Auckland Council’s next 100 days
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9:54 am, January 14th, 2014 - 46 comments
Categories: auckland supercity, len brown, local government -
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Let me tell you the consequences of Auckland’s leadership remaining at a standstill.
Unless Council’s 2014 budget is drafted by February Auckland could have the same kind of Government shut down that occurred in the United States recently.
Unless a Unitary Plan Hearings Panel is set up and running within the next year, every house owner and house builder will have not one but seven sets of Council rules to deal with and the Auckland Plan vision will go out the window.
Unless Auckland Council nails a funding plan in 2014 there will be no City Rail Link in the future. We will remain a motorway dominated car dominated mess as far as the eye can see.
If fresh leadership fails to rise soon, the ratepayers of Auckland will remain Auckland’s primary source of budget funding. There will be no alternative funding plan for Auckland, just more rates bills.
If Council’s new Chief Executive remains as trapped by political scandal as the previous one, Council’s CCOs will continue to frustrate citizens and each other rather than be Auckland’s growth engine.
If Councillors continue to cannibalise each other with investigations, Auckland will start to represent the permanent revolution of France after 1789, when the old order was deposed but no one cared what a replacement good Government looked like. Instead they swam in their own self-righteous gore.
Unless there is a great re-start in 2014, the urban decay of suburbs will continue. There will be no revived Otahuhu, no grand plan for Avondale, no street upgrade for Takapuna, no transit cohesion for Manukau, no new mainstreet for Papakura, no nothing for Ponsonby Road, no chance ever of electric trains to Pukekohe, no busway to Pakuranga or Botany Downs, nothing except a few millionaire enclaves and the rest of the city in quickly deepening inequality.
Unless Councillors stop fighting each other there is a real risk that Central Government agencies will start doing Auckland Council’s job for them. This will start with the Audit Office, then NZTA and the Ministry of Transport, then potentially a Commissioner appointed to replace a consistently dysfunctional Council. Pretty soon the last few years of reforms are replaced with a Government Department, The people of Christchurch can tell you what that feels like. Government may well ask if Auckland’s Council would run better without any democracy and simply have a Ministry for Auckland if this mess continues.
If there is no strong leadership in 2014, the days of Auckland hosting another Commonwealth Games, Rugby World Cup, Masters Games or Americas Cup are over. Would you believe a bid now from Toronto?
If the chaos at the top table continues, the smart money will close their chequebooks and go elsewhere. In just three short years, Auckland’s film industry has gone from flourishing to failure and this will get worse.
Citizens, central Government and business can all see what is at stake if Auckland Council continues without strong leadership. This is no moment for “forgive and forget” platitudes. But the great momentum of last term has been halted dead. Council’s easy road is to start the perpetual guillotine of inquiry and mire in the spectacle of destruction. We will then look back by November 2016 and weep at what could have been.
The Council was elected just months ago to lead one third of New Zealanders into a confident future backed by Government, by sound financial plans, by a fresh Unitary Plan, and with a single unified vision.
They have 100 days to restart Auckland and unite Cabinet, Council and citizens again. After that, the national mind turns once more to Central Government elections. By April 2014 the people are back on side for this electoral term or they are done with you.
