Wellington is a great city, but it can be even better. That’s why I am standing for Council. I am a passionate Wellingtonian, pro-growth, business friendly, and keen on green. I will work to keep rate rises to a minimum. If elected, I will be utterly focused on keeping Wellington safe, prosperous, vibrant and attractive.

I support building better roads, improving public transport and infrastructure, and all efforts to increase economic activity. We need to retain the talent we have in the city, and to stimulate innovation and investment in businesses.  

I support more artificial pitches on sports grounds, and I want funding for them moved up the council's priority list. I also seek a review of Council’s parking policies which reward the contractor (and the wardens) for issuing as many tickets as possible. That’s not fair.

I am experienced in business and government, independent, and unaligned to any political party or grouping. I am committed to working hard for all Wellingtonians.

Top 5 Issues

1. Economic growth and prosperity. Wellington has to retain its talent and attract more to stimulate investment and job growth
2. Providing efficient and value for money council services. Making the city safe, attractive, and amendable to all its citzens is very basic stuff.
3. More artificial pitches on council playing fields. This needs to come higher up the council's spending priorities.
4. Review the parking policies to curb overzealous parking wardens.
5. Build more infrastructure and better transport systems including making cycling safer.

Personal Profile

John Bishop works in communications as a journalist, trainer, small business advisor, and commentator. He’s been in PR and on the fringes of politics as a journalist and pundit for over thirty years, but this is the first time he has stood for public office.

He has wide experience in business as an advisor, strategist and media spokesperson, and has operated his own consultancy for sixteen years. He works with small businesses particularly solos and home operations and is a director of the Wellington Zone of Rugby League. 

He is passionate about prosperity for Wellington and New Zealand and wants to see the city and the region attract the best talent and to foster the best businesses in the land.  He is married with two adult children, and loves the theatre, films, cooking and a good discussion on just about anything.

He is known for clear thinking and plain speaking, with an ability to cut to the heart of an issue and crystalise it for discussion. Testimonilas to his attributes can be found at his busiess website, www.johnbishop.co.nz

Questions and Answers

Politically where do you stand?

I am running for council as an independent. I am not a member of any political party, and never have been. I am describing myself as a business friendly centrist, pro growth, keen on green, and in favour of keeping the quality of council services high and the rate increases to a minimum

Have you held public office before?

No. The last thing I was elected to was a school board of trustees out in the Hutt Valley, but I have served on a number of committees and boards mainly in professional associations.

What about other positions?

I was appointed by SPARC to the Wellington Zone board of New Zealand Rugby League, for my experience in marketing, communications and reputation matters. That was in 2009, and I am still there, fascinated by the challenge of building a game and helping it to contribute to stronger healthier communities.

I have been a director of a couple of private companies. I am a member of the Institute of Directors, and I have won various awards for communications excellence over the years.

Do you have the time to commit to the job of councillor?

Yes. I am self employed and I can control the amount of private work I do. I expect that being a councillor will be close to a full time position. Certainly it will get first call on my time. The people of the Lambton Ward will find me out and about, and very available to them.