Over recent years I have watched and provided commentary to the battle between the Wellington retail and hospitality sectors and its aberrant council that has got increasingly out of touch with the heart of the city. Many of us have opposed the dangers of ideology capturing the necessary operations that underpins  a vibrant, growing and economically viable city. For the city to be dynamic in all its social and cultural facets it needs fiscal responsibility and a strong local economy at its core. The city has to be allowed to breathe not be strangled with unnecessary cycleways, red tape and excessive rates. ‘Fix the pipes’ and let the private sector drive growth. Give us the infrastructure and the people will decide and they might even come back to our dying city. Please do not tell us how to live our lives and let us keep the oxygen of our endeavours’. Wellington deserves a better quality of leadership and civic management. I am a strong supporter of ‘Better Wellington’ as a vehicle to facilitate a better future for our city and children.

Glenn Inwood

I’ve lived in Wellington for almost 30 years, having moved to the capital city to work as a senior sub-editor at the now-defunct Evening Post newspaper before establishing a public relations company. My wife and I own companies that are involved in exporting goods and services and I am a board member of the New Zealand Taiwan Business Council, facilitating Kiwi companies’ access into the Taiwanese market. Our children were born here and call this city home. But the path to home-ownership for them is out of their reach despite the bearish house prices and not least the compounding increase in the cost of council rates demands. Like many Wellington residents, I question the ideological approach of the city council’s town planners, and feel we are heading down a track that is leading to poor outcomes for our important retail and business sector.  Time for a Better Wellington!

Nicola Cranfield

I’m the co-owner of Cranfields, the boutique store renowned for its unique collection of homewares, gifts, and accessories, in the central business district. I make a point of dedicating my support to artisans both locally and internationally and I like my store to reflect my commitment to ethical sourcing and sustainable business practices. I’ve encountered challenges with the Wellington City Council, particularly its bureaucracy and decision-making processes, which hinder small-business growth. Small businesses are the backbone of this country’s economy. Most Kiwi businesses are SMEs. That’s why I’ve been outspoken on issues to protect the retail sector, like concerns over the “Let’s Get Wellington Moving”, specifically the plan to remove car parks and cars from Lambton Quay. We need local government to work in with small businesses and be more supportive. My decision to not renew my tenancy lease for my 33-year-old business was an extremely difficult one to make, but the result of numerous factors and concern over the future of Wellington’s business district. I’m currently looking for new premises, and it will be in a location with a more supportive council.

John Swan

Party Politics has no relevance to the governance of Wellington City. I was born in Wellington and have practised law here for over 50 years. In that time, I have been actively engaged in ensuring that our city was a great place to live and do business. I have been a Board Member and President of the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce and was a director of the Employment and Manufacturers’ Association (EMA) Central prior to the merger of these two business organisations. The link between the WCC and business no longer exists. I am appalled at the direction that the Mayor and the majority of current Councillors have chosen for the City. The City is insolvent, demolition of key assets continues unabated, infrastructure is repaired rather than replaced, fiscal management is inept. Consultation is insincere and Council employees behave dictatorially. The financial status of the Council and the costing of projects presently being undertaken and planned must be made available for the scrutiny of ratepayers and renters in the City. We must unite to save the City. Better Wellington is best equipped to ensure that a Mayor and Councillors are selected and elected with the survival of Wellington being their prime objective.

Gary Moller

I’m highly supportive of the goals and ambitions of the Better Wellington group. We need to take party politics away from the council table, remove ideology and replace it with sound financial management. There is a huge dissatisfaction with how our city is being run, with the huge rates increases that people are facing and many other things, including cycle ways. I live in Brooklyn and run a natural health practice, focusing on addressing the root causes of ill health or poor sports performance through healthy, natural, and sustainable therapies. My views on cycling are well-known. I’ve won multiple victories in the Mountain Bike (MTB) Masters World Championships, MTB Marathon World Championship titles, Cyclocross Masters 70+ World Championships, and have a decade-long winning streak in the New Zealand Masters 60+ Cyclocross Championships. My article critiquing the current cycle way policy can be read here.

