JOHN ELLIOTT: LOCAL NEWS

JOHN ELLIOTT: WHAT NOW FOR NZ - LABOUR ABLE TO GOVERN ALONE

There was a suggestion from some hard right National Party supporters after the election that many Nats voted Labour to keep the Greens out. Rubbish.

Some centrists who might more often than not vote National, voted Labour because they rated Jacinda Ardern, they disliked Judith Collins, and they believed in giving a government a second term.

That is far from an unusual scenario. There have only been two one Brownlee, Smith, Reti. I suppose if a party rates those MPs highly list. As an aside, however, I do think Reti has performed pretty well in

term governments in this country since the second world war ended Labour have to do, and how can National rebuild?

in 1945 - that’s in 75 years.

Labour governed from 1957-1960. They were thrown out ostensibly Ardern out-led them both through Covid and through good economic

because of Arnold Nordmeyer, the Minister of Finance’s black budget. He put up the price of tobacco and alcohol, infuriating thousands of Labour voting workers.

Then, from 1972-1975 Labour had another one term government. Circumstances conspired against them that time too. Charismatic strong man Norman Kirk, Labour Party leader, tragically died, giving way to a timid and weak new leader, Bill Rowling. Then Rowling had to Act to replace the Resource Management Act which protects the losing trees at the rate of knots, and it must stop.

deal with new National Party tough guy Rob Muldoon, a fight he just couldn’t win. An international oil price crisis didn’t help Labour either.

2020 was not at all like 1960 nor 1975.

So, as we all know, Labour scored a stunning victory, New Zeaand liberalism, where ‘the market rules’ was the mantra.

First are gone, and Seymour brought in nine colleagues for Act, partly because of a pro-gun lobby. The Greens were steady on nearly 8% and also got 10 seats. And National are in disarray.

The only coalition discussion was whether Ardern would do a formal agreement with the Greens, or leave them to battle alone out of government. Ardern put a proposal to the Greens and 86% of the Greens hierarchy voted to support Ardern’s plan to have two Green Ministers, outside cabinet, James Shaw and Marama Davidson.

I can’t for the life of me understand where the other 14% are coming from. I understand they don’t like the word compromise, but democratic government is all about compromise or it just falls to bits. there are still people calling out for easing up on border control. earlier this year, “I will not sacrifice the health of New Zealanders on

Ask Italians.

However, I do understand that minor parties getting into bed with the major parties has often led to oblivion for those minor parties under the New Zealand MMP system.

So what of the MMP system. Should it be abolished? I don’t think so, but it needs some tweaking. The threshold for a minor party to enter parliament could be reduced to 4%. That would have had no effect on the recent election. It is the coat tail provision which is most the party wins just one seat, and scores enough of a percentage to get more elected. This time the Maori Party won one seat, but gained just enough votes nationwide to get one more candidate in. I would abolish that provision.

There is also the public reaction when a sitting MP loses their seat, but walks straight back in on the list. Examples this time include enough they have every right to place them high enough on the list for them to get back in, but it does look funny to see Labour cheer its success in a seat like Whangarei and then see Reti walk back in on the a dismal bunch of National MPs.

So what of predictions for this next term 2020-2023. What does

National needs a thorough review - an honest one. They have fallen into a policy and philosophical hole. Too many of them are middle aged white males. They need more diversity in their team. Jacinda management. National could not persuade voters they needed National to run the economy successfully. Even very good candidates can’t win when the tide is out for a party, but National’s time will come again.

Labour must deliver houses for the homeless, and state houses for the poorest of our citizens. Parker must come up with a new environment. Especially important is tree protection. Auckland City is

No fair and just society can ignore the inequality that now exists in New Zealand. It’s bad by all western world standards, better than the USA and the UK, but only just. It is largely a phenomenon of neo-

So some form of tax adjustments must be made - what and when I don’t know, but money doesn’t grow on trees, and borrowed money must be paid back. I hope the Greens keep pursuing the wealth tax, even if in a modified form. Compromise in action again!

I firmly believe we should move to a four year parliamentary term, to allow a more managed throughput of legislation.

Tourism has been among the hardest hit industries by Covid, and Minister of Tourism, Stuart Nash, made a few tentative suggestions about tourism’s future last month, and copped some backlash. It won’t be easy, but I feel reassured by the Prime Minister’s statement unpopular which allows a party to take extra MPs into parliament if

the altar of GDP.”