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- Release: Cabinet should stop the Treaty Principles Bill
National Party Ministers have a majority in Cabinet and can stop David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill, which even the Prime Minister has described as “divisive and unhelpful.” ...1 week ago
- Release: Staff gagged to keep fast track list secret
The National Government is so determined to hide the list of potential projects that will avoid environmental scrutiny it has gagged Ministry for the Environment staff from talking about it. ...1 week ago
- Release: Labour challenges Te Whatu Ora gag orders
Labour has complained to the Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission about the high number of non-disclosure agreements that have effectively gagged staff at Te Whatu Ora Health NZ from talking about anything relating to their work. ...1 week ago
- Greens call on Treaty Principles Bill to be abandoned after letter from Christian leaders
The Green Party is once again urging the Prime Minister to abandon the Treaty Principles Bill as a letter from more than 400 Christian leaders calls for the proposed legislation to be dropped. ...1 week ago
- Sign the petition: Keep military-style firearms off our streets
Help us tell the Government that reintroducing military-style firearms should not be up for debate. ...1 week ago
- Vast majority of councils support Māori wards
Councils across the country have now decided where they stand regarding Māori wards, with a resounding majority in favour of keeping them in what is a significant setback for the Government. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Government on the wrong side of Māori wards
The National-led government has been given a clear message from the local government sector, as almost all councils reject the Government’s bid to treat Māori wards different to other wards. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour congratulates Kuīni Ngā Wai hono i te po Paki
The Labour Party congratulates Kuīni Ngā Wai hono i te po Paki on being crowned as the eighth Te Ariki Nui – head of Te Kiingitanga. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party welcomes new Maaori Kuiini
The Green Party welcomes the coronation of the new Maaori Kuiini, Te Arikinui Nga Wai Hono i te Po, today in Turangawaewae. ...2 weeks ago
- ECE teachers deserve better than this Government
The Green Party is unsurprised but disappointed by today’s announcement from the Government that will see our Early Childhood Centre teachers undermined and pay parity pushed further out of reach. ...2 weeks ago
- Urgent intervention needed on supermarkets
The Green Party is calling on the Government to intervene in the supermarket duopoly dominating our supply of groceries following today’s report from the Commerce Commission. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Rainbow youth neglected in mental health funding
Labour backs the call from The Rainbow Support Collective members for mental health funding specifically earmarked for grassroots and peer led community organisations to be set up in a way that they are able to access. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Transport in NZ has to be more than just roads
As expected, the National Land Transport Programme lacks ambition for our cities and our country’s rail network and puts the majority of investment into roads. ...2 weeks ago
- Speech: Barbara Edmonds Building Nations 2024
Tēnā koutou katoa, Thank you for your warm welcome and for having my colleagues and I here today. Earlier you heard from the Labour Leader, Chris Hipkins, on our vision for the future of infrastructure. I want to build on his comments and provide further detail on some key elements ...2 weeks ago
- Govt transport plan deepens fossil fuel fix
The Green Party says the Government’s new National Land Transport Programme marks another missed opportunity to take meaningful action to fight the climate crisis. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens call for public to back Wrybill in BOTY and beyond
The Green Party is calling on the public to support the Ngutu Pare Wrybill not just in this year’s Bird of the Year competition but also in pushing back against policies that could lead to the destruction of its habitat and accelerate its extinction. ...2 weeks ago
- Enabling rural recovery works in Hawke’s Bay
Cabinet has approved an Order in Council to enable severe weather recovery works to continue in the Hawke’s Bay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery Mark Mitchell say. “Cyclone Gabrielle and the other severe weather events in early 2023 caused significant loss and damage to ...18 mins ago - FamilyBoost childcare payment registrations open
From today, low-to-middle-income families with young children can register for the new FamilyBoost payment, to help them meet early childhood education (ECE) costs. The scheme was introduced as part of the Government’s tax relief plan to help Kiwis who are doing it tough. “FamilyBoost is one of the ways we ...40 mins ago
- Prioritising victims with tougher sentences
The Government has today agreed to introduce sentencing reforms to Parliament this week that will ensure criminals face real consequences for crime and victims are prioritised, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. "In recent years, there has been a concerning trend where the courts have imposed fewer and shorter prison sentences ...17 hours ago
- Targets data confirms rise in violent crime
The first quarterly report on progress against the nine public service targets show promising results in some areas and the scale of the challenge in others, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. “Our Government reinstated targets to focus our public sector on driving better results for New Zealanders in health, education, ...18 hours ago
- Asia Foundation Board appointments announced
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced the appointments of Hone McGregor, Professor David Capie, and John Boswell to the Board of the Asia New Zealand Foundation. Bede Corry, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has also been appointed as an ex-officio member. The new trustees join Dame Fran Wilde (Chair), ...21 hours ago
