The last day to register in order to get a vote in local elections is tomorrow. To enrol, go to Elections NZ and fill out the form. Do it now!…

That's how it works.

To which, it seems, our business leaders would snort "says who?"

What's mentioned in the article comes across as Pinochetism minus the guns and death squads.

I'd love to see a business journalist probe the links between right-wing South American ideas in places like Chile and…

That's how you might choose a CEO. But people vote for the post of mayor. That's how it works.

Mouthy employers and fellow travellers like Rodney Hide have consistently failed to understand the difference between operational services and civic democracy when it comes to the public sector.

Perhaps their fundamental…

The CitRats do not make this formal disclosure, but if someone has stood for or held office on the ticket of a national party, it's reasonable to assume that…

The quote for the win though has to be

"the democratic structure does not allow for selection on skill matched to job requirements"

That's how you might choose a CEO. But people vote for the post of mayor. That's how it works.

What's mentioned in the article comes across as Pinochetism minus the guns and death squads.

"the democratic structure does not allow for selection on skill matched to job requirements"

The Herald's 'Attack on Democracy' series seems so long ago, doesn't it?

Wouldn't bother. It's the same crazed magical thinking that has pervaded official business dogma for the last few decades.

The quote for the win though has to be

"the democratic structure does not allow for selection on skill matched to job requirements"

teasingly reported as "Among comments were..." – i.e.…

Just as I'm sure if The Herald polled Maori/PI or Asian voters

The Herald consistantly reports issues affecting these copmmunities as though they are located somewhere in sub-Saharan Africa,only reporting their very existence when crime/famine/pestilence emanates outwards to such an extent they are forced to. Further, I doubt they sell…

if The Herald polled Maori/PI or Asian voters, the results wouldn't necessarily be the same as "the general public"

But they don't run that biased sample as their editorial angle, do they? That's the point.

Having said that, Geoff Cumming has a reasonably even-handed summary about where it all leaves Brown (other than claims that the unfavourable publicity is all just coincidental).

Meh... well I'm going to say this again, since The Herald doesn't seem to give a shit, but my entirely parochial and unscientific…

Fran O'Sullivan is at least clear about where she gets her ideas from:

Can't be bothered deconstructing it right now, but there's some terribly flimsy reasoning in Fran's column.

They also ranked the two leading candidate for Mayor on several attributes on a 1 to 5 scale

• Leadership skills – Banks 3.47 v Brown 3.06
• Puts interest of Auckland…

It goes without saying that the reason Ireland is in this dire situation is because they optimised their national economy for business and productivity growth and that Australia – the envy of almost every other country in the world…

My sense is that public confidence in Banks and Brown is now sliding. That's already apparent in the business sector

we finally see a reference to their political allegiances

Happened already a couple o weeks ago, but nice to see the trend continue.

Bright and the Water Pressure Group permanently lost my sympathy with their disgusting, disgraceful, callous behaviour towards Phil Raffills and his family.

Harassing a councillor at his family home is shitty, unwarranted behaviour. Harrassing a dying man at his family…

Board chairman Christopher Dempsey says the controversial character is being honoured for focusing attention on water privatisation and pushing for transparency in council contracts. "If you put aside her persistent techniques – the controversial heat that she generates – she has done very valuable services for us."

Ah yes, well…

Board chairman Christopher Dempsey says the controversial character is being honoured for focusing attention on water privatisation and pushing for transparency in council contracts. "If you put aside her persistent techniques – the controversial heat that she generates – she has done very valuable services…

And we finally see a reference to their political allegiances relative to Brown's.

And, without meaning to carp, in a story not written by Bernard Orsman.

Those must be the unfunniest lyrics in the history of song though.

Lost in translation? Although the death-metal delivery from one of the singers does make up for this somewhat.

Well, comedians have won in Reykjavik.

Those must be the unfunniest lyrics in the history of song though.

Well, comedians have won in Reykjavik.

Excellent.
Auckland may have to build a special enclosure to house all its blathering loons. Or maybe put 'em on a leaky boat in the harbour.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxBW4mPzv6E

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/olympic-games/news/article.cfm?c_id=502&objectid=10655489

I mean, what better way could you announce "I'm gonna be a serious candidate and spend your rates wisely and miserly" ?

That should not be an "own goal"... it should be an "own hat-trick"... but somehow, I doubt…

C'mon man jesus isn't all bad.

but he does have to watch his marketing & branding department...

Your complaint would hold more weight if Labour wasn't openly active in local body politics while the Nats use CitRats as sockpuppets.

I guess that Karmic debt was better paid sooner rather than later.

