2025 Pōneke Wellington Regional Council Candidates Issues Index

Are you committed to the Regional Council’s goals in the Wellington Transport Emissions Reduction Plan?

Yes. I’ve had a look at what these are - increases in mode share for PT and active modes, more funding for regional rail and early delivery of the PT elements of LGWM such as bus priority on the #2 route and a second spine on the harbour quays. I have worked to help a lot of this proceed while I have been on Wellington City Council

What’s the single biggest action you’d take to reduce the region’s road transport emissions by 35% in the next five years?

Making it possible for most households to either be car-free or have only one car, by having more weekend and express services, more affordable fares and continuing the work to promote active modes of transport.

Are you committed to delivering a 15-minute timetable for our rail network once the system can support it?

Yes, but there are some real budgetary and practical constraints so it will be important to target the routes and times where this can be supported

Will you advocate for most of NZTA's land transport budgets to be spent on public and active transport?

I’d need a bit more information on this. We are certainly spending a lot on roads under the new government, and I think there is a strong case to rebalance and spend much more on public and active transport. Especially in Wellington, where the public is already very willing to use those modes, and many more would do so, if we could make it just a little affordable and convenient.

Do you support a congestion charge being introduced?

Yes, I have actively spoken in support of this around our Council table. We need some way of pricing demand to try to get the most out of the infrastructure we now have

What climate action would you champion that isn’t already being worked on by the Regional Council?

On the idea that more families might manage with no car, or at the most one car, I’d really look at weekend travel and what is driving it. For example, do we need better, safer public transport to get kids and teenagers to sport? Car sharing apps for sport, other leisure activities as well as work? I’d like to see the reintroduction of generous fare discounts for youth aged 19-25.

Are you committed to the Regional Council’s goals in the Wellington Transport Emissions Reduction Plan?

Yes. It is disappointing to see central government's moves away from sensible climate policy, as we need all levels of government working together to achieve these goals.

What’s the single biggest action you’d take to reduce the region’s road transport emissions by 35% in the next five years?

There isn't one policy that the regional council can do to achieve this. We have to pull all the levers we have from encouraging growth around transport hubs so fewer people have to drive, to making public transport more attractive through making it cheaper, faster, and more reliable. It will also require councillors advocating to central government for the support and ambition to tackle this challenge - I am committed to doing this.

Are you committed to delivering a 15-minute timetable for our rail network once the system can support it?

Yes, and we should go further. The Regional Transport Plan has an ambition for a ten minute frequency which is what I'd like to see. However, to get these types of improvements, central government will need to both maintain its funding commitments for public transport and fund further rail renewals, signalling upgrades, and modern rolling stock. I will advocate for proper rail investments to get Wellingtonians the services they need.

Will you advocate for most of NZTA's land transport budgets to be spent on public and active transport?

Yes, we have to be focused on investments which will actually speed up travel times and reduce congestion. I'll also push back on initiatives that will discourage people using public transport, like the government's requirement that regional councils raise fares.

Do you support a congestion charge being introduced?

I support congestion charging in principle as we see from overseas examples that it reduces congestion and emissions, but would like to see the details of any proposed scheme first before pledging my support. I believe that congestion charging must go hand-in-hand with greater investment in public transport , plus we need to make sure it is designed fairly for those on lower incomes. We must have good and affordable public transport in place before we introduce congestion charging.

What climate action would you champion that isn’t already being worked on by the Regional Council?

The biggest climate action we can do is to make sure that our urban development is being done in areas with good transport links and infrastructure. So, I am keen to work with the city council and central government’s Going for Housing Growth programme to make sure we have all the settings right to encourage growth around transport hubs.

Are you committed to the Regional Council’s goals in the Wellington Transport Emissions Reduction Plan?

Yes. If anything, I think we will need to make further reductions, faster, if we are going to make a meaningful contribution to limiting global warming and create more resilient and successful communities—though I acknowledge this will be a challenge and require significant work and change.

What’s the single biggest action you’d take to reduce the region’s road transport emissions by 35% in the next five years?

Adding the 'second spine' to the bus network in the Wellington CBD along the waterfront so bus services can run at 5-10 minute intervals across the network, enabling people to catch a bus to wherever they want to go within a few minutes' wait.

Are you committed to delivering a 15-minute timetable for our rail network once the system can support it?

Yes—absolutely. Note this is already planned in the Transport Emissions Reduction Plan for the Hutt and Kāpiti lines. I'd love to see more regular service across the network.

Will you advocate for most of NZTA's land transport budgets to be spent on public and active transport?

Yes.

Do you support a congestion charge being introduced?

Yes, provided it's implemented in an equitable way.