- Endeavour Fund projects for economic growth
New Zealand’s largest contestable science fund is investing in 72 new projects to address challenges, develop new technology and support communities, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins says. “This Endeavour Fund round being funded is focused on economic growth and commercial outputs,” Ms Collins says. “It involves funding of more ...1 day ago
- Social Services Providers Whakamanawa National Conference 16 September 2024
Thank you for the introduction and the invitation to speak to you here today. I am honoured to be here in my capacity as Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, and Minister for Children. Thank you for creating a space where we can all listen and learn, ...1 day ago
- Parihaka infrastructure upgrades funded
The Government will provide a $5.8 million grant to improve water infrastructure at Parihaka in Taranaki, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka say. “This grant from the Regional Infrastructure Fund will have a multitude of benefits for this hugely significant cultural site, including keeping local ...1 day ago
- Serious assaults down 22% in Auckland CBD
Cross-government action to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour in Auckland is getting traction, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “Our central cities should be great places to live and work, but in recent years they have become hot spots for crime and anti-social behaviour. In Auckland, businesses and residents suffered as ...2 days ago
- Increased certainty for contractors coming
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says upcoming changes to the Employment Relations Act will provide greater certainty for contractors and businesses. “These changes to legislation are necessary to ensure businesses and workers have more clarity from the start of their contracting arrangement. It is an ACT-National coalition ...2 days ago
- Draft critical minerals list released for consultation
A draft list of minerals deemed essential to New Zealand’s economy and strengthening its mineral resilience has been released for consultation, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The draft Critical Minerals List identifies 35 minerals essential to economic functions, are in demand internationally, and face high risk of supply disruption domestically ...2 days ago
- Government eliminates $190 million in trade barriers to boost the economy
The Government has successfully removed trade barriers affecting nearly $190 million worth of exports to help grow the economy, Minister for Trade and Agriculture Todd McClay today announced. “In the past year, we have resolved 14 Non Tariff Barriers (NTBs), returning significant value to kiwi exporters. These efforts directly boost our ...2 days ago
- Reo Māori the ‘beating heart’ of Aotearoa New Zealand
From private business to the Paris Olympics, reo Māori is growing with the success of New Zealanders, says Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka. “I’m joining New Zealanders across the country in celebrating this year’s Te Wiki o te Reo Māori – Māori Language Week, which has a big range ...3 days ago
- Need and value at forefront of public service delivery
New Cabinet policy directives will ensure public agencies prioritise public services on the basis of need and award Government contracts on the basis of public value, Minister for the Public Service Nicola Willis says. “Cabinet Office has today issued a circular to central government organisations setting out the Government’s expectations ...4 days ago
- Minister to attend Police Ministers Council Meeting
Police Minister Mark Mitchell will join with Australian Police Ministers and Commissioners at the Police Ministers Council meeting (PMC) today in Melbourne. “The council is an opportunity to come together to discuss a range of issues, gain valuable insights on areas of common interest, and different approaches towards law enforcement ...4 days ago
- New Bill to crack down on youth vaping
The coalition Government has introduced legislation to tackle youth vaping, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2) is aimed at preventing youth vaping. “While vaping has contributed to a significant fall in our smoking rates, the rise in youth vaping ...5 days ago
- Interest in agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review welcomed
Regulation Minister David Seymour, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard have welcomed interest in the agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review. The review by the Ministry for Regulation is looking at how to speed up the process to get farmers and growers access to the safe, ...5 days ago
- Bill to allow online charity lotteries passes first reading
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government is moving at pace to ensure lotteries for charitable purposes are allowed to operate online permanently. Charities fundraising online, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust and local hospices will continue to do ...5 days ago
- Tax exempt threshold changes to benefit startups
Technology companies are among the startups which will benefit from increases to current thresholds of exempt employee share schemes, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Revenue Minister Simon Watts say. Tax exempt thresholds for the schemes are increasing as part of the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2024-25, Emergency ...5 days ago
- Getting the healthcare you need, when you need it
The path to faster cancer treatment, an increase in immunisation rates, shorter stays in emergency departments and quick assessment and treatments when you are sick has been laid out today. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has revealed details of how the ambitious health targets the Government has set will be ...5 days ago
- Targeted supports to accelerate reading
The coalition Government is delivering targeted and structured literacy supports to accelerate learning for struggling readers. From Term 1 2025, $33 million of funding for Reading Recovery and Early Literacy Support will be reprioritised to interventions which align with structured approaches to teaching. “Structured literacy will change the way children ...5 days ago
