In defence of Bevan Chuang

Written By: - Date published: 8:11 am, October 17th, 2013 - 283 comments
Categories: blogs - Tags: , , ,

len brown and john banks

We have two politicians in trouble in New Zealand.  One is facing two years jail.  The other is facing opprobrium for inappropriate moral behaviour …

Of course the politician who breached the moral code is facing the most examination.

And there has been extensive analysis of the other party involved.  Her identity was released quickly and ever since her character has been part of the feeding frenzy.

The affidavit that she signed reads like porn.  I would not be surprised if Ms Chuang would have chosen a different way to describe what happened.  The phrases used read like a male fantasy and the descriptions are too indiscrete for a woman to use.  No doubt Slater and Cook wanted it to be as salacious as possible.

And Chuang has come out this morning and given her view of matters.

She confirmed that the Palino campaign had information about the affair during the campaign and wanted to use it.  Her reluctance for the information  to be released while she was herself seeking public office is understandable.

Obviously she was devastated by her narrow loss in the election.  I can understand and appreciate how she felt.

She obviously now regrets the publicity and I am aware that she has urged Palino’s team and Slater to stop contacting her.

The following comments which I received from a reader describe the situation very well.  It was written before the Herald’s article appeared this morning.

The Other Woman never does well out of these things.  In this case The Other Woman is a political hopeful.  She works in circles where you need to be able to smile convincincly and get your face in the social pages.  She knowingly had an affair with a married man, and lots of people, married women especially, judge that super harshly.

She will be cut dead as dead by those on the centre-right who she was politically aligned with, particularly those on the Christian Right.  She’s already been excised from the C-R website. She won’t find any friends on the centre-left either because of the perception she has tried to do in a mayor from that side of the paddock.

What did she have to benefit from outting her affair with Len??

Why use so much detail that would reveal a huge amount about her private matters, result in people questioning the veracity of it all and cause everyone who read it to throw up in their mouth a little.

Maybe, and this wouldn’t be the first time in the history of sex scandals, this has all got rather out of the control of The Other Woman.  Maybe in the hands of really odious people who don’t give a shit about her (or quality journalism) The Other Women isn’t quite what she appears from the way the publisher has put things.

We have only heard from The Other Woman through that known liar Whaleoil and disgraced former journo Cook.  If a person will falsely claim that a mayoral hopeful they don’t like has arrogantly said only an earthquake could stop them from winning, days before an earthquake hits that city, and then actually fake-edits a video to make it look like they said it when they obviously did not, imagine what they would do to some sexually explicit quotes and stories about a mayor they have hated on for years.

Look at it this way.  What if Whaleoil already knew about the affair?  What if he approached her, not the other way around?  What if he told her I know and this is going to be so much better for you if you talk to me and then you can control things?  Give me your side of the story, I’ll make you look good, it’ll all be fine for you.  You’ll get some revenge and be held up as a heroine for showing us all Len’s true character and saving the city.

After all Cook has a history in doing just that to sources and then leaving them for dead, in one case quite literally.

Yes yes woman scorned, all that stuff.  But a lot of this doesn’t make sense.  She receives an anonymous threatening text and that’s why she went public, but also she voted for the man she thinks was behind that text?  Qui bono – who has the strongest interest in getting her to go public?  Not Len, that’s for sure.  Not The Other Woman either.

283 comments on “In defence of Bevan Chuang ”

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  1. karol 1
    17 October 2013 at 8:22 am

    Good on Bevan for explaining. Last night it started to look like Bevan had been badly served by Cook & Slater when I read she had gone to ground. This is what I commented:

    Yep. And now Chuang, not really understanding how she’s been used, has gone to ground, upset at the kind of attention she’s getting, and probably hadn’t anticipated – albeit she’s blaming Team Brown, unwilling to believe how SleazeOil has manipulated her.

    And this:

    Whose decision was it to publish so much salacious detail? It has the whiff of SleazeOil to me. And now the woman has gone to ground with Stephen C(r)ook weeping crocodile tears about her fragility, while threatening to release more details. What a piece of work those guys are!

    I avoided reading the salacious details. But the fact they were like that, and the bits that I saw in the MSM, had SleazeOil’s grubby style all over it. What a creep!

    And yet again, everything the clumsy sleaze merchant touches turns back on him!

  2. You_Fool 2
    17 October 2013 at 8:27 am

    I feel sorry for Ms Chuang – this always read like a young woman being used whilst in a bad emotional state

    • Tom Gould 2.1
      17 October 2013 at 8:49 am

      Was the affidavit obtained under duress? Seem so. Was Ms Chuang pressured into cooperating with the author of the affidavit? Seems so. Are the words in the affidavit truthfully attributable to her? Seems unlikely. Has she been used as a pawn in a venal political gambit to destroy Len Brown. You bet. I also feel for Ms Chuang. She is increasingly looking like a hapless victim of rampant Tory corruption to me.

      • swan 2.1.1
        17 October 2013 at 9:14 am

        Oh corruption now??? Do tell.

        • Tom Gould 2.1.1.1
          17 October 2013 at 10:00 am

          Does the name John Archibald Banks ring any bells? Word has it that daddy Slater was in court with Banks on Tuesday. Why would Palino’s campaign manager be there? The Auckland Tory vipers nest is looking more venal by the hour.

          • Penny Bright 2.1.1.1.1
            17 October 2013 at 7:52 pm

            Yes – I can confirm that John Slater was in the Auckland District Court on Tuesday 15 October 2013 – the day that Kim Dotcom, his lawyer and bodyguard + the CEO of Sky City gave evidence which confirmed that John Banks KNEW that donations from these parties were NOT anonymous.

            I smell a rat the size of an elephant.

            In my considered opinion, those who really run the Auckland region, the Committee for Auckland and NZ Property Council are VERY happy with Len Brown.

            So – why would they want him removed?

            Just like in 2010 – this election was NOT about ‘left’ vs ‘right’ – it was about the public majority vs the big corporate (and property developer) minority.

            But – just to keep up pretences, the so-called ‘right’, put up political rookie John Palino, who has never attended a single Council meeting, and whose campaign manager was John Slater, former President of the National Party and father of Cameron Slater.

            The politically ‘dynamite ‘Len Brown’ affair, arguably could have made a difference if revealed before the end of the 2013 Auckland Council election.

            But it wasn’t.

            Why not?

            Do others find the timing of the release of this politically ‘dynamite ‘ Len Brown affair rather politically convenient?

            The EXACT same day that Kim Dotcom, his lawyer and bodyguard plus the CEO of Sky City gave evidence which confirmed that John Banks KNEW that donations from these parties were NOT anonymous?

            The Len Brown sex scandal, certainly trumped Kim Dotcom and the Banks electoral fraud scandal, in mainstream media coverage on Tuesday 15 October 2013.

            Judge Gittos announced on Tuesday 15 October 2013 that he would give his decision on whether or not Banks would go to trial on Wednesday 16 October 2013.

            (In my opinion, it appeared that both Banks and his lawyer were confident that this electoral fraud case would stop at this point.

            Graham McCready, whom I drove back out to the airport after this oral evidence hearing, was resigned to this case NOT proceeding.

            So – it was with great delight that I left a message on his phone the next day that he had won! )

            In my opinion, the main purpose of the Len Brown sex scandal, was to act as a major political distraction, and was revealed at that time to help divert public attention away from the ‘dodgy’ John Banks electoral fraud scandal, which has SERIOUS political consequences on so many fronts for this ‘shonky’ John Key National/ACT government.

            Penny Bright
            ‘Anti-corruption /anti-privatisation Public Watchdog’
            2013 Auckland Mayoral candidate

      • Jimmie 2.1.2
        17 October 2013 at 9:35 am

        Well that is quite a game of devious chess being played here TG. So Len Brown seduced this woman as part of a cunningly deep VRWC plan to bring himself down.

        So are you suggesting that Brown is a deep plant right winger or Ms Chuang?

        Truth is Brown couldn’t keep it in his pants and has caused himself a lot of embarrassment.

        I’m sure WO didn’t cry a river about running this story but truth be told Mr Brown has only himself to blame for this mess.

        • Draco T Bastard 2.1.2.1
          17 October 2013 at 1:40 pm

          Nope, this entire mess rests solely with those who published, specifically Whaleoil.

  3. swan 3
    17 October 2013 at 8:31 am

    “I feel sorry for Ms Chuang – this always read like a young woman being used whilst in a bad emotional state”

    You mean by Brown?

    • You_Fool 3.1
      17 October 2013 at 8:42 am

      and by slater, by palino, by wewegewgeegwgwweee, by the herald, by the media in general; not helped by the poor attitude by some posters here and elsewhere.

      • Tracey 3.1.1
        17 October 2013 at 9:12 am

        agree. Doesnt excuse her part in it all, but doesn’t make her evil or other epithets she has attracted here and elsewhere.

        • Colonial Viper 3.1.1.1
          17 October 2013 at 9:38 am

          Hey Tracey. Who on The Standard has used the term “evil” to describe Chuang???

          • Tracey 3.1.1.1.1
            17 October 2013 at 9:49 am

            “or other epithets she has attracted here and elsewhere.”

            reading is a skill and so is writing, perhaps I didn’t write it well.

            • Colonial Viper 3.1.1.1.1.1
              17 October 2013 at 9:57 am

              Let’s not lump most Standardistas in with the sewer swimmers is all I’m saying.

              • You_Fool …
                17 October 2013 at 10:36 am

                given the comments on the multiple threads on this subject, maybe that isn’t such an easy thing to do

  4. Sanctuary 4
    17 October 2013 at 8:32 am

    Given her general treatment in this affair and her apparent inability to cope with the pressure, I hope the media cool things down now. Stephen Cook already has one kill painted on his tail, no need to help him get two.

    • Colonial Viper 4.1
      17 October 2013 at 8:38 am

      Instead it seems like the NZ Herald is going out of its way to train more Cooks for granny’s daily broth.

      As pointed out in another thread: how can this non-story still be ahead of the newer John Banks corruption story on the Herald Online, if not for sheer partisanship. And UK gutter tabloid style.

    • swan 4.2
      17 October 2013 at 8:41 am

      The media will do their job. Would have been nice if Brown thought about this when he was pleasuring himself over the phone to her.

  5. karol 5
    17 October 2013 at 8:38 am

    Interetesing what Chuang says about the alleged threatening texts, because it reveals one way SleazeOil and C(r)ook beat up the story to make Brown look as bad as they could.

