Why John Banks must never be the Super City Mayor

Written By: - Date published: 12:00 pm, December 3rd, 2014 - 60 comments
Categories: auckland supercity, john banks, local government, Politics - Tags:

60 comments on “Why John Banks must never be the Super City Mayor ”

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  1. BassGuy 1
    3 December 2014 at 12:42 pm

    I guess the other side of that coin is when rich white guys steal from us through tax avoidance and wage theft.

    If we let them sit around tables and make anonymous donations to political parties, they’ll always be planning a new way to take money from the rest of us.

  2. Tracey 2
    3 December 2014 at 12:43 pm

    we now have two situations with Banks,

    1. Received remuneration as an executive director of Hujlich but knew nothing of the CEOs operating or his fiddling the books ( not an executive director is different from a director. An ED is more hands on)

    2. Did not read a crucial form relating to transparency and corruption in politics before signing it

    Neither of these attributes is of ANY use in a Mayor in our biggest city.

  3. Puckish Rogue 3
    3 December 2014 at 1:12 pm

    Well he won’t be as bad Len Brown and hes going to be cleared of charges so theres that

    • felix 3.1
      3 December 2014 at 1:27 pm

      Did you watch the video? Banks is a hateful bigot.

      Do you remember what he said about homosexuals needing 6 inches of barbed wire shoved up their arses?

      Do you remember the recording of him lying through his teeth about Dotcom? Here you go: http://www.radiolive.co.nz/VIDEO-Hes-a-married-man—John-Banks/tabid/504/articleID/27689/Default.aspx

      He also has some serious shortcomings around finances and governance, as Tracey notes above.

      On the other hand Len Brown banged an Asian chick, so you’re probably right. 🙄

      • tc 3.1.1
        3 December 2014 at 1:35 pm

        Don’t forget his foot n mouth about sth akld folk on the eve of one mayorlty election that cost him dear, then there was the one he lost to Hubbard cos jaffa’s seemed utterly sick of the man.

        Wonder what Michelle thinks.

      • tinfoilhat 3.1.2
        3 December 2014 at 1:50 pm

        “Do you remember what he said about homosexuals needing 6 inches of barbed wire shoved up their arses?”

        That’s an appalling thing to say have you got a link as it needs to be brought up at election time if he ever does decide to run again.

      • Puckish Rogue 3.1.3
        3 December 2014 at 1:59 pm

        I’d be more concerned about the rates rises Aucklands getting to pay for Lens train set

        • Tracey 3.1.3.1
          3 December 2014 at 2:00 pm

          You wouldnt be if you bothered to read up about our transport problems rather than regurgitate myth laden lines

          • Rob 3.1.3.1.1
            3 December 2014 at 3:18 pm

            Ok Tracey, maybe the CRL will sort out your transport issues for you in the central auckland area, but it aint going to solve squat in the outer Akl suburbs. Especially around the manufacturing hubs. Maybe you are the one who needs to understand the issue fully.

            • felix 3.1.3.1.1.1
              3 December 2014 at 4:35 pm

              Can you explain how increasing the capacity of the rail network to be able to carry more trains more frequently only affects one part of the network?

            • Lloyd 3.1.3.1.1.2
              3 December 2014 at 10:26 pm

              The CRL will increase property values everywhere within 10 minutes walking time of any station in the system and will dramatically increase the value of the CBD properties close to the new stations on the CRL. The main failure of the Council is not to explain this and also to not plan the capture of this increase in value to pay for the loans required to build the structure. The main failure of the government on this issue is to try to stab Auckland in the CRL heart in the same way a former National government decided to reduce the planned 8 lane Harbour Bridge down to 4 lanes, forcing the later and much more expensive installation of the Nippon Clip-Ons. The CRL will be part of the national rail system. It should be fully funded by government and it should have been started yesterday.

            • Tracey 3.1.3.1.1.3
              4 December 2014 at 8:47 am

              And THAT fundamental misunderstanding of the loop is exactly why people like you need to stop forming your opinions from soundbites. Actually go to transport blog and gen zero sites and read their proposals. Then you will understand the loop is a means to an end not the end.

              The loop will enable easier transition from different directions, it will free up britomart making it possible to run trains from the outer suburbs more frequently.

              Perhaps Rob the one thing we can agree is that more roads isnt the answer for the outer suburbs?