- Survivors invited to Abuse in Care national apology
With two months until the national apology to survivors of abuse in care, expressions of interest have opened for survivors wanting to attend. “The Prime Minister will deliver a national apology on Tuesday 12 November in Parliament. It will be a very significant day for survivors, their families, whānau and ...5 days ago
- Rangatahi inspire at Ngā Manu Kōrero final
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini kē - My success is not mine alone but is the from the strength of the many. Aotearoa New Zealand’s top young speakers are an inspiration for all New Zealanders to learn more about the depth and beauty conveyed ...5 days ago
- Driving structured literacy in schools
The coalition Government is driving confidence in reading and writing in the first years of schooling. “From the first time children step into the classroom, we’re equipping them and teachers with the tools they need to be brilliant in literacy. “From 1 October, schools and kura with Years 0-3 will receive ...6 days ago
- Labour’s misleading information is disappointing
Labour’s misinformation about firearms law is dangerous and disappointing, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says. “Labour and Ginny Andersen have repeatedly said over the past few days that the previous Labour Government completely banned semi-automatic firearms in 2019 and that the Coalition Government is planning to ‘reintroduce’ them. ...6 days ago
- Govt takes action on mpox response, widens access to vaccine
The Government is taking immediate action on a number of steps around New Zealand’s response to mpox, including improving access to vaccine availability so people who need it can do so more easily, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti and Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. “Mpox is obviously a ...6 days ago
- Next steps agreed for Treaty Principles Bill
Associate Justice Minister David Seymour says Cabinet has agreed to the next steps for the Treaty Principles Bill. “The Treaty Principles Bill provides an opportunity for Parliament, rather than the courts, to define the principles of the Treaty, including establishing that every person is equal before the law,” says Mr Seymour. “Parliament ...6 days ago
- Government unlocking potential of AI
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins today announced a programme to drive Artificial Intelligence (AI) uptake among New Zealand businesses. “The AI Activator will unlock the potential of AI for New Zealand businesses through a range of support, including access to AI research experts, technical assistance, AI tools and resources, ...6 days ago
- Government releases Wairoa flood review findings
The independent rapid review into the Wairoa flooding event on 26 June 2024 has been released, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced today. “We welcome the review’s findings and recommendations to strengthen Wairoa's resilience against future events,” Ms ...6 days ago
- Promoting faster payment times for government
The Government is sending a clear message to central government agencies that they must prioritise paying invoices in a timely manner, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Andrew Bayly says. Data released today promotes transparency by publishing the payment times of each central government agency. This data will be published quarterly ...6 days ago
- Acknowledgement to Kīngi Tuheitia speech
E te māngai o te Whare Pāremata, kua riro māku te whakaputa i te waka ki waho moana. E te Pirimia tēnā koe.Mr Speaker, it is my privilege to take this adjournment kōrero forward. Prime Minister – thank you for your leadership. Taupiri te maunga Waikato te awa Te Wherowhero ...7 days ago
- Interim fix to GST adjustment rules to support businesses
Inland Revenue can begin processing GST returns for businesses affected by a historic legislative drafting error, Revenue Minister Simon Watts says. “Inland Revenue has become aware of a legislative drafting error in the GST adjustment rules after changes were made in 2023 which were meant to simplify the process. This ...7 days ago
- Strong uptake for cervical screening self-test
More than 80 per cent of New Zealand women being tested have opted for a world-leading self-test for cervical screening since it became available a year ago. Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti and Associate Minister Casey Costello, in her responsibility for Women’s Health, say it’s fantastic to have such ...7 days ago
- Ministry for Regulation’s first Strategic Intentions document sets ambitious direction
Regulation Minister David Seymour welcomes the Ministry for Regulation’s first Strategic Intentions document, which sets out how the Ministry will carry out its work and deliver on its purpose. “I have set up the Ministry for Regulation with three tasks. One, to cut existing red tape with sector reviews. Two, ...7 days ago
- Māori Education Advisory Group established
The Education Minister has established a Māori Education Ministerial Advisory Group made up of experienced practitioners to help improve outcomes for Māori learners. “This group will provide independent advice on all matters related to Māori education in both English medium and Māori medium settings. It will focus on the most impactful ways we can lift ...7 days ago
- Government welcomes findings of NZ Superannuation Fund review
The Government has welcomed the findings of the recent statutory review into the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation and the New Zealand Superannuation Fund, Minister of Finance Nicola Willis says. The 5-yearly review, conducted on behalf of Treasury and tabled in Parliament today, found the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation ...7 days ago
- First of five new Hercules aircraft takes flight
Defence Minister Judith Collins today welcomed the first of five new C-130J-30 Hercules to arrive in New Zealand at a ceremony at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base Auckland, Whenuapai. “This is an historic day for our New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and our nation. The new Hercules fleet ...1 week ago