    The first stories of the affair mention that Chuang received threatening “texts” (plural) after her relationship with Brown finished – make threats to stop her going public.

    Yesterday the story had pulled back to talking about “one” text to Chuang.

    Now e have this from Chuang, outlining the context of the threatening texts:

    blockquote>He [Slater] said “everything went quiet” until he wrote a blog post on Tuesday last week urging readers to vote for Mr Palino with a vague reference to Mr Brown and “Asian beauties”.

    “I got a threatening text, [Ms Chuang] got a text, my dad got a text. All from the same number.”

    He also believed the website post forced Mr Brown to tell his wife about the affair and the threat convinced Ms Chuang to sign an affidavit and provide the text messages needed to run the story.

    That gives a totally different picture. Initially it looked like the txts most likely had come from Brown or one of the few people in the know about the state of play between Brown & Chuang. Now it looks like they could have come from any one of a number of people who had read a public post.

    • swan 5.1
      17 October 2013 at 8:55 am

      Thats a big leap. Who sent those texts will be one of the keys to the outcome of all this.

      • karol 5.1.1
        17 October 2013 at 9:05 am

        BS. The biggest “key”, apart from the big Key himself, is Slater (and his handlers) – mudslinger extraordinaire, manages to spread as much muck on himself as he slings.

        • NZ Groover 5.1.1.1
          17 October 2013 at 2:14 pm

          “Now it looks like they could have come from any one of a number of people who had read a public post.”

          The texter would have had to know that the women was Bevan Chuang.

          • karol 5.1.1.1.1
            17 October 2013 at 2:24 pm

            It depends on how the post was worded. Have you seen it? And why did Maurice Williamson, Palino, Slater’s father, and Cameron Brewer also get the text?

            • NZ Groover 5.1.1.1.1.1
              17 October 2013 at 2:48 pm

              “Have you seen it”. No I hadn’t, so I looked for it. Here’s the actual words;

              “Len Brown really takes the cake…when he isn’t slapping his face , running a glad eye over asian beauties, or lying through his teeth about his position on almost everything, he is shamelessly running his lies about his never ending rates increases”.

              Sorry but even you have to admit it’s a bit of a stretch Karol. The texter would have had to be very knowledgable about the “situation”.

              • Pascal's bookie …
                17 October 2013 at 2:58 pm

                Well we also haven’t seen the text yet. So who knows what the hell it actually says.

                • McFlock …
                  17 October 2013 at 3:01 pm

                  “THIS IS AN ANONYMOUS AND THREATENING TEXT. l8r, cam” 😉

                • grumpy …
                  17 October 2013 at 3:11 pm

                  Didn’t Chris73 send it through the other day? Sure I’ve seen it somewhere……….

                  • karol …
                    17 October 2013 at 3:39 pm

                    Yep. Here.

                    Well, apart from anything else, I find it hard to imagine Brown would have made that statement in those words. Doesn’t ring true.

                    • grumpy …
                      17 October 2013 at 3:44 pm

                      Begs the question……where did that come from? Not the author but I have not seen it anywhere else – and God knows, I’ve been looking 🙂

                    • Hayden …
                      17 October 2013 at 3:45 pm

                      That’s not so much threatening as prophetic, in hindsight.

                    • karol …
                      17 October 2013 at 3:47 pm

                      True. It’s not threatening to do anything, but warning of the logical consequences of sharing stuff with WO.

                    • grumpy …
                      17 October 2013 at 3:47 pm

                      More a statement of fact I would have thought. I’m just wondering where Chris73 picked it up from.

                    • karol …
                      17 October 2013 at 3:49 pm

                      It’s got a WO URL.

                    • Hayden …
                      17 October 2013 at 3:51 pm

                      Which isn’t to say it wasn’t meant to be threatening… Anyway, it’d be easy to send it as a kind of false flag operation to encourage her to talk, if someone were so inclined.

  6. Anne 6
    17 October 2013 at 8:39 am

    Perhaps some people here (including me) have been a little harsh on her, but it can’t be denied that
    she’s been a bit silly. She allowed herself to be used by Slater and co., and there must have been individuals who warned her about them. I haven’t read the article yet (must rush) but Chuang has to tell the whole story if she wants to be rehabilitated, and not allow herself to be intimidated by that worm, Cameron Slater.

    • Tracey 6.1
      17 October 2013 at 9:14 am

      she’s not innocent, but nor is she the worst behaved. We still live in a chauvinist society…

      hence the order of interest and focus is

      brown/Chuang
      banks
      slater

      Slater has not had his life all over the media to perhaps shed light on HIS motives… just his word that he would do the same to National … (didnt say ACT) but also knew about Worth but didn’t go public.

  7. Colonial Viper 7
    17 October 2013 at 8:49 am

    Miserable outcomes for all the politician types. Len’s mayoral term starts off with a limp, with its first hundred days ruined before they start. Palino looking complicit in a dumb under handed scheme because he can’t win fair and square. Chuang without enough political sense or advice to not sign her name on to a political career ending lecherous affidavit.

  8. The Lone Haranguer 8
    17 October 2013 at 8:50 am

    Good on Bevan for explaining? Give me a break Karol.

    I found the detailed descriptions quite distasteful, and put them down to:
    1) a woman scorned
    2) a disappointed candidate who failed to achieve her pre-election goals
    3) the differences between Asian and our “European” cultures when applied to politics and power

    The simple truth is that the young lady is not simple, and made a calculated decision to release the information to maximise the humiliation of Mayor Brown.

    That there was a Luigi Wewege in her bed shows that she was looking after number one, every time. Her bedroom habits are her own choice, as was her decision to hand over the texts and to sign the affidavits

    • You_Fool 8.1
      17 October 2013 at 8:55 am

      Her choice, but how much the pressure messed with her decision making process needs to be taken into consideration. Her choice, her fallout to deal with, but bad by us to paint her as a evil slut, which seem to stem not from who she is but the fact she was:

      a) the other woman
      and
      b) from the other side of the political yard

      • The Lone Haranguer 8.1.1
        17 October 2013 at 9:04 am

        There is an old saying that if you lie with dogs, you get fleas.

        I am not painting her as a “evil slut” at all, but she may well be a “political slut” who found power intoxicating, and played both camps to ensure that she wouldnt be left on the outside. If that is the case, then her scheme has backfired badly.

        On the bright side tho, Luigi Wewege has been shown in his true colours.

        • Tracey 8.1.1.1
          17 October 2013 at 9:10 am

          she’s not actually a slut at all. Show me where you have called Len a slut, or Banks a political slut?

      • One Anonymous Knucklehead 8.1.2
        17 October 2013 at 9:04 am

        c) Calling for someone’s resignation over behaviour she was a party to.
        d) Seeking election having participated in behaviour she apparently thinks Brown should resign for.

        Oh, and a) and b) aren’t part of my argument, and neither is the “evil slut” misogyny.

  9. Lanthanide 9
    17 October 2013 at 9:01 am

    “the descriptions are too indiscrete for a woman to use”

    Sexist much?

  10. Tony Moder 10
    17 October 2013 at 9:09 am

    She certainly wont be on the next Ethnic Affairs advisory board working on Asian womens health ,hasnt she ever heard of a condom? She got in over her head being naive isn’t an excuse being dumb isn’t an illness.

  11. Tracey 11
    17 October 2013 at 9:09 am

    I agree. She is being vilified in the same, old-fashioned “evil Eve” tempting the poor man way, including by many on this site. In my opinion she is th eonly person in the Banks or Brown issue that has been honest. She lashed out, with help from Jabba who said he knew she was “naive” and when she saw the outcome, has spoken for herself and withdrawn.

    While I am no fan of infidelity she covers herself in some glory compared to the others…

    John Banks is story number one
    LenBrown is story number 2
    and Journalism , imo, is story number 3

    Jabba the Whale shows all the signs of a naricassist. he says he deplores hypocrisy yet had an extra marital affair he wouldnt comment on when outed…

    IF it was about integrity of mayoral office he would have contacted Brown, advise dhim what he had, and given him a chance to come clean in private to his wife and then to t he media. BUT it’ all about Jabba… always has been, always will be.

    “Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a personality disorder[1] in which the individual is described as being excessively preoccupied with issues of personal adequacy, power, prestige and vanity. First formulated in 1968, it was historically called megalomania, and is severe egocentrism.”

    ”
    Expects to be recognized as superior and special, without superior accomplishments
    Expects constant attention, admiration and positive reinforcement from others
    Envies others and believes others envy him/her
    Is preoccupied with thoughts and fantasies of great success, enormous attractiveness, power, intelligence
    Lacks the ability to empathize with the feelings or desires of others
    Is arrogant in attitudes and behavior
    Has expectations of special treatment that are unrealistic

    Per the Mayo Clinic, narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by dramatic, emotional behavior, which is in the same category as antisocial and borderline personality disorders.[7]

    Narcissistic personality disorder symptoms may include:

    Believing that you’re better than others
    Fantasizing about power, success and attractiveness
    Exaggerating your achievements or talents
    Expecting constant praise and admiration
    Believing that you’re special and acting accordingly
    Failing to recognize other people’s emotions and feelings
    Expecting others to go along with your ideas and plans
    Taking advantage of others
    Expressing disdain for those you feel are inferior
    Being jealous of others
    Believing that others are jealous of you
    Trouble keeping healthy relationships
    Setting unrealistic goals
    Being easily hurt and rejected
    Having a fragile self-esteem
    Appearing as tough-minded or unemotional”

    • Colonial Viper 11.1
      17 October 2013 at 9:19 am

      You describing Chuang as the only honest party to what has gone on, made me chuckle. She was trying to surreptitiously record her cell phone conversations with Brown in August. Two months before the election. But he was no longer speaking to her.

      • Chooky 11.1.1
        17 October 2013 at 9:54 am

        CV +1 …we should be wary of looking at this from quaint British cricket rules and mores and NZ innocent wronged ,fair dealing perspective…

        … there are big moneyed vested interests at power play in Auckland ( as Winston Peters has pointed out)

        …and compared with some overseas very large, highly populated , ruthless, corrupt, exploitative countries with abysmal , disgraceful human rights ….NZers must seem naive and NZ an undeveloped heaven, ripe for the plucking..

