They're not privatising Watercare

...yet. Rodney's views on government providing (waste)water services are well-known, and they're not compatible with the above statement. All this "We won't privatise anything in this term of Government" nonsense just means the inevitable is delayed until the next term. If Rodney returns after the next…

It is already structured that way... It's a stand-alone enterprise owned by the 6 councils it supplies... if those separate owners get amalgamated... Basically what is proposed is as close to…

Alex Swney (ACT

Now THERE'S a surprise...

Still, maybe simon g is right, there'll be a backlash and John Minto will get elected mayor. In which case expect National…

The only other candidates I can think of who can challenge Banksie – and didn't even get a mention by the Granny – are Alex Swney and Richard Simpson.

Swney couldn't even afford to buy a vowel, I doubt he'd raise enough cash for a mayoral campaign.

If Alex reads this and wants to…

Alex Swney and Richard Simpson

Nothing against them, but I don't think you're scaling up your expectations enough beyond the existing faces.

Anyway, I notice Russell has made us a shiny new thread for this very conversation (so it doesn't have a misleading name at the top of it) -…

so we'll get one rates bill but it will still be split between "Auckland Council" rates and "Western Bays Local Board" rates?

Probably. Under the Royal Commission proposal there was going to be one rates bill, split between 'Auckland Council', "Local Council' (which was going to be the same across…

@annettekingmplistened to Pita Sharples interview re supercity-apparently the more you are slapped in the face the stronger the relationship

The Rodney Hide vs Maori Party is getting interesting...

The 17,000 figure is likely Harbourside (4k)

It's a great restaurant and an icon for Auckland, but I'm not sure it should have it's own Local Board. Banks would probably make it the Mayoral Canteen though.

All written materials say that local bodies can ask the Auckland Council to raise…

There is the amusing prospect of an election in 18 months' time, or even the time after that, in a very different political climate, producing a council with minority support on a minority turnout, spearheaded by the…

The $70K figure comes from s111(1) of the current Local Electoral Act, which at the top end contemplates population tiers of 100,000 – 149,999 people, 150,000 – 249,999, and then 250,000 and over. Far under the size of the Auckland region.

Yes, but there are already Auckland-sized elections – the…

Two words can answer that.

Ironic. And late.

ruing the addiction of commenting for the first time anywhere/

Crikey, Phil. 4.11am. You've got it bad.

]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2009 07:22:04 +1200 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/hard-news-the-cullen-investment/?p=102349#post102349 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/hard-news-the-cullen-investment/?p=102349#post102349 Wed, 08 Apr 2009 05:36:29 +1200 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/hard-news-the-cullen-investment/?p=102348#post102348 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/hard-news-the-cullen-investment/?p=102348#post102348

"There is a spending limit of $70,000 in local elections of this size"

is misleading on two counts:

1. The High Court on Clarkson's petition made it very clear that much money spent by a candidate need not be counted toward a cap

2. We have no idea what the…

"There is a spending limit of $70,000 in local elections of this size"

is misleading on two counts:

1. The High Court on Clarkson's petition made it very clear that much money spent by a candidate need not be counted toward a cap

2. We have no idea what the…

Just on the Auckland Supercity question one thing, (well many things) but this will do for starters, if Auckland has all these problems why do people continue to live there / corporates continue to (re-)locate there? – Is it just the International airport?

In large part, yes. AIA is reputedly…

I would love to think that there was someone out there who wasn't an existing Mayor who could capture the imagination of the whole Auckland populace.

Any nominations?

Kerry Prendergast – OK she is an existing mayor but we could do with a change down here

Just on the Auckland…

Banks is rich, and can buy the media time. Brown and Harvey don't have the same resources.

There is a spending limit of $70,000 in local elections of this size.

no, wait..

oh crap.

Bob Harvey has the charisma and the (sorry, hate to use this word but can't avoid it) vision but is going to be tainted with his Labour associations which someone like Banks, completely devoid of any self-awareness of the hypocrisy, will not hesitate to…

Why does everyone assume Banks will win? Why not someone like Len Brown or Bob Harvey? They're popular mayors and don't attract the same degree of antipathy as Banks.

I agree, though Harvey is not hugely popular outside his patch, I understand. What will be interesting is the impact south…

Why does everyone assume Banks will win? Why not someone like Len Brown or Bob Harvey? They're popular mayors and don't attract the same degree of antipathy as Banks.

