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RNZ News
11 hours ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
‘Keep our Māori wards' campaign kicks off with security caution
Dinnie Moeahu says supporters of Maori wards need to know their stuff to counter deliberate misinformation. Photo: Te Korimako o Taranaki via LDR A bid to retain Māori representation at Taranaki council tables kicked off on the weekend with a call for whānau-level pushback against what campaigners say is deliberate disinformation. Speakers at Saturday's organising meeting also warned referendums on Māori wards across New Zealand would spark vitriol - and potentially worse. New Plymouth councillor Dinnie Moeahu called the hui, saying misinformation was causing misunderstanding and fear, while disinformation was dividing communities. He represents New Plymouth's five-councillor 'at-large' ward, having topped the poll with general roll voters in 2022. Likewise, he said, anyone could stand in a Māori ward to be elected by Māori roll voters. "Non-Māori can also stand in the Māori ward seat. Ōrite: it's the same." Moeahu said opponents were incorrectly labelling Māori council seats as 'race-based'. Māori wards were Treaty-based, he said: created to ensure effective representation and help meet Crown obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, as spelled out in the Local Government Act. Almost all Māori wards and constituencies face being extinguished via referendum at October's local elections, including those at Taranaki's four councils. The government changed the law a year ago, requiring binding polls on local Māori seats to fulfil National's coalition deals with ACT and New Zealand First. They said the change was to restore democracy to communities on a significant change to local democracy. Moeahu said anti-Māori groups were ready with a campaign labelling the wards race-based as soon as the government reintroduced referendums last July. "It was well-resourced, it was strategised superbly and executed with perfection - and less than 24 hours after the law received Royal Assent." Former New Plymouth mayor Andrew Judd copped abuse when he backed Māori wards a decade ago - and he warns more is coming. Photo: Te Korimako o Taranaki via LDR Andrew Judd won New Plymouth's mayoralty in 2013, standing down at the next election after his unyielding support for a Māori ward drew persistent, often public abuse - including of his children. Judd said he predicted more of the same from opponents of guaranteed Māori representation. "My intel is that they are well geared-up, and they are going to be ... destructive," Judd said. "Because their hatred is real - and we cannot let hate win." Te Waka McLeod has agreed Moeahu will accompany her to meetings for fear of confrontation during election season. Photo: Te Korimako o Taranaki via LDR Moeahu said the escalating risk of physical threat prompted him and councillor Te Waka McLeod to agree he would accompany her to public meetings till the election ends. McLeod is the first councillor for NPDC's new Te Purutanga Mauri Pūmanawa ward. Despite attracting online and in-person abuse, McLeod said she had been supported by fellow councillors and staff, and the council was building stronger relationships with hapū. She said supporters from all communities must help family members better understand Māori wards with accurate information. "It's having those conversations with your nana, with your grandma, with your uncle at your whānau kitchen table," she said. "They may be sitting on the fence and they just need to hear a little bit of truth." The meeting drew people keen to join the fight to keep Māori wards. Photo: Te Korimako o Taranaki via LDR Other speakers included Labour MP Glen Bennett and NPDC councillors Amanda Clinton-Gohdes and Sam Bennett, who is running for mayor. Moeahu plans more meetings to galvanise helpers ahead of a public event when voting gets underway. Referendums must be held by 37 district and five regional councils. No other type of ward can be voted down. At the meeting, Margy-Jean Malcolm told LDR it was crucial to have clear information. "This is actually institutional racism, when we treat Māori wards differently from say a rural ward or any other ward. "We don't give the entire population a vote as to whether those wards should exist or not." Lance Mepham had seen candidates pushing misinformation. "I went to a few meetings here recently, and I was really surprised at the rhetoric and just some of the nasty things that were being said about the Māori ward." He said Māori brought good things to the table for everybody. "Economic and also cultural contributions - there's just so much that Māori can give and offer this community." EJ Barrett said the wards had already boosted Māori participation in local democracy by 22 percent. "My children are Māori so I have a vested interest to make sure there's always going to be a space for them in representative democracy - and so they can see themselves in democracy." "It's just the right thing to do, mate." LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Global News
17 hours ago
- Business
- Global News
Metro Vancouver blasted for shelving review of sewage treatment plant debacle
The North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant is $3 billion over budget and will cost taxpayers for decades. Late Friday, Metro Vancouver directors held a secret vote and decided to shelve a review of the debacle. Metro Vancouver claims it's putting the review on hold because of ongoing litigation with the project's former contractor, Acciona. The trial isn't scheduled to start until 2027. 2:00 A tour of Metro Vancouver's controversial wastewater treatment plant 'Absolutely deplorable that they did this,' said New Westminster Councillor Daniel Fontaine. Story continues below advertisement 'Taxpayers are not going to get answers likely now until at least after the next civic election, which is completely unacceptable.