        NZ politicians should beware of pillow talk and blackmail and espionage …knowledge is power and personal secrets make one vulnerable

      • bad12 11.1.2
        17 October 2013 at 9:58 am

        Agree with you CV, from the Herald this morning i do not get a sense of refusal to supply lover boy Luigi and through Him, Blubber boy, texts or voice messages from Len Brown to Chuang out of any ‘moral’ sense of responsibility,

        What the Herald article provides this morning is an explicit series of messages between Chuang and Luigi which shows the only reason, (given by Chuang), for not providing such messages is the fact that Len Brown by this point had cut off all communications with Her,

        On the surface, without proof to think otherwise, we could sympathize with Chuang and describe Her as naive, but, to suggest such is to suggest that not for one second did She consider what Luigi was going to use the voice/text messages from Brown to Her for,

        Now to think that She never thought for at least that one second is to stretch the bounds of credibility to the point of breaking, in the final analysis, everyone in this little tale will be found to have been using everyone else, from simple sexual gratification to political advancement they all used each other as thinking mature adults,

        The users will in effect have to share the cost in coming months and years where such use will to a certain extent for all of them turn them all into losers…

    • Virginia Linton 11.2
      17 October 2013 at 10:12 am

      Bevan Chuang and Len Brown will both have years of fallout from their affair and its aftermath. They are authors of their own misfortune, as we all are, but the real story is that crass little puppet Luigi Wewege and his links to Palin, Slater, and the top echelons of the National Party. This story is not about an affair, it’s about dirty politics and to what degree National has been involved.

    • Brett Dale 11.3
      17 October 2013 at 10:50 am

      Tracey

      Those Narcissistic points sums it two or three certain bloggers over the years.

    • Brett Dale 11.4
      17 October 2013 at 10:55 am

      Tracey

      Biggest narcissistic bloggers in nz are qot, boganettenz, and for a passive aggressive style of blogging kiwistargazer.

      Whaleoil is not narcissistic in the least, hes sleazy, hes extreme right wing (except for gay marriage) his blog is the worst type of blog there is, but hes not narcissistic.

      • fender 11.4.1
        17 October 2013 at 11:02 am

        That why you don’t read it eh Brett, did you forget it was YOU who first alerted Open mike on 15/10/2013 about the SlaterScum story?

        • McFlock 11.4.1.1
          17 October 2013 at 11:41 am

          what do you expect from someone so that they ended up having to masturbating while drowning kittens 🙂

          One can’t take the moral high ground while standing in a cesspool throwing muck

          • Chooky 11.4.1.1.1
            17 October 2013 at 11:57 am

            McFlock …you are a bad boy!…you are very proud of yourself for entrapping Brett Dale…lol

            • McFlock 11.4.1.1.1.1
              17 October 2013 at 12:26 pm

              got tired of watching tories do it – wanted to see how difficult it was. Admittedly, with BD it was fish-barrel-shotgun.

              Needless to say, I accidentally ommitted “deny” from the previous comment, though – d’oh

              • McFlock …
                17 October 2013 at 12:40 pm

                damn – actually it’s not even a coherent sentence, although the cliche is familiar. More distracted by work than I thought 🙂

          • fender 11.4.1.1.2
            17 October 2013 at 12:11 pm

            😀

        • Brett Dale 11.4.1.2
          17 October 2013 at 12:05 pm

          fender

          I have a whole series of posts of Naricissistics at my blog, so i know what it means.

          • fender 11.4.1.2.1
            17 October 2013 at 12:17 pm

            Sorry Brett, I checked out your blog once or twice a year or two ago and I’m still having nightmares.

            Glad you (think you) know what it means….even if you can’t spell it properly!

      • Tim 11.4.2
        17 October 2013 at 1:52 pm

        just btw (as they say in the ‘connected world’ – Do you know if anyone is attributed as having invented the modern mirror?

      • AsleepWhileWalking 11.4.3
        17 October 2013 at 6:34 pm

        @Bret Dale,
        I have to agree. Let’s not frame or even partially excuse this as a mental disorder. The man is obnoxious and it is clearly a matter of choice.

      • QoT 11.4.4
        17 October 2013 at 8:42 pm

        Biggest narcissistic bloggers in nz are qot, boganettenz, and for a passive aggressive style of blogging kiwistargazer

        We must have different definitions of narcissicism.

        Mine involves people who are so up themselves that they constantly derail important conversations with off-topic, unresearched bullshit, and refuse to understand that other people don’t have to put up with that kind of thing on their blogs.

        There’s also an element of assuming your completely uninformed opinion must be true because you think it is.

        Now, who 100% fits that bill …

    • Brett Dale 11.5
      17 October 2013 at 11:05 am

      Tracey in your cut and paste job you forgot these.

      An obvious self-focus in interpersonal exchanges
      Problems in sustaining satisfying relationships
      A lack of psychological awareness
      Difficulty with empathy
      Problems distinguishing the self from others
      Hypersensitivity to any insults or imagined insults
      Vulnerability to shame rather than guilt
      Haughty body language
      Flattery towards people who admire and affirm them
      Detesting those who do not admire them
      Using other people without considering the cost of doing so
      Pretending to be more important than they really are
      Claiming to be an “expert” at many things
      Inability to view the world from the perspective of other people

  12. Tony Moder 12
    17 October 2013 at 9:12 am

    who has a name like Luigi Wewege and dosent change it lol

  13. Sable 13
    17 October 2013 at 9:19 am

    All sounds rather murky. One thing is for sure, her political career, such as it was, is history.

  14. greywarbler 14
    17 October 2013 at 9:36 am

    One thing that can be done for Ms BC is to stop talking about the whole thing and treat those who do as trolling and freeze them off. (I like the word drooling in this context.)

    There is ongoing deterioration of standards of fair and legal and humane treatment of people evidenced by the information in the post here on TS Operation 8: Te Putatara page.

    Important matter: Comments on page – 20 comments

    On the subject of the Auckland Mayor and the use of salacious information about him, there are –

    Wednesday 16
    Whats the Play – – 98 comments
    The attack on Aucklands Democracy – 171 comments
    Why drop on Len today? – 177 comments
    And the interest in sex has swollen –
    16/10 Open Mike – – 242 comments
    15/10 Open Mike – – 415 comments

    The subject of sex and the morality of it outside marriage,
    is minor and we should keep our noses out of others’ private business.

    It is minor compared to the evidence of fascism and brutality and misuse of power and callous behaviour against citizens by other people in this country in para-military uniforms.

    Time to get our priorities of what to scrutinise sorted.

    • karol 14.1
      17 October 2013 at 9:43 am

      I think it is good that today Chuang has slung some mud at Teams Slater, Palino etc. This is helpful for the state of Auckland politics. If there is a re-election for Mayor, Palino and whoever Slater champions (Brewer?) are looking bad.

      It will also help take the pressure off Brown for a resignation in the near future. This will help with the stability of Auckland Council, while the newly elected people to other positions are getting settled in.

      But I also do wish more focus would be put on Banks. never mind though, Banks is getting some attention, and his story has a while to run.

      • Tracey 14.1.1
        17 October 2013 at 9:51 am

        +1

        and s she slings the mud, where is the intrusion into slater and palino’s lives…in the media?

  15. greywarbler 15
    17 October 2013 at 9:42 am

    9.36 am Moderation for me again. Why I wonder. Will I ever be able to fly without supervision? One day I’ll get my wings.

    • karol 15.1
      17 October 2013 at 9:44 am

      I think Lynn tightens up on auto moderation when there’s a lot of oilsewer trr0lling. Hits some of the sensible regulars too.

    • Chooky 15.2
      17 October 2013 at 11:22 am

      @ Greywarbler ..it is because you have been naughty again! ( like me you must get off the computer and do some work!)

      • greywarbler 15.2.1
        17 October 2013 at 12:14 pm

        Chooky
        I think you have got the answer right there. Moderation is an inbuilt warning device indicating that I have to get away from the keyboard now, and mow the lawn, dig up those grass roots, water, pot, weed, and face my nemesis – bindweed and all its secret root routes. In fact this should be its latin name nemesis necrotisieae. Or something meaning death to this bloody weed. One thing about TS at the moment is that it gets me angry, and invigorated to do something worthwhile, not see all this interest in Br’s and BC’s sex life. Don’t people here get enough at home – w.n.ers?

        • Chooky 15.2.1.1
          17 October 2013 at 1:43 pm

          …no we are all celibates here and voyeurs….which leads to you know what….McFlock’s fun!….lol….(like recipe books….. better thinking about it than doing it….especially others doing it!)

  16. Puckish Rogue 16
    17 October 2013 at 10:00 am

    “too indiscrete for a woman to use”

    – yes because women are delicate little flowers who never do anything untoward

  17. Matthew Hooton 17
    17 October 2013 at 10:02 am

    “the descriptions are too indiscrete for a woman to use”
    Ha!
    What do Karol and QoT have to say about that!

    • karol 17.1
      17 October 2013 at 10:13 am

      Thank you for your concern, Matthew.

      Actually I tend to agree with the comment, although I am not keen on blanket statements about all men and all women. Nevertheless, the salacious revelations have Slater’s masculinist style all over them.

      • Varity 17.1.1
        17 October 2013 at 11:02 am

        i haven’t read the ‘salacious details’ in all their glory either. the snippets published elsewhere are enough to get the gist. despite what i’ve said below about her not being backwards in coming forwards, women aren’t generally lewd in respect to themselves. she more than likely was strongly influenced in what to write.

    • Tiger Mountain 17.2
      17 October 2013 at 10:14 am

      Micky Sav the original may have grown up in Sunday School, many of todays women have not, a lot have too, including Len voters. Whatever one may think of religion (I think it is a handbrake on human society and progress) some see this as a morality play and might agree with the current Micky Sav.

      The writing in the Chuang affidavit stinks high given the proximity of whalespew, Luigi, Pallino, Slater Snr, and the disgraced journo.

    • felix 17.3
      17 October 2013 at 10:14 am

      DNFTT

    • grumpy 17.4
      17 October 2013 at 10:27 am

      We have a good idea what QoT would say because her feminist beliefs are consistent and strongly held. One could speculate that her socialism stems from her feminism. Karol, on the other hand, while leading the charge in defence of Brown, seems to have put her feminist instincts on hold while waving the universal banner of socialism. No mention there of “imbalance of power” etc. etc.
      QoT has been moderate in her comments – understandably. It is noticeable that the more readable and sensible commenters like Puddleglum and Lanthanide have also been restrained. CV is just having a bit of fun.

      • karol 17.4.1
        17 October 2013 at 10:35 am

        grumpy – I’m not a solid supporter of Brown. I voted for him as the lesser evil. I have said more than once that Penny Hulse is my preferred choice for mayor, even though she is not in contention.

