The mayoral hopefuls’ pitches to Wellington – in poem form
Towards the end of the debate, mayoral candidates Andy Foster, Tory Whanau and Paul Eagle were required to persuade a soft toy to move to Wellington.
Struggling to pick between the leading candidates? Maybe their verse will help.
At the Spinoff Wellington mayoral debate on Thursday night, candidates Paul Eagle, Andy Foster and Tory Whanau shared their views on everything from climate, culture, housing and council unity to whether the city should change its name to Te Whanganui-a-Tara. They also read original poems. In lieu of opening statements, the three were tasked with composing either a limerick or a haiku and reading it aloud.
Here’s what they came up with.
Andy Foster
Honoured to lead the city I love
Got lots done, even though it’s been tough
Fixing pipes, transport deals, providing for housing for all
Supporting the arts, library, St James, Tākina, Town Hall
Let’s work together and get our city on the move.
Paul Eagle
Over poo in streets
flies an Eagle. I’ll fix that,
cries the howling wind.
Tory Whanau
Let down by pale, male and stale
Pipes and buses, an embarrassing fail
Then along came Tory
To make it all hunky dory
Vote Whanau number one and in relief exhale.
Toby Manhire
Toby Manhire is editor-at-large at The Spinoff. He loves to cast a pod, whether it's Gone By Lunchtime, At Large or Juggernaut. He is a former editor of The Spinoff and has worked as a journalist in NZ and the UK since the last millennium.