They don't attract the same level of personal liquidity as Banks, either. In an executive mayoral campaign, it's all about money…

It is very depressing

I don't want John Banks full stop. I saw him on Close Up tonight and he was doing this mumble-fuck about lifting New Zealand into the top half of the OECD – the National Party mantra from the last election – and he sounded like a little PR robot.

I…

And I dont want John Banks as mayor unless he owns up to having a beard all these years and comes out.

I don't want John Banks full stop. I saw him on Close Up tonight and he was doing this mumble-fuck about lifting New Zealand into the top half…

Sorry to keep barging in here, but SuperCity is something I'm really interested in.

It must make something easier for someone, somewhere ...shurley.
But who?

And I dont want John Banks as mayor unless he owns up to having a beard all these years and comes out.

I thought Graeme would at least be accurate in his area of expertise: yes, s55 of the Act has an MP vacating their seat when they become a public servant.

But s3(2) of the Act specifically excludes board members from the definition of 'public servant'...

Thus my quote was "This…

All written materials say that local bodies can ask the Auckland Council to raise local rates for local initiatives – it is clear that the rate will be decided at the Council…

I'm damned if I could find a map showing where the CBD is.

Perhaps I could interest you in a helicopter ride?

At 6.18pm after three glasses of wine? No, you may not.

Heh. Lucky I'm still working, hence procrastinating, and worked it out.

Could I commend this link, and aggregating contiguous CBD neighbourhoods until you get something the size you like?

At 6.18pm after three glasses of wine? No, you may not.

Sorry to keep barging in here ...

We don't call it that. It's Knowledge, bro.

Herald reports that Key "said local bodies will have the power to raise rates to fund local initiatives"
Ya whaaaaa? Really? Cause that goes against everything you say about one rates bill and a uniform…

I'm damned if I could find a map showing where the CBD is.

Could I commend this link, and aggregating contiguous CBD neighbourhoods until you get something the size you like?

Herald reports that Key "said local bodies will have the power to raise rates to fund local initiatives"
Ya whaaaaa? Really? Cause that goes against everything you say about one rates bill and a uniform rating system?…

(Also: Massey University's website — not great for a university with a comms faculty ...)

Plus – the things they say on the way out ...

Dr Cullen says, after the election loss, the attraction of politics disappeared. He says while it's been fun in Parliament's debating chamber…

Maybe CBD+Parnell or +Ponsonby? Or is "CBD" being defined as encompassing College Hill and bits of Newton? Say, Grafton Gully/Ponsonby ridge/waterfront/Newton Rd?

Hobson Community Board is about 50k people, and is CBD plus eastern-bits. Out to Epsom/Remuera.

Or is "CBD" being defined as encompassing College Hill and bits of Newton? Say, Grafton Gully/Ponsonby ridge/waterfront/Newton Rd?

Oh God. It could be that bizarre non-sequitur so beloved of the real-estate trade: "City/Pt Chevalier".

To get less than 30 community boards you need 47,000 per board area or more
...
this probably means yes to a CBD board

Except that I don't think the population of the CBD even hits 40k, never mind being nearer 50. Maybe CBD+Parnell or +Ponsonby? Or is "CBD" being…

Sharples follows Hide on Checkpoint: "He's misrepresenting the view of the Maori Party members."

The big guy clearly is not happy.

Thinking of the wards – given the strict interpretation of the + or – 10% population rule as the present law requires... you can't get to 12 without significant re-drawing of the existing council boundaries.

Clearly, it's going to be an interesting year.

Phil Lyth
who may return to lurking for another three years

Oh, don't. You'd be good value. Just steer clear of Twitter.

Because it is likely to get it's own under the new structure.

Ah. I see.

Pwned

Ha, hardly – I was hoping for some inside info!

There will not be a separate community board for the waterfront and central city area.

Because it is likely to get it's own under the new structure.
They have still specified Waiheke and Great Barrier to be two of…

On another note, they've gutted the provisions for a new way of delivering social services, from today's report

The regional economic development agencies have also been replaced by an economic development plan

Old Rodney District – 2
Old North Shore City – 5
Old Waitakere City – 4
Old Auckland City – 9
Old Manukau City + Papakura District – 8…

there is no community board for the Auckland CBD.