[ETA: Remainder of comment deleted for ill-tempered and tedious failure to add to the sum total…

Even when Wellington City is run by dickheads, they have nothing on dickheads running Auckland City.

Yeah but only for the past 30yrs...hardly anytime at all.....in local body politics.

Mind you us atheists are generally quite happy at seeing The Institution self imploding

yes but only when the beast takes control will jesus come again and then who'll be in trouble.

Us rapturists can't lose.

Your complaint would hold more weight if Labour wasn't openly active in local body politics while the Nats use CitRats as sockpuppets. But if we are going to have complete party openness then I am all for it, but will you tribe be?

And I agree that the church…

We don't use suburban roads. We can let the suburbs figure out a way to pay for them.

Let's go and tell those 10 year old kids out there the happy news.

Blatantly Deviant Sensationalist Media

noice

And in Napier they call it nothing, since the energetic pursuit of their blood feud with the hated enemy Hastings takes up all their time.

That and grooming feral dolts to become Ministers of Education and suchlike

In Palmerston North it is known as the "Napier syndrome".

And in Napier they call it nothing, since the energetic pursuit of their blood feud with the hated enemy Hastings takes up all their time.

When we were fighting for our hospital Hastings did the old Dolchstoss into the back…

Actually, no, I insist: Auckland local government is traditionally more dysfunctional than anyone else's.

Sadly true. Even when Wellington City is run by dickheads, they have nothing on dickheads running Auckland City.

And this pearler from UrbanArchipelago.com:

The lesson is simple for urban residents: Seattle shouldn't cast its lot with…

In defence of the ancient beach city maybe big cities the size of l.a are harder to run

In Wellington and elsewhere, it’s known as the “Auckland disease”."

And in Auckland it is known as the "Wellington Disease."

Being parochial for a moment, I don't think either of them have shown any kind of firm grip on, or even much interest in, local issues north of the Harbour Bridge and neither can afford to be that complacent.

For sure. I think the Shore is a bit of a…

Len's website isnt doing much for me so far.

I don't know if I can vote for a guy who won't properly punctuate even the title of his own blog. ;)

Quite. Perhaps we're ready now for some, like, issues.

Ready when they are.
Quick... while Craig's (sp)anking himself.

C'mon man jesus isn't all bad.

His policy of free kai moana and bread for all wouldn't go down well with the aspirational middle class.

The whole wine from water thing might upset the powerful anti-liquor vote,

And buggered are the Café owners, come to think of it throw in…

That's not to say that Brown is the Labour candidate.

No, and I have to spank myself for using a derogatory term like "sock puppet" in reference to Brown and Banks. Well out of order, young man. :)

These are natural alignments. I don't think it's " fucking arrogant and…

Labour broadly speaking is a party of the Left. So are the Greens, the Alliance, etc.

As I noted, they already co-operate, more or less, at the local body level, via City Vision. It's hardly a secret which candidate City Vision supports.

But I wouldn't be remotely surprised if Labour in Auckland was encouraging members not to split the centre-left (or A.B.B.) vote --- or if the centre-right parties weren't looking to put up a candidate…

But Labour is not "the left" any more than National is "the right", as plenty of Greens and ACT supporters will patiently man-splain to you at great length.

If only you could use the expression "man-splain" more often... it's so non-irritating and uncondescending.

Labour broadly speaking is a party of…

So what's your problem exactly with Labour deciding not to run a candidate against him and split the liberal vote?

Before I go into the interpretive dance portion of the programme, I don't give a shit what Labour does or doesn't do — including coming out and openly endorsing Brown.…

Quite. Perhaps we're ready now for some, like, issues.

The eternal optimist ;-)

Yes yes, we live in a post-ideological world. Sure. And Banks doesn't happen to be the former minister of police of a national government, with current backing by councillors of various centre-right party affiliation. And Len Brown is not a liberal leftie. Happy now?

If you'd like to de-snark a…

Banks doesn't happen to be the former minister of police of a national government

But he was Minister of Police for a National government. What a coincidence.

I'll get my coat.

Seems a teeny tad previous, to me.

Yes yes, we live in a post-ideological world. Sure. And Banks doesn't happen to be the former minister of police of a national government, with current backing by councillors of various centre-right party affiliation. And Len Brown is not a liberal leftie. Happy…

, I've heard from some ex politicians that the Labour party is firmly shutting down any contenders from the left in an attempt to keep Browns vote in place.

