Deborah Russell for New Lynn

Written By: notices and features - Date published: - 69 comments
Categories: labour - Tags: ,

Senior Lecturer and tax law expert Deborah Russell has won the Labour selection for New Lynn – congratulations! You’re going to make a fantastic MP! Home team candidate Greg would also have made a fine choice, alas that only one of them can represent the electorate.

https://twitter.com/DavidCunliffeMP/status/830225347761156096

And also:

69 comments on “Deborah Russell for New Lynn”

Comment numbers have changed to permanent references. Older quoted numbers may no longer identify the same comment.

  1. 1

    The New Lynn communities are fortunate to have you both!

    Anyone know when Labour’s final seat selections will be finished?

    1. 3.1

      The Labour caucus learns zero about democracy. What the locals want counts for nothing. OK.

      If the caucus don’t need me I don’t need them either. I’ll have a closer look at the Greens.

      1. 3.1.1

        The caucus doesn’t decide candidates. There is a process involving the party and local reps and members ; as there was yesterday. No MP was involved other than D Cunliffe who had his one red card vote.

          1. 3.1.1.1.1

            Labour’s constitution includes this info and is available on their web site

            https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/nzlabour/pages/3956/attachments/original/1472008254/NZLP_Constitution_with_2016_Amendments.pdf?1472008254

            Edit: The Green’s is only visible to members: https://home.greens.org.nz/constitution but google can find it anyway https://home.greens.org.nz/sites/default/files/greenparty_constitution_110602new.pdf here’s how they have done it in the past http://www.elections.org.nz/sites/default/files/bulk-upload/documents/green_party_candidate_selection_and_list_ranking_processes_2014.pdf

            The Nats don’t even have a way to search their web site, but will offer you great deals on private health insurance if you join

            Edit: Actually I did find the Nat’s constitution, here’s how they do it
            https://www.mynational.org.nz/Folder?Action=View%20File&Folder_id=369&File=NZ%20National%20Party%20-%20Rules%20and%20Constitution%202016.pdf

    2. 3.2

      Is this supposed to be alternative fact? “Russell is an outstanding candidate for New Lynn.”

      She has no experience as an elected representative.

      Do you remember, “He’s a great guy. He did brilliant work at the UN and was voted New Zealander of the Year. We’ll push aside the local candidates and make him the candidate for Mt. Albert.” Next came, “The people love Cunliffe but we (the caucus) don’t. We’ll override the membership and make Shearer party leader.” With that top down thinking the Labour caucus nearly destroyed the Labour party.

      Unlike Russell, Greg Presland has a proven record as an outstanding local politician. He built a local Labour team that swept the opposition out of almost every local body seat.

      Time will tell if Deborah Russell proves to be a good candidate (as time proved Shearer was NOT). But the way the hierarchy parachuted her into my electorate sickens me.

      1. 3.2.1

        She has been an active Labour figure for sometime. Perhaps the opposite lesson of Mt Roskill, but perhaps not. We’ll see. The west needs to come back from Paula Bennebasher that’s for sure.

        1. 3.2.1.1

          The west needs to come back from Paula Bennebasher that’s for sure.

          Huh! Cunliffe has been MP for New Lynn for many years. Carmel Sepuloni is MP for Kelston, Twyford out at Te Atatū. Bennett was only MP for part of the west.

      2. 3.2.2

        Are you saying that anyone who wants to be an MP has to have experience as some other kind of elected representative?

        btw, you left out the fact that Russell stood for Labour in 2014.

      4. 3.2.4

        You do realise that EVERY MP was a candidate with no parliamentary experience before they became an MP right?

        If we only elect people with experience eventually they’ll all die off and we’ll have no MPs at all

      5. 3.2.5

        You make some good points AmaKiwi.

        I think they need to go back to what worked in Mt Roskill. It was the slogan about being local and Woods came across as a decent family man – not someone who goes into politics to work on their career and gain power.

        I’m on the fence about Deborah – saw her on Waatea and she seemed ok and competent, but a little hard in some of her views.

