Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Local interest

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  • Russell Brown, in reply to George Darroch,

    I’m not a fan of the DHB electoral system. I’m immersed in both health and politics, and the document I filled out left me hoping I’d made the right choices rather than confident I was putting in place people who would improve the health of Manukau.

    And if you aren't confident of making the right decisions ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Barnaby Nicholls, in reply to Tim Hannah,

    I read the Stuff report on the 'apology', but it seems to have been edited - "Mystery" in the headline has been replaced by "Morrison", and a couple of other points are absent that I'm pretty certain I didn't imagine!

    I'm looking forward to the release of Generation Zero's report cards for the candidates - local body elections could do with a bit more youth attention. Such a low vote turnout will lend significant force to relatively small voting shifts - bringing out people who don't usually bother voting would be an effective strategy, methinks. Of course, that's also the case with the 25% who don't vote at national level.

    Wellington • Since Apr 2013 • 19 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    Sure, but how many time do people have to point out to folks who really really should know better that child prostitution is illegal everywhere? And can we all agree Wayne Hawker is a creep?

    He certainly is. But he's complaining about a brothel that complies with quite stringent regulation and acts entirely under the law. What happens at Hunter's Corner is outside the law, because the people who drafted it, in all good faith, thought street prostitution would simply disappear.

    It hasn't, and I have enough empathy to see how people with homes and shops there would find the situation difficult and traumatic. I can understand that women would feel really threatened being approached by johns in their own local shopping street. And I get really fucked off when I see people loftily instructing people in a part of they city they'll never have to visit, let alone live in, to just suck it up or be considered bigots.

    I have sympathy with the argument outlined by the Rev Margaret Ann Low. I want to support women and transwomen in street sex work, but I don't think the solution is telling people who feel they have lost ownership of their own neighbourhood to STFU.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Barnaby Nicholls,

    Too true – when the Dom Post finally reported his ludicrous showering remarks (lagging behind an Auckland newspaper – which is ridiculous in itself), they didn’t even use his name in the headline. They talked about ‘Mystery remarks’, and then filled the article with references to “Former NZ cricketer John ‘Mystery’ Morrison” – it read like an indulgent fluff piece about him “landing in hot water”, which is quite an act of contortion.

    For all her faults, the Dom has clearly had an axe to grind with Mayor Celia ever since she unseated Kerry - as if Celia is getting the blame for state sector austerity measures she has little control over - while Mystery Yesterday’s Man gets the kid gloves treatment.
    I’ll likely be voting Jack Yan for mayor, with Celia for #2 because she’s a less worse candidate than the others.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Tinkler,

    I completed this survey as a candidate in Christchurch (for the Shirley Papanui Community Board).

    The questionnaire was poorly designed and full of loaded questions. It irritated me as I completed it.

    I do wonder how I'll rate as I did not always tick the heavily favoured box.

    I recognise that the questions were set by enthusiastic volunteers and wish their well for their cause.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2010 • 16 posts Report Reply

  • Hamish N00nan, in reply to Russell Brown,

    I lived at Hunters Corner for a couple of years (just moved), and found the sex workers the least of the problems. The liquor stores seemed to encourage boot parties that often turned violent, dealers would approach me at the bus stop, day-long power cuts every few months, insane driving (esp dangerous coupled with the power cuts at night), groups of teenagers assaulting strangers in the eastern blocks, and rolling fights when people got kicked out of Club Raro.

    It's hard to take Rev Low seriously when she denies workers' genders and considers the NZPC media-savvy. I'm also bewildered why she would assume needles were left by sex workers, instead of any of the other people using that area at night time.

    While all of the local politicians who've spoken on this issue have given lip service to the workers' rights, the only solution they seemed to have come up with is asking for police harassment.

    What happens at Hunter’s Corner is outside the law, because the people who drafted it, in all good faith, thought street prostitution would simply disappear.

    I'm a little unsure what this means Russell - I understand the impetus for the law change was convictions of male workers in Latimer Square. I even remember T Barnett saying in parliament the law change wouldn't get them off the streets.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 9 posts Report Reply

  • Lilith __, in reply to Rob Stowell,

    I want to vote for a rep who will say “Nah, no thanks, not now, maybe later” to convention castle and rugby palace. Noone seems to be signalling that!

    I really, really wish more candidates would say concrete things like: “I am for the Brighton Aquatic Centre and the Coastal Pathway” or whatever. Instead of “I will be accountable and responsive”.

    Likewise, if they say “I am involved with voluntary groups”, that could mean ANYTHING. (So tell us what they are!!)

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report Reply

  • Islander, in reply to Lilith __,

    really, really wish more candidates would say concrete things like: “I am for the Brighton Aquatic Centre and the Coastal Pathway” or whatever. Instead of “I will be accountable and responsive”.

    Likewise, if they say “I am involved with voluntary groups”, that could mean ANYTHING. (So tell us what they are!!)

    Because self – and several family- have either a financial interest or properties in CHCH- I am just so disappointed in the candidates’ listings-

    And – Lilith – the proposed Brighton Aquatic centre AND the Coastal Pathway – if a candidate agreed to vote for ’em- would draw 14 family votes…

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

  • Lilith __, in reply to Islander,

    the proposed Brighton Aquatic centre AND the Coastal Pathway – if a candidate agreed to vote for ’em- would draw 14 family votes…

    There is at least one candidate who does say that. :-)

    ETA: Alexandra Davids, running for council in Hagley-Ferrymead says she’s pro both. Actually (reading again) she says “eastern aquatic facility”, not specifically Brighton.
    Yani Johansen also mentions the Coastal Pathway, which he’s been involved with.

