Justin Lester
Mayor from 2016 - 2019
Justin is a Wellington entrepreneur who co-founded Kapai and is an investor in several Wellington companies. He has an LLB and a BA (German) from the University of Otago and a Masters of Laws (LLM) from the University of Heidelberg in Germany.
Justin was elected Mayor in 2016. He joined Wellington City Council as a Northern Ward Councillor in 2010 and then served as Deputy Mayor from 2013 until 2016.
During his time as Mayor, Justin championed the living wage seeing Wellington City Council become the first accredited Living Wage Council in New Zealand, prioritised investment in social and affordable housing, and kick-started new facilities such as Waitohi - the Johnsonville Library and Community Hub - and the Wellington Convention Centre.
During his term, the Kaikōura earthquake seriously damaged the city in 2016, forcing the closure of the Central Library and nearly 20 buildings to be demolished. Justin’s leadership focused on preserving heritage, making Wellington safer, and strengthening Wellington's Town Hall.
He also took climate change seriously and focused on growth in a compact way, developing mass transit and delivering a people-focused, walkable, bike friendly city centre.