  4. 4

    Ok, those of us in New Lynn have missed out on having an electorate MP that’s on top of local issues and representing those effectively in Parliament, in favour of someone whose expertise is on issues with nationwide effects.

    I’m only a little bit disappointed, coz I rate them both very highly.

    But does anyone want to explain to me why Paul Eagle is going to do such a good job for Rongotai’s particular needs that I should feel better about Labour leadership wanting Deborah to represent New Lynn rather than Rongotai? Preferably someone with local Rongotai knowledge?

  5. 5

    Not sure how Auckland’s ‘Waitakere men and women’ (Westies to some) are going to relate to a Massey University academic.

    1. 5.1

      Not actually a whole lot of Waitakere man territory in the New Lynn electorate. New Lynn has Titirangi, Green Bay, Blockhouse Bay, New Windsor, New Lynn, Avondale.

      1. 5.1.1

        New Lynn is becoming a bit gentrified, though it still is a bit mixed socio-economic. But Kelston has also been split off from it, and that probably is still more mixed socio-economic, I think.

        “Waitakere man” was always located further west in the Waitakere electorate that once had Bennett – nearer to Henderson and further west also.

        1. 5.1.1.1

          New Lynn used to include Woodlands Park, Laingholm etc out to Whatipu, but all that’s now in Helensville.

          S’pose that young lady from the Greens that announced her interest in Helensville and promptly scared off the incumbent will pick up a few votes out that way.

          1. 5.1.1.1.1

            Probably will. Last election they had Kennedy Graham as a candidate. So the Greens might run another fairly high profile candidate out there.

        3. 5.1.1.3

          “Waitakere man” was always a myth.

          God knows who invented the stereo type but I know no one who matches it and I’ve lived here most of my life.

          2. 5.1.1.3.2

            It was Chris Trotter – who else. 🙂

            Yes, it was a mythical stereo type but I think I understand the kind of person Trotter was referring to, and they can be found everywhere. Conservative leaning with a hint of misogynist and racist attitudes. They were once quite prevalent in parts of West Auckland but apparently not so much in New Lynn.

            1. 5.1.1.3.2.1

              Yes – to be fair to Chris Trotter it is a composite rather than a stereotype. And its purpose was not to be sociologically/psychologically precise, but to be illustrative of diversity and the political dangers facing a left that is too one-dimensional and purist

              1. 5.1.1.3.2.1.1

                Sorry AB. Only just seen your comment.

                Absolutely correct. And unfortunately this one dimensional purist streak running through certain Labour members has been all too prevalent this past week – to the undoubted detriment of the Labour Party and its electoral chances later this year.

                1. 5.1.1.3.2.1.1.1

                  Do you mean the purists who think people on the left should be primarily focusing on economic justice and ignoring, or strongly down-playing social justice issues?… cause that’s what the waitakere man type seemed to be about to me.

                  1. 5.1.1.3.2.1.1.1.1

                    That whole stereotype demeans a segment of voters as if they can’t simultaneously want fairness and economic opportunity – more a projection of pundits’ moral/intellectual inadequacies than anything.

        4. 5.1.1.4

          These posts are illuminating. Essentially you are all stating that Labour would do poorly in areas that are working class, but because New Lynn is gentrified, all is well.

          This is why Labour is in such big trouble.

          1. 5.1.1.4.1

            The Labour caucus learns zero about democracy. What the locals want counts for nothing. OK.

            If the caucus don’t need me I don’t need them either. I’ll have a closer look at the Greens.

            2. 5.1.1.4.1.2

              Yep, been a member for 4 years, but at this rate will vote Maori party.

              I can’t believe they’ve parachuted someone into New Lynn, who doesn’t even live in Auckland. Insanity.

      1. 5.2.1

        So? What does that have to do with my idle observation?

        Seems demographics have changed rather more than I realised since moving away from the region 30 plus years ago.

    3. 5.3

      if she talks more about where their tax needs to be used and less about labelling/judging them then she will probably be related to fine…we can but hope.

  6. 6

    I am confident Greg Presland is a fine fellow whose day will come, and in this case he will be a good loser and concentrate his energies on getting Ms. Russell (who is very talented and brings a huge skill set to parliament) elected.