Karen Tonks

As a born and bred passionate Wellingtonian, it pains me to see what has happened to our once dynamic and vibrant city. When former PM John Key said, ‘Wellington is dead’ we were collectively shocked. But he nailed it. Today Wellington a shabby, dilapidated, unloved and dangerous warzone. Road cones, red zoned buildings, road cones, cycle lane insanity, road cones, parks disappearing before our eyes and iconic businesses closing down because these measures and ‘road cones’ have ruined their business. What can we do? We need councillors who will answer to the people first, not to their party. I was a creative at Saatchi & Saatchi when Absolutely Positively Wellington was Wellington’s shining light, and before that I won The Telephone Book Cover design celebrating this humming city of ours. I know what makes our city tick, and I believe we can do it again. It’s time for a Better Wellington.

Vlad Barbalich, Brooklyn Yvette Tufuga, Brooklyn Eyal Aharoni, Wellington
Clem Griffiths, Wadestown Jeremy Smith, Kelburn Rex Nicholls, Oriental Bay
Peter Shirtcliffe, Kelburn Andrea Compton, Wellington Paula Muollo, Te Aro
Gino & Caterina Cuccurullo, Wellington Jono Cox, Johnsonville Jose Ubiago, Te Aro
Kevin Melville, Te Aro Tony Bates, Paparangi Barrie Saunders, Te Aro
Daniel Brown, Te Aro Primo Tapia, Churton Park Prem Singh, Broadmeadows
Phillip Yee, Hataitai Mark Whitecliffe, Wadestown Kelly Patel, Ngaio
Digby Paape, Wellington Sande Chin, Wellington Josephine Muollo, Island Bay
Sandra Edlin, Miramar Shaun Linehan, Seatoun Desna Bruce Walker, West Coast
Jeremy Verity, Wadestown Jan Maddock, Houghton Bay Clark Caldow, Vogeltown
David Wilcock, Newtown Keith Molloy, Wadestown Edwin Bruce, Wellington
Adele Duell, Whitby Milan Lazarevic, Mt Victoria Michael Hutchinson, Johnsonville
Belinda Hodson, Tawa A H, Roseneath Glen Irain, Wellington
Sarah Gilbertson, Northland Janet Weir, Melrose Gwyn Morphew, Roseneath
Jason Canovas, Houghton Bay Rob Gouldon, Miramar Quan Vu, Karori
Judith Gray, Tawa Gavin & Simone Browne, Ngaio Mark Grantham, Newlands
Maureen Lucic, Pāuatahanui Peter Kerr, Northland Virginia Moynan, Khandallah
Tania Beazley, Upper Hutt Sal Anderson, Crofton Downs Glenys Charles, Aro Valley
Martin Taylor, Strathmore James Diamantis, Kilbirnie Ash McLaren, Tawa
Lindsay Meehan, Kaiwharawhara Phillip Martin, Island Bay Toan Le, Wellington
Simon & Penny Marshall, Khandallah Alex Hills, Island Bay Xu Li, Khandallah
David Lee, Mt Victoria Jason Browne, Pukerua Bay Sadeara Seng, Miramar
Ann Elborn, Northland Linda Willows, Tawa Pita Noanoa, Wellington
Bruce Hagar, Kelburn Sarah West, Miramar Jennifer Taylor, Thorndon
Mark Coffey, Newtown Peter Bartley, Miramar Peter Brown, Karori
Susan Wilson, Newlands Marie Heffernan, Strathmore Kirsten Saunders, Khandallah
