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Fri, 2 Oct 2015 at 6:49 a.m.
█ [fascinating] Latest Updates at KAIPARA CONCERNS
http://www.kaiparaconcerns.co.nz/
THE FLAG DEBATE 01.10.2015
It is worth reading Guy Steward’s article on the flag debate, the symbolism behind the flag, and the reasons why John Key is pressing for a change. Cont/
A MONSTROUS MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE? 30.09.2015
Many will have read the article on Penny Bright in today’s Herald and the massive legal bills that the Auckland City has incurred pursuing her for arrears of rates. Penny tends to polarise. To some she is a folk-hero espousing the interests of a fair and just society, and to others she is a no-hoper who should “get a life” and pay her dues. The reality is that she has discovered the Achilles heel of local government, and all the whitewash from the Council, the defamatory put-downs, and all the legal pressure they are putting on her, is not going to alter that fact.
All local authorities in New Zealand have the legal right to charge rates but only if, and I repeat only if, they comply with the requirements of the LGA in respect of consultation and only if they comply with the LGRA in respect of rating processes and rating documents.
Ms Bright has refused to pay her rates until she knows where the council spends its money – particularly on private contractors – and acts in a democratic manner.
Unlike taxes which are levied by statutes that are unconditionally binding on all citizens, rates are only binding if they comply with the law. Local government in New Zealand has long suffered from a chronic case of ADOTROL* disease [Arrogant Disregard Of The Rule Of Law] which has caused it to adopt procedures and documentation that are lazy, slovenly and simply fail to comply with the law. That means that most of the rates set by local authorities are unlawful. Cont/
[2.10.15 NZH Editorial: Bright’s free ride has cost us enough]
SECRETS AND MORE SECRETS 30.09.2015
Alexandra Newlove’s article in the Northern Advocate reported Whangarei councillor Stuart Bell’s criticism of public–excluded workshops. “I don’t agree with having to make decisions on behalf of our community when, because an issue has been deemed confidential, the discussion I can have with the community on it is somewhat limited.” Cont/
AND EVEN MORE SECRETS 30.09.2015
How is that when someone goes into central government or local government their individual ethical standards become compromised and they adopt the party line or appropriate political line? Respect for the principles of law or fair play, or common sense for that matter, fly out of the window. We have seen it in successive Ministers of Local Government who chose to ignore the blatant illegalities of the KDC, and tacitly gave Jack McKerchar and Neil Tiller the stamp of approval for their reckless plunder of Kaipara ratepayers. […] But the ADOTROL* disease is endemic throughout the Beehive. Justice Minister Amy Adams has a severe case of the disease if the NZ Lawyer is correct. An article in that magazine claims that the Minister has refused to disclose details of why the costs of renovating Dunedin’s historic courthouse have leapt from $2.5 million to $15 million. Barrister Anne Stevens has slammed the secrecy saying that “scrutiny of decision-making underpins a democracy”. Cont/
[30.9.15 NZ Lawyer: Lawyers slam secretive plans for courthouse upgrade]
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More to read at Kaipara Concerns.
But is it true activism stands more chance in Northland than Dunedin.
YES, because the Dunedin public are nearly if not always asleep. Or they want to pick up someone else’s trash to qualify for Darlene’s job keeping Dunedin ‘beautiful’ and semi-comatose.
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Related Posts and Comments:
13.2.15 Associate Minister of Local Government: Return democracy to Kaipara
2.2.15 LGNZ run by Mad Rooster Yule, end of story
27.11.14 Auditor-general Lyn Provost #Resign
31.10.14 Whaleoil on “dodgy ratbag local body politicians” —just like ours at DCC
9.9.14 Mangawhai, Kaipara: Latest news + Winston Peter’s speech
19.7.14 Whaleoil / Cameron Slater on ratepayers’ lament
29.5.14 Mangawhai Ratepayers and Residents Assn wins at High Court
31.3.14 Audit services to (paying) local bodies #FAIL ● AuditNZ ● OAG…
29.1.14 Mangawhai, Kaipara —we hear ya!
3.12.13 LGNZ: OAG report on Kaipara
12.11.13 Northland council amalgamation
29.6.13 Audit NZ and OAG clean bill of health —Suspicious!
21.4.13 Councils “in stchook” —finance & policy analyst Larry.N.Mitchell
19.3.12 Local government reform
21.2.12 Kaipara this time
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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr
What if? Dunedin... 
“But is it true activism stands more chance in Northland than Dunedin.
YES, because the Dunedin public are nearly if not always asleep.”
Yes, because Northland is an “unstable” electorate. It’s winnable – or losable. Dunedin is Labour, has been since First Church was First Sunday-school, except the time Richard Walls (Nat.) defeated Brian Arnold (Lab.) who was a great worker for the Labour Party but had reached his top level of competence long before being put up as their candidate. The Labour party has not since then disrespected Dunedin enough to attempt to “give” a seat in parliament as a reward for loyalty and outstanding raffle ticket salesmanship. On the other hand they don’t need to respect us all that much, not enough to give us lovely pressies to keep up on-side.
National ignored us because we won’t vote for them, Labour ignores us because we do.
I also think their lawyer friends (Northland and Auckland) do a lot more for community good (PRO BONO) than the majority of their strigglestruggle and or fatcat Dunedin counterparts. That helps Activism!
Dunedin barrister Anne Stevens and her immediate colleagues are rather more generous of their time and skills, it must be said. In fact, underlined !!!!
Last sentence very nicely put, Hype.
It’s time for the Winston Peters and NZ First bus to visit Dunedin!
Yes, we’re desperate – all and any help is welcome.
Remove the Courthouse imbroglio and then see how many of Anne Stevens’ ‘immediate colleagues’ still are heard. I’m inclined to agree with Hype O’Thermia, both political parties see not much in Dunedin worth fighting for. We have in the past had Pete Hodgson and David Benson-Pope, both cabinet ministers who benefited Dunedin sod all. Now we have ‘get in behind’ Michael Woodhouse yapping at his master’s voice. Meantime, Mr Fixit Steven Joyce, who probably is not sure where the South Island is let alone Dunedin. He thinks Invermay is some sort of Scottish outpost, that is past its use by date that some sheep farmer owns. If it was a casino proposal for ‘Crap and be happy’ road in central Auckland, now that would be something else to him.
Instead, we have to settle for the lame legged lot of mayor and councillors that our sleepwalking populace continue to elect, yet expect a somewhat higher performance than the intellect selected. With a fixation on all things Chinese, sister city-wise including constant travelling and ‘brown-nosing’, our Mayor sets the standard. As the saying goes, “you can’t make honey out of dogshite”.