        I am continuing to support Brown as staying in order to maintain stability of the newly elected council, and to let the dust settle before re-evaluating.

        I also have given some qualified support for Chuang in the way she has been manipulated by guys. And yes there is the power imbalance thing and I have kind of alluded to it indirectly. I have been critical of people who defend Brown because, you know, 50s guys just can’t help themselves in the face of scheming, seductive women. 🙄

        • Colonial Viper 17.4.1.1
          17 October 2013 at 10:45 am

          Just remember that there was no power imbalance between Chuang and Luigi.

          As for “defending Brown”. The powerful older man with the younger ambitious woman is like the oldest repeating story ever in the history of history. Both in antiquity and in modern history. Kennedy, Clinton, Murdoch, Berlusconi,…

          • ghostwhowalksnz 17.4.1.1.1
            17 October 2013 at 10:53 am

            Boris Johnson

            • grumpy 17.4.1.1.1.1
              17 October 2013 at 11:22 am

              A much more entertaining wanker. And there is the story…..you can get away with this sort of thing if you are a Boris (or even a Shane) but not if you are a god bothering sanctimonious git.

              • felix …
                17 October 2013 at 11:33 am

                Meh I dunno about that. You all seem to turn a blind eye to Slater’s indiscretions, and he’s been pretending to be a god-botherer for years.

                • grumpy …
                  17 October 2013 at 11:42 am

                  Sure, he’s a flawed character – but he’s OUR flawed charactor.

                  • felix …
                    17 October 2013 at 12:53 pm

                    Speaking of his pretend religious beliefs, how come he doesn’t just forgive Len his trespasses and move on?

                    Has he ever been known to practice forgiveness?

          • grumpy 17.4.1.1.2
            17 October 2013 at 10:55 am

            OK, but she was appointed to a Council Board and it was Brown’s decision if her appointment was to be renewed, plus he acted as her referee for a job at the Art Gallery. So, yes, I believe there was a real imbalance.
            The rest of it (except for any threats), I don’t give a stuff about. Except……it’s always entertaining to see Karol’s “50s guys just can’t help themselves in the face of scheming, seductive women. ” in action. It always seems to happen to the most self important prats. Nothing like hypocracy and sanctimony.

          • McFlock 17.4.1.1.3
            17 October 2013 at 12:31 pm

            Just remember that there was no power imbalance between Chuang and Luigi.

            Well, reading some of the texts he comes off as pretty stalkerish and manipulative – “Wewege: I literally work 24/7 and something small you know you can do change my life and you won’t do it! :(”

            Like Twilight but without the sparkles.

      • Brett Dale 17.4.2
        17 October 2013 at 12:08 pm

        Grumpy:

        Quite a few of the newzealand feminist blogosphere, put their feminsm on hold, when it comes
        to their ideology.

    • QoT 17.5
      17 October 2013 at 8:44 pm

      What do Karol and QoT have to say about that!

      What I have to say is: fuck off, Matthew. Like you give a shit about feminism and misogyny unless you think it’s a helpful tool to derail the left.

  18. amirite 18
    17 October 2013 at 10:04 am

    It’s hard to believe that this whole Brown saga hasn’t been very convenient to this Right wing government. We know they hate Brown’s transport plan even though they publicly pretend they support it, and this was a convenient way to get rid of him and undo everything he tried to do.
    Brown still comes out of this as a stupid old fool thinking with his dick, but that is not a sackable offence unless other favours have been given in return.

    • BM 18.1
      17 October 2013 at 10:08 am

      How about getting her a job at the Museum, that’s not a particularly good look.

      Being a referee for your mistress, bad idea.

      • Colonial Viper 18.1.1
        17 October 2013 at 10:15 am

        You’re an idiot. The mayor doesn’t appoint museum PAs.

      • karol 18.1.2
        17 October 2013 at 10:20 am

        hahhhahahh – she was made redundant form that museum job in 2008. The Auckland supercity didn’t come into being until 2010.

        • BM 18.1.2.1
          17 October 2013 at 10:29 am

          From the article.

          Less than 72 hours after going public with details of her torrid two-year affair, 32-year-old Bevan Chuang has revealed Brown acted as a referee for her when she successfully applied for a job at the council-run art gallery back in August LAST YEAR.

          Hmmmm.

          • karol 18.1.2.1.1
            17 October 2013 at 10:43 am

            Oh please, don’t lead me to click on WO’s site without warning. I have read any of his spew. The museum job is in the NZ Herald article today.

            if spew’s claim is true. No that’s not good. Whalespew though, is aiming to hit back after the background of his politically motivated attacks have been exposed. more mud – still a lot flying back all over himself.

  19. Colonial Viper 19
    17 October 2013 at 10:06 am

    Men and women have different approaches to describing sex in writing. Any doubts? Just give Mills and Boon a call.

    • karol 19.1
      17 October 2013 at 10:15 am

      Yep. There is that tendency. Though, maybe comparisons between women’s and mean’s erotic writings might be more apt.

    • QoT 19.2
      18 October 2013 at 9:34 pm

      But first, it helps to know that a large number of Mills & Boon authors are men writing under female pseudonyms.

  20. karol 20
    17 October 2013 at 10:10 am

    hmmm… so more mud being slung. What a tangled web.

    Chuang’s criminal conviction now being highlighted on the NZ Herald.

    Not a good look that her defence back then was also “I was under pressure”.

    Meanwhile Slater is using a similar line (that Chuang is having difficulty coping with the pressure) in response to her attacks on him.

  21. karol 21
    17 October 2013 at 10:23 am

    And Russell Brown asks, “who is paying free lance” journalist Stepehn cook to write about Brown & Chuang”?

  22. ak 22
    17 October 2013 at 10:41 am

    Slater: If that was a National MP or a right wing councillor, or a right wing mayor anywhere else in the country, I will run them through just as hard,” he said.

    That’s a will, recorded for posterity in our beloved Gran. Keep those cards and letters rolling in, viewers.

  23. greywarbler 23
    17 October 2013 at 10:42 am

    DFTT as I said before, this is getting to be a rolling witch-hunt that does not cast any healthy light on the participants or those that participate in the constant scandal mongering. Don’t be mongrels TS. We don’t want to know what she has done since the year dot.

  24. Varity 24
    17 October 2013 at 10:42 am

    players being played …

    i’ve been in two minds about chuang – she had it bad for wedgie and even when her common sense was screaming to her he was using her; she was obviously swayed by a tiny bit of hope he might truely love her. there’s no doubt in my mind slater (what an appropriate name) was in the backgroud egging wedgie on. bet they sent the mysterious texts that tipped her over the edge too. as a woman, a huge softie and a big ole romantic i do feel for how she’s been sorely used by those creeps.

    on the other hand – she is a little minx. she used brown, she has no problem speaking freely of her own sexuality and this latest revalation she’s been convicted of hacking seals it for me. she bit off more than she could chew and is now reaping the consequences.

    i still think len brown, the hypocritical old git, should resign. never liked him anywayz.

    • Murray Olsen 24.1
      17 October 2013 at 11:01 pm

      OMG!! A 32 year old woman who has no problem speaking freely of her own sexuality!! Where’s our dunking stool? This smells of demonic possession to me.

  25. Alistair 25
    17 October 2013 at 10:47 am

    Slater/Lusk/Hooten -aka ‘whaleoil’

    unfortunately we are paying them, through our taxes via the Nact party

  26. lez howard 26
    17 October 2013 at 10:48 am

    Brown the Fool .Chuang ,.snake oil and Palino, Decietful right wing Scum. Throw in Banks with that lot as well Dont let this take the heat off him His time is up

  27. Brett Dale 27
    17 October 2013 at 10:48 am

    So she sells a sleaze story to sleazy whaleoil with all the graphic details, and now she is saying she doesnt want the media attention.

    She reminds of the women who hang out with English premier league soccer players, sell their story to the sun newspaper, and then go on talk shows to moan about how their life is ruined.

    • Enough is Enough 27.1
      17 October 2013 at 10:58 am

      I agree.

      There are only two people who knew what went on in the office of the Mayor and the Ngati Whatua room (maybe three if you count old peeoping tom Security man).

      Only one of them had the mind to tell the world about it.

      She is the sleazy one. Not Len. She can cry all she likes now.

    • karol 27.2
      17 October 2013 at 11:06 am

      She reminds of the women who hang out with English premier league soccer players, sell their story to the sun newspaper, and then go on talk shows to moan about how their life is ruined.

      Yeah. Same old sexist treatment, where it’s all the women’s fault, and soccer stars remain the stars and the smear monger newspapers make money at every twist and turn.

      • Brett Dale 27.2.1
        17 October 2013 at 11:15 am

        Karol:

        No, the soccer players dont sell their stories to the media, they dont go on talk shows, they dont try to make money from the cheating of their wifes, they dont play the victim card, can you see the difference?

      • grumpy 27.2.2
        17 October 2013 at 11:26 am

        I have a slight change of mind. This girl has been played along by Wedgie Wee Wee (or whatever his name is). I have just read the txt exchange in the Herald and he has played her like a fool. Why are some women so fragile and insecure that they fall for this shit.
        Couple that with a randy old fool with an Asian fixation, and in the words of the immortal Rogue Trooper “this is not going to end well”.

        • Colonial Viper 27.2.2.1
          17 October 2013 at 11:31 am

          AD2000?

        • Varity 27.2.2.2
          17 October 2013 at 11:36 am

          there’s no bigger fool than a fool in love. been there, done that, didn’t end well.

          it’s not only women who fall for this strange phenomena though. men are just as vulnerable and gullible at times too.

          i don’t know what makes some so susceptible … maybe it’s some biological, hard-wired quest to find ‘the one’.

          • grumpy 27.2.2.2.1
            17 October 2013 at 11:39 am

            Don’t think Len was in love – or her either…..(just part of the Asian fixation and the aphrodisiac of power)…..but it appears she had fallen for Wedgie wee wee. The type of guy my grandparents would have called “a cad”.

        • karol 27.2.2.3
          17 October 2013 at 11:41 am

          I pretty much agree with this, grumpy. On the fragility of some women? It’s hard to separate the individual shortcomings from the fact that politics is a pretty macho environment, and a difficult context for most women to negotiate – most seem to go for some comprises/balance between conventionally masculine ways of operating, while accentuating some conventionally feminine strategies.

