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Kia ora everybody. Thanks so much for coming. What a huge crowd. This is um, uh, we were anticipating the numbers, we weren't sure how big or small it was going to be, but it looks about right. So thanks all for tuning up. Um, just a couple of little notes from me. First one, because it's in my hand, um, is, um, There is some information just out the back there when we go out for refreshments about keeping our [00:00:30] Māori wards. So please go out and engage with them and understand what you need to do when you get your election pack, or if you haven't quite received it, or hopefully you can go and find it in the mail and change it if you've forgotten to tick the box. So, my name is Craig, I'm part of the Rainbow Wellington Board. I'm also the person organising the Wellington Pride Parade. Um, and love our rainbow communities so much. Um, and yeah, I think we are a great diverse bunch, especially down here in [00:01:00] Wellington, and it's great to be able to MC tonight. Just some health and safety, um, for you. If there's an earthquake, um, this building, So we're actually in Engineering New Zealand's building, and so it is very well over -engineered. Um, there is little like, there's little weird little contraptions down in the far corner that actually measure this building like, live, and it can tell you about like the shakes and all that kind of stuff. So we're in a very over -engineered building, so we are going to... Um, but if there is an emergency stop, [00:01:30] um, grab, grab under the tables out there if you, if you need to. Um, but we will be safe. Yeah, these cracks are actually fine. Cracks are good. Um, son of an engineer, so I do know what I'm talking about. Um, we are recording tonight, so, um, this goes on to, uh, our, our archives, which is, um, Gareth has been doing for a long time, so thank you, Gareth, for doing this, uh, mahi. Um, Tonight I'm going to ask a couple of moderated questions. So they've seen these questions, so they will give really nice, short, [00:02:00] sharp, direct answers. There will be no waffling tonight. Eighteen. Yep. Um, they've all been given, there's a timer that is going to give them 50 seconds to give their response, and then 10 seconds to wrap that up. And if they don't, there's serious, serious consequences. At the end of that there will be some quickfire questions that I've got. Um, and we'll be giving out these little rainbow flags and all they have to do is wave the rainbow flags. If you ever want to catch a picture of one of these guys, people [00:02:30] waving a rainbow flag, that's your opportunity. And then there'll be an opportunity for you to give some questions if you have them. Again, I ask that you keep those really sharp and succinct. So if you've got a question now, think how can I summarize that down to something really short and sharp. I'll also ask that you come and stand up about where I am to ask that question. Gin, that's just so that we can see it on the screen, um, and it can be interpreted properly. So, [00:03:00] um, please come and do that. There is also a microphone and we'll get you to use that, um, that will be traveling around. Um, We're not going to go along the line and do the old boring, who are you? We're just going to ask our first question and they will introduce themselves as part of their response. Um, so my first question to them is, and you will have all seen, that the, uh, Wellington City Council has released the Rainbow Action Plan. Uh, like earlier this month, and that was to increase safety and support to our communities. So I want to go down the line and we'll [00:03:30] start with you, Rob. Yep, Rob's printed it out. He said he hasn't read it, but that's okay, he's brought it along as a prop. Um, what is one thing that you, what is one action that you will take as our new mayor? Um, to implement the Wellington, uh, Rainbow Action Plan, and how will you ensure that it is, uh, resourced and delivered properly? So, you've got a microphone there? Well, kia ora and good evening. My name is Rob Goulden. I'm, um, I'm a Wellingtonian. I have been for many, many, many [00:04:00] years. More years than I care to remember. I love Wellington. I'm passionate about it. Um, my background is 23 years in the New Zealand Police. I'm a decorated police officer, an army officer. I've served in Bosnia, Bougainville, and other parts of the world. Um, been a JP for the last 23 years. Um, I'm currently the CEO of my own security company, which I've owned for eight years, and I do a little of that if anyone's interested in racing. Um, we've got a race day up at Otaki [00:04:30] on Friday. So, uh, take a lot of staff up there for that. Um, yeah. You just repeat the question, and I want to answer that. What is one action that you will take to implement the Wellington's Rainbow Action Plan, and how will you ensure it is resourced and delivered appropriately? And I've run out of time. No, I'd better answer it. Look, one of the, just a skim read of the plan, I only got it, um, um, in an email, I think 24 hours ago, and I've been up [00:05:00] since 4 this morning. Um, one of