- Have your say on suicide prevention
Today, September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day, a time to reflect on New Zealand’s confronting suicide statistics, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “Every death by suicide is a tragedy – a tragedy that affects far too many of our families and communities in New Zealand. We must do ...1 week ago
- Action to grow the rural health workforce
Scholarships awarded to 27 health care students is another positive step forward to boost the future rural health workforce, Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “All New Zealanders deserve timely access to quality health care and this Government is committed to improving health outcomes, particularly for the one in five ...1 week ago
- Pharmac delivering more for Kiwis following major funding boost
Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour has welcomed the increased availability of medicines for Kiwis resulting from the Government’s increased investment in Pharmac. “Pharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the Government,” says Mr Seymour. “When our Government assumed office, New ...1 week ago
- The cost of being: A public servant with a six-month-old baby and a quality coffee habit
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a working parent shares the ins and outs of her finances. Want to be part of The Cost of Being? Fill out the questionnaire here. Gender: Female Age: 32 Ethnicity: NZ European Role: Principal adviser in ...47 mins ago - The internet is worse than it used to be. How did we get here, and can we go back?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marc Cheong, Senior Lecturer of Information Systems, School of Computing and Information Systems; and (Honorary) Senior Fellow, Melbourne Law School, The University of Melbourne Two Pixel/Shutterstock When it comes to our experience of the internet, “the times, they are a-changin’”, as ...1 hour ago - Global powers are grappling with ‘responsible’ use of military AI. What would that look like?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Zena Assaad, Senior Lecturer, School of Engineering, Australian National University Air Force Tech. Sgt. Teri Eicher Last week, some 2,000 government officials and experts from around the world met for the REAIM (Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain) summit in ...1 hour ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Fitz-Gibbon, Professor (Practice), Faculty of Business and Economics, Monash University, Monash University Shutterstock Domestic, family and sexual violence is rightly recognised as a national crisis. While the evidence base has built significantly in recent years, one important missing piece ...2 hours ago
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Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A,DIV,A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Tuesday 17 September appeared first on Newsroom. ...5 hours ago - Red tape earns quarrying spot on Jones’ critical minerals list
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The “chaos at the top table” is political. Party political. Ideological. Just like their tea party fellow travellers in the US, the rabid right Tories here in Auckland are donkey deep in rendering the city ungovernable. Their only solution is complete capitulation to them and their agenda. So this is actually now a test of the left, not the right. Unless the left get in behind Brown and his agenda for the city, and confront the politics for what they are, the right will get it all. Including selling the city’s assets to their mates, and regressive high universal charges, and a rates cut, and the rest of the neo-con play book. So it’s now up to the left. Maybe they actually want the rabid right to win, to feed their righteous indignation and moral superiority?
+ 1,000,000
Unless the left get in behind Brown and his agenda for the city, and confront the politics for what they are, the right will get it all.
Brown’s toxic now. No-one will go near him, and in an election year that’s a disaster for Auckland.
Yep, we have to let the people know that the rabid right are doing exactly what the Tea Party in the US is doing and that it will cost them far more and not just in money but in loss of democracy as well.
This is the problem of viewing an ethical and fiduciary issue in left/right terms. Brown has lost the confidence of most Aucklanders (left and right). ‘Getting in behind Brown’ as you put it just digs the hole deeper. Until he goes this wound is going to fester. There is no point banging on about the right in this issue – it merely deflects from the real problem. When he goes everyone can get on with the job – not just the left (or the right).
Mickey, what a sensible set of comments. Credit where credit is due etc etc.
Regardless of what you think of the scandal that caused all of this, the problem remains that crucial momentum is lost and now nothing appears to be happening. I read in the paper today that some initial funding plan for the city rail link was due from Brown before year end – now not done due to the obvious distractions.
Either our councillors need to unify, let bygones be bygones and move on to the work that needs done; or Brown needs to step down. This do nothing no mans land risks exactly what you outline above. That would be a great shame.
No. The Tea Party loons need to pull their heads in and accept that they lost the election, probably because the majority of electors can see that they are Tea-Party loons. Brown has plenty of power and should use it to ignore them, or if they continue to get in Auckland’s way, drive over them inflicting maximum damage.
Force them to justify playing their panty-sniffing games with Auckland’s future and don’t blink. This is another opportunity to expose the Right for the scum they are.
Len’s got three years to redeem himself. First, he has to confront his demons. Instead of hunkering down, hiding away, he needs to prove he is the “man of steel”. He needs to galvanize the left around him and carry the fight to the right, and long-term, he needs to help find a successor.
