local government
Categories under local government
- auckland supercity (417)
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- local body elections (119)
- supercity (101)
Random impertinent questions
Written By: - Date published: 8:52 am, October 21st, 2013 - 66 comments
Who says the ‘threatening texts’ in the Brown/Slater/Palino came from Brown’s camp? Didn’t the threatening text push Chuang into the affidavit, after weeks of being pressured by Palino advisor, Wewege? Doesn’t that make those texts awful useful for Slater/Palino? Do you believe Palino knew nothing of the affair, as he claims? If the purpose of the affidavit had been to present it to Brown quietly and get him to resign, wouldn’t that be blackmail?
Playing dirty: The politics of contradiction
Written By: - Date published: 8:03 pm, October 19th, 2013 - 169 comments
Slater’s track record speaks for itself. As the Brown-Chuang-Wewege-Palino story unfolds, his angle on the story shifts, and the contradictions abound. On The Nation this morning, Slater lays it out: politics is a dirty game, and that’s the game he’s playing.
Palino and Slater have to be joking
Written By: - Date published: 9:23 pm, October 18th, 2013 - 261 comments
Of course John Palino did not know about the Len Brown Bevan Chuang relationship despite Chuang’s boyfriend who knew of the relationship being on his campaign team and despite Cameron Slater’s father being Palino’s campaign manager. Update: The Herald this morning has reported that Chuang claims to have met Palino for 90 minutes two days before the news of the affair was made public where the disclosing to Brown of the news was discussed.
The “cabbage boat” defence.
Written By: - Date published: 4:30 pm, October 18th, 2013 - 33 comments
It’s starting to look pretty shredded. Increasingly, it seems that John Banks has “got nothing to hide” – behind. The key question is what Banks knew when he signed a declaration recording known donations as anonymous. Paul Holmes did put the question directly to Banks on Q+A last year. He didn’t get a straight answer; Banks tried the cabbage boat defence.
The NBR and Editorial Independence
Written By: - Date published: 8:24 am, October 18th, 2013 - 21 comments
The NBR has fired long time senior reporter Jock Anderson for writing a sympathetic Len Brown editorial. This apparently was against instructions even though the comments appeared to be balanced and fair. This raises concerning issues about NBR’s editorial independence and the control over content that management has.
The two legs of Banks’ defence trip each other
Written By: - Date published: 8:17 am, October 17th, 2013 - 28 comments
John Banks is to stand trial for knowingly submitting a false electoral expenses return. He’s charged, thanks to the private prosecution after the Police failed to act, with breaching s134(1) of the Local Electoral Act. Let’s take a look at the two lines of defence Banks has argued, and how they contradict each other.
Making sense of the census: regional decline
Written By: - Date published: 12:33 pm, October 16th, 2013 - 30 comments
Yesterday John Key, some MSM journos and a few Standard commentators were gloating that recently released Census 2013 data showed David Cunliffe was wrong in his concern with regional decline. The evidence shows Cunliffe is correct.
What’s the play?
Written By: - Date published: 12:10 pm, October 16th, 2013 - 108 comments
No-one’s happy with the revelations about Len Brown’s private life, apart from Slater (himself also an adulterer) who is wallowing in all the details that Chuang seems only too happy to provide. But what’s interesting is that this is clearly a political play. Who’s behind it and what do they have to gain? The players: Slater, Slater snr, Chuang, and Palino.
The attack on Auckland’s Democracy
Written By: - Date published: 9:06 am, October 16th, 2013 - 172 comments
With Tea Party type zeal Cameron Slater is trying to bring down Len Brown’s mayoralty. What has happened is a tragedy for Len’s family and himself. But as Mayor of the super city we need him to move on from this.
Dotcom on what Banks knew
Written By: - Date published: 12:59 pm, October 15th, 2013 - 27 comments
The District Court is hearing evidence today as to whether John Banks should stand trial for signing a donations return that he knew to be false. Kim Dotcom has given evidence – the Herald reports that when he agreed to give Banks a donation of $50,000, Banks asked for it to be split and to be made anonymous., so that if Banks helped DotCom in the future it would not be known that he had donated to him.
Well done Greens!