Linda Reid, Avalon Irene van de Coolwijk, Paremata Kajal Parbhu, Highbury
Rhonda Fitzpatrick, Johnsonville David Phipps, Brooklyn Stewart Watson, Tawa
Nathan Meyer, Miramar Joan Lo, Karori Tom Brodie, Te Aro
Russell Freeman, Crofton Downs Richard Henderson, Johnsonville Zara Struthers, Churton Park
Sophia George, Wellington Martin Phillips, Wainuiomata Peter Kosena, Berhampore
Jim Rose, Miramar Amit Nijhawan, Karori Peter Johnston, Kaiwharawhara
Tom Cranney, Woodridge Dermot Murphy, Whitby Kayleigh Morris, Miramar
Peter McKeefry, Mt Victoria Miguel Tanongon, Wellington City Gina Tapia, Churton Park
Aaron Livingston, Porirua Matt Thomas, Nelson Joanne Oliver, Wadestown
Haydn James, Paraparaumu John McSherry, Johnsonville Thurl Gibbs, Island Bay
Keri Kent, Lyall Bay Tony Thomas, Oriental Bay Steve Wallace, Karori
Jordan Kelly, Masterton Margaret Clark, Ngaio Pradeep Magan, Houghton Bay
Amanda H, Ngaio Ernie Rosenthal, Tawa Michelle R, Strathmore Park
Alice Harper, Kingston Thamilsalvam Ramasamy, Ngaio Miles Seddon, Kaiwharawhara
Sharon Barnden, Wellington Eva Karam, Island Bay Bridie Karl-Marschall, Khandallah
Vicki Matias, Oriental Bay Puvanesvari Ramasamy, Ngaio Vivek Singh
Suzanne Heyworth, Ngaio Karin Elizabeth-Mae Bolton, Island Bay Stephen Seddon, Brooklyn
Roger Perkins, Karori Ross Madgwick, Hataitai Nicola Richards, Tawa
Theo Kuper, Karori Elliot Chapman, Karori Grant Richards, Tawa
Tracy Paddock, Lower Hutt Jag Morar, Kingston Michael Munro, Thorndon
Sean Fitzgibbon, Island Bay Julie Norris, Wellington Jill Everitt, Khandallah
Dean Hamer, Newlands Franco Natoli, Island Bay Peter Wild, Tawa
Sue Wilton, Ngaio Maria Buchanan, Island Bay Brett Alexander, Island Bay
Rob Howe, Miramar Svetlana Hamer, Newlands Ari Toufexis, Tawa
Martin Hemi, Wellington Allan Carino, Tawa Paul Grover, Oriental Bay
Kevin Wayman, Hataitai Lloyd Stevenson, Johnsonville Michael Baird, Kelburn
Jack McConchie, Karori David Colls, Wellington David Marshall
Rahul Joshi, Kingston Pauline Johnston, Southgate Roderick Hoy, Karori
Andrew Hemphill, Khandallah Mike Young, Mt Victoria Sean Brunner, Karori
David Davenport-Brown, Newlands Jonathan Leach, Wellington Adrian Welham, Khandallah
Tim Hawley, Karori Boo Birdsall, Houghton Bay Bob Hall, Broadmeadows
Linda Brown, Wellington Soula Barbarouses, Maupuia Diane Nankivell, Kilbirnie
Philip Yiasoumi, Wellington Michelle McGuire, Seatoun Heights Peter Mattiassi, Ngaio
Alan Hollows, Johnsonville Bruce Johnston, Te Aro Peter Maheridis, Southgate
Rev.Chris Barnes, Miramar Julie Wilson, Melrose Chee Ken Chen, Churton Park
Etienne Mouton, Karori Murray Pownall, Lyall Bay Dimitrios Vassiliadis
Debra Halton, Miramar Geoff Morphew, Roseneath Andrea O’Connor, Kelburn