the key things for the, I guess the LGBT community, the many members of it that I talk to, uh, is safety in the city. And I've got a perfect background, not only to, um, I think help protect that community, and I don't mean Monty Cotterland, I mean make sure that they're safe the same as any other citizens in Wellington. So, um, I don't have any issues with the community, I'm very supportive of it. I was actually [00:05:30] on the Pride parade earlier this year, and I think it's a good thing. I think it's a good thing. Um, with my good friends Mel and Scotty. Awesome, thanks Ron. Kia ora tātou katoa, my name's Andrew Little. I'm currently a lawyer. I've previously been a lawyer. Also a union leader, an MP and a cabinet minister. I've lived in Wellington for 35 years. I've lived in Island Bay for nearly 20 years of that. ...period of time, lived in various other places around Wellington, um, but it's very much my home, [00:06:00] having emigrated here from Taranaki. Um, so uh, very important that the council, um, the next council gets in behind the Rainbow Action Plan, um, and very keen to make sure events like the Pride Parade are well supported, properly supported. Um, and that the council becomes a, or is a, or remains a strong voice for the rainbow community. Uh, and I think like, um, all our, uh, communities make sure [00:06:30] that when decisions are being made about resource allocation, supporting advocacy groups, is that, um, we, we continue to support, uh, rainbow groups in that way. Tēnā koutou katoa. Ko Alex Baker tōku ingoa. I'm Alex Baker. Quick introduction. Um, I was a chartered accountant. I worked at KPMG, which is one of the biggest consulting and accounting firms in the world. I also worked in the corporate finance team for a number of years. Before moving to Kainga Ora, where I worked in strategy and investment, [00:07:00] and then I became their Director of Sustainability. My role there was really focused on shaping the way that Kainga Ora was investing, while I was there, we spent $18 billion on housing and infrastructure investments. In a way, so, shaping that investment so that we provided housing that New Zealanders needed, in a way that was consistent with meeting our, uh, needs. Um, objectives to limit climate change to one and a half degrees. Um, I finished up at the start of this year, and I'm running for council because I actually thought that Wellington was doing a pretty good job on its sustainability investments. I don't believe that the austerity type approaches that are being pitched [00:07:30] um, are gonna work for our city, and are gonna make Wellington into a place where my daughters will grow up and want to live and feel safe. So, I stepped forward to do this. Um, safety is the key aspect of the plan for me, and I guess we'll have to talk about that in the next question. Hi, I'm Carl Tiefenbacher. I own Café Ice. I'm born and bred Waiantonian. But the reality is, um, I think the Rainbow Action Plan is actually a really good plan. I think there's a lot in there, especially around safety, which I think the Council has done a really good job of working with you guys and getting into place. I think, um, KPI is [00:08:00] probably the easiest way to ensure that it actually goes ahead and is fulfilled. Um, your interaction with us is obviously the next important thing. So we've got to guarantee that we keep interacting with you and make sure that we actually, you know, do our job. Get on with it, because I do think the safety issues within that plan in particular are actually, um, very worthwhile working on. Kia ora, my name's Kelvin Hastie and I'm not going to introduce myself. I'm just going to answer the question. So when it comes to, um, one of the key things I'll be really keen to see is a safe [00:08:30] path around the city. One that, you know, you can kind of access all the main areas. And it's well lit and it's well patrolled. So people can have a path that they know that they can come to our city and safely get around. I think that would be a wonderful thing. Uh, I have read the plan. I was a little bit confused. I expected a little bit more arts and culture. And the plan, but obviously, it was specifically targeted towards safety and those sorts of issues, because that's one of your primary [00:09:00] concerns. So absolutely, 100 percent all about more lighting, better urban spaces, that was in the plan. And better urban spaces and all about just, um, making a safe path for, for all of our communities for Wellington. Do you think we could call the safe path the golden path? No. If it's not paid with gold and it doesn't cost 200 odd million dollars, absolutely. The rainbow path. [00:09:30] Boys will be boys. Yeah. Kia ora everyone I'm Diane Calvert and I'm here to add a bit of colour to the line up. Thanks Diane. Um, That's alright. I'm also vertically challenged and I hate these stools. So I'm going to stand because I feel far more comfortable standing than sitting. Um, Look, I'm, I'm, I'm a, I'm a, I'm a, I'm an Australian, One of the ones who is actually on council. I've been on council for three terms and actually one of the ones who signed off on the