“I’m a huge optimist on Wellington,” he says. Yes the city has issues around its infrastructure and apparent infighting at the city council, but the bigger problem is that the capital has gone from absolutely positive to frequently negative, says Arcus. “My view is, very strongly, that this city has talked itself into a bit of a funk. There are things to be solved ... but when you get very granular on these things it can be the woods-from-the-trees stuff.” Positivity is missing, but also a plan on how to get there. KEVIN STENT/STUFF Wellington has issues with its pipes, but it’s not just the infrastructure that’s stink. The capital’s attitude is also a bit whiffy, says new Chamber of Commerce boss Simon Arcus.