What climate action would you champion that isn’t already being worked on by the Regional Council?

Inter-regional rail connections beyond Palmerston North. Re-establishing a proper public line between Auckland and Wellington again that isn't charged at tourist rates, for example, and looking at how other lines across the North Island could be re-established as real alternatives to air and car travel.

Are you committed to the Regional Council’s goals in the Wellington Transport Emissions Reduction Plan?

Yes. Reducing emissions from transport is essential for both climate responsibility and improving daily life. I support the Plan’s goals, but I also want to see practical delivery of faster, more reliable public transport, and an approach that puts people first.

What’s the single biggest action you’d take to reduce the region’s road transport emissions by 35% in the next five years?

The most crucial action is to make public transport the easiest and most reliable option for commuters. This involves providing frequent buses and trains that arrive on time and implementing simple fare structures through the National Ticketing System. When services are reliable, affordable, and well-connected, people are more likely to leave their cars at home.

Are you committed to delivering a 15-minute timetable for our rail network once the system can support it?

Yes, the service must be supported by adequate infrastructure and sufficient passenger demand. Implementing a 15-minute timetable would be a significant improvement, but it must consider the population density, usage patterns, and the costs associated with running additional services. Areas with strong demand, such as the Kapiti and Hutt lines, should prioritise this rollout, with plans for further expansion as the region grows.

Will you advocate for most of NZTA's land transport budgets to be spent on public and active transport?

Yes, the focus has been too heavily on road construction. Redirecting funding towards trains, buses, walking, and cycling offers significantly greater long-term advantages, including reduced congestion, cleaner air, and healthier communities.

Do you support a congestion charge being introduced?

Yes, a congestion charge can be effective if designed fairly. It can help manage traffic, but must be supported by strong public transport alternatives and protections for lower-income households to ensure equity.

What climate action would you champion that isn’t already being worked on by the Regional Council?

I would advocate for a region-wide transition to electric buses powered by renewable energy, establishing clear deadlines and accountability measures. Although the Council has started to move in this direction, the progress is too slow. Speeding up this transition will decrease emissions, reduce noise pollution, and demonstrate strong leadership in climate action.

Are you committed to the Regional Council’s goals in the Wellington Transport Emissions Reduction Plan?

yes, absolutely.

What’s the single biggest action you’d take to reduce the region’s road transport emissions by 35% in the next five years?

commit to replacing the diesel buses, improve access to regional trains.

Are you committed to delivering a 15-minute timetable for our rail network once the system can support it?

There are quite a few issues to ensure a fifteen minute delivery along the existing networks, but keen to work towards this.

Will you advocate for most of NZTA's land transport budgets to be spent on public and active transport?

Definitely over half of the budget.

Do you support a congestion charge being introduced?

in theory, but I would need to do some more learning on that.

What climate action would you champion that isn’t already being worked on by the Regional Council?

Upscaling nature based solutions; solar panels or wind energy on public buildings.

Are you committed to the Regional Council’s goals in the Wellington Transport Emissions Reduction Plan?

Absolutely. It will be harder now with government cuts to public transport, but there’s still a lot we can do ourselves! A big priority for me is to roll out more bus priority lanes on busy bus routes, the Golden Mile and along the harbour quays. This would significantly speed up services, increase frequency and make the bus more attractive and viable for more people.

What’s the single biggest action you’d take to reduce the region’s road transport emissions by 35% in the next five years?

The single biggest action we could take is to introduce congestion pricing. This has to be coupled with improvements to the affordability and frequency of public transport and continued roll out of a citywide cycling network. We need to make alternatives to driving attractive, convenient and accessible at the same time.

Are you committed to delivering a 15-minute timetable for our rail network once the system can support it?

Yes, we want more people taking public transport and research shows frequency has a big influence over whether people choose it. 15 minute peak frequencies is a sensible goal and would mean comparable service frequencies to Auckland and other similar sized cities.

Will you advocate for most of NZTA's land transport budgets to be spent on public and active transport?

Yes. The national transport budget is completely unbalanced. Funding for public transport is currently so low that almost no new improvement projects can be funded. In Wellington, 40 public transport improvement projects lost funding last year (bus lanes, rail upgrades etc). Meanwhile the government is spending 10 percent of the entire infrastructure budget (that's all transport, hospitals and schools) on one expressway in Northland. It's nonsensical and we need to make that case.

Do you support a congestion charge being introduced?

Yes - see answer to question 2.

What climate action would you champion that isn’t already being worked on by the Regional Council?

