We were privileged to have New Zealand First List MP and former Mayor of Wellington, Andy Foster, join us to talk about being a new MP, how life has changed for him away from local body politics and how useful 30 years in that sphere is now helping him in his new life.
Being chair of two select committees, Transport and Government Administration gives Andy a wide breadth across the business of the House and country. Transport has always been dear to Andy’s heart, so little wonder he has slipped into this major area of Government. With wall to wall meetings throughout the week and at weekends life has certainly gone up a few gears for Andy. Not so much time at home in Karori. As a List MP, and covering many major portfolios under his watch in terms of select committee involvement, he is travelling the country and meeting wide and diverse community groups.
He saved a few stings for the end of his address, the life he left as a Councillor and as Mayor of Wellington with strong criticism for the perception and reality of local issues being dominated by party political representatives and Mayor, after decades of operating differently without this dominance from one majority faction. He pointed to greater successes in earlier years with a mix of politicians who were not driven by idealogy, who were good friends and who largely kept party politics to a minimum. He found a strong endorsement for his comments from Club members in particular on some quite horrendous recent decisions made by the Council affecting the Karori area.
The breadth of questions to Andy helped to strengthen understandings around issues being faced at central government and more locally. Andy praised the Club’s community involvment and success with projects at Zealandia and more widely with improving recreational opportunities and grants. The Club noted that Andy had recently agreed to become an associate member of the Club.