community democracy

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The failing polls..

Written By: - Date published: 4:58 pm, October 16th, 2010 - 12 comments

An article in The Economist looks at the failing basis of polling techniques in the USA. It isn’t that much different to the circumstances here.

“The proportion of those called who end up taking part in a survey has fallen steadily, from 35% or so in the 1990s to 15% or less now, according to Mr Keeter. Reaching young people is especially difficult. Only old ladies answer the phone…”

Paul Henry: we all pay for his unending bigotry

Written By: - Date published: 11:40 am, October 4th, 2010 - 195 comments

New Zealand’s most infamous anti-Ambassador Paul Henry has shamed us all once again. On TVNZ’s Breakfast this morning, Henry asked John Key (at 6’30” into the interview) of our Governor General “Is he even a New Zealander” (Satyanand was born in NZ) and could the next GG be someone who “looks and sounds a bit […]

Whither The Standard?

Written By: - Date published: 5:44 pm, September 1st, 2010 - 83 comments

What next for The Standard? You’re our readers, so you must like something that we do. And you probably have some ideas on what we can do better. So tell us! How best to build The Standard into a community and a voice for the left wing of NZ politics?

Grass roots and astroturf

Written By: - Date published: 7:56 am, June 28th, 2010 - 23 comments

National are still cruising in the polls, and no doubt feeling pretty confident about the next election. But ticking the blue box is easy – how firm is that support? We’re seeing big protests against this government. Is there any significant National policy that isn’t attracting popular protest, criticism from the experts, or both?

I’m not sorry

Written By: - Date published: 8:23 am, June 22nd, 2010 - 48 comments

I’m not sorry about Russel Norman standing up to Chinese imperialism, I’m proud that he did. While I don’t personally have a lot of time for Norman, I very much respect his willingness to behave like an actual representative of the New Zealand people and voice his opposition to the immoral Chinese occupation and subjugation of […]

Restoring ‘one person, one vote’ to local government

Written By: - Date published: 8:53 am, June 9th, 2010 - 107 comments

Each person gets the same right to vote, regardless of wealth. That’s a fundamental principle of our democracy. But it’s not true. Those who own land across local government districts can vote in all areas under a ratepayer franchise. It’s time to restore “one person, one vote”.

Open government – Open Labour

Written By: - Date published: 8:50 am, April 30th, 2010 - 25 comments

It’s fantastic to see Labour working on an Open Government policy as a major plank for the next election. And taking an open approach to the policy development is a stroke of genius. Politically, Labour has an incredible opportunity to position itself in contrast to the secretive and undemocratic National party. More than that, this stuff matters.

Boag on way, Farrar to follow?

Written By: - Date published: 10:59 am, February 20th, 2010 - 14 comments

Former National Party President Michelle Boag has been told to remove herself from the consultancy charged with selecting executive staff for the Auckland Supershity, because of her conflict of interest as an advisor to John Banks’ campaign

Meetings: Auckland super-shitty

Written By: - Date published: 9:45 am, January 28th, 2010 - 2 comments

Phil Twyford has been organizing a series of meetings about the impending Auckland super-city 3rd bill. The date for submissions to the select committee closes on Feb 12. Write a submission and maybe go to Wellington  and give Rodney hell – that is if he dares to turn up to the select committee. These meetings […]

Franklin & Papakura want out, Hide says ‘no way’

Written By: - Date published: 9:56 am, January 20th, 2010 - 10 comments

The people of Franklin and Papakura, who overwhelming oppose becoming part of the National/ACT government’s Supercity experiment, have been denied their request to keep their own councils. Instead, Papakura will be forced into the Supercity while Franklin will be carved up between the Supercity, Waikato Council, and Hauraki Council. The people of Franklin and the rest […]

Council shafts Wellingtonians

Written By: - Date published: 1:00 pm, November 13th, 2009 - 32 comments

In 2006 Wellingtonians resoundingly rejected a proposal to build a Hilton on their waterfront (834 submissions out of a total 994 were against), and the plan was again resoundingly rejected last year by the Environment Court. In response, Kerry Prendergast and her Council have changed the District Plan to bypass the courts and ignore the community. So […]

Sohole.

Written By: - Date published: 2:24 pm, September 6th, 2009 - 8 comments

In Ponsonby there is a bloody great big hole which is all that remains of the unlamented DYC  Vinegar factory. It has been affording the locals some amusement between bouts in hearings. The site was to be a $250 million mall. The hole was dug last year. However it stopped abruptly when the development group […]

‘Supercity’ Select Committee Submissions Workshop

Written By: - Date published: 4:30 pm, June 18th, 2009 - Comments Off on ‘Supercity’ Select Committee Submissions Workshop

The University of Auckland’s Political Studies Department is hosting a free public workshop presented by Rob Thomas to assist people interested in making submissions to the Select Committee on Auckland’s Governance. This is a non-partisan community event to encourage community participation in the decision making process. At the workshop we will: Discuss a brief history of the Local […]

Focused on what matters

Written By: - Date published: 7:36 pm, April 28th, 2009 - 60 comments

So John Key has set his taxpayer paid researchers onto David Shearer. The best they can come up with is that 11 years ago Shearer advocated using regulated mercenaries on UN peacekeeping missions because nations like the US are often unwilling to commit their own troops. If Key, who is clearly obsessed with winning Mt Albert, (he made […]

Denigration of public service

Written By: - Date published: 5:41 pm, April 25th, 2009 - 42 comments

There was a great turnout at the Mount Albert War Memorial building this morning, both inside the hall and people outside waiting for the flag and the silence. What has been intriguing me over the years is the changing number and demographics of the people who are now turning up. When I first started attending […]

So much for democracy

Written By: - Date published: 12:50 pm, February 17th, 2009 - 21 comments

The Greens have released advice from the Ministry of Justice confirming that the Government’s rushed RMA changes will prevent legitimate cases going to court and undermine fundamental justice rights. According to the leaked cabinet paper: ‘the [financial] risks associated with security of costs can act as a barrier for those with legitimate cases but little […]

What to do with Treasury

Written By: - Date published: 2:28 pm, December 5th, 2008 - 38 comments

It’s good to see Treasury’s extreme right-wing prescription for New Zealand has not been wholly embraced by the National Party – and it’s easy to see why. While Bill English (a former Treasury wonk himself) no doubt agrees with the policy ideas and direction outlined by Treasury, he has the disadvantage of being accountable to […]

In the driver’s seat

Written By: - Date published: 12:00 pm, November 24th, 2008 - 43 comments