"I am proud of the City I have helped create and lead over many years."

Helene RITCHIE, our first woman deputy mayor is our longest serving City Councillor. Helene was elected from Northern as a Johnsonville playcentre mother aged 32, and psychologist. She brings extensive civic and governance experience and to Council. “I am outspoken, for the “ordinary” person, for Northern and Wellington.”

EFFECTIVE

Helene knows how to be effective in elected governance, working with colleagues, staff and community to make a difference.

Her focus has been Northern. Over the last three years, she has been successful in:
Initiating the new Johnsonville library to be co-located with the Johnsonville swimming pool improvements starting next year, and ensured thousands of children in Wellington will learn to swim.

WORKING FOR

The Newlands Community Centre and Grenada Village Mark Avenue extension, both opened.
A new Johnsonville Mall
Newlands town plan
Churton community facilities and worker
Tawa-Johnsonville walk/cycleway

Helene’s long environmental credentials and enthusiasm have seen her promote in Northern the Skyline/Outer Town Belt walkway, and protection of the Old Coach Road and surrounding area and strong support for the protection and classification of 61 green spaces- reserves, sports grounds in Northern and the Outer Town Belt.

"I congratulate the wonderful planting groups in Churton, Glenside, Tawa, Newlands/Paparangi."

TOP PRIORITIES

REVERSING THE NEGLECT OF NORTHERN

With your vote we can continue reversing the neglect of Northern.

A CIVIC HEART FOR NORTHERN-J’VIILE

Make it happen!

Helene led Wellington’s world class Civic Centre project. She knows how to make it happen.

• Infrastructure- community, roading and public transport for Northern and J’Ville
• Actively supporting Newlands’ and Johnsonville Community centre-as the best in the country.
• Integrated comprehensive urban design plan and its implementation for Johnsonville-suburban centre and residential Trees.
• Public Transport, pedestrian and cycleways and a Johnsonville transport hub.
• Sound traffic management in and out of the Johnsonville Heart.
• Alex Moore Park-Cricket Club Sports Hub
• Tawa-Johnsonville Skyline walkway
• Tawa Mall upgrade
• Churton community facilities
• Newlands Town Centre plan and implementation
• Glenside Halfway house
• Sustainable communities and community services infrastructure.

WATERFRONT

Helene fights hard to protect the Waterfront for the people of Wellington and visitors, and she has gone the extra mile. Her personal successful submission to the Environment Court earned written comment from the Judge and Commissioners who said in their decision against the Hilton Hotel on Queens Wharf,

“In many ways their (myself and one other submitter) use and appreciation of the wharf as a safe and relatively vehicle free recreation space reflected that of the Wellington public who use the wharf and promenade.”

SUSTAINABILITY

Promoted efficient transport, a sustainable City, aware of climate change; the use of solar energy and private collection of water and recycling grey water; and opposed water privatisation.