          • grumpy 27.2.2.3.1
            17 October 2013 at 11:47 am

            Have you read the txt exchange between her and Wedgie wee wee? She comes across like a love struck 15 yr old.
            I’m more disturbed by that than her affadavit.

            • lprent 27.2.2.3.1.1
              17 October 2013 at 12:01 pm

              Wewege comes across as a complete arsehole whose only real interest in her is extracting dirt on Len Brown.

              He is distinctly manipulative, untrustworthy creep. It says quite a lot about John Palino that he’d have such disgusting uncivilised animal working for him.

              Mind you, from what I’ve heard from several sources; Wewege is less of a Wormtongue and more a accurate reflection of John Palino when it comes to women.

              But I can still see the steam bellowing from your ears…

              • grumpy …
                17 October 2013 at 12:29 pm

                Don’t be too tough on him – he is an Aucklander……..

                ….and that’s not steam, it’s my coffee.

                • lprent …
                  17 October 2013 at 12:44 pm

                  Yeah right.. Whatever you say..
                  If you are having that much of an overdose of caffeine, then perhaps a good lie-down would be in order.
                  I’d suggest a cold shower, but that may be a little too suggestive.
                  😈

            • karol 27.2.2.3.1.2
              17 October 2013 at 12:02 pm

              Yes, I read it a few hours back. She comes across to me as someone being put under extreme pressure by someone she cares about. He is trying everything – direct pressure, emotional blackmail. What a sleaze!

          • grumpy 27.2.2.3.2
            17 October 2013 at 11:50 am

            FACEBOOK MESSAGE EXCHANGE BETWEEN CHUANG AND WEWEGE:

            25/08/2013

            Chuang: Because I told you he no longer talks to me

            Wewege: That’s why we need him out of office and a Pro bevan person in! 🙂

            Chuang: But he doesn’t talk to me, how can it work. Night babe X

            Later that day

            Chuang: I absolutely undoubtedly love you. I just don’t know if you do

            Wewege: Not true! You just make me sad sometimes

            Chuang: Because I feel that you only want me to get evidence for this campaign

            Wewege: Not true at all although that would be very nice 🙂

            27/8/2013

            Wewege: Baby anything on our plan? Please I need good news…

            Chuang: baby you need a new plan

            Wewege: baby you are sooooo mean to me!

            Chuang: I’m just being honest. I’ve told you why it doesn’t work.

            Wewege: baby you are not trying hard enough

            Chuang: I have! Seriously!!!

            Chuang: Your plan would only work if LB talks to me. And please stop asking me.

            Chuang: i can’t get anything from len. text, phone call nothing. So please stop asking and giving me pressure.

            Chuang: And really disapointed with you. All you cared about is how I can help you get incriminating evidence so John could win. You’ve never considered my feelings or situations. Actions speak louder than words. My love for you is unconditional. And if you can’t do that, stop telling me that you love me if you don’t.

            31/8/2013

            Wewege: I literally work 24/7 and something small you know you can do change my life and you won’t do it! 🙁

            All it is … is just a shrewd of evidence and I promise you are fully protected! Baby I have everything set up people are just waiting for you.

            So close to less stressed Luigi who can lay in bed all weekend with Bevan!!!!!

            Chuang: I can’t get any evidence because he won’t talk to me.

            And it won’t help my future by saying that I’ve been involved in an marital relationship?

            he won’t interact with me at all and you keep pressuring me, blaming that I won’t help, etc.

            it is just like you don’t want to talk to me, won’t listen to me, and won’t believe me. what else can i do

            I don’t mind if your love is conditionally; I don’t mind if you want to take advantages of me; but I mind that you are blaming me on something I have no control of and continue to tell me why I should be punished.

            You are angry with me because I can’t help you with your career. I am heartbroken because you don’t trust me. at least that is how I feel.

            I don’t want to have to cry over this every night. Cry over the fact that I feel like a loser. Cry over the fact that other people seems to care more about me than you do. Cry over the fact that nothing I do will make you happy. Cry over the fct tht you actually don’t love me. Sorry babe. I [heart symbol] you and it is hurting me. Killing me even.

            Wewege: Baby I might have a new plan! :)))))))))))

            Not punishing just felt sad because I thought you weren’t helping that’s all!

            Relax honey still love you!

            6/9/2013

            Wewege: Baby but YOU can change the election!?

            Chuang: No I cant

            I told youa thousand times why and I wont repeat it

            Wewege: Baby there might be something from last year. Pleaaaaase look!

            Chuang: No I don’t. I told you he never sent me text like that. Always verbal

            Wewege: Baby! #youkillingme

            • Tracey 27.2.2.3.2.1
              17 October 2013 at 6:17 pm

              Is this for real? This guy is worse than awful… he certainly thinks no means yes.

              • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                17 October 2013 at 6:26 pm

                I think the Auckland Right is in trouble. Oil. Banks. Wewege. They have one thing in common: penis envy.

      • Ennui 27.2.3
        17 October 2013 at 11:35 am

        Not so sure Karol: I have a fundamental issue with women (and men) who line up their prospects with somebody of power / influence / money etc by use of the bed or similar.

        Lets face it, women are successful in their own right, as Shipley, Clark, Dalziel, Street, Collins etc etc have shown in spades, None of these women needed to vault up the scale on somebody elses merit: they were good enough to do it themselves. Bevan by comparison looks to have chosen the alternate way for which I cannot respect her.

  28. captain hook 28
    17 October 2013 at 11:06 am

    Well when waleshit has had a long term relationship with his right hand and nobody says anything then then this piece of piffle will vanish tomorrow morning.
    who takes the right wing scumblogs seriously anyway?

    • grumpy 28.1
      17 October 2013 at 11:27 am

      At least we know Captain Hook won’t be in an intimate relationship with his right hand……maybe the left though……

  29. KJT 29
    17 October 2013 at 11:08 am

    Am I alone in thinking that what consenting adults do in the sack is none of the public’s business.

    Time we all grew up and left this prurient tut tutting to American Tabloids.

    Anyone with the slightest bit of decency, and concern for the innocent parties in this case, the other family members, would have refused to publish it.

    I hope the mud sticks to Cook and Slater and all the other holier than thou creeps.

    I would rather not know what politicians do at night.
    The pictures in my head that result, from associating politicians with sex, are not pleasant.

    Anyway it distracts from the real issues. The theft of our country, by National.

    • Brett Dale 29.1
      17 October 2013 at 11:17 am

      KJT:

      American tabloids??

      Nope, this sort of stuff is more like the British Tabloids.

      • KJT 29.1.1
        17 October 2013 at 12:05 pm

        I suppose you are right. . In the States, like NZ tabloid journalism is in so called real newspapers, like the Herald, not just in ” News of the World”..

        • greywarbler 29.1.1.1
          17 October 2013 at 12:36 pm

          KJT
          I thought you didn’t think it was a good idea to feed this subject? It’s not very encouraging to see the lack of interest here in important political matters. I don’t know how things will ever improve in NZ when all that is needed to distract the attention of the supposed thinking adults, is a pair of scanty panties.

          • karol 29.1.1.1.1
            17 October 2013 at 12:39 pm

            The thing is, though grey, for us Aucklanders, the outcome of the allegations against Brown will have a significant political impact. The cat is out of the bag, and the anti-democratic motives of the smear mongers need to be kept at the forefront.

            • grumpy 29.1.1.1.1.1
              17 October 2013 at 1:16 pm

              What do you think of his daughters being paraded to stick up for Len? Talk about bringing your family into it.
              He must be getting awesome PR advice.

  30. lez howard 30
    17 October 2013 at 12:08 pm

    We could get Christine Keeler and Mandy Rice -davies To do a job on the National party

  31. Red Horse 31
    17 October 2013 at 1:11 pm

    What about the chaste Mr Brown acting as her referee for the art gallery job? Another shocker from Mr Brown.

    [lprent: No link. Read the policy about trolling. ]

  32. JLLJames 32
    17 October 2013 at 1:12 pm

    It’s good to know that your defence of Len Brown means you will never again be demanding resignations from anyone for affairs. This sets a great precedent for anyone in public office who wants to have an affair and get away with it no consequences 🙂

    /b/

    [lprent: Perhaps you should explain *why* you think that having affairs or not having them is a attribute that we should be looking for in our politicians. You also should read the policy because my finger is hovering over the button that says “Ban the stupid troll” who doesn’t explain *why* they think. ]

  33. swan 33
    17 October 2013 at 1:19 pm

    Oh dear, Things just took a big turn for the worse for Len.

    Turns out he gave references for his mistress – when applying for a job at a council controlled entity!!!

    I assume those defending Len will now be calling for his resignation?

    When is the press conference Len?

    [lprent: You are starting to read like a troll with repeated rhetorical questions in your comments that look like they have been copy-pasted. This is your warning. ]

    • Te Reo Putake 33.1
      17 October 2013 at 1:36 pm

      Do try and keep up. People act as referees all the time. He was one of five referees she used on her CV and Chuang doesn’t think he influenced the outcome in any way.

  34. karol 34
    17 October 2013 at 1:34 pm

    The responses to the allegations related to Brown providing a reference for Chuang for the Art gallery job, appear to clear Brown of wrong doing. Stuff reports:

    An electoral law expert said that the situation did not appear to show that Brown had breached the local authority legislation, or to have had a conflict of interest.

    “The Auckland Art Gallery is run by a CCO so it is sort of run at arm’s length from the council. So it’s not as though Mayor Len Brown was actually in a position where he would be making decisions to who the Auckland Art Gallery hired,” said James F Dunne, Senior Associate at Chen Palmer law firm.

    “That would be a more classical conflict of interest,” he said.

    It may have been an unwise decision, and the Council would be the judge of whether Brown breached their code of conduct.

    The facts are given are these:

    On 4 July 2011 Brown’s office was contacted by the gallery, a subsidiary of the Auckland Council, and asked if the mayor could provide a reference for her application, according to the mayor’s office.

    The mayor’s diary officer was asked to provide a short response to say that the mayor highly recommended Chuang.

    Chuang was given the position at the art gallery.

    The reference was provided before the sexual relationship had started but Brown had already begun sexual advances towards Chuang, according to an affidavit she had published on the affair.

    He first met Chuang in May 2011 after which Brown began regularly contacting her, texting her twice a day and calling her up to five times a week, according to Chuang.

    The pair began having closed door meetings and it was during one of those meetings in June that Brown kissed Chuang, she said.

    His office provided the reference in July and his advances continued until a sexual relationship began shortly after her birthday in August.

