Month: April 2015

Shayne Currie and the mystery of the ever-changing statement

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For those in Facebook who have gone
FOCUS ON ISSUES THAT MATTER

Sorry but you might not be understanding the role of the 4th Estate which is the Media holding the State to account.

What we have here is an Editor breaching ethics, ethics so needed when running stories especially sensitive stories and anonymous sources.

If such ethics are thrown out the window as might be apparent then the 4th Estate is no longer doing its job. And by that they are not holding to account the Government and State on issues like

Taxes
Expenditure
Deployment to Iraq
Natural Disaster Response
Conduct of Government, Opposition, and MPs otherwise known as part of The Parliament
Policy that affects us all one way or the other
The Police (who have been in the firing line as of late)

So yes this is now an issue that matters as the 4th Estate is brought into disrepute when it meant to be an arm of our Democratic Institute. That is right the Media are part of our Democratic Institute as much as The Executive, The Legislature/Parliament, The Judiciary, and The State.

jononatusch's avatarOccasionally Erudite Publications

In my previous post, I quoted the statement posted online by Shayne Currie, NZ Herald editor, in response to questions as to Rachel Glucina’s ethics. It’s a statement that was initially posted, disappeared, and was then re-posted.

What I hadn’t realised is that some quite fundamental changes were made to the statement between being posted and then being re-posted. They’ve been mapped by Peter Aranyi, author of the excellent On The Paepae blog, via Twitter:

Shayne Currie statement

The most pertinent change would seem to be the removal of the words “No objections were raised” from the second-to-last paragraph. Did Mr Currie, on second thoughts, realise that such a statement was indefensible?

Then note, in paragraph three, the inclusion of the phrase, “Regardless of any confusion over the initial approach, all three agreed they wanted to make a public statement.” As I’ve previously written, the  confusion seems to have been manufactured by Glucina…

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Rachel Glucina and journalistic ethics (or the lack thereof)

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Two things from this:

1) The actions of two people – an editor and a gossip columnist no less have pretty much belittled the Main Stream Media profession and the fine work the journalists actually do out there. If people or organisations are more hesitant to approach the MSM now with stories gee I wonder then why

2) The entire saga has for 48 hours now buried anything else coming out in the cycles today. If Mayor Len Brown wanted to pass a 10% rates rise today he could have done so and Auckland would have been totally clueless until the next Rates bill. The point being today there have been some larger Auckland stories coming through such as:

Auckland Transport considering transport investment over the next three years

Minister of Finance Bill English and Mayor Len Brown are in Flatbush today launching a large housing project with housing so short in Auckland.

Sticking with the Mayor it seems he has done it again and struck a deal on the Port situation. Len is known for striking deals that are the most pragmatic in the middle of a cluster turd storm

The PonyTailGate affair has been one bollocking up that is a case of wanting to turn away from a slow moving wreck but you can not.
The original offence of the Prime Minister touching someone without consent is still a big NO NO on all grounds.
The Herald cocking things up is something else entirely.

Talking Auckland does feel for the good journalists out there today. Why should two inept idiots ruin it for the rest.

Talking Auckland also feels for the waitress caught in this Category 5 shit storm. Having worked in hospitality as a worker and manager I would be guttered if from what I am hearing the owners effectively pimped out the story the way it seems to be unfolding. The Hospo Industry is fast pace and fun but hell it can be downright trying as well.

jononatusch's avatarOccasionally Erudite Publications

As everyone knows, John Key yesterday became an international laughing stock thanks to his penchant for stroking or yanking women’s ponytails. The blog that yesterday outed the issue kept the waitress’s name secret – her account of John Key’s actions at the cafe where she worked was anonymous.

Turns out it didn’t take long for her name to hit the headlines, thanks to the actions of NZ Herald gossip columnist / wannabe-real-journalist Rachel Glucina. You might remember Ms Glucina from Dirty Politics…

An excerpt from Nicky Hagar's book Dirty Politics. An excerpt from Nicky Hager’s book Dirty Politics.

