Latest news with #DistrictCouncil
HKFP
2 days ago
- Politics
- HKFP
Pro-Beijing district councillor withdraws from Miss Hong Kong Pageant after official reminder of duties
Pro-Beijing District Councillor Angel Chong has decided to quit the Miss Hong Kong Pageant, one day after taking part in the first round of interviews for the beauty contest. Chong made the announcement on Instagram on Wednesday afternoon, saying that she joined the beauty pageant because she believed it was a good platform to promote the work of district councillors, especially among young people. However, after reading news reports and people's comments, she realised the public perception was not as positive as she had thought, she added. The incident 'has affected the public perception of the District Council to some degree, and that was the last thing I wanted to see,' Chong wrote in Chinese. 'Therefore, we think we should follow the public perception and protect the image of the District Council… I've decided not to continue participating in the Miss Hong Kong Pageant.' Chong's participation in the first round of interviews sparked controversy online on Tuesday. Netizens commented on social media, with some asking why a district councillor had so much spare time to join the entertainment industry, and others suggesting Chong should join the contest only after she resigns from the District Council. Chong's announcement comes after Alice Mak, the home and youth affairs chief, reminded district councillors of their duties on Tuesday, local media reported. Mak told journalists that she had learned from media reports that a district councillor was taking part in the pageant. Regardless of their profession, district councillors should follow the Performance Monitoring Guidelines for Members of the District Councils and fulfil their duties, Mak said. Chong, a member of the city's largest pro-Beijing party, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), was appointed as a Sai Kung district councillor in late 2023 during the 'patriots-only' District Council elections. It was the first time the number of seats chosen by the public was slashed to around 20 per cent, with the rest selected by the city's leader, government-appointed committees, and officials. At that time, Chong was 23 years old – the youngest among 179 government-appointed district councillors, reported RTHK. According to her declaration of interest, Chong previously worked at a subsidiary of Chinese Merchants Group, a state-owned enterprise as of early February 2024, but she quit by September that year. Plans to overhaul the District Council elections were unveiled in May 2023 to ensure only 'patriots' were elected, following a pro-democracy landslide at the last polls in 2019. The number of seats chosen democratically by the public were slashed from 452 to 88 – reducing the power of public votes to a fifth. The rest are to be chosen by the city's leader and government-appointed committees. Constituency boundaries were redrawn, the opposition were shut out, voting hours were slashed by an hour, and each local council is to be chaired by a government official, similar to colonial-era arrangements. All candidates undergo national security vetting to ensure patriotism.
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
District councillor Angel Chong exits Miss Hong Kong Pageant following criticism
A 24-year-old district councillor has pulled out of the Miss Hong Kong Pageant after her attempt to enter the competition drew criticism for compromising her duty to residents. Angel Chong Nga-ting announced on Wednesday that she had decided to withdraw from the pageant to protect the council's image, just a day after she was spotted at Tseung Kwan O TVB City for the beauty contest's first round of interviews. 'The incident has created a certain impact on the public's impression of the District Council. This is not something we wish to see. Therefore, we think we should follow the social perception and safeguard the council's image,' the Sai Kung district councillor said. She also said that she had joined the contest hoping to use it as a platform to increase the public's understanding of her job, especially among young people. The city's youngest district councillor added that she hoped to build a better social media communication platform and attract more people to take part in building the community. 'After reading and reflecting on different news reports and reactions on forums, I realise our approach may not have been accepted by everyone, and the level of social acceptance differs from our initial expectations,' she said.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
ACT Announces Davina Smolders As ACT Local Candidate For Far North
has been named ACT Local's candidate for the Bay of Islands–Whangaroa Ward for the Far North District Council in this year's local election. With a deep connection to the Far North and a strong belief in community-led decision-making, Davina Smolders is stepping forward to represent locals who feel ignored by their council. She brings a no-nonsense approach, grounded in real-world experience and a clear focus on delivering for ratepayers. A former CEO of a social service agency, Davina has spent over 20 years in leadership roles spanning governance, procurement, and senior management. She's also worked as a business consultant and now runs her own company while managing local property. She knows how to get things moving, and that's exactly what she wants to achieve in the public service. Practical, centre-right, and focused on results, Davina is standing with ACT Local to bring fiscal discipline, accountability, and a fresh voice to the Far North. "I'm standing to bring steadfast leadership and a back-to-basics focus on roads, water, rubbish, and community safety. Council has drifted into wasteful spending and lost sight of its core job. I'm committed to restoring focus on what really matters to everyday ratepayers. It's time for clear priorities and real accountability." – Davina Smolders Earlier this year, ACT New Zealand announced it would be standing Common Sense Candidates for local government for the first time — after hearing from New Zealanders across the country who are sick of rising rates, ballooning budgets, and councils that ignore the basics while chasing ideological vanity projects. When you vote ACT Local, you know what you're getting: Fixing the basics Cutting the waste Ending race-based politics Restoring accountability ACT Local Government spokesperson Cameron Luxton says: ' ACT Local candidates are community-minded Kiwis who've had enough of wasteful councils treating ratepayers like ATMs. It's time to take control on behalf of ratepayers — to restore accountability and deliver real value for money. ACT Local is about getting the basics right: maintaining roads, keeping streets clean, and respecting the people who pay the bills. Our candidates won't divide people by race or get distracted by climate vanity projects. They're here to serve, not lecture."