I think it's pretty much an open secret that's exactly what the Labour machine want, but riddle me this gentle readers:…

Maybe I am delusional or naively optimistic but I'm still hoping for a third person to step into the super mayor ring , who might it be ?
How about Michelle Cullen, Helen Clarke – hey if Jim…

And I see Craig has bought up his serious catholicism again. Isn't there a cure for that? Haha just joking Craigy baby.

I'm a big boy, I can handle it. :) But I'm not joking at all in saying this is playing unholy havoc with my blood pressure.

On Saturday…

Well you're no fun ...

Quite right I'm not. When it comes to those who can make decisions that affect the place where I live, and all that is going on is runny mouth, attempts at internecine bitchslapping, and dodgy deals.
And I see Craig has bought up his serious…

As our friend Garth some illuminatingly illustrates, one of the advantages of being a septuagenarian is he doesn't have to give a damn.

Heh... I think Judy would beg to differ if she found her business and home on the line because her husband injudiciously found himself on the thick…

And if Edwards was an employee of mine, I'd be having a free and frank exchange of views on how on-line bitching about co-workers can be injurious to your continued employment.

As our friend Garth some illuminatingly illustrates, one of the advantages of being a septuagenarian is he doesn't have…

C'mon man jesus isn't all bad.

His policy of free kai moana and bread for all wouldn't go down well with the aspirational middle class.

The whole wine from water thing might upset the powerful anti-liquor vote, and let's face it – kids don't vote in local body elections.

I…

and that's before we consider the obviously fiddled receipt for those loaves.

I wouldn't want to look at Jesus's credit card. He'd be toast in the clusterf$$k to the mayoralty.

Jesus talks to me every night , but I can't understand a word he's saying, he's a mumbler :)

C'mon man jesus isn't all bad.

I have it on good authority that he aided and abetted his fishing industry buddies in exceeding their quotas, and that's before we consider the obviously fiddled receipt for those loaves.

C'mon man jesus isn't all bad.

@Jeremy: If I thought Jesus was bad at all, I wouldn't be a devout Catholic would I? I take both my faith and politics very seriously; seriously enough to think that the separation of church and state should apply on the campaign trail as…

We're really reaching down into the bottom of the list of things that shouldn't be stories now. $400 in entertainment costs after saying he didn't take a cent? Who cares?

Quite. Perhaps we're ready now for some, like, issues.

And his general views on LGBT rights should Garner him plenty of MSM support.

I believe he was misquoted or misrepresented on that issue. He hangs with sex workers and lepers, he don't care.

and I was reading about Garner on Brian Edwards site last night. The verbal and physical…

NZH: 'I completely forgot about any of that' says Banks.

We're really reaching down into the bottom of the list of things that shouldn't be stories now. $400 in entertainment costs after saying he didn't take a cent? Who cares?

Insert a Craig quote here about wishing Auckland media would…

"I completely forgot about any of that"

"So don't you worry about that!"

And his general views on LGBT rights should Garner him plenty of MSM support.

Make that Blatantly Deviant Sensationalist Media. ;)

C'mon man jesus isn't all bad.

His policy of free kai moana and bread for all wouldn't go down well with the aspirational middle class.

The whole wine from water thing might upset the powerful anti-liquor vote, and let's face it – kids don't vote in local body elections.

However,…

Well, can't say the sight of politicians getting with Team Jesus does much for my pleasure centres either.

C'mon man jesus isn't all bad.

Well you're no fun ...

Well, can't say the sight of politicians getting with Team Jesus does much for my pleasure centres either.

I'd like to see a ban on using metaphors and analogies by anyone in any form of politics.

Well you're no fun ...

What sort of unbalanced imbecile would try and peddle such an amateurish farrago of easily verified falsehoods in the expectation they'de be run uncritically in a main stream publication?

You really think that criteria narrows the field?

Oh, I think I can guess who Tom's thinking of ;-)

delicately balanced mutual parasitism

Anyway who's the host again, to this supposed horde of parasite's?
I'm trying to think of an example of a parasite of a parasite, slightly hindered by a lack of science training.

I'd like to see a ban on using metaphors and analogies by anyone in…

Figures also show that Mr Banks, who has made a virtue of being frugal with ratepayers' money, has exceeded the mayoral office budget of $570,865 by $41,606 over the past year.

The biggest problem…

If you chose the more experienced candidate, congratulations. You've just chosen Dick Cheney over the incumbent President of the United States. :)

How about: all other things being equal, more experience is better, and when weighting factors it's got to weight pretty strongly – but not everyone will agree on…

But if anyone things the relationship between politician and media is tame bitch and master rather than delicately balanced mutual parasitism is missing something much more interesting.

I don't see our elected reps as parasites, I see them as our elected reps.