            • millsy 3.1.3.1.1.4
              4 December 2014 at 7:41 pm

              My view is that Brown is too impatient in wanting the CRL to go ahead at ‘his’ time frame. Auckland was always going to get it, just as it was always going to get electrification.

              Personally I think he should have stuck to consolidating and tweaking the existing network (including the new trains) and getting that working right — that includes, buses, ferries, roads and cycleways, then perhaps in 2020-25, build the CRL. Also, dedicated busways (future proofed for light rail) should have replaced rail to the airport and north shore.

              That said, the CRL is not a new idea — that socialist green Marxist, Gordon Coates, railways minister in the far left communist United-Reform coalition government supported both electrification AND the CBD tunnel, back in the 1920’s.

        • framu 3.1.3.2
          3 December 2014 at 3:09 pm

          you mean rates rises due to the way act deliberately mucked up the super city

          nearly all the rates money goes to CCOs

          still waiting for a thank you from the rich parts of auckland for their rates subsidy from the poor parts as well

        • Molly 3.1.3.3
          3 December 2014 at 3:26 pm

          Of course you are.

          You haven’t bothered:
          1. Following the structure of Auckland Council that Rodney Hide set up in contradiction to Royal Commission recommendations for amalgamation, that has caused myriad transparency and accountability issues and included the complete separation of Auckland Transport from Auckland Council,
          2. Recognised that the National government (without credible evidence) ensured the focus of the NZTA to roading, roading, roading which impacted on local government budgets,
          3. Have any kind of idea on planning and the benefits of access to alternative transport methods in terms of social, community, environmental and financial wellbeing for NZers,
          4. Given any consideration to the impact climate change transitions (planned or catastrophic) will have on our quality of life and how good public transport systems put in place will go some way to alleviating that impact…

          There’s more but you seem unlikely to read anything that shows how simple answers to complex questions often cause further problems.

          Public transport access – if only considered in the short term financial aspect will never be profitable. But that is a fool’s paradise in a parking lot.

          We need to do better than that, despite all attempts of National to make it about Len Brown (one vote on a council) and dismissal of any other means of funding it.

        • NZJester 3.1.3.4
          3 December 2014 at 4:08 pm

          Not more fud about the trains. Would you rater pay for a train-set that will cost you less in the long term and actually start making its money back while fixing the cities traffic problems or pay for the NActs complicated road system that will do little to reduce traffic congestion in the long term and just rack up the rates to help produce more traffic congestion and in city pollution?
          The original Auckland city rail system was called a white elephant that will hardly be used by anyone by National when it was proposed and built. Within a very short time it has in fact become to popular and is getting closer and closer to reaching maximum capability without the rail upgrades.

      • Tom Jackson 3.1.4
        3 December 2014 at 3:43 pm

        Do you remember what he said about homosexuals needing 6 inches of barbed wire shoved up their arses?

        I think it’s cruel and bigoted to be judgemental when conservative politicians inadvertently reveal their secret fetishes.

    • DoublePlusGood 3.2
      3 December 2014 at 1:27 pm

      By cleared of charges you mean “Has enough money to lawyer his way out of appropriate punishment for his actions.”

    • tc 3.3
      3 December 2014 at 1:32 pm

      going to be cleared eh PR, care to provide evidence of this prediction or inside knowledge of a done deal.

      • Puckish Rogue 3.3.1
        3 December 2014 at 1:55 pm

        None except thats what its looking like however if I’m wrong you can point out to me I’m wrong, if i’m proven right well then there’ll be some crowing from me

        • Tracey 3.3.1.1
          3 December 2014 at 2:03 pm

          Being found not guilty will not change that he did this

          . Did not read a crucial form relating to transparency and corruption in politics before signing it

          Coupled with his hujlich incompetence you want him in charge of rates!?? Is that you Michelle?

        • Tom Jackson 3.3.1.2
          3 December 2014 at 3:45 pm

          A good rule of thumb is that if you’re posting right wing stuff, you’re generally going to be wrong.

    • felix 3.4
      3 December 2014 at 1:33 pm

      Hey PR, weren’t you just banned for 3 years on another thread?

    • Tracey 3.5
      3 December 2014 at 1:38 pm

      but he has no skills. Refer my post above, and the video…

    • minarch 3.6
      3 December 2014 at 2:14 pm

      Cmon Puck

      Banks is snide as f*#K , even a mug like you must be able to see that ?

      hes a weasely little bugger who reminds me of penfold from danger mouse

      I wouldnt let him near my kids , let alone run a city !