    A spokesperson for Brown said that they did not believe the Mayor had done anything wrong over the job application.

    • tamati 34.1
      17 October 2013 at 1:41 pm

      It’s still a pretty bad look to provide a reference for someone you’re in a relationship with without disclosing it. The mere fact of having a sitting Mayor as reference would surely hold pretty significant sway in applying for any job.

      • karol 34.1.1
        17 October 2013 at 1:44 pm

        They weren’t in a relationship when the reference was given.

        • tamati 34.1.1.1
          17 October 2013 at 1:51 pm

          That’s a pretty subjective point. When a relationship begins is never a simple matter!

          He may not have “consummated” their relationship but he may have been very involved in the “chase” at the time.

          • McFlock 34.1.1.1.1
            17 October 2013 at 1:57 pm

            So, hypothetically, being slightly attracted to someone amounts to an actual conflict of interest?
            Do you excuse yourself from employment panels or other work activities just because the other person is attractive to you? If not, by your logic you should be fired.

            • tamati 34.1.1.1.1.1
              17 October 2013 at 2:04 pm

              I think Mr Brown had gone well past the point of being slightly attracted to someone. My point is, just because he hadn’t yet fucked her, doesn’t mean there was no relationship yet. Clearly he was trying to impress her, and maybe getting her the job was finally enough for her to …

              The devil is in the detail.

          • karol 34.1.1.1.2
            17 October 2013 at 2:02 pm

            Yes. That’s where the criticism of it being “unwise” comes in. It also depends on how the reference request came about and when? Was the job application submitted before Brown started the “chase”? Did he offer the reference as part of a seduction line? Did she ask for the reference, playing on her attraction for him?

            Once the reference request arrives in his office, how does he decline without being able to give a good reason? It could have made her unfairly look like a dodgy employment prospect. In the end he seems to have opted for a brief recommendation, issued at arms length by his office.

            I do think his behaviour generally in relation to Chuang was unwise, and irresponsible, but it doesn’t look like he’s breached any significant rules/laws related to conflict of interest.

            • tamati 34.1.1.1.2.1
              17 October 2013 at 2:09 pm

              Agree entirely. It’s all about the details. Just because he hadn’t fucked her, doesn’t excuse him from having any conflict of interest.

              It’s clearly in an ethical grey area.

            • McFlock 34.1.1.1.2.2
              17 October 2013 at 2:26 pm

              If humans had to exclude ourselves from every decision on the basis that an involved person is attractive, nothing would ever get done.

        • Tracey 34.1.1.2
          17 October 2013 at 6:11 pm

          june they began… august she began at art gallery… happy to be shown to be wrong

        • swan 34.1.1.3
          17 October 2013 at 7:23 pm

          According to Chuang’s affidavit they had become intimate by then. Are you suggesting full penetration is the important fact here?

  35. gobsmacked 35
    17 October 2013 at 1:46 pm

    Sometimes there’s so much noise that the core truth gets lost. So, here it is, from the Facebook conversation between Wewege and Chuang, quoted above (h/t Grumpy):

    Palino’s right-hand man says:

    I have everything set up people are just waiting for you.

    Smoking gun, aimed at head. Only the chronically stupid or wilfully insincere can ignore what happened here.

    • grumpy 35.1
      17 October 2013 at 2:19 pm

      Yep, that exchange shows a lot. The woman was shamefully used, first by Len and then the sleasebags fucked her over again. Still, they didn’t invent the story, just sold it in the best possible way to their own ends. There is a special place in hell reserved for arseholes like Wedgie wee wee.

      Wow, Rogue Trooper 2 days ago “this is not going to end well” had it sussed.

      • wtl 35.1.1
        17 October 2013 at 6:52 pm

        Huh? In what way the Len Brown ‘use’ her? He had a consenting sexual relationship with her. And then the relationship ended.

  36. TheContrarian 36
    17 October 2013 at 1:55 pm

    No one gets away clean in this mess. From Len to Whale, Chuang to Palino.
    They are all up in it to their ears.

    • karol 36.1
      17 October 2013 at 2:04 pm

      Some are up deeply in the mud more than others.

      • grumpy 36.1.1
        17 October 2013 at 2:19 pm

        True….but it is Len’s mud.

        • karol 36.1.1.1
          17 October 2013 at 2:27 pm

          Correction, it’s WO’s mud. He tends to fight dirty.

          Anyway, Doug McKay is announcing an inquiry into whether Brown breached the Council’s code of conduct and conflict of interest policies. it’ll probably all come out in the wash.

          • grumpy 36.1.1.1.1
            17 October 2013 at 2:33 pm

            Yep, WO certainly moulded it into a bloody fine looking statue but the “mud” was entirely created by Len.

            • karol 36.1.1.1.1.1
              17 October 2013 at 2:38 pm

              Not entirely. It was also created by Palino’s team, WO and C(r)ook.

              If we do get a re-election, it may actually work in the favour of the left. Palino and Brewer’s team are now looking a little murky now.

            • Rogue Trooper 36.1.1.1.1.2
              17 October 2013 at 7:09 pm

              All the Classic Hits

    • McFlock 37.1
      17 October 2013 at 2:38 pm

      ah, ok – I stand corrected. Time to flip it through the council mechanisms to deal with such things.

  38. grumpy 38
    17 October 2013 at 2:53 pm

    I’ve figured out where Len went wrong……
    He should have used the Bill Clinton defence…..
    “I did not have sex with that woman”
    That should do it.

  39. Tracey 39
    17 October 2013 at 2:55 pm

    Brett

    unkess you have clinically examined those you say are or arent my view is as valid as yours. They dont have to have every trait to qualify.

    all

    funny to see luigi and whale essentially calling chuang a liar… except for where she supports their view of course.

  40. ak 40
    17 October 2013 at 3:51 pm

    Noticed the eerie silence from Hooters, Wedgie, Boagie & Associates of late?

    And the Slipper has shuffled off at the speed of light.

    Guess the Slugspawn was useful when he pasted our most-ever popular PM’s head onto porn and published it to the world, but this particular shit-chicken could come back to roost in a number of very smelly ways.

    Poor old Nat-Zed Herald lads eh. Eeny meany. Keep dribbling blatant Right-wing excrement like a drunk teenager, or revert to demented tory bombast?

    Downhill either way, chaps. The slow decrepitude slope again, or sink quick in your own latrine.

  41. karol 41
    17 October 2013 at 3:57 pm

    Boag actually had an NZ Herald op ed in supporting Brown to stay as Mayor today.

    Len Brown has to live with his personal failure – his image will never recover with those who feel strongly about that – but as ratepayers, we expect him to do the job he has been put there to do.

    I am certain that the events of the past few days will ensure he will strive even harder to do that job. I certainly hope so.

    • Tracey 41.1
      17 October 2013 at 6:09 pm

      Boag unlike colin espiner is prolly grown up enough to know that many MPs have had extra maritals and so she wont get holier than thou… unlike espiner

  42. Chris 42
    17 October 2013 at 4:06 pm

    Still wondering why this is getting so much blog time.

    Wasn’t going to comment on the issue, but having read almost every post on TS I am at a loss to understand why this is “predominantly” Len’s fault.

    Personally I see it as a 30yr old woman looking at ways to feather her nest, bonking the boss is one way of going about it. Unfortunately for her she lost, and most unfortunately for Len Brown she lost.

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 42.1
      17 October 2013 at 6:14 pm

      Len has two issues to deal with in this matter.

      1. If sex at the office is OK for him then it cannot be a sacking offence for others.

      2. Smashing the Tory maggots.

      • Anne 42.1.1
        17 October 2013 at 6:23 pm

        If sex at the office is OK for him then it cannot be a sacking offence for others.

        So, what you’re saying is that half the managers, lawyers, public service bosses, politicians etc. etc. in the country should be sacked? There would hardly be anyone left to run the country, courts, corporate bodies, councils, government agencies and so on….

        • Private baldric 42.1.1.1
          17 October 2013 at 6:35 pm

          If as you say everyone is fucking everyone else why can’t I get any … apart from my dear old turnip that is.

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 42.1.1.2
          17 October 2013 at 6:51 pm

          No. I’m saying that Len has been very indiscreet. The “security” “guard” in Thomas Hauk’s position: at what point do they experience sexual harassment?

          To put it another way: if workplace affairs are endemic, cui bono?

      • Private baldric 42.1.2
        17 October 2013 at 6:33 pm

        I’m thinking of going to the Town hall and giving him a facial myself.

  43. karol 43
    17 October 2013 at 6:19 pm

    Well, there are issues. 3 News was really beating up Brown’s job being on the line with the inquiry.

    My interpretation of the inquiry was that McKay had to do the enquiry to ensure no rules had been breached.

    3 News reckoned Chris Tremain had some inside knowledge of an up-coming sacking. This is because Tremain had a paper of typed notes headed something like “Lines about Len Brown”.

    Maybe Chris has got wind of something? Or is it what many have long suspected – the Nats’ hierarchy feeds whale spew his lines?

    • Anne 43.1
      17 October 2013 at 6:29 pm

      3 News reckoned Chris Tremain had some inside knowledge of an up-coming sacking. This is because Tremain had a paper of typed notes headed something like “Lines about Len Brown”.

      Their research unit has issued them with a list of lines to use if any journo or constituent (or whoever) approaches them with a question on the subject. A kind of [insert name here] type document to be used for public consumption.

      You have to remember the average Nat. MP is too thick to be trusted to work out for themselves what is best to say…

      3 News is in the game of dragging supposedly salacious goss from anything they can find – a TV version of a gutter tabloid.

      • Private baldric 43.1.1
        17 October 2013 at 6:32 pm

        A bit like certain green MPs then ?

      • karol 43.1.2
        17 October 2013 at 6:51 pm

        Actually pausing the video of it (at about 48 – 50 secs), shows that it’s notes about what the legal situation is if Len Brown resigns. The first line is about a by election, and mentions an electoral act. It mentions the deputy mayor Penny Hulse. I can’t read it all.

        • tinfoilhat 43.1.2.1
          17 October 2013 at 7:18 pm

          If Brown resigning means that Penny Hulse becomes Mayor can we please encourage him to resign ASAP.

          • karol 43.1.2.1.1
            17 October 2013 at 7:23 pm

            That’s my thoughts. But I think it probably just means she would be acting mayor while the by election was held – I think there’s a caveat about her needing the support of councillors.

