Public Address | Cafe | Hard News: Local interest

Steve Todd

Wed, 23 Oct 2013 23:00:22 +1300

Further to my immediately preceding post, I thought I would back up the assertions I expressed there with some figures. I have now had a good look at the final results for the 8-seat Henderson-Massey Local Board and 7-seat Waitemata District Health Board elections. My comparison of these elections follows.…

Steve Todd

Sun, 29 Sept 2013 15:17:07 +1300

Russell, you refer to “the glorious STV lottery that is the Auckland District Health Board vote[.]” Allow me to disagree with the use of the word 'lottery'.

In that election, there are 27 candidates vying for seven places. Everyone has one vote, whereby they express their preferences for 1, some,…

nzlemming

Thu, 26 Sept 2013 14:03:03 +1200

Wow! In the mayoral section for Auckland, Penny Bright is just a trainwreck:

In a former life, I answered the email for the government portal (www.govt.nz as it was then). I used to receive at least 2 of Penny Bright’s missives a week. I read the first few, then wrote…

Ian Dalziel

Thu, 26 Sept 2013 09:48:44 +1200

* several stops past Barking
...beyond the Dagenham Dye Works

Sacha

Wed, 25 Sept 2013 22:28:15 +1200

except many councils have attendance requirements (thank goodness)

Hebe

Wed, 25 Sept 2013 21:48:52 +1200

Did you know that if a councillor or a mayor were convicted and jailed during their term of office that they could serve out the rest of their elected term from their jail cell? Apparently no law to force them out of office.

Hebe

Wed, 25 Sept 2013 21:44:27 +1200

I had the pleasure of giving him number 26 on the Health Board.

Emma Hart

Wed, 25 Sept 2013 21:20:08 +1200

Does that disqualify one?

I’ll be honest and say I don’t know. Graeme? I know it used to be the case that the candidacy stood, and if the dead person won, you had another election, but that was when you had a voting day, not a voting fortnight. It would…

Rich of Observationz

Wed, 25 Sept 2013 20:30:40 +1200

Does that disqualify one? As opposed to be completely and utterly Upminster* which is a positive requirement.

* several stops past Barking

Emma Hart

Wed, 25 Sept 2013 19:39:39 +1200

A couple of my friends are quite disconcerted to discover that a candidate for council in Featherston, whom they'd both already voted for, died this morning.

Sacha

Wed, 25 Sept 2013 19:25:30 +1200

Idiot/Savant has posted his Palmerston North election picks.

Includes the council for that region, Horizons, who've just won an appeal over their water management plan. The Manawatu River is a filthy disgrace.

Christopher Nimmo

Wed, 25 Sept 2013 18:54:05 +1200

Aaaand … the Generation Zero local voting guide for six cities is now published.

Hmmm... I don't know about any other city's candidates, but I hope nobody pays to much attention to a survey that turns up Bryan Pepperell as a preferred candidate...

Ian Dalziel

Wed, 25 Sept 2013 16:41:02 +1200

Meanwhile back in Chchch anti-graffiti campaigning councillor Arrant Clown, er, Aaron Keown continues his commercial graffiti onslaught...

Keown is running for Council, Community board and the Health Board (and will want to keep his directorship as well) – he has already had enough problems getting to all meetings of Council…

Rich of Observationz

Wed, 25 Sept 2013 16:01:23 +1200

I'm quite disappointed in the ability of pretty much all Wellington's candidates, including our mayor, to give a straight answer to a simple question. They seem to think that if they fudge enough, all the voters will think the candidates views match their own.

Lilith __

Wed, 25 Sept 2013 15:20:19 +1200

the Generation Zero local voting guide for six cities is now published.

Oh – thanks! That's a big help.

Russell Brown

Wed, 25 Sept 2013 15:09:45 +1200

Wow! In the mayoral section for Auckland, Penny Bright is just a trainwreck:

Does not believe climate change is man-made. Doesn't agree with a precautionary approach to dealing with the issues.

Russell Brown

Wed, 25 Sept 2013 15:02:09 +1200

Aaaand ... the Generation Zero local voting guide for six cities is now published.