Rainbow Action Plan. So do I know it intimately? No, but there's a few things [00:10:00] in there and I've actually got to print a copy because I do print off our policies because I keep them on hand to look back and just connect with other stuff that we're doing. But there's a, there's two key things in there that I think are really important going forward and even if we don't. Kaipa hgendere, um, um, Uh we do reduce budgets is making sure that our toilet facilities and our community spaces until gendered. And also I'm really keen to make sure our graffiti gets dealt with as soon as possible. Thank you. Great, thanks Diane, appreciate that. Second question, Rainbow Wellington has been working [00:10:30] closely with sports organisations to ensure that our trans and non -binary people are safe playing and watching sports. Rob, there's a mic there for you. If elected, what will you do as Mayor to ensure it is safe for trans people to watch and participate in sports safely and attend events and council facilities? I'm a rugby referee and that sort of thing, so, um, that's part of the sport. [00:11:00] Um, I'm always of the view that those should be safe places for anybody. I don't think the LGBT... I don't want to single out the LGBT community because I regard it as no different than any other part of the community. So, whether it's the Pride Parade or it's sport or a sporting event or anything like that, everybody should be able to play safe. Um, In our activities around the city and fully participate without fear of retribution, ridicule or anything else. I saw a bit [00:11:30] of that not far from here, back with the pride parade with that. We'll call it a church, they call it a church, but yeah, wasn't impressed with that sort of thing. People have got to have the right to carry on their activities, so. Mm, great. Um, yeah, I think making sure that at every council venue at least um, sports venue or sports facility, it's very clear that um, all, all comers are welcome um, regardless of, of gender, gender identity. And also that the facilities, toilet facilities, changing [00:12:00] facilities um, that are available are, As Diane said, non -gendered or unisex, um, that, that people can, um, enjoy their sport safely, um, and focus on the sport. Um, internationally, um, rainbow communities and trans people in particular are, like, under attack. Um, particularly from conservative groups who see it as somewhat advantageous to try and divide and conquer the population. I've been quite surprised actually since I've entered this race at [00:12:30] the number of messages that I've received complaining about, um, trans people in bathrooms and this type of thing. And I, um, so for me, like, Yes, there is a piece of this that is about, you know, what these guys said. But I think actually also as a cis white man who does not walk in the shoes of those people, there is a role to be played actually absorbing some of the vitriol and, and, um, what's the word for diffusing it? Because I can understand, Where people are coming from who are upset about these things, but it doesn't mean that they're right And it doesn't mean that they're in a position [00:13:00] where they should be able to judge people and pass judgment And make other people feel bad for who they are So I actually believe that the position of mayor does have a responsibility to make sure that they actually Act as a protector of this community and a facilitator of a proper conversation to try and overcome that divide To be honest, this is a bit of a difficult one for me, because I see in the report that basically Wellington is a very welcoming to the rainbow community in general, it's considered a pretty safe one. I don't see... The [00:13:30] difference between anyone that's of any community that's different to myself. So I don't see those issues happening. So obviously you guys see it a lot more than we do. So if there's issues that arise and we need to deal with them, but what we would do in advance of that, I couldn't say, I mean, with the facilities in the gender neutral toilets, obviously on new facilities, we've got to make that happen. There are a lot of old facilities, which we would not be able to do that in because it's just not space and we have to accept that. So then we have to find out another solution. Maybe that will keep everyone happy. Uh, [00:14:00] it's very important that the new mayor sends a clear message, uh, to Wellington and its communities that it's inclusive and supportive of all, uh, Wellingtonians. When it comes to specifically protecting people at sports events, having been a dad and, uh, witnessed what goes on on the sidelines, it is despicable. It really is. So, um, thank you very much. I mean, perhaps, potentially, we could look at getting someone from each community to [00:14:30] attend these events and, um, you know, keep an eye out for bad behaviour. Because, yeah, the behaviour is disgusting, to be honest, and, um, it needs to be sorted out. There's a lot of bullying and a lot of aggression, especially from parents on the sideline. So, yeah, I'd like to see, I think there's an opportunity to get community