Scoop
4 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Local Business Owner Davina Smolders To Stand With ACT Local In Bay Of Islands–Whangaroa Ward
has been named ACT Local's candidate for the Bay of Islands–Whangaroa Ward for the Far North District Council in this year's local election. With a deep connection to the Far North and a strong belief in community-led decision-making, Davina Smolders is stepping forward to represent locals who feel ignored by their council. She brings a no-nonsense approach, grounded in real-world experience and a clear focus on delivering for ratepayers. A former CEO of a social service agency, Davina has spent over 20 years in leadership roles spanning governance, procurement, and senior management. She's also worked as a business consultant and now runs her own company while managing local property. She knows how to get things moving, and that's exactly what she wants to achieve in the public service. Practical, centre-right, and focused on results, Davina is standing with ACT Local to bring fiscal discipline, accountability, and a fresh voice to the Far North. "I'm standing to bring steadfast leadership and a back-to-basics focus on roads, water, rubbish, and community safety. Council has drifted into wasteful spending and lost sight of its core job. I'm committed to restoring focus on what really matters to everyday ratepayers. It's time for clear priorities and real accountability." – Davina Smolders Earlier this year, ACT New Zealand announced it would be standing Common Sense Candidates for local government for the first time — after hearing from New Zealanders across the country who are sick of rising rates, ballooning budgets, and councils that ignore the basics while chasing ideological vanity projects. When you vote ACT Local, you know what you're getting: ACT Local Government spokesperson Cameron Luxton says: ' ACT Local candidates are community-minded Kiwis who've had enough of wasteful councils treating ratepayers like ATMs. It's time to take control on behalf of ratepayers — to restore accountability and deliver real value for money. ACT Local is about getting the basics right: maintaining roads, keeping streets clean, and respecting the people who pay the bills. Our candidates won't divide people by race or get distracted by climate vanity projects. They're here to serve, not lecture."
Scoop
4 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Local Addictions Clinician, Damon Fox, Selected As ACT Local Candidate For New Plymouth District Council Election
ACT Local has selected Damon Fox an Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) clinician and community advocate, as its candidate for the Kaitake-Ngāmotu Ward in the upcoming New Plymouth District Council election. Raised in Taranaki by a solo mother on a benefit, Damon understands firsthand the challenges many families face. Through hard work and determination, he overcame those early struggles and now works as an addictions practitioner, helping others turn their lives around. His lived experience gives him a deep understanding of what drives meaningful, lasting change; a perspective he's determined to bring into local politics. Damon is standing to deliver practical leadership, community-focused solutions, and real-world insight to council decision-making. 'In an environment where left-wing ideology has become the norm, it's time to take a stand. No more wasteful spending on things we don't need. No more race-based voting or obsession with identity. I'm standing to hold the line for what's right, something sorely lacking in our current council.' – Damon Fox Earlier this year, ACT New Zealand announced it would be standing Common Sense Candidates for local government for the first time — after hearing from New Zealanders across the country who are sick of rising rates, ballooning budgets, and councils that ignore the basics while chasing ideological vanity projects. When you vote ACT Local, you know what you're getting: Fixing the basics Cutting the waste Ending race-based politics Restoring accountability ACT Local Government spokesperson Cameron Luxton says: ' ACT Local candidates are community-minded Kiwis who've had enough of wasteful councils treating ratepayers like ATMs. It's time to take control on behalf of ratepayers — to restore accountability and deliver real value for money. ACT Local is about getting the basics right: maintaining roads, keeping streets clean, and respecting the people who pay the bills. Our candidates won't divide people by race or get distracted by climate vanity projects. They're here to serve, not lecture." – Cameron Luxton
