The people lying in our shop fronts, parks, and public places are indicators of a lack of love and the failure in our economy. Here’s a poem written by a homeless man in Auckland: Here I am Here I am with all I own2 bags, no teddyEvicted, trespassedFrom my abodeNo love, now all … [Read more...]
Amalgamation and Rates Caps
I’m not a big fan of Ecan. However, there are essential environmental responsibilities which Regional Councils perform so to talk about disbanding them with a sweep of the hand is just irresponsible. Instructing local mayors to come up with a solution is like asking pigs to start believing abattoirs … [Read more...]
Lack of commitment to environmental protection…
More bills passed under urgency this week to further undermine our future... I listen to ministers demonstrating their lack of understanding, or commitment, to the environment and I despair. Next year we will continue to focus on this topic. It could be woven into the debate about the future of … [Read more...]
Alternatives to Neo-liberalism
Most of the topics addressed this week are because of the commitment of political parties, both left and right, to neo-liberal economics. Aspects of the management of our economy are a huge challenge, but, in my opinion, neo-liberalism has been a cancerous rot in our society. It has led to … [Read more...]
Hardship and Hope: how poverty is designed in Aotearoa
This Thursday 30 october at 6pmAldersgate 309 Durham St North Join author Rebecca Macfie, youth advocate Moana Cole and Christchurch Methodist Mission Executive Director Jill Hawkey in discussion about the systems holding people in hardship, and insights from the front lines of community … [Read more...]
Ex-Christchurch mayor: NZ must put youth employment before costly prison and boot camps
Opinion by Garry Moore first printed in New Zealand Listener Is all the work done? I remember someone trying to explain unemployment to a senior person some time in the 1980s. They were puzzled and asked, “Is all the work done?” No, in my opinion all the work is not yet done. Consider … [Read more...]
Nitrates in our water
Should we be worried? What can we do about it? Craig Pauling, presently chair of ECan and Vicky Southworth ECan Councillor. Unfortunately both retiring this term, but will share their thoughts on Nitrates. You will be aware that Greenpeace has been raising the issue, and running a campaign … [Read more...]
Election campaign 2025
I have written before that this is the first local government election campaign that I have not been involved in for 47 years. This has been an extremely liberating experience. I have been called on to advise many candidates of all sorts of political persuasions. Not being involved does not mean … [Read more...]
Debate during election campaign and the ignoring of impending Amalgamation
The debates in the past few weeks leading up to the local elections have been deeply superficial. It frustrates me hearing the mayor just going on and on about road humps and cycleways. Sara Templeton has refuted his stupid comments on many topics including this, but he got the headline. As a … [Read more...]
Cycle Helmets
Garry makes the case for cycle helmets... One morning I received a call from my wife saying she had fallen off her bike and could I come and collect her and take her to her meeting. I drove around to Edgeware following an ambulance and thought “I think this might be for Pam”. I was 100% … [Read more...]