"Together, we can address the tough questions,
Take action now,
And make a real difference."

WHO IS JOHN KLAPHAKE AND WHAT DOES HE STAND FOR?

I have never shied away from life's challenges. Reflecting back on the last 30 or so years, I realise that every step of my journey was taken knowing that I have been true to myself and to others. Sure I have marched to the beat of my own drum, but never to the exclusion of others.

Family, friends and the various communities I have been involved with are very important to me. My commitment to them all reflects my genuine empathy and interest in the well-being of others. Each challenge has been an opportunity to grow, to gain confidence and deepen my knowledge and experience.

I now realise that my somewhat ecletic history has pointed me in the next leg of my journey. It is with some pride that I know I am well qualified to take on the next set of challenges.

I have decided to use my experience, knowledge, drive and passion to "make things right" for this great region of Wellington; a region I have been actively part of for most of my life to be a people's representative on the Greater Wellington Regional Council.

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I'm batting for:

If we want to encourage the use of public transport we first need to create the incentives for people to use it. That first big incentive is to make it cheaper and affordable.

Over the intermediate term we need to implement a unified ticketing system that allows people to transfer across services as part of a single journey. At that point we then should be able to offer off-peak fares.

Tertiary students in Wellington do have a very valid case to make in wanting discounted fares. I support that position and it's not much to ask. Student life is generally tough and easing up on discounted fares is a meaningful gesture that helps ease the burden, after all we do discount travel for secondary school students. I believe tertiary students (whether they are full or part-time) should be a 50% discount rate off the full price.

Let's get behind public transport to free up congestion on the roads, faster travel times and reduce vehicle carbon emissions.

Social procurement is essentially philanthropy as a trading activity. It involves using business models as a means to solve social, cultural and environmental issues in our community. This is about taking ethical and environmental factors into account when making purchasing decisions.

The Council plays a key role in providing a framework for social wellbeing in our community. Procurement is an area whereby we can develop strategies to address social objectives, such as employment and encourage the wider well-being within our region. We need to be looking to suppliers who will employ people left out in the margins of employment opportunities, including the young, those who are differentially abled, and, increasingly older people.

The living wage is both a moral and ethical issue. Work should not keep people in poverty and indentured, but should enable them to care for their family and it's basic expenses.

By paying all employees of the GWRC, and ensuring that contractors are also paid that basic amount, we will be doing the right thing, but also ensuring people have the opportunity to fully participate and contribute to Wellington and it's region.

The greatest risk we face in Local Body politics is the lack of participation. Without active participation it becomes very easy for control and decision making to be taken over by a few people who will have their interests at the forefront. Our democracy matters, not only by the casting of our votes (that should be a minimum!), but also by contributing our thoughts and ideas to ensure the legitimate interests of all are considered when decisions are being made.

If you elect me as your representative I will do my best to ensure the Council actively seeks feedback and input before major decisions are made. On a personal level, I will make myself available to you to discuss your concerns.

My five principles for representing you are: Transparency, Consultation, Collaboration, Accountability and Responsibility.

Regular and reliable public transport is vitally important for the social and commercial life of our City. It is impossible for everyone to be driving into the city each day for work. To do so would mean we would be spending more time in cars each day travelling a short distance than being at work.

While we have long term projects, such as those outlined in 'Let's Get Welly Moving', the Council will have no credibility in addressing that project if it does not first address and remediate the appalling implementation of the bus network that was let loose on us in July 2018. Remedying this and restoring the confidence of the people of Wellington must be the first priority of the Council and it's officers. We all want a regular and reliable service!

Over the next few years the Regional Council is going to be deeply involved in making decisions and implementing the Public Transport Spine (network) in Wellington. If elected as your representative, I will work hard to ensure that your wishes are taked heed of and that we deliver a Public Transport system that is founded on evidence and gets you to and from work, and around Wellington, safely and efficiently.

Oh! And by the way, let's ensure our buses are Carbon Zero!

Scientific evidence is conclusive. If we continue down the path we are going down, future generations will not be inhabiting a planet they will want to call home. There will be nothing left, they will literally be a "Generation Zero". A generation left with nothing, because every generation since the Industrial Revolution has, not only plundered the planet of it's finite resources, but left, in it's wake, a trail of destruction in the form of pollution.

We have an opportunity to do the right thing by reducing our carbon emmissions and judiciously use our resources. While our efforts may be small in terms of turning the tide of climate change, our Wellington region can well be the example that other cities and region wish to emulate. Let's lead by example!

My Thoughts on Video

My thinking on video about some of the issues affecting the Wellington Region.

I'm standing for GWRC

John Klaphake

I'm standing because I believe we need a new deal for our city and region. I want to get confidence back into public transport.

5 Principles for Representation

John Klaphake

My 5 Principles for representing you: Transparency, Consultation, Collaboration, Accountability and Responsibility.

Values that you can rely on

John Klaphake

What you can expect if you elect me to represent you at the Regional Council. All decisions must be made on fact and reason.

He does his research and is thoughtful, but then he speaks straight and tells it like it is.

Chris Giannotti

He doesn't just think of the present and the solutions that will only satisfy us today, his vision is firmly set to the future.

Stephen Crabtree

He is astute and very well reasoned, he is well grounded in our community and will represent us well.

Tony Swain

He's down to earth and practical - and very determined. He can and will make the tough calls when required.

Eric Sun

He has the right mix of grit, determination and intellectual fortitude the Wellington region needs. It is time that someone steps up to the plate and truly represents the voice of Wellington - I believe John is that person.

Adrian Woodliffe

My Thoughts

My thinking about some of the issues affecting the Wellington Region.

Climate Change: Choosing Action or Inaction

JUL

28

Climate Change: Action or Inaction

John Klaphake

The challenge we face is the accelerating pace of climate change and the very narrow window to maintain the temperature acceleration.

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Stewards of the Regions's resources

JUN

09

Stewards of our resources

John Klaphake

The role of a council or councillor might best be defined within the context of stewardship. It's about caring and maintaining.

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Solving Wellington's congestion with Light Rail

MAY

20

Let's solve Wellington's congestion

John Klaphake

With the Government's contribution to solving Wellington's congestion, we now have to opportunity to get Light Rail moving.

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