Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Auckland: where only one man votes

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  • Sacha,

    report emblazoned with "Draft". Apparently that makes the document outside the sphere of the requests.

    Can't the OIA/LGOIMA request include the phrase "and any drafts" or suchlike?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    replaced by a local income tax

    You mean a poll tax, then?

    Councils have largely focused on managing use of land and what's built on it, hence their income levies being based on those things.

    I'm sure Act would love to replace that with a flat tax on people, to fit with their flat earth thinking. Didn't work out well for their hero Thatcher, though, and at 2% of the vote there's hardly a local mandate is there?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Nick Kearney,

    Yes he does, I reckon. If a person is an official of a party (especially a really small one like ACT), their opinions, like it or not, are pretty much representative of how the party "thinks". It's not a hat you can take off (even if local councillors often try to con the electorate that they're "non political").

    Oh dear. How to control one's exasperation.

    I have opinions separate to my party's, and the individuals involved in it, beliefs, strange as that may seem. We are not all drones. In fact in this government, ACT is allowing its MP's free votes on most matters: see http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10561882

    I am also not an elected official of the party. I volunteered to be the party secretary, mostly because we are short on people and I thought this would be "doing my bit". I am not on a payroll, let alone the taxpayers - I am a volunteer. It is a hat you can take off - maybe not for the Prime Minister, but certainly for someone like me. Otherwise you're suggesting every lighthearted humourous comment a volunteer makes is attributed to the government. Seriously. Please. Otherwise the very democracy you pretend is being subverted will be under threat as people will be too scared to speak.

    Time to stop being serious 24/7. As I have tried to suggest three (four?) times now!

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

  • Craig Ranapia,

    I'm not talking about local body, though. This shit is all about national politics

    Boy, you're really lucky my cranky pants are at the cleaners -- but you're being rather naive if you think the lines between local and central government have ever been that tidy.

    Yes he does, I reckon. If a person is an official of a party (especially a really small one like ACT), their opinions, like it or not, are pretty much representative of how the party "thinks". It's not a hat you can take off (even if local councillors often try to con the electorate that they're "non political").

    I reckon calling someone a liar and a sock puppet is a pretty shitty thing to do, no matter how many word-weasels you release into the room.

    Still, nice to know that it's total waste of time assuming anything I say around here is going to taken in good faith.

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

  • 3410,

    No one's pretending, Nick. Your man is subverting democracy.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    I reckon calling someone a liar and a sock puppet is a pretty shitty thing to do

    Agreed. Nick has made some substantive comments here and a single off-hand one which I personally had no trouble reading as sarcastic and ironic. I appreciate his clarity about his relationship with Act as I did Mikaere's about his with the Greens.

    Your man is subverting democracy.

    However that's true as well. Company we keep, etc.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Matthew Poole,

    Boy, you're really lucky my cranky pants are at the cleaners -- but you're being rather naive if you think the lines between local and central government have ever been that tidy.

    Then pray tell, Craig, which of our local body polly tubbies is behind this nefarious scheme? Hint: Rodney's my MP, not my councillor. Select committees and submissions and legislation are all being done at a national level, by Parliament, not by the local bodies. That's why I say this is all about national politics. Whether or not some members of the local bodies think it's a good idea, and certainly some of them do, most of them seem to be far from impressed at how little say Aucklanders are getting into how it's all going to look in 12 months' time.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    I'd like to know why his cranky pants are at the cleaners? ;)
    So the next bit for me is, that I get the impression our new found friend who, we actually have suggested is welcome, is only visiting because he is interested in this topic also. and fancy that, it does involve the small group of peoples he sometimes supports. That is fine, but hey why not thrash out the objectives. So, are we supposed to just have this blind faith that Mr 2% and a bit knows what the rest of 25% of the country want?Shit, I should have voted for this man. Oh,
    now I feel as dirty as Craig's cranky pants. As you were...

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    Nothing wrong with promoting and debating political ideas that most don't support - or we'd be stuck with mob rule and nothing much would change. However, it's perfectly fine to apply informed criteria about what makes sense to any party's utterances and while they all fail the grade from time to time, this report is exceptionally poor.

    I'd like to know why his cranky pants are at the cleaners?

    Overcranked? :)

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Nothing wrong with promoting and debating political ideas that most don't support -

    Well of course Sacha, I was trying for anyone to explain why this is a good idea, and as you probably remember ,I have been against it for some time. This isn't debating political ideas, it is democracy under attack by the Act Party with the National party kissing their arse.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report

  • Glenn Pearce,

    Wasn't Datamail also responsible for a horrible screwup on behalf of Studylink a few years ago, too?

    Datacom I think you'll find. Although both have NZ Post as a significant shareholder though IIRC.

    Datamail are the dominant player in the print and mailhouse space but have been looking to expand into other areas as snail mail decreases.

    Auckland • Since Feb 2007 • 504 posts Report

  • BenWilson,

    I'm glad to hear from Nick every time. Whatever he gets in arguments here will surely find their way into arguments with his colleagues. So the aim is surely to make those arguments high quality - if it helps to make ACT just a little bit more moderate or realistic, then real good is served.

    But naturally he has to expect to be treated as a hostile witness a lot of the time.

    Nick I've been wanting to ask this for ... ever. Is there waterpolo in your family?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • UncleMopp,

    My source tells me that the collection function will also be taken over by Datamail. Very juicy contract with no need to undergo a tender process. Not saying anything illegal, immoral or underhand went on in deciding on Datamail, but the lack of transparency and the attractiveness of the work lend themselves to allowing that sort of behaviour.

    Since Feb 2010 • 2 posts Report

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Is there waterpolo in your family?

    Somehow in my mind this came across as enquiring about a STI.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • recordari,

    Is there waterpolo in your family?

    On the tax cut waterbed? Whoops, cross-thread.

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    Very juicy contract with no need to undergo a tender process.

    So long as it's only for that first election - watch for creeping attempts to embed cosy deals and self-serving arangements beyond the next one too.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Nick Kearney,

    Is there waterpolo in your family?

    Strangely enough I get asked that a lot. The answer is no, but I am an avid swimmer.

    I hear the mysterious Kearneys who played (very well I am told) waterpolo were from Takapuna Grammar. I was a Westlake "boy".

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

  • BenWilson,

    One of them was also named Mick, so your name kind of jumps out. Most likely they get asked if they have anything to do with you a lot too. Had to ask, as you were, everyone.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes,

    I have a problem with water polo, will somebody please think of the horses.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    I have a problem with water

    It dilutes te whisky (good deal).

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Alien Lizard (anag),

    you can lead a horse to water...

    will somebody please think of the horses.

    jus' sayin' that
    in the main
    the rein falls
    on the mane
    of the playin'

    poollooppolo
    plop

    The Arrrgh Complex • Since Jan 2010 • 158 posts Report

  • Islander,

    Heh! That's good wordplay-

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • Just thinking,

    Putaringamotu • Since Apr 2009 • 1158 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    The damage (her job) is done now.

    This person has just told Bfm, it is their fault they let Phil Goff say what he wants, when asked to comment regarding her stepping down,of which she has refused.
    Sometimes the strangest of things can make ones day :)
    BFM ,the Bomb!

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report

  • James Liddell,

    report emblazoned with "Draft". Apparently that makes the document outside the sphere of the requests.

    Can't the OIA/LGOIMA request include the phrase "and any drafts" or suchlike?

    You're right, Sacha; drafts are covered by the OIA/LGOIMA. You just have to ask for them. Getting drafts can be uesful sometimes, especially when you suspect a major position has suddenly changed in the middle of the policy development process.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2007 • 102 posts Report

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