            I recall micky said a while back she doesn’t have the money/funds to run for mayor. Does that mean only someone with a reasonable amount of personal wealth can run for the job?

            • Colonial Viper 43.1.2.1.1.1
              17 October 2013 at 9:42 pm

              If you can’t find a minimum $200,000 for an Auckland mayoral campaign stay in bed, because you’ll have no chance. Or use the money and buy a house in Whakatane.

    • Pascal's bookie 43.2
      17 October 2013 at 6:32 pm

      That piece of paper was probably talking points. Lines to use given certain events. In and of themselves, meaningless.

  44. Rogue Trooper 44
    17 October 2013 at 7:18 pm

    Weird Scenes Inside The Goldmine (did he Love Her Madly?) won’t see the film, will wait for the book to come out: 50 Shades of Brown (may not be an original title, a bit dog-eared and sticky). 😀

  45. Penny Bright 45
    17 October 2013 at 7:22 pm

    17 October 2013

    Statement by 2013 Auckland Mayoral candidate Penny Bright on the ‘Len Brown affair – turning a bad thing into a good thing’ .

    I believe that consenting adults make their own rules.

    However, if a relationship is supposed to be based upon monogamy and mutual exclusivity, and that trust is breached, there will be repercussions, and likely unintended consequences for both the parties directly involved and innocent third parties.

    Those who stand, and particularly if elected for public office, are effectively in a public ‘goldfish bowl’, and tend to find out the hard way that private indiscretions can become a huge public embarrassment, for both themselves and their families.

    However, there is a difference, in my opinion, between morality and legality.

    Should Len Brown stand down as Auckland Mayor because of his two year extra-marital affair, which has come as quite a shock to a large number of people (including myself)?

    As it currently stands legally, in my opinion, provided there has been no misuse of public monies to finance in any way, this unfortunate affair, then my answer is no.

    ‘Conduct’ of Auckland Council elected representatives is covered by the Auckland Council ‘Code of Conduct’, which is, in my considered opinion, a gutless creature, with no statutory teeth for proven ‘misconduct’.

    http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/SiteCollectionDocuments/aboutcouncil/governingbody/codeofconductelectedmembers.pdf

    “5. Key Principles

    5.1. Introduction

    This Code of Conduct is based on a number of key principles.

    It defines standards of conduct that meet these principles and statutory provisions applicable to local government activities.

    The principles underpin and guide these standards and may be used as an aid in interpreting the substantive provisions of the Code.

    5.2. Honesty and Integrity

    Members have a duty to act honestly and with integrity at all times.

    5.3. Public Interest

    Members have a duty to make decisions in the public interest.

    They must not act in order to gain financial or other benefits for themselves, their families, friends or business interests. This means making decisions because they benefit the public, not because they
    benefit the decision maker.

    5.4. Declare private interests

    Members must declare any private interests or personal benefits relating to their public duties and take steps to resolve any conflicts of interest in such a way that protects the public interest. This means fully disclosing actual or potential conflicts of interest; avoiding any financial or other obligation to any individual or organisation that might reasonably be thought to influence them in the performance of their duties.

    5.5. Impartiality

    Members should make decisions on merit and in accordance with their statutory obligations when carrying out public business. This includes the making of appointments, awarding of contracts or recommending individuals for rewards or benefits. This means fairness to all; impartial assessment; merit selection in appointments and in purchase and sale of council’s resources; considering only relevant matters.

    5.6. Accountability

    Members are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and should consider issues on their merits, taking into account the views of others. This means co-operating fully and honestly with the scrutiny appropriate to their particular office.

    5.7. Openness

    Members should be as open as possible about their actions and those of the Council and should be prepared to justify their actions. This includes approaching decision-making with an open mind and a willingness to listen to differing points of view. This means giving reasons for decisions; communicating clearly; not being close minded and taking personal ownership of comments made publicly.

    5.8. Respect

    Members should treat others, including council officers, with respect at all times. This means not using derogatory terms towards others, or about others, including in public facing new media; not misrepresenting the statements or actions of others (whether they be other individual members, the Governing Body, Local Boards, committees or officers); observing the rights of other people; treating people with courtesy, and recognising the different roles others play in local government decision-making.

    5.9. Duty to Uphold the Law

    Members should uphold the law and, on all occasions, act in accordance with the trust the public places in them.

    5.10. Stewardship

    Members should ensure that the Council uses resources prudently and for lawful purposes, and that the Council maintains sufficient resources to meet its statutory obligations.

    5.11. Leadership

    Members should promote and support these principles by example.”
    _____________________________________________________________________________

    A breach of this Code of Conduct is NOT an offence under the Local Government Act 2002.
    _____________________________________________________________________________

    “8.8. Responses to Breaches of the Code

    To avoid doubt, a breach of the Code of Conduct does not constitute an offence under the Local Government Act 2002. The exact nature of the action the governing body/local board may take depends on the nature of the breach and whether there are statutory provisions
    dealing with the breach. ”
    _____________________________________________________________________________

    This ‘Code of Conduct’ may be effectively useless, but at least local government elected representatives have one, unlike elected representatives at NZ central government level, who do not.

    Which is arguably rather incredible in this country which is ‘perceived’ to be ‘the least corrupt country in the world’ (along with Denmark and Finland, according to the 2012 Transparency International ‘Corruption Perception Index’.

    http://www.transparency.org/cpi2012/results

    In my considered opinion, as a proven ‘anti-corruption Public Watchdog’, I believe it is time for ENFORCEABLE ‘Codes of Conduct’ for both local and central NZ elected representatives.

    During the 2013 Auckland Mayoral campaign, I called for enforceable ‘Codes of Conduct’ in my ACTION PLAN against ‘white collar’ crime, corruption and ‘corporate welfare’:

    http://www.pennybright4mayor.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/ANTI-CORRUPTION-WHITE-COLLAR-CRIME-CORPORATE-WELFARE-ACTION-PLAN-Ak-Mayoral-campaign-19-July-2013-2.pdf

    ” 4. Legislate for an enforceable ‘Code of Conduct’ for NZ Members of Parliament (who make the rules for everyone else).

    5. Make it an offence under the Local Government Act 2002 for NZ Local Government elected representatives to breach their ‘Code of Conduct’.”

    We need go no further than Australia to see examples of enforceable ‘Codes of Conduct’ for those elected to public office.

    For example – Australia – New South Wales:

    MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT for Local Councils in NSW

    http://www.dlg.nsw.gov.au/dlg/dlghome/documents/Information/Model%20Code%20of%20Conduct.pdf

    Code of Conduct for Members and ICAC (NSW Parliament)

    http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/publications.nsf/key/LABP11
    ___________________________________________________________________________

    Queensland – Local Government

    http://www.cmc.qld.gov.au/research-and-publications/browse-by-topic-1/local-government

    ___________________________________________________________________________

    It is now time to learn the lessons, and get such legislation in place, to help remind elected representatives that private indiscretions may have both political and legal consequences.

    In New Zealand – we need enforceable ‘Codes of Conduct’ at both local and central government level.

    The time has come – this is long overdue.

    Penny Bright

    ‘Anti-corruption /anti-privatisation Public Watchdog’

    2013 Auckland Mayoral candidate

    • karol 45.1
      17 October 2013 at 7:26 pm

      Thanks for the legal opinion, Penny. Yes the code of conduct should hold mayor’s too account for their behaviour on the job.

      It sounds like, under the current code of conduct, unless Brown is found to have misused council money while having the affair, then he does not need to resign.

      All hangs on McKay’s inquiry.

      • tinfoilhat 45.1.1
        17 October 2013 at 7:30 pm

        If he had any respect for himself or his family, or any sense of guilt or scrap of humility he wouldn’t need a code of conduct to point him in the right direction he would have resigned some time ago.

        • karol 45.1.1.1
          17 October 2013 at 7:38 pm

          Interesting phone poll result on Campbell Live tonight. Usually I expect such results to be skewed to conservatism.

          The question: Should Brown resign: yes or no. I was expecting a Lenslide for him resigning – especially after the main 3 News item tonight made things look bleak for Brown

          It was
          51% yes-resign
          49% no – don’t resign

          And Campbell said that’s the closest vote they’ve ever had in their polls.

          Maybe some rightees realise a by election may result in a more left wing mayor, as Palino and Brewer don’t look so great?

        • Zorr 45.1.1.2
          17 October 2013 at 8:31 pm

          Thanks for bringing your black and white paint to the Paint-by-the-numbers lynching of one Len Brown

          In all honesty, life is a complicated mess and we all fuck up. Just because he is employed in the public sphere doesn’t mean that his personal fuck ups should have professional ramifications beyond the current difficulty of maintaining his ratings.

          If a high profile Crown lawyer had an extra-marital affair that became public knowledge, would you be pushing for disbarment?

          No? Neither would I and the same is true here. Unless there has been professional misconduct then Len should remain mayor.

          • tinfoilhat 45.1.1.2.1
            17 October 2013 at 8:48 pm

            1. Are crown lawyers voted in by the public
            2. Would a crown lawyer be fired for the kind of behaviour len brown indulged in on public time and in his/her place of employment
            3. Would a crown lawyer be censured for bringing his profession/employer into disrepute.

            I am not arguing for Len Brown not to be allowed to run for elected office (which is your disbarment argument harpooned), I am saying he should resign and let the voting public decide whether they want him in the job or not.

            I didn’t vote for him and I certainly wouldn’t next time around… but if the voters decide they want him to remain that’s their right and democracy in action.

            • Colonial Viper 45.1.1.2.1.1
              17 October 2013 at 9:26 pm

              1. Are crown lawyers voted in by the public

              Irrelevant. Would you fire a local board member for screwing on the job even though they got the job done?

              2. Would a crown lawyer be fired for the kind of behaviour len brown indulged in on public time and in his/her place of employment

              Mayor of Auckland is a 24/7 job. No sex then?

              3. Would a crown lawyer be censured for bringing his profession/employer into disrepute.

              If it was serious enough, of course. But it would have to be sky high severity for a firing offence.

            • felix 45.1.1.2.1.2
              17 October 2013 at 9:30 pm

              “I didn’t vote for him and I certainly wouldn’t next time around… but if the voters decide they want him to remain that’s their right and democracy in action.”

              Pretty sure they already decided.

              Are you asking for a “best of three” or something?

      • fender 45.1.2
        17 October 2013 at 7:56 pm

        Mary Wilson interviewed Slater on RNZ, he said contracts had been awarded to a company that Chuang has links to and suggested wrong-doing by Len in awarding those contracts.