Antonios Houtas, Strathmore Richard Williams Ivo Tisch, Ngaio
Maria Pierson, Seatoun Angela Bland, Kilbirnie Fiona Cziraki, Karori
Malcolm Whyte, Kelburn Philip Shackleton, Karaka Bay Leila Malthus, Southgate
Vicky Pan, Wellington Colin Wood, Miramar Adam Flynn, Tawa
Des O’Sullivan, Tawa Barbara Nishizawa Mike Kelly, Te Aro
Allistar Rose, Wellington Sepp Hribar Kiwi Osborne
Ailsa de Silva, Kelburn Carolyn Hull, Paparangi Dilip Patel, Miramar
Angel Hsu, Melrose Greg Hamilton, Lambton Colin Carr, Mt Victoria
Sara Matson, Maupuia Julie Ferguson, Lyall Bay Lagi Kosena, Berhampore
Anastasios Barbarouses, Maupuia Denise Ferguson, Northland Sharron Hagen, Karori
Dale Sharp, Seatoun Rachel Robbins, Khandallah Nigel Snow, Karori
David Shaw, Miramar Jill Crew, Seatoun Heights Grant Fairhurst
Shahanaz Begum, Wellington Maddie Bargh, Khandallah Colleen Cunneen, Khandallah
P Martin, Island Bay Janine Harding, Island Bay Barry Insull, Island Bay
Keith Allen, Wellington Rob Whelan, Island Bay Lisa Kong, Ngaio
Sean Brunner, Karori Rankin Young, Broadmeadows Jiang Liu, Khandallah
Rosina Lang, Karori Todd Smith, Newlands Louise Bray-Burns, Tawa
John Gerondis, Seatoun Kevin Pearman Derry Tan, Ngaio
Ferial Fawzi Abdul-Hameed, Miramar Graeme Burt Gordon Allen, Kilbirnie
Mihail Horvat, Wellington Karl Povey, Miramar Gillian Frame, Tawa
Jetesh Bhula, Miramar Stanley Lopez, Tawa Deborah Stace, Karori
Steve Fejos, Northland Petrus Liu, Johnsonville Des Armstrong, Island Bay
Marina Collott, Khandallah Nena Gooding, Khandallah Tony Sutcliffe, Strathmore
Phil Love, Miramar Rachael James Carol Morris, Churton Park
Dave Gollan, Brooklyn Anna Serci-Taylor, Miramar Pete & Juliette, Karori
Jacquie Guerin Manjula Patel, Miramar Janet Taylor, Khandallah
Nehal Patel, Rongotai Matt Bahho, Khandallah Kevin Spray
Laurence Alexander, Te Aro Edward Klimenko, Broadmeadows Julian Zawada
Lorraine Freeman, Khandallah John Newson, Strathmore Richard Yee
Ben Rainey Shane Joyce, Mt Victoria Matt Neilson, Kilbirnie
Harish Patel, Strathmore John Fuller Sabiha Janin, Churton Park
Phil Quinn, Khandallah Tim Choi, Khandallah Celia Fairfax-Darrall, Karori
Shona Grenfell Young, Rongotai Esther Albon, Aro Valley Leteisha Robert, Thorndon
Anthony Labone, Hataitai Konstanze Artmann Jyoti Sharma
Paul Gilmore, Kaiwharawhara Mohammed Faizal, Miramar Brenda O’Leary, Karori
Greg Smith Tony Rogers Jono Studholme, Karori
Lorna Webb, Churton Park Neil Rodgers, Churton Park Stephen Hockly, Upper Hutt
Rhys Barlow, Thorndon Hamish Whiteman, Tawa Lindsay Lorden, Ngaio
Frank Newman, Mornington Jennie Zawada Jane Young, Hataitai
Louise Ferguson Murray Browne, Miramar Nilanga Paranagama
Mohan Bhai, Island Bay Nathan Jelley, Tawa Phil Bickerton, Churton Park
Michael Duff Daysh James Collins, Churton Park Daniel Sayle, Southgate
