Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Auckland: where only one man votes

214 Responses

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  • Steve Barnes,

    I do not represent the ACT Party in any manner whatsoever while espousing opinions on this blog

    I think that's for us to decide. If it looks like a Duck and Quacks like a Duck then it could be a member of the ACT Party.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Christopher Dempsey,

    Wearing my Elected Representative hat on:

    Russell, your fears are real. Other commentators here have put in their own 2 cents regarding the 'nature' of the reforms and yes, their fears are very real.

    Whipping off said hat.

    Parnell / Tamaki-Auckland… • Since Sep 2008 • 659 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    So Craig, Are we up for Parliament TV today, even if only for the cat fights? :)

    Bloody Lockwood Smith being all grown-up and even-handedly firm -- that's all I have to say. What a buzz-kill...

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Glenn Pearce,

    I think that's for us to decide

    No it's not, if the guy says his views are his own I think you have to accept that.

    At least he stuck to the topic, the relevance of Norman and Malcolm Douglas' political affiliations to this debate is a little tenuous isn't it ?

    If it looks like a Duck and Quacks like a Duck then it could be a member of the ACT Party.

    Unless of course if it's a Mallard.

    Auckland • Since Feb 2007 • 504 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    I think that's for us to decide.

    No it's not, Steve -- perhaps Nigel could be extended the same presumption of good faith as Mikaere and Chris Dempsey? Or myself, for that matter?

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • James Butler,

    I do not represent the ACT Party in any manner whatsoever while espousing opinions on this blog

    I think that's for us to decide.

    Strong words. Is everyone posting on PAS required to wear all their hats? Or just those chosen by a quorum of senior members?

    Auckland • Since Jan 2009 • 856 posts Report Reply

  • Julian Melville,

    I mean, ACT is at 2% or thereabouts and is not even represented in Cabinet

    Makes me wonder why their leader gets to play with Auckland like it's Lego.

    Auckland • Since Dec 2006 • 200 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Unless of course if it's a Mallard.

    Point to Glenn I think.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Unless of course if it's a Mallard.

    lolnui

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Just thinking,

    ACT anthem and new local govt spending policy.

    Putaringamotu • Since Apr 2009 • 1158 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    RANAPIA!!! Back in yer box lad.

    No it's not, Steve -- perhaps Nigel could be extended the same presumption of good faith

    We're making plans for that guy. Or were you referring to Nick?
    Well. Far be it from me to have an opinion on whether people should stand by their principals. I don't see you siding with Marx for cash or denying your affiliations for the sake of "Light Banter"
    I, for one, will stand and be counted and I do it for all, not just for me.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Just thinking,

    Money may have no limits but I've got the Power, to vote.

    Putaringamotu • Since Apr 2009 • 1158 posts Report Reply

  • Sarah Horth,

    Comparing water bills - when I lived in Auckland (with its separate water company Metrowater), it cost me about 2-3 times as much as water now costs me in Waitakere (the water bill is directly from the council) - and I probably use more water now than back then.

    It depresses me to think that I will have to go back to a water 'company' - and it is even more depressing to read about the lack of accountability. I guess my days of cheap water are over...

    Seattle • Since Aug 2009 • 44 posts Report Reply

  • Ross Mason,

    My hat says McGillicuddy. Seriously!

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report Reply

  • Just thinking,

    Sarah, this guy uses only the water that falls on his roof in his nice terraced house in Sydney.

    http://www.sustainablehouse.com.au/

    Putaringamotu • Since Apr 2009 • 1158 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Strong words. Is everyone posting on PAS required to wear all their hats? Or just those chosen by a quorum of senior members?

    Hmmm. I've been out for a few hours, unfortunately. I appreciate Nick coming here -- and I do know where he's from -- and I think piling on to him is undignified. So perhaps we could stick to attacking each other's arguments.

    FWIW, I was out by the time I realised I could have saida little more on the appointments issue.

    It's not really a left-right thing any more -- not with Banks and Barnett starting to kick and scream. It's much more about Wellington making decisions that belong to Aucklanders. And should do for so long as the debts belong to Aucklanders.

    I'd be much happier with elected Super City Mayor Banks making these decisions than I am the ATA making them.

    For now, I honestly think there's a problem here that transcends established left-right politics.

    I also think it would be a mistake to think Cabinet is necessarily happy with Hide.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    I'd be much happier with elected Super City Mayor Banks making these decisions than I am the ATA making them.

    For now, I honestly think there's a problem here that transcends established left-right politics.

    Same.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • dyan campbell,

    I think that's for us to decide. If it looks like a Duck and Quacks like a Duck then it could be a member of the ACT Party.

    No, Steve, if it looks and quacks like a duck, and is lame in the bargain then it's the Labour party... if it gnaws through everything you need and craps in all your provisions, that's the ACT party.

    auckland • Since Dec 2006 • 595 posts Report Reply

  • Nick Kearney,

    Thanks Russell. I should have guessed that venturing into the lions den waving red meat around can cause problems.

    I won't comment on the rest of your reply as it's likely to be quoted in Parliament if I do!

    Suffice to say, I think your points are valid and I have concerns also: it's impossible to please everybody. But expecting the Auckland Council to appoint directors soon after the election is unrealistic. The new transport CCO couldn't even operate until that was done, which, as I pointed out, can take months and months.

    @ Craig, it's Nick, Nigel is another/the other one.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 73 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    The new transport CCO couldn't even operate until that was done

    Oh yes it could - witness all the other operational functions being staffed up before the elected members are voted in.

    We could always.. gasp.. make the Transport functions part of the Council instead (like they are everywhere else in the country), given their importance to voters and the need for strong integration with land use planning.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    venturing into the lions den waving red meat around can cause problems

    Only if you're an unfamiliar handler and you don't say where the meat is from. We're used to the smell of the regulars by now.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Of course, it's all up to head keeper Brown in the end..

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • recordari,

    Money may have no limits but I've got the Power, to vote.

    Apparently not... Phil Twyford on bFm today. Many interesting things to say.

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • stephen clover,

    I also think it would be a mistake to think Cabinet is necessarily happy with Hide.

    "Tarred, feathered, hoist by his own repulsive petard and run out of Wellington on a rail" was the curious expression I was privileged to hear.

    wgtn • Since Sep 2007 • 355 posts Report Reply

  • Lucy Stewart,

    One man one vote, in this case Mr Hide is the one man.

    I was wondering how long it would take someone to get to that one.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2105 posts Report Reply

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