        • Chooky 45.1.2.1
          17 October 2013 at 8:51 pm

          @ fender …interesting!…question is whether Chuang has had a corrupting influence on any Auckland City decisions made by the Mayor

          ….if she has then maybe he should resign..otherwise ‘no’

      • Penny Bright 45.1.3
        17 October 2013 at 8:26 pm

        Karol – a breach of the Auckland Council ‘Code of Conduct’ is NOT an ‘offence’ under the Local Government Act 2002.

        If it’s not an offence – there are effectively no penalties – that’s my clear understanding.

        (Please remember that I am NOT a lawyer, and am NOT giving legal advice (as such) just my considered opinion as an individual who has had some success as a ‘lay litigant’, and bothers to read the legislation / ‘Codes of Conduct’ etc, and think for myself.)

        So – MR ‘CONFLICT OF INTEREST’ himself, Auckland Council CEO Doug McKay, who is a member of the unelected private lobby group – the Committee for Auckland, is going to make a decision about Len Brown’s ‘conflicts of interest’?

        Give me a break…… (You couldn’t make this stuff up – SERIOUSLY?)

        How many Auckland Council and Auckland Council CCO contracts are going to member companies of the Committee for Auckland?

        http://www.committeeforauckland.co.nz/membership/member-organisations

        Doug McKay Chief Executive Officer Auckland Council

        Wake up folks!

        Where is the money going and who is benefiting?

        I predict that Auckland Council CEO Doug McKay will find that Len Brown has done nothing that should result in his being forced to stand down as Mayor.

        We shall see………

        Penny Bright

        • karol 45.1.3.1
          17 October 2013 at 8:43 pm

          Thanks, Penny. I tend to agree with you on the likely outcome. I’m in two minds – I’df like another election with a more truly left popular candidate.

        • muzza 45.1.3.2
          17 October 2013 at 9:37 pm

          Well picked up Penny.

    • karol 46.1
      17 October 2013 at 9:06 pm

      heh. yeah. And at the end of the interview, under pressure of Wilson’s questions, he throws out another fairly wild accusation about companies Chuang worked for. Needled.

  47. Penny Bright 47
    17 October 2013 at 8:43 pm

    Sorry – I don’t share your faith in Penny Hulse (and have raised this with her).

    This is from 2010.

    http://www.vote.co.nz/2010/candidates/penny-hulse-3621

    Commercial Activities

    I think the endorsement of my campaign for Auckland Council by Sir Ron Carter speaks volumes about my commitment and ability to look after business interests.

    Ron says “Our city needs Councillors who will apply their knowledge and experience for the good of all. A great Council team will be built from those who respect and commit to each other.
    Penny’s wisdom and consensus style will help create a Council for all Aucklanders.
    We need her on our Council.”

    Sir Ron Carter was at that time the Chair of the Committee for Auckland, and is now their ‘Patron’.

    http://www.committeeforauckland.co.nz/membership/member-organisations

    Sir Ron Carter Patron, Committee for Auckland
    ___________________________________________________________________________

    Who has been ‘front-footing’ the Auckland Unitary Plan?

    Penny Hulse.

    Who are arguably the main beneficiaries of the Auckland Unitary Plan?

    Property developers, speculators and overseas investors – in my considered opinion.

    Sorry folks – but I WILL ‘seek truth from facts’ and call it as I see it.

    I don’t expect everyone to like it.

    Penny Bright
    Public Watchdog / ‘Whistleblower’

    • tinfoilhat 47.1
      17 October 2013 at 8:51 pm

      No surprise that Beca picks up a huge proportion of auckland and government building programmes.

      It’s all rotten from top to bottom, just look at the transport bosses for Auckland who have been stood down on suspicion of serious fraud and awarding of contracts to mates.

      • karol 47.1.1
        17 October 2013 at 9:00 pm

        Oh. Well I would like to see the whole Auckland Council infrastructure redesigned to be more democratic.

        Until then….?

  48. Tanz 48
    17 October 2013 at 9:37 pm

    Bevan is young and vulnerable and it sounds like she was led up the garden patth. I feel sorry for her.
    Banks will be jailed? I doubt it.

  49. Tracey 49
    17 October 2013 at 9:52 pm

    felix wrote

    oh dear it appears slater has become the story

    agreed, hence my post about narcissism…. brett protests on this one too much.

  50. Murray Olsen 50
    18 October 2013 at 12:08 am

    I can’t help wondering how all this would go down if a woman holding high office was outed having an affair with a younger person. We’ve got a long way to go, and a lot of bullshit prejudices to get rid of.
    As for Bevan Chuang – my initial impression was that she was overly ambitious and probably calculating in her behaviour. Now I’ve tempered that and think that, while it probably was an element (she is after all a NAct), there’s also an element of a lonely and vulnerable youngish woman looking for love in all the wrong places. We really do need to get rid of the binary classification of women, where they are either “virtuous maidens” or “filthy sluts”. They are human beings, and like most human beings except for Slug Boy WhaleSpew and his handlers, they fit all along the spectrum. And when I meet god, I’ll thank her for that.

    Now let’s build a left that can take power.

  51. archie butterfly 51
    18 October 2013 at 2:13 am

    Young Bevan says she cast a vote for Len Brown and you believe it? Doesn’t our electoral system ensure a confidential, private vote? And didn’t Nixon say that he had no involvement in Watergate? Get your heads out of the sands and read http://www.archiebutterfly.com so that the comments you make may be informed by some facts rather than the rantings of the incriminated.

  52. BrucetheMoose 52
    18 October 2013 at 8:20 pm

    If the Two Johnnies were implicated in a Columbian drug cartel bust, the media would still be more fixated in Brown’s bedroom antics and Miss Chuang’s lingerie spread.

  53. Neville Cameron 53
    20 October 2013 at 9:29 pm

    Forget Cook and Slater, they are of no real consequence.
    The whole debacle reflects badly on everyone concerned, the real damage for Brown will arise if the hotels were paid for by the Council=ratepayers.
    Palino and Wewegee should be deported to the USA where they can rejoin the Tea Party.
    And they can take Key and his Casino.
    Presumably next, Ms. Chuang will be trying to sell Crafar farms or the Auckland Museum.
    Something may be rotten in the state of Denmark, but our current debacle outsmells any nominal democracy.

  54. Michelle 54
    3 November 2013 at 8:18 pm

    What a revolting walking Asian cleshay the Beaven creator is. An affair with two men, then didn’t get what she wanted from either of them so she coughs to the media. this is an example of a fem fatal using men for personal gain. Go back to filthy China, yo’re not wanted herehere

    [lprent: racist moron banned – I have a certain amount of animosity against fools. I don’t want fuckwits like you polluting either this site nor this world. Return to whatever smelly sewer you were spawned in. Stay there and leave all of the decent folk so they don’t have read about your mental defects. ]

    • insider 54.1
      3 November 2013 at 8:27 pm

      Ah the left shows it’s true xenophobic face again

      • Te Reo Putake 54.1.1
        3 November 2013 at 8:41 pm

        The left? You’re having a laugh.

        • insider 54.1.1.1
          3 November 2013 at 8:55 pm

          The nz left do seem to have an unhealthy obsession with the Chinese. If she’s a rightie, I apologise to y’all 🙂

          • karol 54.1.1.1.1
            3 November 2013 at 9:05 pm

            It’s not the racism and sexism is more like something from KB or WO’s blog comments – not the sort of comment that usually comes from left wingers here.

            • insider 54.1.1.1.1.1
              3 November 2013 at 9:10 pm

              Well the anti Chinese bit is fairly standard. I’ll accept Michelle’s comment was kind of outta left field (excuse puns)

              • karol …
                3 November 2013 at 9:15 pm

                Really, insider? Citations please, or maybe you should withdraw and apologise.

                I have not seen anti-Chinese comments from lefties. I have seen comments about foreign (non-resident) ownership of NZ business and property that righties claim is all about being “anti-Chinese”. But that is nothing like the blanket negative qualities about Chinese people and women in Michelle’s comment.

                • insider …
                  3 November 2013 at 9:59 pm

                  In my experience standardistas and labour’s xenophobia tends to be most animated when it comes to issues involving Chinese. As I said, Michelle’s comment was out of left field (in terms of focusing on an individual’s race).

                  [lprent: links. Banned until you can link to someone making racially bigoted comments about an individual as ‘Michelle’ just did… Or just being rascist

                  In my view you are as much of a moronic bigot as ‘Michelle’ – so I will treat you as one. ]

                  • felix …
                    3 November 2013 at 10:09 pm

                    Examples please.

                  • insider …
                    4 November 2013 at 12:07 am

                    hmmm, banned for saying a comment was actually unusual because it focussed on an individual’s race…

                    [lprent: So I guess you cannot find any links to back up what you asserted?

                    Yesterday you twice stated something as fact that you have NO proof for and forced me (and others) to request you to link to some proof. Here, here, here and here.

                    Since the second one was a swipe at the site and those who comment from the left. Well you know the policy about attacking the site. So my assumption was that you don’t want to comment here. It is fine by me to add you to auto-spam. You don’t exactly contribute much that is of any particular value. ]

              • felix …
                3 November 2013 at 9:15 pm

                Fairly standard?

                What do you mean? Standard here? From lefties on this site?

                Examples please.

                edit: Snap!

    • bad12 54.2
      3 November 2013 at 8:34 pm

      What a shit comment you write, i know plenty of Noo Zealnd girls that have the same sexual habits as Ms Chuang and they will quite happily use ‘sexual favor’ as a tool in everyday life,

      Ms Chuang’s behavior may be condemned via your personal moral code but please keep your bullshit racism to yourself, Ms Chuang’s behavior is not confined nor defined by Her race…

    • Huginn 54.3
      3 November 2013 at 11:22 pm

      Your timely moderation in this is very much appreciated, lprent

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  • Apposite Quotations.
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  • What’s a life worth now?
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  • Howling at the Moon
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  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
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  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
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    4 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
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  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
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  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
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  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
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  • Judicial appointments announced
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  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
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  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
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  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
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  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
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  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
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  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
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  • Taupō takes pole position
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  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
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  • Government backing mussel spat project
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  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
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  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
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  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
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  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
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  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
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  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
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  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
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  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
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  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
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  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
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  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
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  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
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  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
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  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
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  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
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  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
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  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
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  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
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  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
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  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
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  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
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  • Navigating an unstable global environment
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  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
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  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
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  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
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  • Joint US and NZ declaration
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