Rodney Hide set up the Super City to flog off Auckland’s assets, that is what National wants. Greed.
Since when is he hiding away ?
Is the PM and the Cabinet ‘keeping a low profile’ too ?
of course not. Its the bloody holidays.
Did Rodney Hide face such a wringing of hands when he took up with a ‘coach’ at the Remuera Racqets Club, ditching his wife and family some time later ?
Oh no the ‘rules’ were different then , nothing was said as he was from the’ right side’ of the marital bed.
Later when Hide took his paramour on a taxpayer funded global tour to her brothers wedding, it was all smoothed over, his views on ‘ his entitlements’ were forgotten once he ‘paid it back’
The hard side of politics is nice for some, when they have the right wing noise machine on their side
+1
Since when is he hiding away ?
Is the PM … ‘keeping a low profile’ too ?
Yep, playing golf with Barack Obama is pretty damn invisible. Good point.
Later when Hide took his paramour on a taxpayer funded global tour to her brothers wedding, it was all smoothed over, his views on ‘ his entitlements’ were forgotten once he ‘paid it back’
The fuck? It ended his political career.
Good ,
now you know how the rest of the country feels when the greens oppose almost every development around the rest of the country.
(. There will be no revived Otahuhu, no grand plan for Avondale, no street upgrade for Takapuna, no transit cohesion for Manukau, no new mainstreet for Papakura, no nothing for Ponsonby Road, no chance ever of electric trains to Pukekohe, no busway to Pakuranga or Botany Downs, nothing except a few millionaire enclaves and the rest of the city in quickly deepening inequality.) Poor you.
These are the type of thing the greens perpetually oppose in many parts of the country.
Wgtn/Kapiti coast motor way development , wgtn airport extention , Taranaki , Dunedin , Hawkes Bay oil exploration , west coast mining , etc etc .
It’s hard to be sympathetic when the rest of the country is paralyzed by factions , perhaps in the future Labour will stand up for the rest of NZ , something that’s well overdue.
Auckland’s solution is easy ,get rid of len , problem solved.
Hmmm… the kinds of development the Greens support are many of the ones in line for Auckland – the rail network for instance. The Greens are not opposed to everything – just those things that are counter-productive.
So you think “the rest of NZ”, are for oil explortaion that doesn’t have environmental safe guards?
He thinks? Citation needed.
The point is , the rest of NZ is happy for AK to have it’s rail link and are in fact paying plenty towards it.
It’s the roading projects around the lower NI that have been delayed for two years by the greens or their associates , the irrigation schemes in canterbury, the dam in HBay which is very hard to understand especially when the green zealots continue to preach global warming and then stall water conservation.
These projects cannot possibly be described as counter productive , the rest of NZ is entitled to be developed to ensure prosperity for all.
Labour’s lack of clear support for these projects is a no brainer and will ensure defeat at the polls .
Once again , get rid of len and move on.
“Preach global warming”.
We’re discussing Science here, not religion.
Flatearthers like yourself are the ones who rely on a belief system without evidence.
Your mate David Cameron even acknowledges it. Is he a green zealot?
The point is , the rest of NZ is happy for AK to have it’s rail link and are in fact paying plenty towards it.
Citations needed, especially re- the rest of NZ are paying plenty towards Auckland’s rail system.
Edit: Or I could just help you out with this.
Wasting your time Karol. Rich and like minded folk don’t rely on evidence for the arguments.
As is clear from their ignorance of the science of climate change.
Actually, they can be and are.
Some of us actually like to have clean water and air. You sir, are not one of them.
I look forward to the day when company managers who gave the OK to pollution are led away to prison in handcuffs.
+1
The best solution to delay is an election? No wonder they say right wingers have below average IQ.
You lost the election. Then your boys Slater and Wewege made you look like scum (not that they had to try too hard). You had a shit candidate who just managed to tell enough lies to get plausible doubt.
I think it’s great: Aucklanders are getting a good look at the New Zealand Tea Party, whereas the only career Len Brown damaged was his own.
Are you sure you should be calling for an election so soon after demonstrating that you are a bunch of unelectable partisan panty-sniffers?
This is an unhelpful misdirection.
Do you have any comment about Auckland Council?
No he doesn’t. He is a trouble maker and a fomentor of dissent.
Its still holidays and Len Brown is still the mayor and the sky is still blue and it is not going to fall on anyones head.
The Auckland council and Mayor are a total shambles.