But there is a growing suggestion that Labour may govern too conservatively, despite their mandate.

They must be bold on the most important democratic ideals - poverty, inequality, housing and jobs. (JOHN ELLIOTT))  PN

continued from p6 RIP LYNETTE KILMARTIN I am writing to you as we near a decade since Lynette Kilmartin took her life on 11 December 2010. Much has happened in that time but Lynette has always been in my thoughts and is missed immensely. While it is true that life goes on after a death, there is always a feeling of there being a gap in a previous complete circle - for me anyway. I realise that Lynette made many friends while living in Ponsonby and I would like them to know that they are in my thoughts at this time, as we all find within ourselves the strength to face another anniversary - this one the 10th - of Lynette’s choice to stop living.  PN Kind regards, Ann Wilson (Lynette’s sister)

HAWTHORNE HOUSE - A LITTLE SLICE OF PARADISE

In early 2019 following successful careers in corporate training and hospitality, long time Grey Lynn residents Peter Allen and Paul Smith were looking into options to “rewire, not retire” when they stumbled across Hawthorne House for sale in Hawke’s Bay.

The opportunity was fortuitous given they had been spending more and more time in the area, and had been considering a move, but came a couple of years earlier than anticipated.

Once they had viewed the magnificent property however, their fates were sealed. They had fallen head over heels, and seeing tremendous potential and possibilities decided they couldn’t resist with four beautifully designed and luxuriously appointed king sized

the opportunity and hence, start their new lifestyle in Hawke’s Bay.

Moving to the region in July 2019, they then spent the next three months completely renovating the property into an incredible homestead with an interior design style described as ‘eclectic minutes from Napier, this is the perfect location from which to enjoy

Edwardian villa meets mid century styling’.

Passionate art collectors, every wall, shelf, table and garden corner is filled with original artworks including paintings, glass, ceramics enjoying the many fantastic wineries, restaurants, cycle trails, art

and sculpture.

Embracing the design philosophy of surrounding yourself with things Bay’s premier hosted bed and breakfast accommodation. Nestled within formal and informal gardens in a tranquil rural setting, en-suite rooms available, guests at Hawthorne House can be sure to relax and unwind.

Located 10 minutes from Havelock North and Hastings, and 20 the best of what Hawke’s Bay has to offer.

Peter and Paul are thrilled with their move, and spend their time you love has seen Hawthorne House evolve to truly become Hawke’s

galleries and fabulously friendly people.

They would love to show you around their little slice of paradise.  PN

Call T: 06 878 0035 for further information or view www.hawthorne.co.nz

Hawthorne House is Hawke’s Bay’s premier boutique bed & breakfast.

Set in a tranquil rural setting it is the perfect place from which to explore Hawke’s Bay. Book a luxury weekend escape package & save 25%

Luxury Weekend Escape Package:

• Two nights’ accommodation • Champagne on arrival • Gourmet breakfasts each morning • Welcome drinks & nibbles • Half-day winery tour • Dinner at the famous St Georges Restaurant (to the value of $150) Total package value is over $1,500 per couple... book now for only $1,095 per couple (subject to availability). Please email us stay@hawthorne.co.nz or call us on +64 6 878 0035 to book this experience.

www.hawthorne.co.nz

Insta / FB : @hawthornehousehawkesbay

JOHN ELLIOTT: GLYPHOSATE IS A PROVEN CANCER CAUSING HERBICIDE

Council is negligent not stopping its use immediately, but it is making progress.

It is beyond my comprehension how the council continues to prevaricate on the use of the carcinogen glyphosate on our streets and berms, when international pronouncements by eminent WHO scientists have declared glyphosate a ‘probable human carcinogen’, and courts around the world are making millions of dollar judgements against the owners of Roundup and Bayer, who bought Monsanto company for 62 billion dollars cash.

Bayer has already set aside nearly 10 billion dollars to pay complainants, while not accepting that glyphosate is a dangerous product.

As I have written before, many of the cancers that glyphosate produces don’t manifest until many years after ingestion, so as our berms outside schools are sprayed with glyphosate, there could well be a terrible cancer outbreak in twenty, thirty, or even forty years time.