Written By: - Date published: 8:16 am, October 13th, 2013 - 115 comments
Yesterday was a very good day for the Greens (and the left). Congratulations! It’s hard to predict outcomes for next year’s parliamentary elections based on local elections, especially when the voter turnout is so low. But the left does get a boost from the results. Local councils need to be improved so that are more democratic. [Update: Clow (Labour) for Whau- preliminary result. Waitakere Ranges Board]
Local Government Election Results
Written By: - Date published: 12:14 pm, October 12th, 2013 - 208 comments
The polls are now closed and the vote is being counted. Stand by for the announcement of results in the 2013 Local Body elections …
Last chance to vote …
Written By: - Date published: 9:03 am, October 9th, 2013 - 8 comments
Time is running out and today is a good day to make sure that you have posted your votes in for the Local Government election in your area. And while you are at it remind your friends and family to do the same.
Vote!
Written By: - Date published: 8:56 am, October 4th, 2013 - 78 comments
There is just over a week to go before the 2013 local elections finish. Turnout so far has been disappointingly low and this presents a threat and a challenge. The threat is that progressive incumbents will lose because their supporters do not vote. The challenge is to get family and friends to vote to maximise the prospects of progressives being elected to office.
(Un)affordable rents in Berm City
Written By: - Date published: 10:04 am, October 3rd, 2013 - 43 comments
Central Auckland, gated city candidates get cosy about their grass verges. The west has a crisis in affordable rents & homelessness. Labour & Nats housing policies bow to the middle class home ownership agenda. Greens & Mana look to state & council housing.
Unions Auckland’s list of supported Council candidates
Written By: - Date published: 9:14 am, September 22nd, 2013 - 25 comments
Unions Auckland has released a how to vote card based on candidates who will support a living wage, no privatisation of Council assets and sorting out a fair deal for the POAL workers.
Housing: the options, the new left narrative?
Written By: - Date published: 11:07 am, September 13th, 2013 - 75 comments
The response to Metiria Turei’s sttements about affordable housing on The Vote, raises questions about political narratives are told to the general electorate? The Greens, Mana and Cunliffe have stressed their “vision“. How to tell it so it reaches the hearts of New Zealanders?
Auckland Council Elections out west
Written By: - Date published: 7:40 am, August 18th, 2013 - 5 comments
Some thoughts on the battles out west for seats on the Auckland Council.
Auckland Council Elections
Written By: - Date published: 8:43 pm, August 16th, 2013 - 28 comments
Nominations are closed and Auckland Super City’s candidate lists have been published. Following are some comments on the Mayoral candidates. I also hope to post on the Councillor contests, where interest will be greatest.
Submit to prevent SkyCity corruption
Written By: - Date published: 8:57 am, August 14th, 2013 - 5 comments
The SkyCity deal still needs some urgent attention from members of the public interested in getting a submission to the select committee. They close on Thursday 22 August next week. The politically corrupting influence of the gaming industry means that members of the public will have to push the politicians to stop them giving SkyCity these extraordinarily lucrative and destructive concessions for a economic pittance.
“The Big Issue”: councils & transport
Written By: - Date published: 10:57 am, August 5th, 2013 - 16 comments
Campbell Live last Wednesday focused on transport: funding & Auckland versus the regions; public transport & roads; the revolutionary Congestion Free Network plan. City Vision (supported by Labour & the Green Party – with a major focus on transport) & 2 Future West candidates launch their Auckland council campaigns.
Len is standing again
Written By: - Date published: 7:33 am, July 16th, 2013 - 40 comments
Len Brown has announced that he will again seek Auckland Super City’s mayoralty. I know this will provoke a mixture of views but style wise I think he is great and substance wise he has had successes but should have done more with MUNZ, the living wage project and Sky City.
Lusk/Slater to run negative Auckland campaign
Written By: - Date published: 3:49 pm, July 15th, 2013 - 58 comments
According to the tip line the farcical duo of Lusk and Slater will soon be kicking off a large negative campaign against Len Brown.
Bob Parker is gone …
Written By: - Date published: 8:28 am, July 6th, 2013 - 41 comments
Bob Parker has announced that he is not going to seek re-election to Christchurch’s Mayoralty. Given that the Council has lost the power to issue Building Consents, that its Chief Executive is on Gardening Leave and that insurance for its building consents has been withdrawn this is not surprising. There clearly is something wrong with the City’s governance. And you have to wonder why it took the Government so long to respond.
Outlawing Begging
Written By: - Date published: 10:00 am, July 5th, 2013 - 37 comments
Ironically during the week of Auckland’s big sleep out there has been a proposal to change Auckland Council’s by laws to provide for the fining of beggars. The proposal has been described as overdue by some. But everyone seems to have overlooked the fact that begging is already banned in Auckland City. The proposal reminds […]
Key, Brownlee: Not Auckland’s friends
Written By: - Date published: 9:26 am, July 1st, 2013 - 41 comments
John Key’s u-turn on Auckland City Rail is all smoke, mirrors and sleight of hand stealth of the common good. Phil Twyford and the Auckland Transport Blog are skeptical. Funding? Roads over public transport? Asset sales?