Maurice Flitter, Melrose Dave Smith, Tawa David Taylor
Christos Harvey Jennifer Evans, Karori Fiona Hocking, Upper Hutt
Francisco III Novilla, Newlands Neha Chandra John Nixon, Kingston
Phil Beaumont, Te Aro Ursula Egan, Karori Clyde Brown, Ohariu
Angus Taylor, Wadestown Richard Martin, Oriental Bay Richard Tait, Berhampore
David Powell, Karori Angela Findlayson, Mt Victoria Denis Healey, Paparangi
Helen Dobson, Mt Victoria Laurie & Maureen Bond, Ngaio Mark Pierson, Seatoun
Sokunthea Pheab Philip Banks, Island Bay Joy Baker, Island Bay
Tracy Hall, Island Bay Jane Byrne, Island Bay Mark Geusebroek, Seatoun
Lily Jiang, Tawa Wendy Gledstone, Miramar Daniel Hughes, Tawa
Joost van Amelsfort Neil Bartlett, Mt Cook Andrew Marsh, Petone
Gary Lee, Wellington Matt C, Hataitai Kate Arnold, Eastbourne
Scott Barker, Seatoun Brenda O’Leary, Karori Melanie Allen, Kilbirnie
Nicola Tait, Khandallah Matt Carr, Te Aro Derek Thunders, Aro Valley
Mark Kisby, Brooklyn Andrea Sarney, Karori Jimmy Yiw, Newtown
Raymond Morgan, Breaker Bay Alison T, Mount Cook Tee Phee, Te Aro
Denis Lander, Khandallah Tony Liu, Khandallah Phil Kitchen, Crofton Downs
Dean Robb, Petone David McNeill, Johnsonville Peter Woods
Randall Burt, Brooklyn Blair Malcolm, Lower Hutt Tania Sullivan, Newtown
Eileen Tang, Roseneath Margaret Burt, Brooklyn Mike Underhill, Wellington
Sarah Wal, Te Aro Claire Farrelly, Island Bay Bernard O’Shaughnessy, Miramar
David Quinn, Wadestown Steve Naismith, Brooklyn Jacob Hattersley, Wellington
Heather Mordaunt, Wellington Vongpa Dy, Lower Hutt Rosie White, Island Bay
Paul Williamson, Oriental Bay Lew Horne, Miramar Alex Gray, Brooklyn
Tracy Burke, Miramar Philip Robinson, Wellington Graham Stephen, Karori
Ashwin Magan, Kaiwharawhara Tony Vial, Wadestown Rina Valentina Robinson
Lyn Eden, Mt Victoria Hira Govind, Lower Hutt Neil Harrop, Thorndon
Karen Kyrke-Smith, Feilding John Joseph, Tawa Margaret Vial, Wadestown
Brian Phillips, Wellington Hans Wagemaker, Newlands Malcolm Vaughan, Mt Victoria
Gail Rawlinson, Karori Alison Abels, Island Bay Lesley Cooper, Crofton Downs
Wayne Booth, Island Bay Janine Hyde, Island Bay Lesley Maxwell, Wilton
Amanda Burke, Strathmore Michael Hoy, Berhampore Murray Barber, Karori
Jenny Sims, Khandallah Lynne Mulder-Wood, Lyall Bay Mary-Lou Forrest, Tawa
Carla Wild, Karori Kevin Rodrigues, Wellington George Mihos, Miramar
Gina Sarten, Wadestown Jenny Sims, Khandallah Francesca De Gregorio, Island Bay
John Rampton, Makara Jenny Bean, Churton Park Laurian Godwin-George, Kilbirnie
Joy Baker, Island Bay Nicola Tait, Khandallah Kevin Rodrigues, Wellington
Megan Mckee, Mt Victoria James McIntyre, Karori Louisa McIntyre, Karori
Gaynor O’Sullivan, Wellington Pritpal Singh, Karori Helen Dobson, Mt Victoria
