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David Farrar, head of the Free Speech Coalition and renowned democracy fighter, has outlined the Right's reasons for opposing letting the people of Auckland decide whether they want the Government's proposed supercity. The post contains a bizarre level of personal abuse against Phil Goff but…
auckland supercity democracy under attack democratic participation
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On the way to the Question & Answer session for the Mount Albert Labour selection candidates, it was clear that the campaign has kicked off. The hall is slowly filling up, and it looks like the seats are all full. You'll see a photo (from…
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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…
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Fran O'Sullivan shows that she gets it - National-Act's supercity is designed to serve the interests of the business elite by taking democracy away from the people of Auckland, and that's the reason for their refusal to give the people of Auckland their referendum. Problem…
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Rodney Hide says Aucklanders shouldn't have a vote on whether or not they want his supercity. He uses one of the weaker arguments the righties have been running in our comment threads "it's not just a `yes' or `no' question" Yes it is. The question of…
auckland supercity democracy under attack democratic participation john key
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The Greens have joined Labour and an array of groups calling for Aucklanders to get a referendum on the supercity. Great stuff. Sue Kedgley points out that much of the Government's proposed structure was not recommended by the Royal Commission and Aucklanders have not been…
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The average house in New Zealand should be worth about 3.5 times the average household income. (3.5 * $48k = $168k) The historic long-term rental return on most residential property was about 10%. Current rents for a typical 120m2, three bedroomed home in an average…
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It seems that Zimbabwe is, after all, a world leader. Mugabe's government which followed the IMF and World Bank's neo liberal plan for their economy to the letter, has shown us all how these policies will finish up. The austerity medicine prescribed for Zimbabwe by the…
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Phil Goff has put out a press release calling for a referendum so that the people of Auckland can decide whether the Government's Auckland supercity plan should go ahead. Excellent. A referendum is the only fair and democratic way to proceed. Especially when polling shows…
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Umm, some posts we get sent are a bit quirky. Enjoy. _____________________________ OK. I'll confess. I'm one of the ones who fell for Key. I switched my vote to National. Why not? A brighter future, tax cuts, rainbows, nice smiles, ponys for all, being a…
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If you've been watching your Fox News, you know that the US is turning socialist. It's going to be Sweden any day apparently. The Daily Show went to Sweden to get a taste of the fate that awaits Americans. The tunes they play while…
economy humour International public services workers' rights youtube
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Check out this piece on TV3. Key first talks about the "9-week fortnight" and doesn't even catch his mistake. Then, trying to justify not offering 9-day fortnights for the public sector (which Germany etc are doing), he says "well, the public sector has different issues…
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After the success of the meetings about the super-city in Waitakere and Manakau yesterday, here are a few more of interest in date order. We will issue reminders when they are due. From the notice on the Grassroots Labour site about a public meeting in…
auckland supercity democracy under attack democratic participation drinking liberally labour local government
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National cannot be blamed for the current financial crisis and recession of course. But they can be blamed for their short sighted and inadequate response. Stuck in old ways of thinking (cut spending, cut jobs, sell stuff) they have done nothing to stimulate the economy.…
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John Key has a habit of speaking much more bluntly to foreign media than he does to us. In his interview with the Financial Times published this week he stated unequivocally that there will be no stimulus package for New Zealand. He hadn't told us. It…
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Helen Clark has been awarded an honorary doctorate, a Doctor of Laws, by Auckland University. Chancellor Roger France said in a written statement that the degree recognised Helen Clark's "enormous contribution to New Zealand and on the international stage". "Helen Clark had made a mark…
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The government's refusal to listen on its fast-tracked Supercity plans is already resulting in protests. The unrest that's building should hardly come as a surprise. I can certainly understand Aucklanders not wanting to be dictated to by Wellington - especially when the outcome is ACT…
auckland supercity democracy under attack democratic participation national/act government
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On the impending job losses at the IRD, TVNZ reporter Catherine Loft ended her report with: "Anyone who once thought that they were safe working for our government really needs to think again". I wonder how on earth they could have got that idea?
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Keeping with the topics of the day thus far - Air New Zealand and pay packets - a solution to the Zeal320 dispute occurs to me. There are about 240 flight attendants striking for fairer pay (they want pay parity with flight attendants doing the same…
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Interesting question over at Big News: In 1998, just 10 years ago,the Prime Minister was paid $185,000. The speaker was paid $126,000. A Chairperson of a Select Committee got $86,500. John Key gets more than all three combined in 2008. That's not including his allowances.…
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As someone personally involved at the Air New Zealand cabin crew dispute I can tell you it's been pretty nasty for everyone involved. But what it's really brought home for everyone has been the seamless (and slightly creepy) way the airline has used its internal…
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So, Labour's flying in some bloke called David Shearer to have a tilt at the Mt Albert selection. Apparently he's been working for the UN Development Programme in Iraq and has quite a bit of foreign policy background. People like him, wife and kids, ticks…
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Ray White, the renowned philosopher from Greytown, had a letter published by the Dominion Post on Monday wherein he says "I think it is great that Auckland Maori are to raise a hikoi in protest at not getting free representation on the new Auckland City Council.…
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Drinking Liberally with Sue Bradford Where: Southern Cross Bar, Abel Smtih St, Wellington When: Thu, 23 Apr 2009 from 5:30pm. That's tomorrow. Green MP Sue Bradford will be at Drinking Liberally - 6pm tomorrow - Southern Cross Bar - leading a discussion on "the state…
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UMR has just released a poll [PDF link] measuring support for a supercity. Stuff reports on it under the headline "Voters back Auckland supercity": Though the poll's sample of just 483 is small, it is the first real indicator of support for the supercity concept,…
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It's good that Labour has rejoined good leftwing principles over the foreshore and seabed. Labour was spooked by the popularity of National's race baiting into emulating them. They should never have denied iwi the right to go to court to try to establish their customary…
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In 1999, Napier and Hastings had a referendum over whether their councils should merge. They voted against it. In 2005, there was a referendum on Banks Peninsula and Christchurch City merging. The people voted for it. The Royal Commission report says that the normal process…
auckland supercity democracy under attack national/act government referendum
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Breaking news... Labour MP Phil Twyford announced today he will not be seeking the nomination for the Mt Albert by-election. Twyford said he believed the by-election was an ideal opportunity to bring more fresh talent into Parliament, building on Labour's 2008 intake. "I am already…
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Yesterday I pointed out that the Local Government Act requires referenda on boundary changes such as are envisaged for Auckland. To not do so would be to use the parliamentary rights to amend legislation to remove a required consultation with the citizens of Auckland. It…
act auckland supercity democracy under attack democratic participation maori party national
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A couple of months ago you may remember Tony Ryall rejecting a health select committee recommendation that cigarettes and tobacco be kept out of sight in shops to help make them less inviting. On Sunrise this morning Oliver Driver wanted to know, in the light…