Craig Young

Wed, 25 Sept 2013 13:08:12 +1200

And, in fact, the local cops oppose the Manukau anti-soliciting bill because it diverts their attention from intervention and resolution against violent crime in the area.

Kyle Matthews

Wed, 25 Sept 2013 12:18:33 +1200

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

I'll happily vote for a Mayor who says they'll turn up and walk my dogs for half an hour a day. Well worth my rates bill!

Hamish N00nan

Wed, 25 Sept 2013 11:23:49 +1200

In terms of regulation, the prohibitionists have yet to convincingly explain why existing public order statutes like the Summary Offences Act 1981, Litter Act 1979 et al cannot be invoked in this context.

I would say that is because there is virtually no police presence in the area. They turn…

Craig Young

Wed, 25 Sept 2013 10:57:42 +1200

The Prostitutes Collective conducted negotiations with good faith with the Auckland Council, but it seems that specific elements on that council were unwilling to compromise, or, as I've noted, adequately explain why existing statutory public order legislation is insufficient to combat any public order offences.

Russell Brown

Wed, 25 Sept 2013 10:53:05 +1200

I’m basing my observations on what the Ministry of Justice and its Prostitution Law Review Committee have stated in this context.

And that MoJ report seems even-handed and comprehensive. Do you know how many, if any, of its recommendations for action by respective parties have been carried out since 2009?

Craig Young

Wed, 25 Sept 2013 10:33:38 +1200

Hamish's response to your question seems to suggest that there are specific pressure groups trying to make mischief over the issue and blow things out of proportion. I'm basing my observations on what the Ministry of Justice and its Prostitution Law Review Committee have stated in this context. In terms…

Russell Brown

Wed, 25 Sept 2013 09:54:26 +1200

This is a moral panic. Some of the cis/transgender street sex workers are just as much Manukau residents as the other residents. And PROS went too far in terms of its borderline vigilante activity. Let’s not slide down the slippery slope to Central/South American-style social cleansing, shall we?

I’m not…

Craig Young

Wed, 25 Sept 2013 09:08:29 +1200

Hamish, thanks for reinforcing what the NZ Prostitutes Collective have been saying all along- the real problem in Manukau City seems to be the unwillingness of local body politicians to crack down on out of control liquor outlets and the antisocial activity that results from them,

Actually, the real problem…

Craig Young

Wed, 25 Sept 2013 09:00:14 +1200

Nope, sorry, once again, Russell. New Zealand is seriously behind the United Kingdom, all Australian federal, state and territory jurisdictions and Canada when it comes to including gender identity within our anti-discrimination laws. And according to Gillian Abel, many of the transwomen involved in street sex work may well be…

Craig Young

Wed, 25 Sept 2013 08:49:16 +1200

Thank you, namesake. The Prostitutes Collective is strongly opposed to child prostitution and the New Zealand Police could find no unambiguous evidence of underage children involved in street sex work at either Hunters Corner or Northcrest. There were street kids there, but they may not have been involved in street…

Craig Young

Wed, 25 Sept 2013 08:41:51 +1200

Nope, sorry, Russell...not when it means that vulnerable Maori and Pacific Island whakawahine and fa'afafine/transgender and cisgender street sex workers will be adversely affected by any such prohibitionist legislation. Anti-soliciting bans haven't worked in France and New South Wales, so why do their backers assume that they will work here?…

Hebe

Wed, 25 Sept 2013 08:24:42 +1200

Jesse Butler has Auckland sorted. Week 7: he could come to Christchurch and sort it.

Kumara Republic

Wed, 25 Sept 2013 00:21:19 +1200

And anyone standing on the "Affordable" tickets round the country is linked with the Libertarianz and its fan club.

Chris Waugh

Wed, 25 Sept 2013 00:20:59 +1200

2015? Australasian Super-City. Prosperous. Healthy. Shining. Pumping. First class. NZ’s new capital?

