After Crone’s climate denier meltdown, Phil Goff has won the Auckland Mayoralty – the only question now is how many votes can Chloe Swarbrick get?

1. If the NZ left were looking for a charismatic champion – Swarbrick is it.
   Agreed since the others give lip service to roads always here.

   Auckland is heading for another LA if they keep building more roads for more trucks and cars, LA is now very polluted with vehicle tyre dust pollution (Cancer and nervous system toxin tyre pollution PAH’s is)

   Even if they switch to electric vehicles, we will still all die from tyre dust pollution!!!!!!!!

   https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/phs/phs.asp?id=120&tid=25

   Toxic Substances Portal – Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)

   • infrastructure infarction would be a mercy.

2. What I wished was that we would have a kind of comparison of the various policies and ideas all the candidates to the local body elections present and stand for, not just here in Auckland, where I live. That would give us some insight into what they would like to have done, and offer a bit of guidance, instead of looking at snippets of information now and then.

   Indeed, why do we not get more “debate” on the somewhat hopeless MSM and also other forums, as that is what is needed.

   No surprises that the “candidates” with the greatest profile and known names, who the MSM mentions almost every day now, will lead the polls. People will only be aware of stuff that comes to their attention.

   Having poorly informed or uninformed voters is like having a dysfunctional democracy. We may as well bring in an open dictatorship rather than have this present dishonest fake democracy.

   • Anyone who has followed modern politics knows that the key to success is to not have any policies or ideas, and have no firm position on anything.

     We have witnessed people, such as Andrew Judd, declare a stance on a large number issues prior to election, and then do an immediate U-turn on the whole lot upon gaining office: betrayal is the byword of the age we live in.

     Meaningless catch-phrases and neuro-linguistic programming win votes, not sound policy based on the best evidence.

     And since there is no accountability, it doesn’t matter what lies or half-truths a candidate tells before or after election.

     I’m sure you already knew all of that.

     • More incredibly, POST-betrayal, people still go out and vote for them all over again! Every time they think “this time it’s different” when it never is. Goff’s popularity is stunning to me. Presumably he’s just riding the Goff “brand name”, but you’d think that would be pure poison by now – just like brand Clinton for that matter. How many times do these people need to lie to you before you realise they can’t ever be trusted to do anything in anyone’s interest but their own or their cronies?

       • Goff has a polished website with somewhat well presented “policy” though, there is FUNDING behind the man, adding to his “name recognition” advantage.

       • Goff was a muppet in the ’80s when he had those enormous glasses and that stupid moustache. He’s still a muppet, so at least he’s consistent. I’ll be voting for Miss Swarbrick I think. She talks a lot of sense, doesn’t seem at all phased by sad middle-aged careerists patronising her, and she could probably do a lot of good for this miserable town. God knows the usual suspects aren’t worth a damn.

     • You mean just like John Key. Talk in vague meaningless phrases like the Brighter Future or Working for New Zealand or We are in the cusp of something special blah blah blah. Glibness at the speed of light!

       It’s what they don’t say especially from National that you should be worried about.

       • Maybe we should say: “Vote Penny Bright, for a Brighter Future of Auckland”?! Haha, just an alternative idea.

     • “I’m sure you already knew all of that.”

       Of course, but this lying and u-turning will provide ample ammunition for competitors and opposition to raise the turn-coat’s betrayals, so they will be hammered for it, so that the public and voters will never vote for them again.

       I agree that the system as it is allows candidates to get away with what you describe, so we need to look at new accountability systems, that either discourage or even prohibit them making completely unrealistic or dishonest claims and promises, and to also bind them to what they presented in programs before they were voted in.

       But how that can be done by putting it into some form of law, that will need to be examined and will not be easy to implement.

       The RMA for instance now forces local authorities to present Section 32 assessment reports when presenting plans and plan changes.

     • Andrew Judd, the mayor that tried to improve race relations but just exposed how blatantly racist Taranaki is?

       • The Andrew Judd who campaigned on the slogan of ‘bringing back integrity to local government’ and demonstrated he had none.

         The Andrew Judd who betrayed those who had voted for him by failing to address anything he mentioned in his campaigning, and then went on to focus his time and energy on side issues.

         The Andrew Judd who, having described the council as “corrupt, irredeemable and unsustainable” and went on to be a key player in the corruption, irredeemability and unsustainability.

         The Andrew Judd who triggered the resignation of 2 out of 14 councilors and a mid-term by election, by promoting breaches of NZ Statues via undemocratic practices.