We were sold the need for the amalgamation so as to gain increased efficiencies, lower cost, and presumably lower rates.
None of this has happened, under the current and provious council and Mayor Brown we have got the no real movement in much needed projects the previous councils had set in progress.
More costs for the residents of Auckland in every sense of the word. Rates have risen exponentially in the past few years to the stage that many people are on the tipping edge. We are having to sell much loved homes/units/town houses because we can’t absorb the huge rate hikes on our limited incomes. Added into this the water rates: the biggest rort ever inflicted on Aucklanders. Whereas once we paid them twice a year – averaging around $100 each time, I now pay once a month averaging $60 to $70 per month. An increase from $200 to $700 plus per annum. Multiply that for families with small children and I don’t know how many of them manage to cope.
Local boards are hamstrung and aucklanders don’t seem to be able to have any contact with the mayor or his council
I found Len
http://i2.wp.com/www.whaleoil.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/unnamed-630×462.gif?fit=630%2C462
And there was me hoping this thread might not be hijacked by the dullards and those desperate to distract.
No hope of that… wonder where my other post in response to MS went ?
Auckland is currently one of the world’s most desirable cities. Why? Because all of those who claim it to be so, state that it is because has lots of space, big houses on full sections, parks, green spaces, ability to drive to beaches etc.
So Len Brown wants to eliminate every single thing that the world loves about Auckland, and then claim that people will like it even more when all of that is taken away? Lets destroy all of the heritage buildings, pave over all of the parks, create terraced housing that the world hates. For god’s sake, if people love something, who in any normal rational mind, would create the exact opposite, and claim that they will like that even more? Len Brown, sink to the bottom of the ocean, along with your morals.
Paul, other than comment on Len’s morals, you are so wrong!
It is a very sad situation, indeed to have the focus on the Mayor’s personal failings instead of the important things that need to be done in Auckland.
With each passing day, Len Brown’s position seems more untenable and the pressing issues that face our largest city receive less attention than they are due.
Aucklanders do not benefit from this regime, and in the long run, neither does the rest of the country.
Leaders must be able to demonstrate that they have a vision and a means to take people along with the implementation of that vision.
Local government needs to be able to bargain strongly with central government.
That means the Mayor and the councillors working together.
Time is running out for the Auckland Council. Even if Len Brown resigns- and he should, to put us all out of our misery-what a mess the city is left with.
And who, on the Council is going to clean it up?
Adam. FYI and in response to your comment amongst the mostly mindless short comments that I saw it amongst.
Being polite doesn’t matter, nor generally does your opinion. Being able to argue intelligently and without silly slogans does matter. One of us has to release any new commenter to this site. I merely scanned (without reading) your comment because it didn’t fall into one of the moronic troll patterns.
Read the policy if you are uncertain.
Thank you, Iprent.
Well Len could sack the CEO for unauthorised spending on the witch hunt , collapse the CCO’s, hand a junk of the rates to the local boards to spend on their own areas needs (central back office perhaps) and do the regional council thing of only the really big framework issues with the council but the local boards get to oversee this. Should create a grassroots system that would be locally responsive and difficult for the RWNJ’s to unpick. BTW I don’t live there.
Let each area set it’s own plans, height limits etc but maybe not building regs. That’ll keep everyone happy.
could we just have Penny Hulse in charge instead? She would make a much better fist of it, and how can Len show his face in public now? Aaron Gilmore resigned for far far less, as did poor old John Banks. Len just is so stubborn.
She has all the influence she could want, without any of the grief.
Why change?
Google Narcissistic personality disorder. They have NO shame and many other bad attributes because they totally believe that they are so fabulous. God’s gift to the world and any haters must have some sort of problem themselves, never them. Sure, Lenny knows he’s stuffed up but he still believes that his “fabulousness” will see him through. “They” love attention, even bad attention which just reinforces to them how special they are.
FYI.
The NZ Serious Fraud Office choose NOT to investigate our bribery and corruption complaint against Mayor Len Brown and Sky City.
Private Prosecution will be filed in Auckland District Court as soon as Graham McCready’s documents arrive – should be Wednesday 15 January 2014:
http://www.pennybright4mayor.org.nz/nz-serious-fraud-office-choose-not-to-re-evaluate-our-bribery-and-corruption-complaint/
Remember how the Police corruption scandals rocked NSW in the 1980’s and were the impetus for their anti-corruption legislation, which set up their Independent Commission Against Corruption?