Land Value Taxes! It's effectively a way to tax undeveloped land (e.g. surface carparks) and encourage development (i.e. of new apartments). Having more people live close to the city is great for the climate (less travel) but also great for the city as more people brings more people to support cafes, bars, businesses and life in the city.

Are you committed to the Regional Council’s goals in the Wellington Transport Emissions Reduction Plan?

Yes. And these goals become all the more important in the face of government policies that are threatening the gains we have made as a Country and undermining the commitments we have given at the Paris Agreement.

What’s the single biggest action you’d take to reduce the region’s road transport emissions by 35% in the next five years?

There are two principal actions within the regional councils control – efficiency and reliability of public transport and electric trains.

The public transport network is comprehensive – for a population of our size. Reliability and punctuality of services is now the key to getting more people on board. Reliability on the bus network has improved significantly and patronage is up more than 110% since covid. More work is required on rail – I am committed to addressing delays and getting more funding from government to deal with much needed track renewals and double tracking.

The purchase of new hybrid electric trains for the Wairarapa and Manawatu lines will swap diesel traction for electric traction. With significantly improved frequency it will also encourage mode shift from road to rail. The announcement on new trains is not far away.

Are you committed to delivering a 15-minute timetable for our rail network once the system can support it?

Better than that. I am committed to the 10 minute frequency signalled in the public transport plan, if we can encourage the government to commit to introduce European Train Control (for signalling), enabling trains to run more frequently. Further investment in double tracking (such as the “North South Junction (Pukerua to Paekākāriki)) and the upgrading of line-side substations (which the government has committed to) will make 10 minute frequencies on the Hutt and Kapiti lines a reality.

Will you advocate for most of NZTA's land transport budgets to be spent on public and active transport?

Yes, I am committed to the mode pyramid which sees pedestrian and cyclists as the top priority, followed by public transport and private cars.

I will keep pushing the government to back-off the idea that people should pay higher public transport fares. Fares need to be affordable for public transport to be sustainable.

Do you support a congestion charge being introduced?

Yes, I support congestion charging as long as we have good active mode and public transport options in place first. The 10 minuet train frequency; more buses to more places, a fully integrated ticketing system that allows seamless journey. All these things are underway – but they all need to move faster.

What climate action would you champion that isn’t already being worked on by the Regional Council?

I will continue championing intensification - our cities growing upward rather than outwards. We need to make the most effective use of our infrastructure investments – roads, rail, pipes, telecoms, power, public transport – we can’t do that if we keep growing outwards in low density developments. We can have growth and a lower carbon footprint by growing upwards and investing in quality infrastructure.

Are you committed to the Regional Council’s goals in the Wellington Transport Emissions Reduction Plan?

Yes. In my first term in council I have consistently supported actions that are working towards those goals. Where council decisions have comprised faster action I have been vocal about the impacts.

What’s the single biggest action you’d take to reduce the region’s road transport emissions by 35% in the next five years?

Moving our urban form towards density and transport oriented urban development that will encourage mode shift away from private motor vehicle dependency

Are you committed to delivering a 15-minute timetable for our rail network once the system can support it?

Yes. We have voted for this and the forthcoming order of new trains for the lower North Island.

Will you advocate for most of NZTA's land transport budgets to be spent on public and active transport?

Yes.

Do you support a congestion charge being introduced?

Yes

What climate action would you champion that isn’t already being worked on by the Regional Council?

Stronger affordability and value for money economic analysis that fully accounts for climate and environmental impacts

Are you committed to the Regional Council’s goals in the Wellington Transport Emissions Reduction Plan?

Yes

What’s the single biggest action you’d take to reduce the region’s road transport emissions by 35% in the next five years?

Ensure Reliable, Cost Effective, Energy Efficient, Emission Free Public Transport

Are you committed to delivering a 15-minute timetable for our rail network once the system can support it?

Yes, so long as its reliable and sustainable

Will you advocate for most of NZTA's land transport budgets to be spent on public and active transport?

Yes, however I will be promoting Bus Priority, and reliable Rail as a primary way of moving people away from cars.

Do you support a congestion charge being introduced?

Yes, however at specific times, especially peak periods, and as an incentive to use Public Transport.

What climate action would you champion that isn’t already being worked on by the Regional Council?

Promoting Bus Priority over Cycleways, and particularly where the buses are energy efficient and emission free! We need to promote mode shift. Public Transport being efficient, effective and reliable will change behaviour away from private vehicle use withing the region.

(Note from me: I asked Shamia the same questions as all candidates. Their reply is below. I followed up asking for specific positions but didn't receive a response.)

Thank you for reaching out on these important issues. I believe strongly in supporting and advocating for intergenerational, future focused long term benefits so of course te taiao and climate policy is a big part of that.