The very last thing our council should do is listen to the Environmental Protection Authority of NZ, who gets its shonky advice from the highly controversial and politicized, US EPA.

Let’s be honest. Potentially killing people because glyphosate is cheaper than weed-killing alternatives, is tantamount to murder.

However, the council environment committee last week rejected unanimously a bureaucratic proposal to roll out glyphosate across our streets.

Richard Hills, the chairman, set the scene by categorically stating, “I do not want glyphosate on our streets.” What a lead!

Two other stalwarts, John Watson, and Wayne Walker, skilfully and calmly continued their well-known opposition to glyphosate.

A revelation at the meeting was the admission that at least one thermal treatment price was lower than the council’s posted budget. I know some councillors accept the dangers of roundup with glyphosate and want it banned. Other councillors are happy to call for more reports, seek further advice, compare costs, kill time, hope the problem goes away. Anything but make a conscience-based decision, based on some sort of integrity.

As Hana Blackmore of the Weed Advisory Committee said, “It’s not over yet, but the council took a forward step.”

This is not a left-right issue. It is not a cost-based issue. It is a major health issue. If we can’t rely on our council to keep us safe, who can we turn to.

Sure, former Waitemata Local Board chair, and now councillor, Pippa Coom, has long been in favour of “phasing out the use of glyphosate”. The question, Pippa, to you and your colleagues, is how much longer must we wait, and how much longer can we wait to ensure our kids are safe from a preventable cancer?

Bureaucratic and political obfuscations can often be expected to interfere with sound council decisions, but they can not be accepted when our citizen’s health is so potentially compromised.

As Jacinda said during our worst Covid weeks, “I will not sacrifice our nations health on the altar of GDP.”

Brilliant, now over to you, Auckland Councillors. Good work so far. Now - ban glyphosate completely in Auckland before you seriously regret it.

Remember, or research, DDT, 2,4,5,T, and 2,4,D all of which took years to ban and killed far too many people before they were outlawed.

So many products on sale are detrimental to our health, and it is up to all of us not to buy them of use them. But with roundup, containing glyphosate sprayed around our neighbourhood whether we like it of not, our health and our children’s health is being compromised every day, and our elected representatives talk and talk, but do nothing.

Like many Aucklanders, I’m sick of it. (JOHN ELLIOTT)  PN

BIG RESPONSE TO POTENTIAL CHANGES ON PONSONBY ROAD

Auckland Transport (AT) is asking locals for ideas on testing people friendly spaces and safer ways to travel on Ponsonby Road.

An interactive online map that allows people to pin ideas on a specific location has received 500 comments in just the first few days of being live.

More than 400 on street interviews have also been carried out with an even split between local residents and visitors to the area. Angela, a shop owner in Three Lamps says: “Each business has its own set of needs – healthcare businesses need to provide access to people with limited mobility, cafes might want extra kerb space for tables and a nicer street environment, while some shops need access to nearby loading zones for customers picking up or dropping off heavy loads.”

Have your say on making Ponsonby Road even better.

We’re working with the community to test people-friendly spaces and safer ways to travel. Let us know your views – scan the QR code, visit AT.govt.nz/ponsonbyroad or phone 09 366 6400

Provide feedback before Sunday 6 December

This project is one of 21 across Auckland that are part of Waka Kotahi’s ‘Innovating Streets for People’ programme which aims to make it faster and easier to transition streets to safer and more liveable spaces.

Randhir Karma AT’s Group Manager of Network management says: “We are working with the community to test safer, more vibrant streets for people. These temporary changes to the street and surrounding public space could include things like seating, plants, street art or footpath extensions.”

“It’s an exercise in testing and learning together with the community so we can get a sense of what the future of Ponsonby Road could look like.”

Mr Karma says that this means there can be more assurance that the direction of change is in line with the community’s wants and needs.

Similar projects can be seen in the city centre on High Street, Sale Street, and Federal Street.

The location and nature of the changes on Ponsonby Road is yet to be defined and will be decided based on feedback received before 6 December. Feedback on the design process and the changes themselves will remain open throughout the project.

AT says that feedback received to date has uncovered a wide range of views, safety issues, and unmet needs from business owners, visitors, and residents to help inform the temporary changes.

Anyone using Ponsonby Road can provide feedback either through the Social Pinpoint online map or via phone.  PN