members to go along and maybe do a little bit of policing. Thanks. Um, look, I think, I come back to our Rainbow Action Plan and I'm really proud of it. I think it [00:15:00] works, it's highlighted a lot of things we can do. Getting back to the sporting, um, facilities, which I think is where the question is. It's about, again, it's about that, um, non -gender facilities. About having appropriate, um, signage up. And also the, we've also, um, Um, talked about at council the training of our, our staff there, um, appropriate accreditation. So I think that's where as a council that we can focus on. Great. And, [00:15:30] and Diane keep holding the mic because we'll start with you and come back this way. Um, so my third question, uh, in the lead up to this election, I'm presuming you have, uh, gone out and done your research and spoken to a number of communities to find out what they, uh, were interested in and what's important for them and what issues they are facing. How have you engaged with rainbow groups, uh, in Wellington and how will you commit to connecting to rainbow communities throughout your term as mayor? Um, well I, I suppose I'm [00:16:00] fortunate being on council at the moment and because our Rainbow Action Plan has just recently been signed off, um, that we've had, as a councillor, had the Rainbow, um, um, advisory group come and speak with us. So I haven't gone out and specifically spoken with any particular group. I've got lots of friends and colleagues. that fits right across the, um, our diverse, um, city. Um, but I think it's really important, you know, I don't want to reinvent the wheel either. I mean, I just think there's so much good work being put into our action [00:16:30] plan that actually that's the great starting point that we as a council and everybody, you know, I think it would pass unanimous support from memory as well. So, you know, and that's quite rare in council. So I'm, I'm just really keen just to see us make sure that we can further that on as much as possible, as much as we can afford. I started Predator Free Wellington, so I've got a bit of a community background. In regards to, um, also in [00:17:00] arts and culture, I'm a big fan. I'm a recording artist and I've been a band promoter and band manager in the past, which is very, um, representative of the group that's here tonight. So I'm pretty passionate about those things. If, um, I've forgotten what the question was, so I'm just going to rant. Um, at the moment, um, we've got Laneways coming here and we've got these wonderful artists like Chapel Rowan coming to, um, our country. Um... I would say, as Mayor, [00:17:30] I would say, Chapel, come to Wellington. We are the capital of a rainbow capital of the country. And let's get a festival similar to Laneway, that we can bring some of these artists here and get something really going for the city. To be honest, most of my interaction has been through Cafe Ice, where I actually speak to people and I speak to people wherever they are across the other side of the counter and chat to them and find out what they need. So that's my main interaction. One of the things I really want to achieve on council is to have a lot more open council, a lot more [00:18:00] collaborative council that actually deals with all sorts of different groups. I think there's issues with a hell of a lot of different cultural groups that actually get to interact with council at the moment and that includes obviously your community. Um, so I think really... It's all about creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable to come to us. So when they have an issue that we can actually deal with it, and we'll listen to it and we'll actually work with you guys to get solutions to your problems, um, rather than actually necessarily having gone out directly to a group. Thank you Carl. I didn't finish my [00:18:30] answer to the question about the action plan. For me, a lot of the actions in there did revolve around engagement with the community. And one of the key things to make sure that you're doing engagement properly is actually having an adequately resourced and capable engagement team. So that's something that you need to ask people when they're talking about cutting council services, is what impact will that have on the ability to engage with communities like yours. The reason that I picked safety as a key element was actually because one of my quite close friends and neighbours came back from a year -long cycling trip around Europe. Um, a few weeks ago. A couple [00:19:00] of months ago he came around to my house, um, wearing like completely a rainbow outfit with a purple skirt. And what he said to me was he's just been all through Europe and all of these cities and Wellington is the place where he feels the most safe to be himself. And I thought that was quite interesting because I had, a couple of days earlier, had a catch up with Ella Lamont, I think, who put together this study on safety in the city which found that, I think, for people who are members of, um, intersectional communities, I think it was one in three of them had experienced sexual or physical assault while