In an article on lessons from the extremely successful leadership team at the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB), Brian Easton commented on an earlier column where he reported its demise from excessive and insensitive interference by centralised Wellington bureaucracy. This article builds … [Read more...]
Garry Writes 9 August 2023
One of the roles of elected reps is to monitor the Council financially and, shall we call it, the “spirit” of the organisation. It is important to look for signs, like why is the staff annual survey not improving. Christchurch Council Staff Vent Anger On Leadership | Newsroom Or why is the … [Read more...]
The debate about signs in Te Reo:
A good friend of mine, Gary Roberts, is travelling in Slovenia right now and he came across this stall selling honey. Gary’s comment about multi language signs was: Slovenians obviously aren’t too concerned about the ‘bastardisation’ of their language. Here there are 5 translations for HONEY … [Read more...]
The Local Government Review:
Since the last Tuesday Club notes the review of Local Government by a panel has been released. I have read the review and it is a good one. The Panel has identified which parts of Local Government which need to be changed. Here is a summary of their recommendations: A. … [Read more...]
Public transport investment is essential and seems to be downplayed by politicians:
I have recently had a series of emails with Duncan Webb as Minister of SOE’s about Railways and taking them into a new place as a single entity. My argument is that we need to invest seriously in public transport. As Minister of SOE’s he has the power to promote the return of the Railways to … [Read more...]
The place of openness and honesty in our society and media:
Recently Joan Donovan visited NZ. She is the head of the Technology and Social Change Project at Harvard University, the co-author of a book on the digital underworld that led to the January 6, 2021 storming of the US Capitol. She is reported as saying in Newsroom that: “harmful … [Read more...]
When nature thrives we thrive…
The Summit Road Society, Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust and community groups from across Banks Peninsula and greater Christchurch are banding together to make nature a priority in the upcoming Long Term Plans. When nature thrives, we thrive. By giving early feedback to CCC and ECAN, you can … [Read more...]
Garry writes on $$ and Rates 20 June 2023
I am worried about some financial decisions being considered at CCC. Recently there was a proposal to reduce rates using subvention credits thus weakening the Council’s finances further. In the Press Jake McClelland was reported as describing this proposal as: “smoke and mirrors”, if there … [Read more...]
White Racism in Christchurch:
As Paul Spoonley spoke to us a couple of weeks ago a faded memory returned. I’d forgotten that I had had a public debate with him as Mayor years ago on the Holmes show. Where I had expressed frustration with some of his public pronouncements on white power in this city. He, and the media, had … [Read more...]
Councillor Gough’s Commitment to openness and transparency
In the Press recently Cr Gough is reported as saying at the CCC meeting: It was interesting to note his commitment to democracy and “having a conversation with the public”. I recall an email he wrote on behalf of himself, Sam Macdonald, and Phil Mauger to the CE Dawn Baxendale during the last … [Read more...]
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