Will’s Word: Wellington’s mayoral race is pure political theatre

Wellington's mayoralty election is heating up, and honestly, I'm here for it - much more exciting.

Andrew Little has entered the chat, fresh from national politics promising to fix things eventually. Emphasis on eventually, because he's come out saying that he wants to perhaps delay the golden mile.

I don't know about that. He also acknowledges rates are too high, but hasn't said what he'd cut. It's kind of like complaining about the bill but disappearing when it's time to split it.

Meanwhile current Mayor Tory Whanau reckons she's already done the hard work cutting back spending, but she still loves the golden mile project, which is about digging up half the CBD.

Hard to justify when rates keep climbing, some would argue. Then you've got good ol’ Ray Chung, the Wellington city councillor, who wants to freeze rates completely.

That makes me excited. It's a nice idea, until you remember we've got pipes bursting, buildings crumbling and a housing crisis. How on earth are you going to freeze rates? It's just not feasible in this current climate.

On housing, Whanau wants more inner city rentals, Little wants to support developers, while Chung thinks it's the government's problem.

Honestly, each of them has quite stark differences, and so I think it'll be a clear election choice when Wellingtonians need to go to the ballot box, which is actually a good thing, some would argue.

From left, Andrew Little, Tory Whanau and Ray Chung. Photo/Facebook

I, for one, am very excited about who will come out on top. Will it be Andrew Little, the former Labour MP and Labour leader? Will it be the incumbent Mayor Tory Whanau, who is pleading for Wellingtonians to stay the course?

Or do we do a complete switcheroo from the left and listen to Ray Chung, who wants to freeze rates completely? Like I said, it sounds like a good idea but will it actually work? That's another thing.

Either way, I'm excited. The election's on October 11 so choose your chaos wisely.

That's Will's Word.