they were in the city. So it's very interesting [00:19:30] that we're a place where people feel safe to be themselves but also experience such a high degree of unsafety and that is why I think that Wellington, if it really wants to continue to be a place that is the home of Rainbow community members, needs to get its culture right around safety so that people don't experience those problems. um, you know, the lead up to the election, um, I haven't formerly engaged with the rainbow community, but um, I think I'm reasonably well connected through family, friends and work, [00:20:00] um, and maintain those connections just as a matter of kind of routine daily life. Um, if I'm elected as mayor, um, I'm always very keen on, on sending the more institutional forms of, of engagement because I think that at least as an individual. It provides a useful channel to know what issues are and then channel those into council processes. Um, but actually the most important thing is the, is the interpersonal connection too. And, um, I, uh, am committed to and would, uh, maintain, uh, [00:20:30] those opportunities to main, to keep personally connected, um, with the community, uh, just so, um, I know what's going on from, um, people, you know, feeling the issues every day. Actually, Andrew, you have engaged with the, um, the LGBT community. I met you in a gay bar. Do you remember? Yeah. You didn't know that, did you? The cat's out of the bag now. Actually, I'd never met [00:21:00] Andrew. I knew of him, of course. But that's exactly where we met a few months ago at Mutual Friends. So that is engaging with the community. They've been my friends, Mal and Scotty. They're probably known to all of you for more than 24 years. I'm very proud. To have them as friends. Um, so, um, And you learn, I don't know how many people I've met through them Um, that you can talk about business with, have sensible [00:21:30] conversations with about all manner of things. So, yeah, I just don't have an issue with it. I realise you guys have got issues. I read in the plan that the mayor I can't tell you. The mayor is the patron. For the LGBT community. I'd be absolutely That's the next question. Well, yeah, so I'm answering it now. Because I'm next in the line. See, the bell's gone and I'm first in line again. Is that how it works? No, but I see Let me ask the [00:22:00] question, and then you can answer it, eh? Before you go on. Um, So, Rainbow Wellington started a long time ago out of homosexual law reform. Um, and that is 40 years next year. Uh, we celebrate that, so that's awesome. Um, and for many of those years, the mayor has been the patron of Rainbow Wellington. And so my question to you, um, is how will you be one of the best patrons we've ever had? I'd be the best one you've ever [00:22:30] had, honestly, seriously. Well if you know Mel and Scotty you could throw a quick party. Look, look, I've worked with gay people, I've had gay people working for me, I've had gay friends. I don't see any difference, so if you can champion that. Being the mayor is about being a leader, alright? And, and, and sorting what... Obviously the problems that you have, I would be happy, I read in the plan, to meet with you, your community, and representatives of it on a regular basis. I wouldn't have any problem with that at all, as [00:23:00] I would meet with other groups, um, if elected Mayor. So, um, non -issue for me. I'd be very, very proud to be your best. patron ever. Great. So yeah, I think it's very important that the mayor is, uh, is a major advocate for the community. I think in my time in parliament, um, supported Louisa Wall and her marriage equality bill. Um, and as minister of justice, um, [00:23:30] uh, got the legislation through expunging the old criminal convictions for people, um, convicted of stuff that does. It hasn't been a crime for decades. Um, it was very pleasing to be able to do that. Um, so, those sorts of things are important, and it is about just sending a signal that Wellington is a safe place for the community, it's a good place for the community, and this is a city that celebrates the community, and I would like to be a mayor that is at the forefront of that. Can I get a show of hands, um, who thinks that Tory [00:24:00] has done a good job of being a patron? Yeah, interesting. I mean, I personally, I find it hard to imagine actually being a better advocate for the community than Tory has been, so I almost thought it was a bit of a trick question. I would, has been, I should, maybe I should say. Um, I probably would be taking a slightly different approach to this. I do totally believe in, um, Again, what these guys have said, but I also think that, given the environment of hatred that we're in, it's actually also important to have someone who's not a member of this community standing [00:24:30] up and being, calling things out as being completely unacceptable behaviour. I just do not believe that this is happening enough at the moment. So, for me, I would be trying to channel, um, the Tory type approach to, um, Standing up and being proud about Wellington's heritage in this space, but also trying to stamp any behaviour