Who benefits?
Written By: - Date published: 9:19 am, June 21st, 2013 - 42 comments
The leaderless uprising in Brazil exposes unbearable inequalities in a dysfunctional post-growth world. Extravagant sports events and expensive stadium contrast with anti-public service austerity measures. Home building lags in Christchurch, while Key looks to asset sales to fund a stadium.
Dalziel for Christchurch mayor
Written By: - Date published: 9:36 am, June 19th, 2013 - 28 comments
As widely anticipated, Lianne Dalziel has confirmed that she will stand for Mayor of Christchurch.
Greens attack stupid spending, rattle Key
Written By: - Date published: 11:00 am, June 16th, 2013 - 54 comments
The NZ Transport Agency’s “Drive Social” programme looks like one gigantic waste of money, and the Greens are hammering it. Key’s response? “They just want everyone to cycle everywhere.” Is he looking a little tired to anyone else?
Water under pressure
Written By: - Date published: 8:12 am, June 15th, 2013 - 38 comments
Water is becoming a precious resource, under threat from pollution, over use, population growth, & commercial profiteering. The Green & Labour Parties are very critical of Key’s government weakening the RMA in favour of commercial gains, while over-riding local government plans.
The Greens: Party democracy and parliamentary politics
Written By: - Date published: 9:00 am, June 9th, 2013 - 106 comments
John Armstrong follows Lusk’s plan in attacking The Green Party’s democratic change to Conference remit procedures. Isaac Davison gives a more balanced account& points to preparation for a Labour-Green government. How much bottom-up democracy can there be in a top-down parliamentary system?
- Climate minister doesn’t expect criticism of new oil and gas at global summit
New Zealand can stay a member of the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance even while drilling for new oil and gas, Simon Watts says The post Climate minister doesn’t expect criticism of new oil and gas at global summit appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 week ago - Explainer: Four things to look out for at COP29 climate summit
The annual COP climate summit – taking place this year in Baku, Azerbaijan – is an absolutely massive event. More than 40,000 people are attending, more than attended the 2015 Paris summit (though only half of the 80,000 or so at last year’s COP in Dubai).As the first major diplomatic ...1 week ago
- Act preparing the ground for political exploitation
Opinion: The coalition as a whole is winding back the clock to when Māori ‘knew their place’ The post Act preparing the ground for political exploitation appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 week ago
- COP29: The trillion-dollar questions to be asked at climate summit
Analysis: A grand bargain was struck between developed and developing countries in Paris – now we have to settle the bill The post COP29: The trillion-dollar questions to be asked at climate summit appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 week ago
- Trump’s resurrection comes with economic caveats
Business & investing: A ‘Trump bump’ in markets is just one sign of the incoming president’s economic influence – for good or bad The post Trump’s resurrection comes with economic caveats appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 week ago
- Mike Joy floats legal action over nitrate pollution ‘ecocide’
Contamination of drinking water by dairying, and the regulator’s lack of action, could prompt court action, a freshwater ecologist suggests The post Mike Joy floats legal action over nitrate pollution ‘ecocide’ appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 week ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Monday 11 November
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, Monday 11 November appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 week ago
- The WHO’s bold step towards a cancer-free future
Analysis: Cervical cancer is preventable and curable, and in August 2020, the World Health Assembly adopted the Global Strategy for Cervical Cancer Elimination. Yes, you read that right; we may never have a universal cure for cancer but there are some we can prevent by vaccination. The WHO’ s strategy ...1 week ago
- Cancelled bus routes leave parents scrambling, and angry
Some farmers and rural families are furious over the Government’s review and cancellation of school bus routes, fearing small towns will be abandoned and students will stop attending class.The Ministry of Education regularly conducts route reviews, which can be prompted by several factors, including requests from schools, changes in the ...1 week ago
- The first empty chair
I’ve been going to school for a couple of months, happy to walk there and back on my own, as it’s only three blocks away.Today I arrive home to find the front door wide open. From what I know of front doors, this is odd. Mum’s standing there as if ...1 week ago
- The ferry to Russell