    Poto Williams has yet to decide if Ms Russell’s deliberate spilling of orange juice on her Maori friend in a calculated fit of of pique at kindergarten in 1972 warrants a massaged press statement via Facebook.

      1. 6.3.1

        It’s these kinds of breathless, patronising non-sequiturs that turn people off the “you’ve abandoned social justice because you’re just misogynistic, rape culture-promoting naughty boys” sect of the Labour Party.

        I wonder if there is less of it in the Greens?

        Sanc should be welcome to criticise Poto’s conduct in how she went about attacking an NZLP candidate for selection without the dark(!) innuendo about how he’s pro-rape.

        1. 6.3.1.1

          Sanc wasn’t critiquing Williams, they were putting her down. There is a difference. It’s hardly surprising that women are touchy about how rape gets dealt with politically, all things considered.

    4. 6.4

      No chance of Presland scoring a seat anywhere now: no other electorate will take him because he’d be an outsider and he doesn’t have “expert” credentials like Russell and Shearer. As for Labour’s List – do I have to spell out Presland’s deficiencies?

      1. 6.4.1

        Greg Presland is different to many in Labour, because now he’s lost the nomination he:

        – will earn far more running his own business than being an MP
        – remains beholden to no MP or faction
        – has a full time profession to immediately return to
        – has a successful political life already as Chair of the Local Board
        – is already underway with planning for life’s next stage
        – has total respect from Labour and Green locals for several decades of work and delivery
        – doesn’t have the ego of a shrinking newcomer who got their first spanking; so …

        … essentially needs for nothing,

  7. 7

    I’ve come to know Deborah somewhat over the last ten years, and it’s not just her in depth knowledge of her topic that is so impressive, but her integrity and genuine family values. As well as her generous heart and her sense of fun.

    For once, Labour could not have chosen a better candidate.

    Now let’s get that message across to voters.

  8. 8

    Presland should have got the nod. His values are more Labour (ie public ownership, workers protection. regulation, welfare, etc). Russell is probably a Blairite/Clarkite.

  10. 10

    Paul Eagle is an appalling candidate. He is the last person I would vote for.
    His attitude and comments about the cycleway were appalling. The fact he proposed a partnership with the right wing nutter Nicola Young beggars belief..
    I can’t believe that labour has not greater depth in Rongotai.
    Electing Eagle as the candidate,? Shit they should at least have gone for a progressive!

    My electorate vote will now be going to the Greens. In fact he is such an oaf, I shall actively campaign against him..

      1. 10.1.1

        The cycleway is fine, just the design is dumb, so they should have just sacked their transport consultant who designed the thing and got a new one.

  11. 11

    I should really go into business making travel baggage designed for holding textiles…

    Anyway, Deborah Russell should be the candidate where she actually lives, and if Greg ain’t going to get the nod, he might as well bail to the Greens.

    Paul Eagle is pretty medium.

  12. 12

    Congratulations, too, to all of those who put their names forward and missed out. Only one can be chosen, but to be a serious candidate at all shows skill & experience worthy of respect.

    Has National appointed its New Lynn candidate yet?

  13. 13

    I am one who has read Deborah Russell’s work. She will be an outstanding candidate. I am certain she will quickly get to grips with local issues. I’d encourage those who are concerned about this to go meet with her, and talk her through the issues you want her to know about.

    Congratulations to Paul eagle as well! He’s passionate about issues in his patch, and a great spokesperson for the area.

        1. 14.1.1.1

          I’ve heard from locals he showed little interets in Helensville town. His electorate office was in Kumeu/Waimauku. Not even sure he ever visited Helensville town.

  15. 15

    All the best Deborah. You are one clued up lady and a real asset to the Party.

    I know you will be a dedicated hard working MP, looking forward to seeing you in the House later in the year.

  16. 16

    Will Deborah Russell’s election campaign be funded by a secret trust and will Greg Presland be running it?

  17. 17

    Disappointed that Greg Presland didn’t get the nod, but like Presland, Deborah Russell is a great asset to Labour too and it’s a no-brainer to give her full support.

Comments are closed.