out that I don't believe is acceptable. And I feel like I've already, um, delivered some of that on the campaign trail so far. Um, firstly, I would treat you with respect and make sure that you felt comfortable in that we retain our, um, [00:25:00] position within the world of being one of the more civilian -friendly uh communities. I think that's one of the most important things and i'd listen to you as well in action in your behalf so it's up to you guys to tell us what your priorities are and what piece of the pie you're trying to achieve. I mean then it's up to us to try and champion that for you um but really I've got to take my guidance from you because I'm not part of the community but I'm happy to champion it because I think it's a really important part and i think there's actually real economic benefits to the city as well if we actually make ourselves the most comfortable [00:25:30] place for people when they would come to and visit. Uh, being the mayor, it's an ambassadorial role. So it's all about being positive and bringing people together. I would have to say that, uh, you know, we are the rainbow capital of the southern hemisphere. Certainly, absolutely. So we need to sell that to the rest of the world. Uh, I'd put on a party, uh, like the Laneway Festival, as I said, and I'd invite people from all around the world. And, [00:26:00] uh, I would not be Wellington's first party mayor, I'd probably be the second. Thank you. Um, it's an interesting question because I think especially you just mentioned the 40 year anniversary, so it'd be really cool to be the patron at that point. But my focus will be when getting elected is to understand is what is all the patron roles of the required of the mayor because I believe that the mayor needs to [00:26:30] spend a lot more time working with the council and getting consensus around many things and so I think we have to make sure we manage the workload of the mayor and of the councillors appropriately. Now it could well be I would be patron if you would have me, um, but there may well be other, other, um, challenges on time and that because I think whoever's patron needs to make sure that they can, um, um, provide, um, that appropriate time and [00:27:00] support to the group. So I'm not making a firm commitment, but just because of other priorities. Thank you. Now I'm going to hand you out these rainbow flags because we're going into our quick fire. Questions, yes, no, so obviously yes, we want to see them waving, and no, you just keep them down by your knees. Alright, now some of these questions are a little bit silly, um, I may have slipped some of them in just because I really want to know, so, uh. [00:27:30] So, um, do you know, you will know Diane what TRAC is, which is the Takatapu and Rainbow Advisory Panel who has put together our action plan or has overseen that. Do you commit to keeping TRAC the Rainbow Advisory Panel? Great, so that's six yeses from the panel, great. Will you fully implement Wellington's Rainbow Action Plan if elected? I'd have to read it. [00:28:00] Well, is it up or down? I want commitment here. So we've got yeses from four out of six of our panellists. That's good. I'd like to see the honesty. Thank you. Do you support the expansion of gender neutral bathrooms in public facilities? New ones or old ones? Let's ask that question twice. So, in old ones. So, so for putting, [00:28:30] putting them into, looking at our council facilities that we currently have and putting in gender neutral bathrooms in those facilities. Yep, as they needed upgrades. Yep. And then, uh, to making sure that all our new council facilities have gender neutral bathrooms. Great. Good to see everyone was on board with that one. Yep, they can have all of the above. They can do, yeah, yeah, and um, that is, yeah. [00:29:00] Would you vote to remove and rename public spaces named after historical figures with anti -LGBT rainbow or colonial legacies? Wakefield Street? So we've got no, no flags risen from that one. Thank you for your honesty. Uh, would you march in the Wellington Pride Parade wearing glitter?[00:29:30] Come on Coles, yep, that's it, good, wave them. So that's six yeses, there we go, thank you. Would you support a Queer Eye for the Council Guy makeover show? A Queer Eye for the Council Guy? It's a TV programme, yeah. For the Mayor and all the Councillors, I think. Yeah, we need to, we need to overdo. Do you own [00:30:00] at least one item of clothing that could be described as fabulous? Carl says no, but everyone else says yes. Carl, we can sort you out after this, don't worry, I'm sure there's somebody here who'll take you shopping. And then would you endorse a rainbow themed Metlink card that when you tap on it makes a glitter sound? These are really important questions. Yeah, we've got six yeses from that. Hey, thank you [00:30:30] very much. Now that is the end of the rapid fire questions. So if anyone has questions they would like to ask, I would like to invite you to make a nice little line. Um, and then we'll just get those questions up nice and quick for her. So come and join me over here. Um, Rhi, the question about, this