Wellington mayoral candidate Justin Lester has launched his campaign with plans for better housing and economic growth.
Justin Lester says he is committed to economic growth in Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Michael Cropp
At his campaign launch on the capital's waterfront, the deputy mayor said he would create a rates rebate of $5000 for people building their first home, invest in social housing, and create a Healthy Homes Guarantee.
He said he was committed to economic growth, and had the skills to make it happen.
"I've managed my own business for 10 years, I know you can't do anything if you don't have new income.
"So I'm saying, let's priorities our spend with the existing envelope, but let's do things smarter. These aren't big amounts of money we're talking about, but what they are though is smarter ways of doing things."
Justin Lester will be standing against the incumbent mayor Celia Wade-Brown, and councillors Jo Coughlan and Nicola Young.