How do you know where the Local Boards are going to be? The Local Govt Commission is going to define them?

The Royal Commission specifically proposed a standalone community board for the waterfront and the CBD. The National/Act rewrite says this:…

Though on that note: who's the local equivalent of Boris Johnson?

To be truly like Boris he/she will have to be:

1. an outright buffoon
2. a failed former politician from a right wing political party
3. prone to gaffes.

Paul Henry, anyone?

I thought Graeme would at least be accurate in his area of expertise: yes, s55 of the Act has an MP vacating their seat when they become a public servant.

But s3(2) of the…

He's got you there.

He has. Pwned. I assumed Peter M knew something I didn't.

How do you know where the Local Boards are going to be?

He's got you there. I would think it highly likely that the Auckland CBD would get its own board. If you think it unlikely, then you don't think it needs one, and I'd be at a loss to…

there is no community board for the Auckland CBD.

How do you know where the Local Boards are going to be? The Local Govt Commission is going to define them?

The obvious solution – a Ken Livingtone for Greater Auckland!

Though on that note: who's the local equivalent of Boris Johnson?

The obvious solution – a Ken Livingtone for Greater Auckland!

That was kinda Bruce Jesson on the ARST. I can't think of an obvious candidate now.

At the least, its a very sloppy editing job which makes their position uncertain – which doesn't help them.

I'm with you, I/S — it does look suspicious.

Shame they've released it as a PDF, rather than one of those nice Word docs. "Track changes" would've been interesting here.

In…

But since the power of existing councils will be constrained during the transition period, I doubt they would be permitted by Wellington to reintroduce some democracy into their plan.

The obvious solution – a Ken Livingtone for Greater Auckland!

Some Auckland councils provide water and wastewater services direct to customers, some do so through council controlled organisations and one provides these services under a franchise agreement with…

Extracting tongue from cheek, given how paranoid much of the country is…

We don't need any further consultation, because the Royal Commission has already done that.

The legislation's not even going to Select Committee? That's pretty bad.

since the power of existing councils will be constrained during the transition period, I doubt they would be permitted by Wellington to reintroduce some democracy…

A quarter of the population, something like a third of tax revenue, and it's not worth even one person in Central Government having a brief to keep an eye on things? That's a bit off, really.

Along with not having one for the South Island. It's a truly bizarre ministerial…

“Without distinctive Maori councillors and mana whenua positions, as the Royal Commission recommended, Maori will almost have no chance of being elected to the board. Representation at-large will cater for the corporate few, while tangata whenua and grass-roots have been marginalised and relegated to the community level.…

And I/S, the text of page 28 does explicitly state: "In future, a single council controlled organisation of…

1. We don't need any further consultation, because the Royal Commission has already done that.

2. We're ignoring those Royal Commission recommendations we don't like.

It's beautiful. All the righteous, self-centred indignation. You'd think Shon Key had deliberately picked the second most-offensive (Helen was taken, after all) person possible, just to spite all the RWNJs who view (viewed?) him as somewhere to…

I did expect that the nutroots and Key would fall out of love eventually, but not over something like this. It's hilarious.

Viz my comment on yesterday's thread about Key not lasting the term.

You might just be on to something, but somehow I doubt that Key's political fortunes are…

No change to the at-large SuperCouncillors elected by block voting though.

I guess they really do hate democracy, then.

I did expect that the nutroots and Key would fall out of love eventually, but not over something like this. It's hilarious.

Viz my comment on yesterday's thread about Key not lasting the term.

This is a disgraceful day in the history of a National government.

John Key – you should feel ashamed You’ve rewarded the man that so many of your loyal supporters despised so much.

Cullen…

Next question: Will Judith Tizard really go back there? It would be a poor choice for her.

IMHO, in a heartbeat. Whether they want her back is another question...

Well, not 'difficult' but perhaps less credible.

Here on waiheke Island we have inorganic rubbish every week assembled at the Ostend market and sell it for cash.

There's a large red shed in many larger NZ suburbs where they do the same.

Of course, the DPF fanclub would probably want to put Sir Allen Stanford in charge of Kiwibank. And elevate him to Baron, maybe.

Only because Ayn Rand is currently unavailable.

Bolger will be off to something else shortly...