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy BC Conservative MLA and municipal affairs critic Tony Luck also weighed in, saying, 'David Eby should be stepping in and asking for that review to continue. There's no reason for it to be shut down.' Over the past year, Eby has promised repeatedly to take action on Metro Vancouver's failures. On July 17, 2024, he said, 'It is high time for Metro Vancouver to bring in an auditor to have a look at that.' On July 24, 2024, he commented, 'If Metro Vancouver fails to meet those standards, the province will step in.' 1:59 Fired wastewater plant contractor fires back at Metro Vancouver On Sept. 10, 2024, Eby said, 'But if they fail to do it, the province will step in.' On Jan. 22, 2025, 'This review can't come a moment too soon.' And on July 25, 2025, Eby said, 'If they can',t then the province is prepared to step in.' Story continues below advertisement Monday morning, July 28th, he said, 'We'll have a look at the justification for the decision by Metro Vancouver and how to move forward. But the bottom line is that Metro Vancouver needs to ensure accountability for taxpayers and, we'll make sure that that happens.' For its part, Metro Vancouver refuses to say which directors voted to delay the review, and claims it 'has maintained a clear and consistent record of public disclosure.' Fontaine said Eby needs to call an inquiry through the Local Government Act or allow the auditor general to intervene.
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Contractor misses out on $5m job despite highest rating
A Maddington business has asked why it was not awarded a $5.3 million local government contract despite receiving the highest assessment score. Dowsing was one of four groups that put in a bid for the three-year contract with the City of Cockburn to provide in situ concreting, such as footpaths, shared use paths, crossovers and concrete pads or footings. It was given an assessment score of 80 out of 100, but at its July 8 meeting the council gave the job to Axiis Contracting, which scored 79.94. Bids were assessed on experience, resources, methodology, sustainability, if they were local, and their price. The city's evaluation panel, which comprises six city officers, recommended Axiis because it considered its bid had the least risk or chance of variations, and the group had better references. 'Reference checking on Axiis Contracting referred to positive comments reflecting timely and quality work outcomes with no hidden charges,' its report said. 'Reference checking on Dowsing scored less than Axiis Contracting with potential issues raised for operators and their approach to safety. Overall a positive reference was provided.' Dowsing WA operations manager Sam Dowsing told the council he was surprised to read Axiis' references were rated as more favourable than Dowsing's and asked if they could be independently validated. 'This is not our experience talking to the market that we both serve in,' he said. 'In 40 years of business serving local governments, we've never seen a recommendation contradict the outcome of the tender assessment. 'We'd like to question the integrity of the over-ride of the outcome of the extensive assessment criteria, given Dowsing scored the highest ranking.' Infrastructure services manager Anton Lees said the city had followed Local Government Act regulations when assessing bids for the contract. He said the city had carried out reference checking on Axiis. 'We've taken that information on board and obviously provided that recommendation in the report on those references,' Mr Lees said. On its website, Dowsing says it has an 'uncompromising focus on high-quality workmanship, safety and creating positive outcomes'. It has been operating since 1985 and Axiis since 2013. Both groups are based in Maddington. No bids were received from groups based within the city or Perth South Metropolitan Alliance region.
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Opinion: community wellbeing about more than roads and water
Because of climate change, South Dunedin needs several billion dollars spent on it, either in costs that will be borne by those who live there, or in prevention by many more of us who don't. It's critical that whatever is done, the wellbeing of the nearly 10,000 people who live there is considered as much as the money. Our sense of home and shared spaces is bound intimately into our health — physical and mental — and our opportunity for fulfilled lives, individually and together. Perhaps some of this money might have been saved if at every local body election, the electorate hadn't swung hard at the "keep rates low" target; meaning maintenance and smart upgrades were constantly deferred. It's the "wicked cycle" of voting, electing, feeling like not much is happening, building frustration, diminishing trust, lower turnout, curdling into resentment about councillor pay and public expenditure for others (some loathe the stadium, others think DPAG should charge an entrance fee), while the deferred maintenance mounts up. Partly, it's that most of us don't understand how much decision-making is out of councillors' hands, to a degree we'd never put up with in central government. It's hard to get stuff done in local government. But the thing is, we live here together. The four wellbeings — social, economic, cultural, and environmental — baked into the Local Government Act really matter. Do the bus routes make sense and is there a stop near yours? Are there speed limits outside your children's school? Does your significantly older community have an immensely popular swimming pool for physio, exercise, connection? Are there playgrounds near your children's home, do your kids adore reading time at the library? Is there an arts / film / music festival? Fireworks at New Year? These are the places where we come together and are Dunedin, and what makes Dunedin a great place to live. Yet here we are again, with government looking to remove the four wellbeings in favour of roads and water, which are somehow neutral of quiet neighbourhoods, accessible parks, safe schools, community, belonging. As if we were not people but units. But if the DCC or ORC don't take care of this ... who will? If you would like to support the mission's work with a donation, please visit and search for the Methodist Mission.