Convert all of Australasia into a Super-City which would be capital of New Zealand, even though all of New Zealand and Australia would be under the jurisdiction of the new Super-City? Geez, and I thought our current constitutional…

Richard Aston

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 23:46:27 +1200

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…

Rob Stowell

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 22:34:40 +1200

Policies set in stone you mean?
Commitment to something would be nice. I'm partial to wood :)

Hebe

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 22:24:22 +1200

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

Policies set in stone you mean?

Lilith __

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 22:14:06 +1200

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!

Rob Stowell

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 22:09:36 +1200

I really, really wish more candidates would say concrete things

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

anjum rahman

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 22:05:25 +1200

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…

Rob Stowell

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 22:04:41 +1200

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.

Hebe

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 21:19:40 +1200

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…

Hebe

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 21:05:43 +1200

I really, really wish more candidates would say concrete things

So do I.

Sacha

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 20:58:59 +1200

No Party Politics Party

No Party party
#poopers
#avoid

Lilith __

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 20:56:17 +1200

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.

Emma Hart

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 20:41:09 +1200

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…

Ian Tinkler

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 20:29:19 +1200

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…

Sacha

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 20:22:15 +1200

Along with

ahaha

Emma Hart

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 20:19:54 +1200

Alexandra Davids

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

Islander

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 20:15:25 +1200

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

Lilith __

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 19:25:30 +1200

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…

Islander

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 19:19:54 +1200

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…

Lilith __

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 19:08:59 +1200

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…

Hamish N00nan

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 18:58:47 +1200

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…

Ian Tinkler

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 17:13:10 +1200

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…

Kumara Republic

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 17:07:59 +1200

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…

Russell Brown

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 16:56:48 +1200

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…

Barnaby Nicholls

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 16:44:11 +1200

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…

Russell Brown

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 16:42:23 +1200

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…

George Darroch

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 16:36:57 +1200

I just voted. Including for Len Brown, before I read this (sorry Craig – though unfortunately if it's not Len, it will be Palino who is unlikely to be better).

I'm not a fan of the DHB electoral system. I'm immersed in both health and politics, and the document I…

Keir Leslie

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 15:11:52 +1200

Rob --- which ward are you in? Because putting aside the other candidates (I don't know) the People's Choice candidates will take a strong stance against wasting money on stadia and convention centres. (As Paul McMahon always says, roofs for houses before roofs for stadia.)

Rich of Observationz

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 15:06:32 +1200

Something I was wondering: in many countries overseas there is fairly blatant corruption between councillors and companies wanting consents and contracts. Is NZ squeaky clean here, or does it also go on?

And if not, why are councillors generally so keen on anything involving lots of concrete?

Rob Stowell

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 14:48:51 +1200

I found the councillors hard:
Me too. Only one option, know 2 candidates socially. And there's another who's a bit tempting!
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!…

Lucy Telfar Barnard

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 14:39:15 +1200

Um, I'm a little confused.

Alasdair Thompson's blog says "In 2011 I was the subject of an international media furore for saying that some women’s productivity and income is affected by difficult menstruation; a truth I was internationally pilloried for speaking about."

To me that still sounds like a refusal…

Craig Ranapia

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 14:24:30 +1200

It’s very easy to condemn the people of Manukau when you don’t have to live or work in places where there are many street sex workers. I’d like to see someone do the much harder job of trying to come up with a solution that respects everyone’s rights.

Sure, but…

Tim Hannah

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 13:31:40 +1200

Hi Barnaby, did you see that 'apology' article in a hard copy paper? Cos I've only seen it online (and not exactly highly placed), and have looked for it in print.

Barnaby Nicholls

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 13:21:23 +1200

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…

Stephen R

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 13:07:56 +1200

Dom Post/Stuff has totally jumped the shark recently on their political coverage. I have deleted them from my bookmarks and try not to visit them any more, so I don't curse at my monitor as often.

Complaining about Celia photo-shopping her pic because they reckon she looks wrinklier in person…

Rich of Observationz

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 12:58:38 +1200

He's only going to win if people don't turn out (or turn in, given it's a postal poll) and put him last. I suspect a lot of his front-runner status is due to his equally Jurassic mates on the Dom Post plugging the old twatcock.