    There could be loads of other candidates too, but most of them don't say!

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report Reply

  • Islander, in reply to Lilith __,

    Inteeereeestinnng-
    but we will vote accordingly (the New righton initiative is one we are espescially interested in-)

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

  • Emma Hart, in reply to Lilith __,

    Alexandra Davids

    Who is standing for "City 1st - No Party Politics". Along with Aaron Keown.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Emma Hart,

    Along with

    ahaha

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Tinkler, in reply to Emma Hart,

    Emma,

    I've talked to a couple of the City First candidates standing against me. Despite who they are standing with they seem reasonable people. It is easier being part of a team as you can deliver materials for 5 people at once

    Button and Keown seem to have have upset both the right and the left. What I find strange is how they manage to get so many sites for billboards. Or more to the point how can they afford so many billboards

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2010 • 16 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart, in reply to Ian Tinkler,

    I’ve talked to a couple of the City First candidates standing against me. Despite who they are standing with they seem reasonable people. It is easier being part of a team as you can deliver materials for 5 people at once

    I have no problem with any of that. It's the "we're the No Party Politics Party" bit that I find... let's say "interesting".

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Lilith __, in reply to Emma Hart,

    It’s the “we’re the No Party Politics Party” bit that I find… let’s say “interesting”.

    Oh yes. I don't want to support Aaron Keown, either. Find so much about this confusing.

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Emma Hart,

    No Party Politics Party

    No Party party
    #poopers
    #avoid

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Hebe, in reply to Lilith __,

    I really, really wish more candidates would say concrete things

    So do I.

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report Reply

  • Hebe, in reply to Emma Hart,

    It’s the “we’re the No Party Politics Party” bit that I find… let’s say “interesting”.

    Originated with 2021, which at first was a genuine multi-party alliance. After a couple of drubbings, Citizens became Independent Citizens in the belief that would give the same message (now iCitz). CityFirst are dreadful in every way; even their billboards are horrid: Ali Jones will take out at least one of Button or Keown and my money is on both losing their seats.

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report Reply

  • Rob Stowell, in reply to Keir Leslie,

    Rob — which ward are you in?

    Banks Peninsula. And yeah, Andrew Turner looks good.
    If he’s got Lyttelton behind him, he’s probably a shoo-in; all the others live in Diamond Harbour, Govs Bay or similar- dispersing a thin population base.

    Whakaraupo • Since Nov 2006 • 2120 posts Report Reply

  • anjum rahman,

    i withdrew my answers to the questionnaire, because i refused to commit to a pledge which didn't commit to social justice. i had a good look around their website & couldn't see the words "poverty" or "social justice" anywhere, and i need to be sure that the solutions they are looking at include measures which ensure that the cost of sustainability don't fall unfairly on those who are vulnerable. i also refused to send in answers to the questionnaire from the waikato environment centre for similar reasons: the framing of the questions didn't factor in poverty, disability issues, being a sole parent & other things.

    it's really a pity, because i do support so much of what these organisations stand for. but this seems to point to a real disconnect between environmental movements & social justice movements. or maybe it's just me, because plenty of other people answered the questions without having any such issues. i just felt i couldn't support organisations that didn't explicitly commit to social justice as part of their solutions to issues of sustainability.

    hamilton • Since Nov 2006 • 130 posts Report Reply

  • Rob Stowell, in reply to Hebe,

    I really, really wish more candidates would say concrete things

    So do I.

    We want concrete! (In the right places, of course.) #TheConcreteParty

    Whakaraupo • Since Nov 2006 • 2120 posts Report Reply

  • Lilith __, in reply to Rob Stowell,

    I really, really wish more candidates would say concrete things

    So do I.

    We want concrete! (In the right places, of course.) #TheConcreteParty

    As long as nobody paves Paradise!

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report Reply

  • Hebe, in reply to Rob Stowell,

    We want concrete! (In the right places, of course.) #TheConcreteParty

    Policies set in stone you mean?

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report Reply

  • Rob Stowell, in reply to Hebe,

    Policies set in stone you mean?

    Commitment to something would be nice. I'm partial to wood :)

    Whakaraupo • Since Nov 2006 • 2120 posts Report Reply

  • Richard Aston,

    One of the side pleasures of a local govt election is the absolutely right out there candidates. Those people who for reasons unknown come all the way back from the far edge of known human consciousness and decide to stand for Mayor.
    Introducing Auckland mayoral candidate Jesse Butler who has a simple 6 week programme, I quote direct .

    Week 1. Open financial books. Media watching. Money/assets secured. Lower rates. Faster services. Executive transparency. Corruption/corrupted gone. Staff pay-rise. Non-sexist/abusive/racist workplace. Increase staff. Promotions.

    Week 2. Visit South Korea. Taiwan. Japan. Talk multi-millions. Civil defence. Build infrastructure. Full employment. Auckland living wage? $22 an hour?

    Week 3. Public hui. Veto Unitary Plan. Your house rules. Priorities. Mokos. Babies. Children. Mothers. Elderly. Sick. Veterans. Retired. Disabled. New Aucklanders.

    Week 4. Gang hui. Truce. Cease violence/crime. Priority. Tourism. Public safety. Rewards? Economic packages. Early releases.

    Week 5. Develop land. Crops. Feed Auckland's schools/hospitals. Space. Exercising Auckland dogs.

    Week 6. Visit South Africa. Talk multi-millions. Business. Rugby. Netball.
    2015? Australasian Super-City. Prosperous. Healthy. Shining. Pumping. First class. NZ's new capital?

    I was really trying hard to stay with him until he got to “Exercising Auckland dogs.” In week 5 , WTF !

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 510 posts Report Reply

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