Business Recorder
7 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
‘Punjab to review PFC Award after new LG Act's implementation'
LAHORE: Punjab Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman on Tuesday said that a new Local Government Act is being introduced, and once implemented, the Provincial Finance Commission (PFC) Award will be reviewed. While responding to Amjad Ali Javed in Punjab Assembly Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman said that PML-N has always stood in favour of Local Government rights. Earlier, Amjad Ali Javed complained that his committee cannot even pay electricity bills. Criticizing the corrupt state of banks, he said employees are not receiving their salaries. He questioned the Finance Minister, asking how much longer it will take to receive the Provincial Finance Commission Award (PFC) Award after eight years of waiting. 'Can the Finance Minister provide a clear timeframe?' he asked. PML (N) MPA Ahmed Ahsan Iqbal while speaking on the floor of the House said that Secretary of Local Government is saying that the current situation id extremely dire. Hr also said that the Local Government has no funds left. He emphasized that the responsibilities assigned by the federation to the provinces should similarly be delegated by the provinces to municipal committees, but institutions are not receiving their due rights. He raised the question of which establishment is obstructing the implementation of third-tier governance. The session started 1 hour 46 minutes late under the chair of the Acting Speaker Malik Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channar. During a session of the Punjab Assembly, government member Mumtaz Ali Chang delivered a fiery speech, demanding that the Crime Control Department (CCD) conduct operations in the Kacha area. He highlighted a recent incident in Nawazabad where a man named Hamza was killed, two others were injured, and one went missing due to dacoit firing. Chang stated, 'First, clean your own house. The CCD should also establish a unit in the Kacha area.' He further demanded the formation of a committee to investigate the killings of innocent people and the registration of false cases against them. Asserting that 'justice will restore the Assembly's dignity,' Chang defended his role as a public servant, stating that he actively participates in welfare work. He praised the Chief Minister of Punjab for establishing the CCD, which has reduced fear in areas previously considered inaccessible. He also commended the peace festival organized by the Punjab Governor in the Kacha area on the 11th of this month. Chang questioned why the CCD and Anti-Corruption Department were not conducting operations in the Katcha area despite having the authority. He alleged that police officials owning land in the region were sabotaging operations. 'If the Prime Minister and Chief Minister can go to jail, why can't the dacoits of Kacha?' he asked. He further claimed that reports indicate some notorious police officers are supporting dacoits in the area. Acting Speaker Zaheer Iqbal Channar sought a report on police officials occupying land in the Katcha area, directing that it be presented in the Assembly to identify those involved. He emphasized, 'Identify the dacoits occupying the Katcha area. Separately, Mumtaz Chang raised concerns about the loans and facilities being offered by Punjab Bank Rahim Yar Khan, stating, 'If we don't know what loans this bank is giving, how will the public know?' He urged the government to inform citizens through advertisements. Government member Ahmed Ahsan Iqbal criticized the Bank of Punjab during the session, stating that its reports are not being presented to the Public Accounts Committee. He said, 'The Bank of Punjab always resists in this matter,' adding that the Assembly has the right to know what privileges are being given to the bank's CEO. Meanwhile, the 26 suspended opposition members of the Punjab Assembly have been reinstated. This decision came as a result of successful negotiations between the government and the opposition following their suspension during the budget speech of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. Provincial Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman submitted a request in the assembly for the restoration of the opposition members, upon which Acting Speaker Punjab Assembly Zahr Iqbal Channar immediately ordered their reinstatement. The assembly secretariat also issued a notification confirming the restoration. According to details, on June 27, opposition members created a ruckus during the speech of Punjab Minister Maryam Nawaz, leading to verbal clashes and physical altercations. Following the incident, the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly suspended 26 opposition members for 15 sittings. Later, government members submitted four applications to the Speaker, requesting the Election Commission to issue disqualification notices against the opposition members. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