Gordon Barrell, Mornington Andy Withington, Karori Terene Batten, Lower Hutt
Tim Taylor, Ohariu Selena Hunter, Strathmore John Thomassen, Island Bay
Kevin Bull, Oriental Bay Trish Perrins, Lowry Bay Cim Lang, Island Bay
Patrick Jackson, Newtown Jaimin Gajjar, Berhampore Rusty Millar, Seatoun
Andrew Simes, Brooklyn Dave Beckett, Island Bay Margriet Willemsen, Te Aro
Ian Caldeiro, Wellington Deborah Quinn, Tawa David Levick, Roseneath
Andrew Cunliffe, Khandallah Susan Hagan, Wellington Ken McLaren, Churton Park
Brian Kennedy, Broadmeadows Nagaraj Krishna, Karori Trinh Le, Johnsonville
Greg Henderson, Wellington Ruth Roth, Island Bay Donald McLaren Smith, Wellington
Marianna Churchward, Hataitai Bruce Welsh, Kilbirnie Martin Whitlow, Wellington
Ken McFadyen, Crofton Downs Sheree Tufuga, Palmerson North Jenny Egle, Seatoun
Robin Archibald, Thorndon Helen Jurie, Kelburn Mary-Lou Forrest, Tawa
NB Walker, Johnsonville Grant Stephen, Johnsonville Shirley Milward, Wellington
Alastair Hutchens, Karori Miranda Squire, Miramar Ian Kennedy, Khandallah
Julie Armstrong, Wadestown Bruce Nicoll, Island Bay Graeme McKeown, Porirua
Lorraine Whyte, Whitby Jennifer Vicars, Roseneath Tina Landl, Taupo
James Hu, Karori Martin Broad, Thorndon John McCarthy, Miramar
Gek McGregor, Wellington Ben O’Brien, Hataitai Jo Irain, Khandallah
Michelle Chandler, Karori Carol Shaw, Wellington Marcia Jackson, Northland
Matt Watson, Northland Roland Shelton Agar, Thorndon Catherine Watson, Northland
Toni Yiasoumi, Hataitai Kevin Stacey, Tawa Merlene Chambers, Kelburn
Richard Zdrahal, Makara Waimarie Marks, Khandallah Mike Penfold, Mornington
Sarah Pooley, Island Bay Belinda Paske, Johnsonville Sam Wadham, Strathmore
Jacqueline Pilkington, Khandallah Richard Adgo, Johnsonville Damond Gundesen, Island Bay
Don MacKay, Oriental Bay Andrew Yavasis, Wellington Shelley Johnson, Te Aro
Michael Fox, Khandallah Scott Mcartney, Brooklyn Kirsten Michael, Mt Victoria
Melissa Quarrie, Carterton Matthew Horn, Newlands Chris Rickit, Karori
Lorraine Phillips, Ngaio Gerd Siegmund, Wellington Tony Horvath, Kaiwharawhara
Thaddeus Mccarthy, Eastbourne Graham Bloxham, Wellington Sashi Meanger, Vogeltown
Vito Lo Iacono, Wellington David Collins, Wilton Tania Grieve, Seatoun
Grace Venter, Mt Cook Hugh Stevenson, Mt Cook Matthew Eden, Khandallah
Sophie Mau, Te Aro Kevin Heppleston, Roseneath David Giera, Seatoun
Teal Mau, Te Aro DJ Mcnicholas, Upper Hutt Steven Scheckter, Wellington
Cho Chan, Te Aro Gary Lee, Wellington Fred Green, Belmont
Kevin Blight, Te Aro Anne O’Brien, Lyall Bay Paul Jury, Te Aro
Susan English, Te Aro Raymond Lindsay, Mt Cook Denise Pitts, Johnsonville
Neville Glennie, Whitby Alan Pitts, Johnsonville Bridget Geraghty, Karori
Graeme Kirkcaldie, Karori Matt Johnston, Wellington Daniel Miny, Wellington