Now Caroline Meng-Yee, if we didn't shuffle around…

The point I was making was that the gun does not have to be fired by the leader.

My point is that leaders don't run around with firearms as often as you might think. Whatever the Standardistas want to believe, Phil Goff's diary was not the primary consideration in the…

What sort of unbalanced imbecile would try and peddle such an amateurish farrago of easily verified falsehoods in the expectation they'de be run uncritically in a main stream publication?

You really think that criteria narrows the field?

Jesus Christ, I don't know how John Key and Helen Clark tear themselves away from the more wing-nutty corners of…

Not if you desperately wanted to agree with their lies – check the tone of that story

I'll say. It was Brown himself who had to provide the factchecking, for chrissakes.

Hypocrites come in all party shapes and sizes; they're not peculiar to "Act people".

Oh, sure, but I'm noting a tendency. Not that I expect you to agree, but that's my obsevation nonetheless. :)

Anyway, Dick Quax hasn't been an "Act person" for a long time.

I wouldn't say that.…

Trouble is, Brown doesn't have a daughter from his first marriage, the Colgans were not present at the dinner and (I gather) Tim Colgan's baby wasn't actually born when the dinner took place.

Outed? Hardly. Anderson's kept the weasel anonymous, so now they can safely shop their next tale to…

Oh, Sacha — take it from someone who's actually worked as a journalist that if you burn a source (not matter how much I think, as a civie, that they deserve it) you might as well torch your contact book and see if they're hiring at Burger King.

OK, got…

How to keep your hands clean:

John Key approved the release of the Credit cards. He said little but as expected the MSM really did the work for him.

Jesus Christ, I don't know how John Key and Helen Clark tear themselves away from the more wing-nutty corners of the…

Don't you think he's playing to win, though, Russell? I get that distinct feeling.

In the absence of a McGillicuddy candidate, I don't think any of them are playing to lose.

I'd've thought that a source who burned you with a false story would deserve public naming and shaming

Not if you desperately wanted to agree with their lies – check the tone of that story

Can I suggest that that seems to be one of the defining feature of Act people; they get apoplectic about the perceived moral failings of others, but when it comes to themselves there's always some reason why it doesn't apply.

Hypocrites come in all party shapes and sizes; they're not…

Agreed but still pretty quick to be PM is it not?

I don't know about that. I know it's not an exactly analogy but let's compare the resumes of two politicians, and tell me who'd you'd vote for in a fantasy American election.

Behind Door #1:
Vice President of the…

I'm glad to see a malevolent source actually outed

Outed? Hardly. Anderson's kept the weasel anonymous, so now they can safely shop their next tale to some more gullible journo. Personally, I'd've thought that a source who burned you with a false story would deserve public naming and shaming, but…

Short version: someone Jock describes as "a person linked to Auckland mayor John Banks" was trying to shop a story claiming that Brown's Volare dinner was a celebratory dinner with Chief Employment Court Judge Graeme Colgan and others to celebrate the birth…

John Key approved the release of the Credit cards. He said little but as expected the MSM really did the work for him.

For lack of a better analogy, the 'fourth estate' has devolved into a law firm with a printing press.

One big problem with democracy at present (and it's…

they get apoplectic about the perceived moral failings of others, but when it comes to themselves there's always some reason why it doesn't apply.

But, but, Atlas Shrugged. Supermen like that can't let the pifling concerns of the little people distract them from their MISSION.

Did Captain Sanctimony / Quax pay back the cost of that council funded conference fee he couldn't be bothered attending?

No.

He promised to pay back the $1500, but then had a hissy fit and reneged.

Dick Quax

Did Captain Sanctimony / Quax pay back the cost of that council funded conference fee he couldn't be bothered attending?

I love her/him, but really? I don't know the man, and I still don't believe that he can have changed that much.

I actually am prepared to accept that Banks has changed. I couldn't say that of some of the people around him, though. There's stuff going on, I think.

How to keep your hands clean:

John Key approved the release of the Credit cards. He said little but as expected the MSM really did the work for him.

I think the release of the historical statements was proper enough, especially given that Goff had made a meal of Phil…

"Banks is a
cunt. I'm not Banks.
Worked for Hubbard.

Vote for the dick, not the cunt.

Cue the "dicks, assholes, and pussies" monologue from Team America.

John Key approved the release of the Credit cards. He said little but as expected the MSM really did the work for him.

John Banks' team are willing and able to approve the move of seeding the smear against Brown leaving MSM to do…

Anyone got a physical copy handy?