In an effort to squeeze in as much public transport as possible to the last day of my trip, I caught the ferry from Paihia to Russell/Kororāreka The crossing took 17 minutes and cost me $17 for a return trip. There are three ferry companies operating services across the bay. ...1 week ago - The longest commute, day seven: To the end of New Zealand’s public transport network
Joel MacManus attempts to travel from the bottom to the top of the country without a car or plane. Today: the last hurrah. The mission: Get from Stewart Island to Cape Reinga as fast as possible using only public transport. Wherever I can, I’ll travel by train. In areas that ...1 week ago
- An Ode to .. Kamala
Don’t look upHigh above the clouds,On the viewing deck of the Mighty Tower of Brat,A gentle zephyr plays on the Holy Campaign TeamWho sit around sipping iced tea on satin poufsChecking celebrity endorsements on TikTok.Empress of the Free World-elect Kamala admiresThe giant Democratic strategy sitting on the table:An intricate house ...1 week ago
- In search of the mythical Trump voter
Journalists, scholars, and political pundits have been in search of the mythical Donald Trump voter since 2015. By mythical, I do not mean in the sense that they don’t exist, like unicorns. Trump voters, as evidenced by the more than 70 million and counting who voted for him in the ...1 week ago
- I’m not allowed to bike to Cape Reinga
Mad Chapman has vetoed my plan to bike the last leg from Kaitaia to Cape Reinga. It’s a bit hypocritical coming from someone who once rode an Onzo bike from Mt Eden to Huntly for a story, but she’s all responsible now that she’s the editor. Please, if you have ...1 week ago
- The Bay of Islands
I’ve made it to Paihia but something terrible has happened that could put this entire trip in jeopardy. I need to go make some calls. I’ll fill you in soon. ...1 week ago
- TVNZ directors turn down Govt’s 41% fee increases – for now
Chair Alastair Carruthers says it would be inappropriate to accept fee increases, in light of the broadcaster’s big job cuts The post TVNZ directors turn down Govt’s 41% fee increases – for now appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 week ago
- The longest commute, day six: It’s back to the bus for Joel
Joel MacManus attempts to travel from the bottom to the top of the country without a car or plane. Today: I enter the north. The mission: Get from Stewart Island to Cape Reinga as fast as possible using only public transport. Wherever I can, I’ll travel by train. In areas ...1 week ago
- The Secret Diary of .. America
American mediaNow is the time for cool heads but America is doomed. This is the end. The end is just beginning. The end is spelled Trump, and Trump spells the end of civilisation, of democracy, of happiness. No one is happy. The 77 million Americans who voted for Trump don’t ...1 week ago
- US election: Why men broke so strongly for Trump
Four days ahead of the US election, basketball star LeBron James posted a video endorsing Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. The video immediately became controversial.“What are we even talking about here??” James wrote on social media. “When I think about my kids and my family and how they will grow up, ...1 week ago
- The Weekend: I don’t know how to travel
Madeleine Chapman reflects on the week that was. This week we’ve been talking all about travel, from Joel trying his darnedest to get from the bottom to the top of the country without a car or plane, to our senior writers detailing their greatest ever trips. What has become immediately ...1 week ago
- ‘Such a thrill’: Chelsie Preston Crayford on seeing a sitcom legend in the flesh
The star of A Remarkable Place to Die reflects on her life in television. It’s been a big year for Chelsie Preston Crayford, whose previous screen credits include Nude Tuesday, Eagle vs Shark and Underbelly: Razor. In Dark City: The Cleaner, she paced the suburban streets of Christchurch as the ...1 week ago
- Behind the mic: Why Aotearoa needs more Māori music managers
Despite the success of reo Māori music, a shortage of Māori music managers means many Māori artists struggle to thrive in the business side of the industry. The Māori music scene in Aotearoa is arguably as strong as it has ever been. Reo Māori waiata are topping the charts, and ...1 week ago
- Toi Te Mana: The landmark indigenous history of Māori art has arrived
Two authors of an extraordinary new book on the history of Māori art, Deidre Brown and Ngarino Ellis, discuss how they approached it, and why. Māori art is one of the great art traditions of the world. That kaupapa was the starting point for a project we began 12 years ...1 week ago
- On being undeniably, irretrievably old
David Hill is in his ninth decade. In a touching tribute to his late friend, he challenges some myths about ‘old farts’. The Spinoff Essay showcases the best essayists in Aotearoa, on topics big and small. Made possible by the generous support of our members. I‘m past The Birthday. Not “the ...1 week ago
- ‘So simple, so sweet, so pure’: Rita Mae’s perfect weekend playlist