Barnaby Nicholls

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 12:41:01 +1200

I'm told John Morrison is likely to win the Wellington mayoralty, which is a truly disturbing thought. Dinosaurs aren't really extinct, after all. A delight came in the voting packet – all the candidates except Celia Wade-Brown have given their party as "Independent", while she is down as "A Good…

Russell Brown

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 11:30:50 +1200

Do not vote for the candidates asterisked below, given their stances against the health, safety and human rights of Manukau street sex workers and their support for the Manukau City Council (Regulating Prostitution in Specified Places) Bill, or opposition to Epsom’s boutique brothels, or strongarm tactics against Christchurch sex workers:…

Kyle Matthews

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 11:10:47 +1200

It wasn't until after I posted my form (we use STV down here for mayor and council) that I fully got my head around strategically using my vote to help people less likely to be elected get there, over people who are my #1 pick.

Example – if my #1…

Matthew Poole

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 10:12:00 +1200

Alasdair Thompson appears to have had quite the "Road to Damascus" moment since being turfed from the EMA. I'm inclined to vote for him, too.

Craig Young

Tue, 24 Sept 2013 09:23:45 +1200

Do not vote for the candidates asterisked below, given their stances against the health, safety and human rights of Manukau street sex workers and their support for the Manukau City Council (Regulating Prostitution in Specified Places) Bill, or opposition to Epsom's boutique brothels, or strongarm tactics against Christchurch sex workers:…

Hebe

Mon, 23 Sept 2013 22:32:23 +1200

Generation Zero

Bit late though. Last Friday would have been better.

Joanna

Mon, 23 Sept 2013 22:32:03 +1200

We've been polling candidates over at The Wellingtonista for Wellington, obviously, and WCC Watch has done some good work too, like how in shocking news, privileged middle age white men are acting like privileged old white men.

Hebe

Mon, 23 Sept 2013 22:29:19 +1200

Hasn’t made my decision any easier but it’s definitely better informed :)

Health Board is easy: start with Aaron Keown at 26, then Michael Hansen at 25…
I found the councillors hard: I had one definite and really wanted to vote for someone I knew would be great but doesn’t…

Rob Stowell

Mon, 23 Sept 2013 21:47:11 +1200

Gap Filler has done a pretty little questionnaire
Thanks Hebe. Hasn't made my decision any easier but it's definitely better informed :)

LouisM

Mon, 23 Sept 2013 21:17:51 +1200

I think Team Waitemata are the Tory candidates. Some of them are ex C&R candidates.

Chris Waugh

Mon, 23 Sept 2013 19:59:32 +1200

Kyle Chapman seems so nice… until his answer to question 4.

ETA: and, of course, except for the name of his party.

Russell Brown

Mon, 23 Sept 2013 19:58:19 +1200

In Christchurch (feel free to delete if this is an Auckland-only piece),

Not at all. I've just realised Generation Zero are doing the same thing in Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

Hebe

Mon, 23 Sept 2013 19:48:34 +1200

In Christchurch (feel free to delete if this is an Auckland-only piece), Gap Filler has done a pretty little questionnaire that reveals more about candidates and their attitudes in general than they realise: http://www.gapfiller.org.nz/gap-filler-candidate-questionnaire-2013-mayoral-and-council-elections/

Ana Simkiss

Mon, 23 Sept 2013 19:47:55 +1200

I've had a crack at the voting paper and gave up (for now) because of the lack of specific info about policy and for sitting candidates voting records. For example, who T F is Team Waitemata, and why TF don't they have a website? So I am very happy that…

Sudhvir Singh

Mon, 23 Sept 2013 18:13:57 +1200

Given the mayoral race is not as competitive as 2010, there is a serious risk of a poor turnout this year. The visionless NIMBY voters will make their voice heard, so candidates who spread fear about housing choices whilst ignoring sprawl and those who endorse the status quo of roads-heavy…

Public Address

Mon, 23 Sept 2013 18:13:57 +1200

Discussion from blog post.