The waitress has detailed her account of Ms Glucina’s overtures here, and, if true, Glucina’s actions (and, indeed, the actions of her editor, Shayne Currie) reflect appallingly on the Herald. Here’s the long and short of it:

  • The Parnell cafe, Rosie, in which this all went down, is owned by Hip Group.
  • Rachel Glucina’s twin brother, Henry…

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Works on Parnell Station to Continue

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Opening 2017

From Auckland Transport

Preparation work underway for the Parnell station

Earthworks have begun at the site of the new Parnell train station.

In February, the board of Auckland Transport approved the $6 million station, off Cheshire Street.

The work currently underway includes earthworks to allow the platform to be installed. These are planned for completion by August.

Meanwhile, KiwiRail is working to engage contractors to complete the design and refurbishment of the former Newmarket station building and provide for its relocation to Parnell. This is due for completion by late 2015. AT will then commence fit-out work.

The opening and operation of the new station is aligned to the closure of Sarawia Street level crossing, near Newmarket. That crossing is due for closure by June 2017 but is subject to planning processes.

A station at Parnell is forecast to be used by up to 2000 passengers during the morning peak with many of them heading to the nearby universities. It will also be used by people attending events in the Domain and at the ASB Tennis Stadium, and the Parnell community.

The new station will have two platforms, ticket machines and CCTV.  Future stages may include an overbridge, lifts and enhanced access through the Domain.

Waitemata Local Board chairman Shale Chambers says a station at Parnell is highly anticipated by local residents and the wider community. “It’ll be a great additional to Parnell not only providing opportunities for local businesses but making it easier to live, work and play in the area.”

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Motor vehicle-free summit on Maungawhau / Mt Eden

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For your information

From the Tūpuna Maunga o Tāmaki Makaurau Authority

Motor vehicle-free summit on Maungawhau / Mt Eden

The tihi (summit) of Maungawhau / Mt Eden will be free from motor vehicles as a result of last night’s meeting of the Tūpuna Maunga o Tāmaki Makaurau Authority.

Last December the Maunga Authority agreed in principle to the move and last night progressed to a clear direction that the tihi (summit) will be motor vehicle-free, subject to confirmation of the costs associated with the various arrangements including access for those with limited mobility.

Maunga Authority Chair Paul Majurey explains that the important decision for this ancestral mountain reflects the serious consideration given to the initiative.

“There was unanimous agreement at the Maunga Authority hui last night that a motor vehicle-free summit is the right outcome for the iconic taonga of Maungawhau / Mt Eden.”

Council staff have worked closely with various disability organisations in addressing the matter of tihi access for people with limited mobility and identified practical measures such as the installation of electric gates with an access code, or similar outcomes. The access code could be distributed to people with limited mobility via the Auckland Council call centre. 

Mr Majurey explains that in making their decision the Maunga Authority placed emphasis on the spiritual and cultural significance of the tihi to Mana Whenua and the community aspirations reflected in the long-standing public programme that led to the 2007 Maungawhau  /  Mt Eden Management Plan.

The plan identified that unrestricted access raised concerns over pedestrian safety, congestion and damage to the maunga. In response to these concerns, heavy vehicles were restricted from accessing the tihi in 2011.

“Motor vehicle removal from the tihi of Maungawhau was signalled many years ago as a necessary outcome to protect this taonga, and to reflect the Mana Whenua and community aspirations of their living connections with this taonga,” says Mr Majurey.

“The removal of heavy vehicles from the summit has been successful, resulting in significantly less congestion and also a change of attitudes in visitors. The community has embraced the much safer walk to the top of the maunga, and are excited about the enhanced experience with this ancestral place overlooking Tāmaki Makaurau.”

A motor-vehicle-free tihi on Maungawhau / Mt Eden is expected to be implemented in the coming months.

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Further Information

Click here for more information about the Tūpuna Maunga o Tāmaki Makaurau Authority.

The Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau Collective Redress Act 2014 appoints the Maunga Authority as the administering body for the Tūpuna Maunga under the Reserves Act 1977. The role of an administering body is to administer, manage and control the reserve(s) under its administration in accordance with the Reserves Act.

The Tūpuna Maunga o Tāmaki Makaurau Authority is independent from Auckland Council and has statutory powers and functions.

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