I gather Jock says that someone has been shopping around a…

Serious noob mistake there, especially given the way Meng-Yee works. She doesn't write her stories, just procures and conducts the interviews, and no matter how lightly Brown…

I remember when Brian Mulroney – political neophyte and corporate boss – became Prime Minister of Canada having never held any previous elected office. You'd think he'd been elected Dictator for Life the way he carried on.....just as corporate CEO's are used to behaving: giving orders, not consulting and listening…

The conflicting interests are more usually commerical interests versus residential interests versus environmental/aesthetic considerations versus cash available and so on around the circle/ring of peoples' collective primary focii.

These are just all the considerations that need to be taken into account when running a city or any local body. Conflict…

Who were the two Manukau Councilors who raised the issue at council, whats their agenda?

Dick Quax and Jami-Lee Ross. They're standing for the Auckland Council, aligned with the Banks ticket.

They also recently distributed false information about a council opponent's voting record in a way that would be hard…

Banks of course…

I realise it's a bit tricky to answer this on a public forum, but do you trust Bill Ralston enough to accept his denial (I'm not passing judgement over Ralston's character here, I might add) or do you trust your three (independent?) sources?

I don't think Bill's lying about his…

[CUE MY THEME MUSIC.]

Actually, this sounds more like a rumour and the question is whether it's a case of rumouring (the trusting transmission of plausible propositions, which means hearing the rumour gives you grounds to form a warranted belief in the rumoured proposition) or whether its…

However, being new to the SPECIFIC world of council workings shouldn't immediately mean someone is incapable of being a good leader.

I agree there – it doesn't. It does mean that they will be incapable of being a good leader of a Council.

For something complex and byzantine as Council…

1. I still give John advice when he wants it (for free) and I'm still part of his mentor group because I like the guy and think he'll do a great job.

2. There is no negative media strategy against Len from me or…

Vote for the dick, not the cunt.

You're just teasing me now Giovanni. Both you and Steve Withers are implying that the only options are the devils you know.

I'm saying that I don't particularly appreciate people trying to sell inexperience as "freshness". As if being a public servant, elected or otherwise, was somehow disqualifying. So, if…

I agree absolutely that ignorant…

Is Len Brown vile now? Wow.

You're just teasing me now Giovanni. Both you and Steve Withers are implying that the only options are the devils you know. Perhaps I have a fundamentally naive idea of council workings whereby I envisage someone with a bit of imagination and flair being…

national and local government, he seemed confused about the responsibilities of each

Sounds like a perfect fit with fellow traveller Hide

You want someone there who understands what democracy is (too many do not)

You mean like John Key and his Mr Hide?

and who has worked through those processes and understands they aren't there to dictate.....they are there to lead, listen and facilitate.

One big problem with democracy at present…

So no matter how vile, as long as they have previous experience . . .

Is Len Brown vile now? Wow.

Agreed but still pretty quick to be PM is it not?

Not especially, actually. Brash would have been even quicker.

Does his lack of experience make his less appealing than the experienced alternatives?

I would say so, yes.

One could argue that John Key is brand new in his job and he seems to be managing pretty well – whether or not you like his politics

I seem to recall he was finance spokesperson in the opposition for a full term, and had been in Parliament for six…

Aaand Mr 'March for Democracy' enters the race

So he'd vote-splitting with Banks? He's pretty definitely not a leftie.

Free flowing water from from roof to basement.

I wonder what his Leaky Home policy will be.

While it's not the ground I want this campaign fought on, strategically "Banks is a cunt. I'm not Banks. That's all you need to know to VOTE ME!" works a treat.

I'm not so sure anymore. Whilst I don't attribute c-word qualities to most of the denizens of this city,…

Newbies simply are not qualified. They…

If he's such a democracy fan, you'd have though he might have had opinion on the reform process earlier.

I find Brown to be sincere / genuine and even when he does the heart-dumps, the values they implicitly convey are – to…

I've just been told that Ralston has been dropped from Banks' campaign, although I have no idea why, assuming it's true.

And if true, you can't help but pose the Palin Perplex: "You can't run a competent and disciplined campaign, but you want me to trust you to headline a…

Banks told Radio New Zealand he takes home none of his $160,000 salary – because he uses it to fund a private media adviser.

That's about as silly as saying that he doesn't take home any money, it all goes on childcare and schooling for the kids.

If the money…

And there's still plenty of questions to be answered about who's behind Our Auckland, who's paying for the Brown bus shelter ads that have sprung up all over the Shore etc.

Our Auckland is principally Mels Barton, and Lynn Prentice from The Standard. But you wouldn't know that from the…