      • Puckish Rogue 3.6.1
        3 December 2014 at 2:32 pm

        So you’re ok with Lens broken promises on rates rises or in some cases massive rates rises?

        What it boils down to is running a city and Banks would be better than Brown having said that i’m sure there’re better candidates then either of them

        • minarch 3.6.1.1
          3 December 2014 at 2:58 pm

          WTF do i care about rates rises ?

          I DO care about banks gaming the justice system, being a homophobe, and just being plain creepy..

          Lens a bad boy its true and there are better candidates out there, just not at the banks place..

        • You_Fool 3.6.1.2
          3 December 2014 at 3:18 pm

          Given that I know what the rates rises under Len will be for, and that something is actually going to help all Auckland yes I am OK with it. Also Len didn’t lie about rate rises, he did foolishly think that a tory-hack government might actually pay for stuff that Aucklanders want, now he is saying he wants to do it without the government and is asking us how we want to do that.

          I know that there will be similar rate rises if banks got in (albeit maybe 0.5% lower) but it won’t be going to pay for anything useful; probably only his own salary/perks.

          There has never been a tory hack who hasn’t seen rates/taxes and not wanted to take them all for themselves

          • Lloyd 3.6.1.2.1
            3 December 2014 at 10:36 pm

            Actually under Banks you might find your RATES don’t increase so much, but you will almost certainly find water BILLS, road CHARGES and TICKET PRICES will skyrocket. These increases will of course hit the poorer parts of our community harder than the richer parts.

        • Nic the NZer 3.6.1.3
          3 December 2014 at 3:22 pm

          Ahh yes, the rates rises. One of the major justifications for creating the super city was of course so the council could save costs and reduce rates, fat chance of that ever working. Still its surprising how many people in other potential super city regions want to amalgamate councils to try to lower rates!

          Of course I could not think of a nicer city to experiment on – cheers for the lesson from Wellington.

          • NZJester 3.6.1.3.1
            3 December 2014 at 5:04 pm

            Some Aucklanders will end up with lower rates.
            All the poor areas will end up paying higher rates, but those in the well off areas will find that their rates will now most likely go down.

            • Nic the NZer 3.6.1.3.1.1
              3 December 2014 at 5:15 pm

              After all the council revaluations and the rates ceiling being thrown out? You have got to be joking! Most peoples rates will be going up in Auckland, and they are clearly taking in more money this year.

              • Descendant Of Sssmith …
                3 December 2014 at 5:41 pm

                Proportionally values are going up more in the poorer areas than the well off ones.

                As a result a higher proportion of rates will now be paid by poorer people who can least afford it.

                And yep there’ll be some poor old superannuant who has lived all their life in what is now a well off area who won’t be able to afford it but at least she’ll have a choice to sell her now highly valued property and move to a lower cost area with some money in the bank.

                Those in the poorer areas don’t really have the option to move to an even poorer area.

        • anrky_al 3.6.1.4
          3 December 2014 at 3:32 pm

          Banks wouldn’t have run it if he’d won. He would have had the puppet master Joyce’s arm up his arse, selling off holdings in assets like AIAL and PoAL etc, essentially doing NAct Govt’s bidding of emasculating local representation as they originally planned for in creating the SuperCity to start with.

        • Paul 3.6.1.5
          3 December 2014 at 3:51 pm

          Interesting pr turns up the moment c73 is banned for 3 years.
          Just another persona of the same tr***

        • Tracey 3.6.1.6
          4 December 2014 at 12:04 pm

          Can you explain how and why Banks would be a good mayor for auckland, regardless of whether len brown runs, with direct reference to…

          1. Banks received remuneration as an executive director of Hujlich but knew nothing of the CEOs operating or his fiddling the books ( not an executive director is different from a director. An ED is more hands on)

          2. Did not read a crucial form relating to transparency and corruption in politics before signing it.

      • NZJester 3.6.2
        3 December 2014 at 4:58 pm

        Penfold was a good guy so I don’t see him as a John Banks kind of character.
        I think he is more like the slimy Baron Silas Greenback the toad with a wheezy voice.

  4. ghostwhowalksnz 4
    3 December 2014 at 1:17 pm

    If Banks truely has nothing to fear, nothing to hide, then he will testify from the witness box in his upcoming retrial.