is for everyone, Rhi, the question about sport and talking about safety. There is the issue of safety and fairness for [00:31:00] women if trans women get involved in women's sport. I'm not, sorry, we're not actually interested in that question. Yeah, no, it's actually not something we're going to entertain here. We're a safe space for our trans women. Have you got any other questions that you would like to ask? Okay, well, um, okay, I'll ask this one. Thank you. Um, [00:31:30] do you agree with the Golden Marlin City Streets project, which is going to cost $212 million? Well, for the start -up, it's not going to cost $212 million. It's going to cost a lot. Do you want to grab your mic? Just make sure the green button's on and you can talk. You just do a yes or no. Yeah, that's probably all you need for that question. Right. They all [00:32:00] said no. Yeah. Oh, and Alex said yes. Yeah. Thank you. You've asked your questions, so now we'll move on. Kia ora. Based on your introductions, I believe that you're all straight, white and cis. Why do you think that this is all the mayoral candidates that we have? Well, it's not all the mayoral candidates we have. There's 12 in the race at the moment. So, I mean, they've all got a chance, apparently. Is that [00:32:30] what your question's about, or? Why do you think that there is a lack of diversity amongst candidates? I have no idea. Alright, well I can only speak for myself. Hand the microphone over then. It's never too late. Yeah. I think it's important for candidates, particularly for the mayor to have an understanding of the city and all of its communities and all the people who make it up and the mayor is the champion for everybody in the city. That's what the mayoral role has to be. Great [00:33:00] answer. Um, I mean, clearly the political environment has become an unsafe space for young woman and people um, with intersectional identities. We've all seen what happened to Tory, like, even my ward this election, actually, I've been quite surprised at the absence of um, young woman and diverse representation. Um, I don't think it's good enough uh, having an environment that basically stops potential young leaders from even entering the scene. And it needs to change. Uh, [00:33:30] my response when we were asked why they're all mainly men standing is exactly the same for this is that I wouldn't care if they're all females up here. I wouldn't care if they're all gay people up here or whatever. I don't care. People choose whether they're going to stand or they choose not to stand. We chose to stand. I would be more than happy to have anyone else standing with us as well. Bring back Georgina Byer and Bob Jones. Um, well as a latecomer to the, um, mayoral field, and, [00:34:00] um, I was the first female to put their, um, hand up. And it was not because of fear of standing for council. It was actually just the pure logistics. Um, somebody else has sucked all the money out of the city council. The city and also I didn't have a big party machine behind me. So I did have to rethink about what I would do. So there's a number of factors. I think if you're going to stand for me, you've got to have the expertise, the experience as well. So I just wanted it's really important. It's about understanding [00:34:30] the politics. So I can't speak for anyone else. I can just speak for myself. But I want to be a role model for my daughters and my granddaughters. And one is mixed race as well. So, it's just, there is a mixture, we may not look like it, but there is a mixture in our families. Um, kia ora, this question might upset a very vocal minority in the room, so, uh, cover your ears. Um, we talk a lot at Big Game about gender -neutral bathrooms and ask questions about trans people, but as Carl has so [00:35:00] eloquently pointed out, that's not possible for every single council facility. Will you commit to make it council and municipal policy that trans women are allowed in women's bathrooms, trans men are allowed in men's bathrooms, and vice versa? Equivalent for sports, equivalent, not vice versa, equivalent for all. Existing gendered spaces that can't necessarily be made gender neutral. It's important that you actually support us rather than just shoving us into gender neutral areas. Triangles. Um, not at this [00:35:30] stage. No. Basically I don't know the issues deeply enough and I don't know council policy. So I'd have to say no. To be honest, I didn't realise, I don't actually know the, the, the ins and outs of that, so I can't make a comment on it really. Apologies. I think yes. Um, I can't commit that the Mayor has the power to executive order the Council to do that though, so. Use in spirit. I think just make sure that staff aren't removing people [00:36:00] from spaces is the most important thing. Yeah, I think the overriding thing is, is safety of people. So if it can be done, then it can be done. Um, but if it can't be done and people feel safe, then, um, uh, we're going to have to wait until these upgrades and, you know, gender neutral toilets can be installed. Same answer as Andrew, to be honest. Um, yeah, I think, I think the only thing that I