It is hardly surprising that Tenby Powell wants our Commissioners to remain, thereby preventing a democratic election this year.
This ‘one-year wonder' former Mayor was a major part of the problem. He was incapable of getting along with his elected council and therefore made the existing problem, to the extent there was one, much worse.
Powell's only way out of his problem was to get in cahoots with Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta and have four Commissioners appointed. I believe that because Tauranga is a National Party stronghold Mahuta chose four Commissioners whereas it would have been better for one Commissioner to run the existing council. Remember Powell had resigned?
This is all about democracy which Powell doesn't seem to understand. It does mean working with unsuitable persons whom electors put into their councillor roles. There are plenty of examples in Parliament. Another is locally in the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, where a very young man was unable to cope because of alleged ‘ageism', which is really a copout. Is he still on the payroll?
Because our Commissioners are ultimately beholden to Minister Mahuta they are in a no-win situation.
We must have Local Body Elections in Tauranga this October.
B Capamagian, Tauranga City.
12 comments
Succinct and so right
Posted on 25-02-2022 15:40 | By AuntyMinnie
Great letter. You always summarise so very well. Thank you. May sense prevail with the elections. Diana haycock
Democracy NZ style?
Posted on 27-02-2022 08:17 | By crazyhorse
Did you think you'd ever see this in a democratic country? Yes, there will be an election for a democratically picked council in Tauranga this year. Why wouldn't there be? My god, what have we become under Mahuta and her Maori caucus? What other rights are they looking to take off you? Maybe only certain people get to vote? do away with voting altogether? Is it actually worth voting after what has happened in Tauranga and other cities where the council and Mayors run amok with rate-payers money, resources and rights?
Your racism is showing again
Posted on 01-03-2022 14:40 | By KiwiDerek
"Mahuta and her Maori caucus" - perhaps you can try really hard some time to write a comment to SunLive that isn't racist. Go on, I'm sure you can do it...
Racist?
Posted on 02-03-2022 16:04 | By crazyhorse
So your saying there is no Maori caucus?. Or it's racist of me for pointing it out?
try again...
Posted on 03-03-2022 13:28 | By KiwiDerek
There is indeed a Maori caucus that is part of the Labour party. 15 MPs in fact. But I'm wondering why you brought them up here. They would appear to have no connection to Tauranga Council's woes, except in your mind. (P.S. Your clear, gratuitous implication that they are looking to take people's rights is the racist bit.)
Gratuitous implications?
Posted on 04-03-2022 19:08 | By crazyhorse
I would say that sums up the minister for local gov't, and 'her' commissioners, and no election this year? and as far as rights taken away, ask Andrew Hollis and other Tauranga councillors who were voted in by large groups of rate-payers, then 'their' rights were taken away, I see Buddy Mikaera is doing his best to fill the gap, with a little help!
Short memories.
Posted on 06-03-2022 11:06 | By R Goodall
The proof of the pudding is in the eating. The Commissioners have done more in their short stay than the previous misfits in 20 years. God forbid that their weird views emerge from obscurity. When we do have elections if we vote that lot back we will get what we deserve - another set of Commissioners
Short memories.
Posted on 06-03-2022 13:53 | By crazyhorse
R Goodall is right about that, 3 waters, co-governance, He Puapua, Maori wards, These commissioners are puppets of Mahuta, her Maori caucus and their never-ending obsession with co-governance, I don't blame these commissioners, it's human nature, these people are on huge amounts of money, far more than normal councillors, but when push comes to shove, they are there for Mahuta, just look at the co-governance being pushed decisions made so far, pushing back this election for another year will only yield more divide in the community!
no, missed again...
Posted on 07-03-2022 09:41 | By KiwiDerek
Gee Crazyhorse, you're not having much luck here are you. Not only do you repeat your racist idea that this is being controlled by some sort of Maori caucus, but if you read R Goodall's letter again I think you'll find out he is actually saying the opposite of what you think - he is disagreeing with you and saying what very many people think: that Andrew Hollis and his ilk who were removed from governance were a complete shambles. If the imaginary rights you are referring to was "their" right to wreck the city then we can only be thankful they were taken away.
Future Leaders
Posted on 07-03-2022 23:13 | By R Goodall
Thank you Derek. There are none so blind as those who don't want to see. Unfortunately he is not the only one flogging a dead, crazy horse on these pages.
Co-covernance
Posted on 09-03-2022 11:03 | By crazyhorse
At any cost, including democracy and the rights of thousands who voted for councilor's to stand against it, to speak for them the rate payers. Or do they not Matter.
Future leaders
Posted on 09-03-2022 11:52 | By crazyhorse
And anyone reading comments like this can figure out how " their" future leaders should be placed into power and why!
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