    Last time he hid behind the skirts of various women who went into the witness box.

  5. TheContrarian 5
    3 December 2014 at 1:55 pm

    I think the video of him eating his own ear-wax is a more powerful statement as to why he should never hold power.

  6. Rodel 6
    3 December 2014 at 2:24 pm

    Mr Banks won’t be bothered by Dotcom again.

    On RT (Russian Television) news last night it was announced that Kim Dotcom said that he is about to launch the Internet Party in America to provided an alternative to the Democrats and Republicans and he described himself as ‘Hilary’s worst nightmare.
    ‘
    It was a serious news item so I assume he is planning to go to the USA voluntarily.

    • minarch 6.1
      3 December 2014 at 3:00 pm

      “It was a serious news item so I assume he is planning to go to the USA voluntarily.”

      ahhhh i don’t think that’s actually necessary

      you know being the “internet” party and all..

    • Tracey 6.2
      4 December 2014 at 12:08 pm

      set up, not stand for president.

      Like alan gibbs created rodney hide, bank rolls ACT but doesnt run for parliament.

  7. Tiger Mountain 7
    3 December 2014 at 3:15 pm

    For much of my adult life this sack of tory filth arrayed in suit clad mockery of the human form–Archibald Banks–has been on the political stage.

    His record as Nat MP, Minister, co-opted ACToid and Auckland Mayor speaks for itself, selling off pensioner housing, threatening ‘boy racers’ while securing prime carparks for his Bentley and Harley at Council HQ, gay bashing till he needed the gay vote, racist beyond compare, reactionary host of subterranean talk back radio.

    He holds grudges, still miffed he did not win the Supercity first time round. He must be denied a further opportunity at all costs.

    • Molly 7.1
      3 December 2014 at 3:32 pm

      ” still miffed he did not win the Supercity first time round”
      They really thought they had it in the bag.

      I remember watching a presentation on television where John Key introduced John Banks as “the first mayor of Auckland Supercity” before the first elections were held.

      The fact that Len Brown won has had two outcomes.

      1. They have hated him ever since.
      2. They have also hated “those” they think voted him in. Policies reflect this disdain.

  8. One Anonymous Bloke 8
    3 December 2014 at 3:49 pm

    If the Left can’t put up a candidate who can beat Banks* we’ve got problems. For one thing his attempt to muddy the evidential waters has to succeed first.

    If the Cabbage Boat Caesar is the best the Right can come up with, so have they.

    * imagine a tone of derisive contempt when you say the word.

  9. Brutus Iscariot 9
    3 December 2014 at 4:13 pm

    Banks is a dinosaur. If it’s a stretch to call him “vile”, it’s not a stretch to say he’s manifestly unfit to hold high public office in the 21st century.

  10. NZJester 10
    3 December 2014 at 4:27 pm

    The new evidence that Bank’s wife got the court to consider that got the charges dismissed is also very shonky.
    Dot Com says the two guys she tracked down to testify they never heard anything mentioned about the donation where not there at the time of the donation discussion meeting but at a different time during another meeting between banks and Dot Com.
    It is my understanding that Banks has not been exonerated and could still face a retrial. They should send him back to trial for this so the new so called evidence can under cross examination be weighed up.

  11. minarch 11
    3 December 2014 at 4:57 pm

    seriously put a picture of banks and penfold together,

    its uncanny !

    • NZJester 11.1
      3 December 2014 at 5:23 pm

      Without the glasses he looks more like Baron Silas Greenback though.

      Oh my god is John Banks Clark Kenting us?
      Is he the real Baron Silas Greenback.

  12. Andrea 12
    3 December 2014 at 6:03 pm

    Is anyone local willing to unbundle Auckland and come up with a more effective and efficient city management system?

    Is there any political party with the will to modify Mr Hide’s fantasy in, say, 2017 and onwards.

    Not a week passes without grumpy Aucklanders raling (rattles in the breathing) about the forever rates rises, useless transport systems, hysterical house prices, and other indicators that They Have Arrived as a Real International City! woohoo.

    How about co-leaders/mayors – one of each political persuasion – who are willing to work together for the greater good of all? (It happens! No need to gnash!) And have the background experience to actually bring this off. Preferably NOT old hacks from the local government brigade.

    I wonder if Dame Margaret has repented – and might know a few possibles. Time to be asking, perhaps. We can’t have Auckland flailing around for much longer.