Singer-songwriter Rita Mae shares her perfect weekend playlist. “Gritty, bold, and to-the-point” is how Tāmaki Makaurau indie darling Rita Mae describes her upcoming project. The singer-songwriter’s second EP, Kiss the Sky, will be released into the world on November 15. “[Kiss the Sky is] about desire and greed, it’s about ...1 week ago
- Like it or not, ethnicity is a useful shortcut for identifying health needs
Proxies, including those based on ethnicity, play an important role in a fair and equitable resource allocation system, write public health academics Tim Tenbensel and Monique Jonas. The government’s recent directive that public services should be prioritised “on the basis of need, not race” will make it harder and more ...1 week ago
- Podcast: The cost of prison
Is New Zealand’s prison system about safety, or just punishment? And what are the social and financial costs of prioritising retributive justice? What if our hunger for punishment is costing us more than we realise? In this week’s episode of When the Facts Change, Bernard Hickey sits down with ...1 week ago
- NZ’s best baller is back in action
Steven Adams has swapped franchises and has a new home for the 2024-25 NBA basketball season.And his Houston Rockets teammates got a taste of how different he is to them when he posted a picture on Instagram of a bare room featuring a mattress on the floor with the caption, ...1 week ago
- Winner of the Sargeson Prize, Secondary Schools Division
Third try. With a shaky hand, I place the burgundy bindi on my forehead. Is it centred?You’d always put the bindi on for me; I couldn’t do it. Then you’d braid my hair, finishing it with a delicate red ribbon. You’d help me with everything. I remember your crimson-red saree ...1 week ago
- Katherine Mansfield and some risky advice
No series on the legacy of Katherine Mansfield would be complete without the father – daughter duo Karl Stead and Charlotte Grimshaw. They are Mansfield Menton Fellowship winners: Karl in 1972, Charlotte in 2024.Stead’s literary life is packed with bouquets – and brickbats – for novels, poetry and literary criticism.[vimeo ...1 week ago
- Khalistan ‘Referendum’ In Auckland Discussed At Top Diplomatic Levels
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson confirmed that S Jaishankar, India's minister of external affairs, raised the issue during the meeting but declined to provide details of the discussion. ...1 week ago - Raw Politics: Act finally gets its shot at the Treaty
Each time the tide comes in, it comes further up the beach. Well, that appears to be the Act Party’s strategy launching its Treaty Principles Bill in Parliament with not a single vote in support of it passing likely from any of Parliament’s other five political parties.Raw Politics looks at ...1 week ago
- Commission Calls For The Promise Of Te Tiriti O Waitangi To Be Honoured
The Commission’s Rongomau Taketake Indigenous Rights Governance Partner, Dayle Takitimu, said the Government had completely ignored the Waitangi Tribunal’s recommendations in its interim report Ngā Mātāpono, including for the Bill to be abandoned. ...1 week ago
- The Friday Poem: ‘COLD EROTICA’ by Loretta Riach
A new poem by Loretta Riach. COLD EROTICA Kiss me, Hardy, in the dark-robed blindness of passion, both of us pressed up against the parapets of your one bedroom apartment, a chill against the sliding door. Kiss me, stranger– harder than that! Give it to me like a sail full ...1 week ago
- The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending November 8
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 Kai Feast by Christall Lowe (Bateman, $60) This from the publisher’s blurb is enough to get ...1 week ago
- Robert Patman: NZ shouldn’t be afraid to call Trump out
Donald Trump is labelling his win ‘the greatest political movement of all time’. How historic is it for someone (globally) to be elected president twice non-consecutively, especially with a tumultuous background?Like or dislike it, Donald Trump is arguably the most impactful US president during the 21st century. Elected twice as ...1 week ago
- The many mysteries of A Remarkable Place to Die
Tara Ward watches TVNZ’s sleek and scenic new murder-mystery series. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. It’s a beautiful day in Central Otago for a car to plummet off a cliff. Somewhere deep inside Skipper’s Canyon, a car leaves the road and ...1 week ago
- The Spinoff guide to life: How to be a good camper
Summer’s coming. It’s time to brush the dried grass out of your tent, and more importantly, brush up on your campsite manners. Ah, the joys of sleeping in a nylon dome. No ventilation, no insulation and no soundproofing. That little rock that wiggles its way through your long sponge masquerading ...1 week ago
- A survival guide for holidaying with your horrible children
Travelling with kids can test even the most patient of parents, but go in armed with these tried-and-true tips and you might just come out of it unscathed. When you become a parent, all manner of pleasant activities you once took for granted become distant memories: weekend sleep-ins, leisurely cafe brunches, ...1 week ago
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