I hear leader of the National party might be up for grabs. Did I just hear "Let's do the time-warp" on the wireless?
;-)

Excerpt:

The global financial crisis will have long-term effects going far beyond finance and economics. There is already a reaction against the consumption culture…

There was never going to be too much for the Labour party to attack in Post though. Unless they're going to sell it I suppose!

An eventual sale of Kiwibank is always a possibility though, whatever denials Key may have uttered in the past.

It will be interesting to watch whether the Opposition is able to effectively criticice the performance of these SOEs without besmirching Cullen's good name. So potentially a master stroke by the evil genius Key.

There was never going to be too much for the Labour party to attack in Post…

It will be interesting to watch whether the Opposition is able to effectively criticice the performance of these SOEs without besmirching Cullen's good name. So potentially a master stroke by the…

Former Labour finance minister Michael Cullen is leaving politics to take up the deputy chairmanship of New Zealand Post.

He replaces Ken Douglas at the state owned enterprise, which is chaired by former Prime Minister Jim Bolger.

Dr Cullen held a media conference this afternoon to…

I can usually see the (twisted) logic that DPF uses over at Kiwiblog, but simply don't get the outrage over this? (I am course referring only to the relatively reasoned DPF rather than the nutjobs he attracts)

No, I can't see it either, but it's all framed very much in…

Righto Neville Key, that is it as far as I am concerned.

Your time as leader of the National party has come and gone

Or ...

Key could have whipped his member out of his pants and pissed on National supporters, and it would still have been…

People dumped the previous government because among other things it was down by the head with out of tough with reality academics if National appoint him…

Isn't being an MP a disqualifier from holding such offices?

This section of the Electoral Act is as close as you get:

55 How vacancies created

(1) The seat of any member of Parliament shall become vacant—

...

(e) if he or she becomes a public servant ...

Dooooooooooo eeeeeeeeeet!

Zeppelins are making a comeback.

Excellent. I'm just about ready for an alternate universe, this one's getting a bit run-down.

But he won't be an MP when he takes up the posts.

That does make sense. I had wondered.

And besides, reading the Kiwiblog regulars' anguished howls of betrayal is priceless .

Dare I venture into that foetid cesspit, even for the purposes of self-indulgent amusement?
One of the comments…

I imagine he'll announce his resignation later today. He probably won't be an opposition MP when he takes up the new roles.

Kiwiblog is going crazy!

As for Christchurch, more southern madness. This illustrates the dangers of a supercity even more. THe council should not be trying to manage people's lifestyles in such a way…

It…

Cullen To Chair NZ Post And Kiwibank

DPF, much as I disagree with him on most things, makes the valid point on Facebook that it's pretty outrageous to do this while Cullen's still an MP on the Opposition benches. Isn't being an MP a disqualifier from holding such offices? If…

seeing as the council has just restricted elligibility to insulation subsidies.

Oh that's double classy then.

Rodney Hide really needs to get in and sort these councils out *cough*

Though most of those 'wasting' households will be rental properties anyway.

We have been blessed with a landlord who had insulation installed in the walls and floor, and by God, is it ever going to make a difference to our power bill this winter. It makes the various cut-backs to…

seeing as the council has just restricted elligibility to insulation subsidies.

Ah, so they'll shame people without giving them access to funding to rectify the issue? Bravo.

This would be a great way to identify starting points for the national insulation fund. Oh, right, ignore that. Fucking National :/

I found using a plane to spot energy wasters kinda silly.

All kinds of irony, especially seeing as the council has just restricted elligibility to insulation subsidies. Though most of those 'wasting' households will be rental properties anyway.

The thing that got me was Tracey Island.

Ours is still in…

Related to the recycling theme, 'Spy' plane to identify Christchurch energy wasters says Granny.

I found using a plane to spot energy wasters kinda silly.

Surely a balloon with the camera attached to the bottom would do the trick? And use about 100th of the energy?

We saw various traders' trucks in Point Chevalier at 10am on Sunday morning, collecting anything metallic.

Yeah, we saw the same thing.

As a sometime greenie I would have found it encouraging if the broader ramifications weren't so freaking scary.

Yep. Like I said, it was different this time.

My folks' neighbour put out two…

BTW Kevin has beaten John to it

Except he's gone for the plan National rejected: a single monolithic PPP. These things always seem easier in Australia.

BTW Kevin has beaten John to it