In my considered opinion, 2014 is going to be the year of scandals about corrupt corporate cronyism, particularly of the casino variety, and this is just the start…………
Why do you think PM John Key has not come out calling for the resignation of Mayor Len Brown?
This is NOT ‘left’ vs ‘right’.
That went out 30 years ago when the 1984 -87 Labour Government introduced the neo-liberal Rogernomics ‘reforms’.
This is the corporate minority vs the public majority and those who serve their interests.
Beware the smiley faces and the ‘personable’ manner of the treacherous SELLOUTS.
Penny Bright
Personally Penny I think there should be a lot more questions asked about how the CEO managed to spend $100,000 of ratepayer money on what amouts to a witch hunt. Who authorised that?
The council authorised it. The CEO merely acts on their instruction. Thats how these things normally work. No CEO would authorise a review of the mayors behaviour without council sign off. You are flogging a dead horse here. If it is only $100k I will eat my hat (to coin a phrase). At that level it would be pretty good value if you think of the time, resources and advice obtained.
Don’t think so Pete.
“that’s how these things normally work” I agree but:
– last meeting of old council 26 September 2013
– local body election day 12th October 2013
-Inquiry announced on 21 October 2013 by the CEO
-Inaugural meeting of the new Council 29 October 2013
Nothing that I can find in the minutes of the governing body from 29 October refers to any authorising of the inquiry. Nothing in the inquiry terms of reference refers to the council authorising it.
The CEO probably has some powers over the transition period but he still has to follow the rules. (Otherwise he could give a contract to his mates to build a new harbour bridge). See Penny below
Was he ever entitled to spend the funds?
Can a CEO in this position hands out a “job for the boys” no tender etc?
Why did he usurp the incoming council on this matter?
Why did the terms of reference include finding the security guard – there is no financial issue for the ratepayers there, that was just purient.
Yes it will be more than $100,000 probably closer to $250,000 for a question mark over a couple of hundred dollars. That’s just waste.
If I was a ratepayer I’d be looking for some personal liabilty from the CEO.
FYI – there is a LOT more to come out about the Ernst and Young ‘inquiry’.
In my considered opinion, as an anti-corruption campaigner, who recently spent $870 (Aust) to attend a full-day workshop at the 2013 Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference on how to conduct an ‘internal investigation’ on alleged ‘misconduct’ – that there is NO WAY that the Ernst and Young inquiry / report was done in a proper way.
Just check out for yourselves – the Auckland Council Code of Conduct, section 8 “Compliance”, and read for yourself the process which SHOULD have been followed …..
http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/SiteCollectionDocuments/aboutcouncil/governingbody/codeofconductelectedmembers.pdf
8.5. Conduct Review Independent Panel
The governing body shall constitute a Conduct Review Independent Panel. The members
of the Panel will be selected from a list of persons with appropriate skills and knowledge, to
be recommended by the Chief Executive. The Independent Panel is not a Committee of the
governing body and its sole function is to investigate those matters referred to it and to
make recommendations on those matters to the governing body/local board. Up to three
members on the list will be deemed to be ‘convenors’ who will be the Council’s primary
contact in relation to convening a panel when required. ‘Convening’ a panel includes
chairing that panel. A convenor may appoint other convenors to a panel.
8.6. Procedures of the Conduct Review Independent Panel
The Independent Panel will establish and notify standard procedures, fair to both
complainants and respondents, which it will apply to the investigation and consideration of
all complaints referred to it.
________________________________________________________________________
Seems that former Auckland Council CEO Doug McKay effectively made up his own process and appointed his own people?
Having been to an expert workshop, and studied this matter, it appears very clear to me that the ‘Terms of Reference’ weren’t ‘scoped’ in a proper way either …………
(More on this later ………………)
Penny Bright
Len Brown was voted in under false pretences. He got the religious people by pretending to be a Catholic and the poor(er) by pretending to care, whilst he was on the take from Sky City and other big business. On voting day, we didn’t know that, but wed do now. Brown’s wife can’t trust him and he takes backhanders…why should anyone trust him?
Whatever, panty-sniffing tea party member.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11186491
Has Associate Professor Hodge read the SFO’s letter to Penny Bright, one wonders, wherein it is pointed out that the office gets involved in cases around the $2M mark…
Perhaps Associate Professor Hodge might reconsider in light of that basic information…