         The Andrew Judd who declared himself to be a devout Christian but quickly acquired a reputation for being a cowardly liar very soon after taking office, and became known as Judas.

         The Andrew Judd who oversaw further massive increases in rates payable.

         The Andrew Judd who won’t be standing for office again.

     • I suppose it goes a bit like this:

       “Hello, I am your Mayor to be. I am a man who was given birth to by my mother. I have a father who married my mother before I was born. I have two legs that are strong, and also two arms that are strong. I can smile and do this often. I like living in Auckland and enjoy the sunshine. I followed a career and am somebody. Success is proven by my CV, and I am good at business but also serve the community.

       I like to hear what you want, and I am the man who will tell you what you will like to hear. I have great plans that will change as we go forward. I will work out a Plan for Auckland that will be a living document. I am the best as I look nice and can be trusted.

       I am better than the other candidates and want to become Mayor. Vote for me and I will be there. The sun will shine more when I run the Council and govern Auckland. Bla, bla, bla, have a nice day and remember voting for me.

       (Sponsored by Corporate Business Ltd)

       Your candidate on the list”

     • Afewknowthetruth – 100%, thanks for the laugh mate you are so right here.

       Politics’ is really an empty vessel isn’t it.

3. Yawn. Martyn, Goff had won before Crone revealed herself as a climate change denier. The real and only really interesting question is: “When are the Auckland riots going to start?” Why not pick the trends rather than follow them?

4. Some info, I suppose a lot with “double speak” contents, but at least something to go by:

   http://www.forabetterauckland.org.nz/policies

   https://vic4mayor.nz/policy/

   http://mark-thomas.co.nz/issues/

   http://www.palinoformayor.co.nz/

   http://www.pennybright4mayor.org.nz/

   http://www.chloeforauckland.co.nz/

5. The electoral system was captured long ago, and for a long, long time has been rigged to ensure that only worse-than-useless has-beens, nincompoops, opportunists and liars get put into positions of power.

   Presumably Goff is National’s man for the occasion, bought-and-paid-for years ago.

   ‘For a better Auckland’, ha, ha, ha, ha! Just like ‘a brighter future under National’ and all the other bollocks NZ is subjected to these days.

   Sadly, we now know that the vast majority people will vote for their own enslavement, vote for their own impoverishment, and even vote for their own premature death, and will continue to do so whatever truth is revealed on this blog.

   Thanks for trying, Martyn.

   • Reading the policy of the candidates, it sounds all so nice and “polished”, yes it is aspirational and almost inspiring. But a mayor is just one vote on the Council, and a mayor can only have so much input, most of what I read sounds more like wishful thinking, as the reality will prove that much only comes with a hefty price tag, which rate payers and do some degree us tax payers will have to pay.

     • Actual policy is formulated, promoted and directed by council officers; councilors, even the few with consciences and those who wish to ‘stop the machine’ and get things on track, stand no chance of whatsoever of changing anything against the wishes of the CEO and senior council officers (and to some extent the mayor).

       Councilors are usually given the choice between bad option A and bad option B, neither of which complies with NZ Statutes or is sustainable. And most decisions are made in behind-closed-doors meetings anyway, usually long before being presented to the public for so-called consultation.

       Since policy is formulated by overpaid, underqualified council officers on the basis of what will further their careers rather than what is actually required, local government has degenerated into a corrupt shambles that wrecks everything it has jurisdiction over or comes in contact with.

       And since there is zero accountability, the shambles will get worse and worse until it all collapses in a screaming heap in the not-too-distant future.

       See ya’ at the bottom of the cliff, ‘cos that’s exactly where council officers are pushing everything and everyone.

       • “Actual policy is formulated, promoted and directed by council officers; councilors, even the few with consciences and those who wish to ‘stop the machine’ and get things on track, stand no chance of whatsoever of changing anything against the wishes of the CEO and senior council officers (and to some extent the mayor).”

         That is only partly true. I agree that most “policy” is formed by the “experts” sitting within Council’s planning and technical departments, same as it is formed at national level within “experts” sitting in ministries, or consulted to advise ministries. Most social security policy is for instance worked out by MSD.

         But it is still the government, local or national, that can choose what to take from the proposed policy or not. And Councillors still have the last vote, even if presented the choice between say options A and B or A, B and C, they can decide not to take any or not all of the “advice” put before them.

         Of course under the RMA there are limitations, and Section 32 reports must be prepared and considered, but to say it all happens behind closed doors is also not totally true, as for instance Committees and the Governing Body of Auckland Council holds many meetings publicly.

