Campaigns:
Introduction
Sustainable Wellington Net has conducted a survey of the Environmental opinions of Parliamentary candidates in the Wellington Central on a range of environmental issues - both national and local.
The summary results are below, on the accompanying Survey page is the questionnaire we distributed and individual responses from the candidates
Electorate Summary
In the electorate race, Marion Hobbs (Labour) scored much more strongly for her environmental views than Richard Prebble (ACT)
Party Summary
For the party vote, based on the responses from both list and electorate candidates, we have concluded:
The Greens are the strongest party for the environment, closely followed by the Alliance
Labour is strong on several, but not all, environmental issues
ACT and National are significantly less favourable on environmental issues. The failure of National's list candidates to complete the questionnaire makes it difficult to assess their views precisely
Summary of Survey Questions
- Compulsory labelling of foods containing genetically-engineered ingredients
Hobbs, Greens, and Alliance support. Prebble opposes. National list candidates silent
- Termination of Timberlands logging of West Coast rainforests
Hobbs, Greens, and Alliance want to stop the logging. Prebble opposes termination of logging. National candidates silent
- Proposed commercial and apartment building at Chaffers Park
Hobbs unsure. Prebble supports. Greens and Alliance oppose. National silent
- City Council's "Variation 17" plan for further 25-30 new waterfront buildings of up to 10 stories high
Hobbs says too high. Prebble happy with proposed heights. Greens and Alliance oppose both heights and numbers of planned buildings. National silent
- Establishment of major public reserve on Wellington's South-West coast
Hobbs unsure. Prebble opposes. Greens and Alliance support. National silent
- Urban bypass (motorway extension through Te Aro)
Hobbs, Greens, and Alliance oppose bypass. Prebble supports. National candidates silent
Vote for the Environment Charter
Our survey is designed to be complementary to the Vote for the Environment Charter which focuses on Party policies and national issues
The Vote for the Environment Charter is published by Environment and Conservation Organisations of NZ (ECO), Federated Mountain Clubs of NZ (FMC), Greenpeace, and the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of NZ, and sets out the key principles and policy planks that a coalition of environment groups considers should be adopted by all political parties