We’re having at break at the Tuesday Club. This week will be our last gathering, and notes, until the 3rd of August. Smash Palace is closing for the month of July. It’s generally the coldest month of the year and its not the best running an outdoor bar in the rain, and cold. So, the team are … [Read more...]
Open Government proposed changes the OIA and openness of Central and Local Government
In Newsroom recently it was reported that the Government has been working on an “open government plan”. In the article it stated The Government has been urged to delay its latest open government plan by a year, with civil society organisations concerned about insufficient community … [Read more...]
Garry Writes 15 June 2021
In a recent article in Stuff Andrea Vance lamented the closed shop which this Government has been with information. Here’s what she wrote early in the article: This year, I have made more complaints to the Ombudsman than in any previous year. So far, every one has been upheld. In my 20-year … [Read more...]
Garry writes 1 June 2021
I saw the photo above thanks to Bernard Hickey during the week. We have piwakawaka through our garden twice a year in Autumn and Spring. They are a beautiful bird and an easy target for cats. That’s why I wish we could get rid of all cats. Last week I wrote about my despair about being involved … [Read more...]
Last Week – CCC on Climate Change and Representation Review
Last week we had a hummer of a session... Firstly, Tony Moore spoke about the CCC programme to address Global Warming. It was interesting to have Eric Pawson challenge the room to consider whether or not we as a City are being brave enough and embracing the Climate Commission’s goals. That led to … [Read more...]
Let’s focus on Jaime Lerner, Mayor of Curitiba, and some things we can learn from him
Last week I said that I would write something about Jaime Lerner. Well Carl Davidson (who wanted to demonstrate that he reads the Tuesday Club notes) sent me the article below which was written about Jaime a few years ago. Here’s one of his quotes: If you want creativity, cut one zero from the … [Read more...]
Local representation review
Every few years Local Government is required to undertake a review of the number of people around the Council table. This is required by law. One Councillor, has advocated halving the number of Councillors. This demonstrated a complete lack of understanding about how Councillor fees are set. The … [Read more...]
Traffic debates in the Northern suburbs
In our part of the world, we are living with changes to the roading system. I received an email from my local MP asking for me to get involved in making a submission to the City Council. It was good to see an MP and the local Councillor seeking feedback from the community. So, I read the CCC … [Read more...]
Working together to make democracy alive and responsive
This week I received an email from a group promoting different forms of democracy. This group has an AGM and talk Wednesday 30 March at 7.30 and it will be all over by 9pm. The speaker will be Max Rashbrooke and his address is labelled ‘Overcoming the obstacles to deeper democracy in New … [Read more...]
An interesting defamation case of great public importance
Over the past few years there has been a defamation case working its way through the Courts based on the nasty behaviour of Whale Oil blogger Cameron Slater (son of former National Party Chairman), PR agent Cameron Slater (son of Sir Doug Graham, former National MP) and Katherine Rich (CEO of the … [Read more...]