         The main problem is that most in the public do not follow all this, as it involves complex matters and technical and legal details, which they do not understand or cannot bother understanding. Hence the loss of connection to what goes on and increased disillusionment, also of course due to Councillors and Mayors not doing what they may have promised voters.

   • Correction. The vast majority are not voting at all.

6. “educated Aucklander’s” – brilliant.

   • There’s nothing wrong with a grocer’s apostrophe: it’s used by thousand’s…

7. Auckland local body election candidate profiles (ALL):

   http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/AboutCouncil/HowCouncilWorks/Elections/Documents/candidateprofilesmayor2016.pdf

   http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/AboutCouncil/HowCouncilWorks/Elections/Documents/candidateprofileswards2016.pdf

   http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/AboutCouncil/HowCouncilWorks/Elections/Documents/candidateprofileslocalboards2016.pdf

   So at least some info to study and ponder about, and to use before casting your vote.

   Perhaps others have similar info for Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and so forth. It is time to share, as your voting papers will be arriving in the coming days.

8. “Climate denier meltdown”.

   The headlines that just write themselves

   I hope no Polar Bears were harmed in the process

   • I bet you’re glad to see this:

     http://nsidc.org/arcticseaicenews/charctic-interactive-sea-ice-graph/

     For quite a while it looked as though 2016 could be an ice-free year, but cloudy weather slowed the meltdown, and 2016 has ended up only second in the league of disaster years.

   • Diluted the G&T, though.

9. Careful Martyn!

   By publicly supporting Goff, you’re giving him the kiss of death.

   Because most Aucklanders wouldn’t vote for anyone you support. 😉

   • Why do you bother Andrew?

   • Vote for Nobody.

     Nobody will put the interests of the community ahead of their own.

     Nobody will keep promises made before the election.

     Nobody will reduce the rates.

     Nobody will plan for the future.

     • I agree well for Auckland anyway. But people need to mark the ballot paper rather than do nothing otherwise they think you can’t be bothered – you need to let them know you are disgusted with them all frankly.

10. Not a lot of selection really – Chloe probably has the least amount of skeletons in the closet.
    I can’t vote for Goff – he is for the TPP – something I have been marching against for years now. Simply goes against the grain.
    Happy I have persaded a friend in Chch to vote Minto, though.
    Sorry M$M anyone you select, and shove in my face – is a NO.

    • Finally a comment that makes sense. I agree with you completely.
      Seems many are easily led by age and the superficial lies and bluster that seem to dominate politics and the media now.

11. People in Christchurch should be thankful that they have Vicki Buck 100% committed to “taking action” on climate change

    Earthquake stuff, take the back seat, suckers

    Thank goodness Ms Buck is being re-elected unopposed!

    • And Ms Buck is unfortunately on the right of the council supporting the sale of the assets we still own in this city along with Dalziel. The only reason Dalziel is doing anything is that Minto is standing he is the only other one. Fortunately she is having to front up to a number of debates against Minto so we are getting some real stuff actually out there. Of course Minto won’t win but at least he has 6 good policies which is 6 more policies than Dalziel. But we know what she stands for and we know why business isn’t standing anyone against her and Gerry is very happy with her. She said recently she has ‘left politics behind’. How is that a mayor with no politics. She just wants to be sure she isn’t tarnished by anything that Labour have done or are doing.

12. Now Chloe Swarbrick gave an impressive interview on Q+A this morning, that should have make many young and mature Aucklanders listen up and seriously consider her position on matters of concern for so many Aucklanders.

    http://tvnz.co.nz/q-and-a-news/chloe-swarbrick-wants-auckland-s-top-job-video-6493381

    http://tvnz.co.nz/q-and-a-news/ta-tvnz-index-group-2556429

    She seems to be pro business though, although probably more on a pragmatic, down to earth small scale, as she says she operates a business.

    What concerns me though, given her youthfulness and being a novice of sorts as a candidate, how will she stand up against these damned vested interests, who dominate what really goes on is going to be planned in Auckland?

    As long as we have powerful large and medium size business lobbyists dominate the Committee for Auckland, nothing much will change, they deserve to be taken to the cleaners and to task:

    http://www.committeeforauckland.co.nz/membership/members

    http://www.committeeforauckland.co.nz/membership/membership-categories-benefits

    As this is a formidable challenge to any new Mayor and new Concillors, I will still rather consider protest vote for Penny Bright, who has fought this “rotten” status quo for years.