guess. Out of fear for many people is the issue of safety. And I think that's what we should always [00:36:30] worry about, um, for people. But, um, yeah. Great, thank you. So my question is... I didn't mention men or women, I said everyone. We're just going to ignore that comment. So my question is specifically directed at Andrew. We all call it, we all care about bullying here, and the fact that it's... I see something that we don't appreciate in the community. We don't appreciate it from politicians. Now, regardless of the other politician who is [00:37:00] not currently present, do you think that your behaviour at the post -debate was churlish, childish, and unbecoming of a politician who wants to represent our city and especially champion for a small community like ours against bullying and bad behaviour? Um, yeah, so I had an opponent sitting right opposite me with a set of notes that were a set of attack lines on me, and somebody was going around saying they're independent. They're not. They're part [00:37:30] of an organised group that is about, um, launching malicious attacks, particularly online, and when they get away with it elsewhere, and I thought that needed to be called out, and I did. I'm, I'm with, I'm sorry, just to quickly comment on that as well, I'm with Andrew on that, I believe that he was, well, in the right space, and something that I find interesting is actually... Yeah, we don't need to tautoko, we can just leave it at that, thank you. Hi, [00:38:00] this may seem slightly obscure, but I hope people understand what I'm asking. Um, our community loves our cats. It also loves our dogs. And, uh, I worked in security intelligence for about 15 years, looking at trains about why people get attacked and why they don't. And it's massive, the fact that people who have dogs with them are far less likely to get attacked. Now, um, it makes sense, because a dog is like your super personal security operation. [00:38:30] I'd love to know if any of the candidates have a plan to make it easier for Wellingtonians to own dogs, particularly people on lower incomes, because it's often the lower income part of the LGBT community who are the most vulnerable and get attacked the most. And we don't always look at the reasons why people who have their personal security restricted just for economic reasons. Thank you. Um, I don't have a specific plan, but I do think we as a council [00:39:00] need to look at having more dog parks, if that's any use. Because we don't have many dog parks that are fully fenced, um, and that's a safe way to be able to, um, exercise your dogs and that sort of thing. So I know it's a bit of a woolly answer, but best I can come up with, because I don't have a specific plan. I'd like to see dogs allowed on the trains at, uh, off peak times. Um,[00:39:30] yeah. No, I have particular plans on that. I think they, getting dogs on public transport is a good idea but they'll be some issues around that. Apart from that, um, I have no other specific suggestions. Being a transport operator So, And I was doing that today, um, I have no issues with dogs being on, um, uh, buses for example, but the, I guess the, [00:40:00] um, the thing with that is they must be muzzled, um, which is important, just safety wise. In a cage. You asked, I'll give you the answer. Um, in terms of, I'd like to see dog registration fees go. We don't charge them for cats and that sort of thing. As long as animals are vaccinated, um, if they're, I guess, a worry and that sort of thing, that's, Um, they should be fenced in and that sort [00:40:30] of thing. But, um, I think dog registrations, please. I don't think we need to charge those. Great, thank you. I'd like to see a change in that policy. We've got our final question from Hamish, um, and then I'll get Jules up to close with Karakia. So, it's not a so serious one and feel free to, you don't have to answer this one. But I, I'm curious, especially for some of you, just saying, um, Have you ever had a same -sex kiss at any stage?[00:41:00] Sorry, can you ask that question again? Have you ever had, uh, have you ever kissed someone of the same gender? Yeah, my father. Good answer Rob, good answer. And my brothers. Yeah right, thanks. And the microphoner. No. Rob and I shook hands at the pub. Pretty sure we did. Would you like one?[00:41:30] Uh, not, never with tongue. Exactly, my dad, but not with tongue. No. Pass. Uh, other than family, no. Right. Thank you. Thanks for entertaining me. Thank you Hamish for that great question. Before I close, um, [00:42:00] We've got our, um, mayoral candidates here, um, who will be available afterwards, um, if they're able to stay for questions and mingling. Also in the room we have, um, council candidates Trish Given and Lily Brown, so they will also be with, um, Enjoy! Enjoy. And Dan. If you are a candidate for the City Council, could you please wave right now so we know to come and ask you questions. Amazing. [00:42:30] Haki roto. Breathe in. Haki waho. Breathe out. Kia tō te mori e kurikuri nei. E nga piki, me nga heki. Ko te rangi marie tuku i rapu nei. Tihei, moriora!
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