Auckland Council Governing Body to Deliberate on Transport Funding Referenda TODAY If people would listen to Radio NZ and read blogs more, the Herald article today on Council Officers opposing … Continue reading Referendum? What Referendum [Update]
And if wonder why I am covering this every so often it is because it is this:
One Dimensional thinkers of both the Left and Right Wing (hence I was annoyed a BA Politics student not getting it) say that (in this case it is the 1D right wingers) that they are not focusing on issues that matter.
Well not only does that statement belittle the intelligence of the electorate but shows they do not understand the three dimensions a democratic institution works in. For that matter if a Government MP has said it (Jami-Lee Ross) then they are not fit to be MPs as they have no understanding of the full nature of our democratic institution.
As I have pointed out when rot sets at the top of our democratic institution it can become a cancer that will eventually claim even the most powerful economies or Empires. The Roman Empire being a classic example, the modern USA is lurching towards the same fate. For a sci-fi example it would be the Old Republic going to the Galactic Empire before that gave way in a violent rebellion to the New Republic.
With the PM also forced to return to Parliament to make a personal statement for in effect lying during Question Time, and the Inspector General of the Intelligence forces now kicking off an investigation over a leaking of a report then you know that Rot is now set in at the top.
If a voter goes out saying that all this is not issues that matter then they are part of that rot as well as they are complicit in harming the democratic institution we are in.
At the end of the day all this is a very large issue that matters. Rot sets in at the top and as it has done in History it will claim even the strongest of economies and even strongest of Empires
Have you really never spoken to Cameron Slater in your capacity as Prime Minister?
I would like you to consider the following questions before you answer this, because I would suggest you choose your words carefully. Remember John, no-one likes a liar…
1) You told Parliament in late October that that you have never spoken to Cameron Slater in your capacity as Prime Minister. Was this really true?
2) Did you talk to Cameron Slater the night before the release of the IGIS report, and the Justice Chisholm report on Judith Collins?
3) How many times in the last month have you spoken to Slater?
4) Does Cameron Slater records his phone calls, and if he does, how much leverage does he now have over you (whether in your capacity as a private citizen, PM, Minister of Tourism etc, etc)?
5) Are you OK with the possibility of Slater having…
It was fortuitous – having just completed two days of RMA hearing training the day before – to attend a full day of hearings on the 6th of November regarding a matter on which the Waitematā Local Board was the main submitter in opposition.
Before and after as modelled by AT.
AT propose the removal of six mature Pohutukawa trees from the side of Great North Road on either side of the St Lukes intersection. There is a good summary (including a one-minute video here). This is to allow for two lanes of traffic to turn on to the North Western Motorway on the eastern side of the St Lukes bridge intersection. The site is on the Local Board’s boundary with the Albert-Eden Local Board and on the western side of the intersection the boundary runs along Great North Road as far as Motions Road. The reserve in which…
Someone had to stir up a hornet’s nest this morning in the Herald about kids playing in a playground.
From the NZ Herald
Kids’ flying fox irks residents at Stonefields
5:00 AM Wednesday Nov 26, 2014 – Anne Gibson
Stonefields neighbours complain after playground opens in front of their houses
The days of children screaming in delight as they whiz along a flying fox might be numbered at one housing development.
Signs are about to be put up and a noise assessment is under way after complaints about children making too much noise at the new playground next to the Stonefields estate.
Residents there are upset about an adventure kids’ park which opened in front of their houses a few weeks ago.
A large flying fox outside their front doors bringing what they say is excessive noise and large areas of sand – used to create a landing zone beneath the equipment – are their main issues.
Alan Gilder, of Galway Bay Tce, said he didn’t begrudge children the playground but he wants the flying fox and sand removed, is concerned about three tall climbing towers which he said were a potential hazard and said children endangered locals by riding bikes on footpaths.
“I would like the flying fox removed. It does get very noisy on the weekend and there’s sand everywhere. I certainly didn’t expect to have a beach on my doorstep. It gets inside. The park is awesome but they haven’t put a lot of thought into it – the flying fox generates a lot of squealing.”
Another resident, who has since sold her house, said meetings had been held with political representatives to resolve issues with the park.
Mr Gilder said pets defecated in the sand which created another safety hazard.
Stonefields is a joint venture between Fletcher Building and Todd Properties to develop the 2600-residence estate in a former quarry at the foot of Mt Wellington.
Fletcher Residential general manager Ken Lotu-Iiga said he had initially not been aware of issues with the park.
“We have referred a few people on to Todd but it’s something that came to light when the park was constructed,” he said.
Desley Simpson, chairwoman of the Orakei Local Board which funded the playground, said issues were being discussed with a view to resolution.
Okay granted sand might not be the most practical idea I could think of but for the rest it looks like pure NIMBYism and wrapping kids up in Politically Correct cotton wool.
If the kids were screaming like hell in the night there would be grounds for complaints. But during the day especially as summer is coming (and a loo is to be installed I hear)? Come on, we are meant to be encouraging kids outside not cotton wool them up and plant them behind Play Stations…..
For those inclined below is the report that has cleared the Honourable Judith Collins (she got her title back today) if meddling with the Serious Fraud Office. Judith is my Papakura Electorate MP as well.
Note if I have embedded it via Scribd it means you can read the PDF straight without having to “download” into your Temp Folder to read it thus consuming bandwidth especially if on a mobile or tablet device. You might need the Scribd App prior first but it isn’t large and good to have on hand.
Before and after as modelled by AT. 
Talking Southern Auckland 