13. Penny Bright, by your own admission, fighting for years, has not changed the “rotten status quo” proves it will remain the same no matter who wins. The people have lost faith in the council to do the right things for this city. That is why we are in the housing, transport and pollution crisis we are still battling. No one in the past had a long term feasible plan, to solve any of these problems, that they managed to get implemented due to interference from vested interests. Who needs an ineffectual mayor anyway?

14. This time I voted for Phil Goff. At the last local body election I voted Palino . Now that, like me stupidly voting John Key in the 2008 general electoin, was a wasted vote. Little did I know that Palino would resort to sour grapes(at losing the local body mayoral election) and do what he did by telling everyone of what Len and Bevan did in the Ngati Whatua room. But then I am sure in due course Len’s actions would catch up with him. Just it seemed nasty of Palino to resoirt to the American style of ‘tit for tat’ because he(Palino)missed out in a plum job.
    I don’t think Vic Crone as being suitable for the mayoral job. She is too close to the National Party and to be totally honest looks like John Key in drag.
    Now Auckland is a huge city. Too big a city in my opinion and I have lived here for over 53 years. I have seen changes in Auckland over that time. Some good but also many bad changes. I have seen instances(lets call them ‘reports’)where there have been warnings even as far back as the early 80s of what could happen to Auckland if nothing is done(and yes many Auckland City Councils have often put such reports into the ‘too hard basket”)as soon as possible.
    Here now in 2016 Auckland has become a congested and dysfunctional city. In many areas there are traffic jams even on weekends. There are areas where due to the traffic congestion that one goes a short distance and sits in traffic because the traffic lights just don’t work in unison. And so it is the stop-start-stop-start sort of procedure along so many roads.
    Where public transport is concerned it can take one almost 2 hours a day in the mornings to get from one part of the godforsaken city to another and yet lesser timer to get from Auckland to say Whangarei. It’s also cheaper to use a private bus service from Auckland to another area than it is to use public transport from one area of this city to another. The public transport system in Auckland is overpriced and unreliable.
    To date I have never seen a politican waiting at the bus stop to catch a bus to town during peak hour time.
    I have seen more people begging in the streets than I have seen before. And like I said earlier I have lived in this city over 53 years.
    I would therefore say that after having lived in this ‘city’ for so many years I am able to see the problems that there are that may never have a solution.
    But I am sure alot of politicians whether they be local or central think they are far more intelligent than I am.
    We can only wait and see if whatever Goff promises is kept to. Too often we have politicians(the Key government is prolific at this)of blaming others like a past government for problems. And so to me the time of blaming others ends right on election time whether the election be local or central. But then we have a government who lives in the past with blame games because that is what they are more expert at.

15. “After Crone’s extraordinary stumble over whether or not Climate Change is man made, she’s toast. There are too many educated Aucklander’s who believe in climate change to ever allow a denier to become Mayor.”

    My take on this was she did it deliberately to motivate the apathetic slice of the conservative vote into turning out. They’ve had a gutsful of this fart tax nonsense, etc. She knows that even the blue-green right is probably going for Goff, so she needs to try and motivate the older variety of paleo-tories in the outer suburb (not to be confused with the crossfit obsessed, berry and almond munching lawyerly paleo-tories of the inner suburbs) to get out and vote.

16. Come on folks – get some facts. Swarbrick and Goff are pro TPPA and pro privatization and pro United Nations. To support either is just plain wrong if you are interested in getting rid of that which will continue to damage our country. Someone disagrees with me a TDB and refuses to put up any comments that will expose the truths. Again bet this one will not get thro.

    • Got through, as you can see, so who would you vote for Mayor? Maybe only a protest vote for Penny Bright is the last option, to at least send the damned establishment a stern message.

      • Mike – Many of my more in depth comments do not get through, especially those dealing with the Phil Goff/Helen Clark and Swarbrick ; the UN and the NWO.
        As for voting, I vote in two countries and I only vote my conscience and only vote when I feel inspired and inclined to. Not too much stimulation in Auckland ( other than Penny ) and — John Minto is inspiring down south.
        If I lived in Auckland I know for sure I would not vote for Goff or Swarbrick. They like things I don’t.
        I am not in support of TPPA ; 1080 ; GMO’s ; Nuclear power ; Deep sea oil drilling ; fracking ; war for profits ; and PRIVATIZATION and the UN and their 17 world plans.
        The UN’s world plans sounds good on the surface, but look deeper and research the real meanings behind the list of 17.

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