Ajay Rathod - Candidate for Mayor

(picture courtesy: Wellington City Council’s official candidate profile here https://wellington.govt.nz/your-council/elections/local-elections-2019/nominated-candidates/mayor/ajay-rathod)

Tell us a bit about your (and/or your family’s) New Zealand journey. (in 400 words please)

It was my mother’s father who came to Nz in 1949 and I was born in 1966 in Rotorua but my grand father was a pioneer to come to Nz as their was not many Indian family’s at all. Six men were given opportunity to go to Fiji or NZ. So my mum was married in 1959 in India and she brought my dad out to NZ. My parents became very popular in Rotorua which gave friends and family and strangers (indians) the gateway for people to visit. Then I moved to Wellington 30 years ago from Rotorua.

What motivated/prompted you to stand for local government elections this time? Please also indicate which area/position you are standing for.

Well it’s time we need colour in council we Indian are business people business minded. And I have been in business since I was 17 having my own 4 square store in seatoun Wellington

WCC needs change and move forward the city is struggling to cope with the population growth which for 20 years nothing has been done. Which today is a major problem

So I need to jump in and start fixing the issues we have.

What are the issues concerning the area (ward/council/city) you are standing in? (please list four main)

I’m standing for mayor and eastern ward council

And I have been a resident for 30 years in this ward. And seen no change. These are my concerns

  • My Victoria tunnel

  • School swimming pools to repair and reopen

  • Pod housing

Christchurch mosque attacks changed/or should have changed/ how multiculturalism is viewed in New Zealand. Please share some concrete suggestions on how all of us can work together to make Aoteoroa New Zealand a more diverse, inclusive, and multicultural society.

Well Christchurch attack was done by a Aussie guy. NZ is very multi cultural and I feel in times we all pull together.

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