GAG invites you to meet Len Brown and find out what he can do for West Auckland if he becomes Super Mayor.
Come along, bring your friends, and ask him your questions.
Kelston Community Centre, Great North Road.
Weds 24 March at 7pm
Monday, March 15, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Waitakere District Plan Changes
Waitakere City Council want to change the District Plan in ways that could seriously damage the Heritage Area.
Watch this video on YouTube to find out how and what you can do to help:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgIz_mOoKH0
If you'd like to make a submission and email the Waitakere City Councillors to tell them your views, you have until 5pm on Friday 12 March to do so.
All the information you need as well as a Submission Guide and a simple submission form are available on the WRPS website.
Watch this video on YouTube to find out how and what you can do to help:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgIz_mOoKH0
If you'd like to make a submission and email the Waitakere City Councillors to tell them your views, you have until 5pm on Friday 12 March to do so.
All the information you need as well as a Submission Guide and a simple submission form are available on the WRPS website.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Paula Bennett & Anne Tolley "Public" Meeting
Paula Bennett has invited Education Minister Anne Tolley to come out west and talk about National Standards. Only she seems to be keeping it very quiet for some reason.
A small ad on p8 of the Western Leader isn't really putting it out there.
Obviously they're not expecting many people as they're holding it at Bennett's office, so make sure you bring your own chair.
GAG will be there so please join us at 429 Great North Road, Henderson on Thursday March 4 at 6.30pm
A small ad on p8 of the Western Leader isn't really putting it out there.
Obviously they're not expecting many people as they're holding it at Bennett's office, so make sure you bring your own chair.
GAG will be there so please join us at 429 Great North Road, Henderson on Thursday March 4 at 6.30pm
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
SUBMIT ON THE 3RD SUPER CITY BILL
The 3rd super city bill is currently open for submissions until 12 Feb.
You can download the bill from here:
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2009/0112/latest/viewpdf.aspx
This bill opens the way for privatisation of Auckland's assets, including water. It also describes how council services will be mainly operated by CCOs (Council Controlled Organisations) which will have little democratic control & are essentially semi-privatised. Current egs of CCOs include Metrowater, Watercare and Waitakere Enterprise.
The bill is vague on what roles the Local Boards will play & what they will be responsible for. In fact its hard to see what the Auckland Council will actually be making decisions on because most of the important stuff will be done by the CCOs, so the Local Boards will have very little of importance delegated to them.
Democracy... hmmmm.
You may like to attend one of the public meetings being run by the Labour Party & Greens to learn more about this bill, how it will affect you & how to make a submission.
Details here:
http://labour.org.nz/news/labour-and-greens-run-public-meetings-super-city-bill
Mt Albert/Mt Roskill - 7.00 - 8.30pm, Monday 8th February, Owairaka Primary School, 113-115 Richardson Road, Mt Albert, hosted by Phil Twyford, David Clendon, David Shearer and Carmel Sepuloni
Kumeu Community Hall, Access Road, Kumeu, 8pm Tuesday 9 February. Chaired by Rodney Councillor Suzanne Weld, David Clendon of the Greens and Phil Twyford of Labour will be speaking, meeting hosted in association with the Kumeu Residents and Ratepayers Association.
Su’a William Sio MP and Ross Robertson MP are hosting a meeting in Mangere: 5.30 – 7 pm Monday 8 February at the Nga Tapuwae Hall, 253 Buckland Rd, Mangere.
There is advice on how to make a submission on this bill on the Green's website here:
http://www.greens.org.nz/actionalerts/submission-guide-local-government-auckland-law-reform-bill
But basically its really easy - the secret is to keep it simple:
- Stick to a few key points, no need to write an essay.
- Talk about the main things that concern you, don't try to analyse the bill itself.
- Illustrate with real examples and tell your story, make it personal it will have more impact.
- Say you want to speak to your submission, then when you do you can provide extra written information if you want to (get 3 bites at the cherry of making your point).
- Go to your MP (especially if they are National or ACT) and tell them you are unhappy with the undemocratic way this is being forced onto Aucklanders.
- Ask GAG for help if you need it - call the GAG submission helpline on 021 213 7779 :)
Send your submission:
By post (2 copies) to:
Clerk of the Committee
Auckland Governance Legislation Select Committee
Select Committee Office
Freepost Parliament
Wellington
Or you can submit using the online form here:
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/SC/MakeSub/6/3/a/49SCAGL_SCF_00DBHOH_BILL9729_1-Local-Government-Auckland-Law-Reform.htm#captcha
Good luck!
You can download the bill from here:
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2009/0112/latest/viewpdf.aspx
This bill opens the way for privatisation of Auckland's assets, including water. It also describes how council services will be mainly operated by CCOs (Council Controlled Organisations) which will have little democratic control & are essentially semi-privatised. Current egs of CCOs include Metrowater, Watercare and Waitakere Enterprise.
The bill is vague on what roles the Local Boards will play & what they will be responsible for. In fact its hard to see what the Auckland Council will actually be making decisions on because most of the important stuff will be done by the CCOs, so the Local Boards will have very little of importance delegated to them.
Democracy... hmmmm.
You may like to attend one of the public meetings being run by the Labour Party & Greens to learn more about this bill, how it will affect you & how to make a submission.
Details here:
http://labour.org.nz/news/labour-and-greens-run-public-meetings-super-city-bill
Mt Albert/Mt Roskill - 7.00 - 8.30pm, Monday 8th February, Owairaka Primary School, 113-115 Richardson Road, Mt Albert, hosted by Phil Twyford, David Clendon, David Shearer and Carmel Sepuloni
Kumeu Community Hall, Access Road, Kumeu, 8pm Tuesday 9 February. Chaired by Rodney Councillor Suzanne Weld, David Clendon of the Greens and Phil Twyford of Labour will be speaking, meeting hosted in association with the Kumeu Residents and Ratepayers Association.
Su’a William Sio MP and Ross Robertson MP are hosting a meeting in Mangere: 5.30 – 7 pm Monday 8 February at the Nga Tapuwae Hall, 253 Buckland Rd, Mangere.
There is advice on how to make a submission on this bill on the Green's website here:
http://www.greens.org.nz/actionalerts/submission-guide-local-government-auckland-law-reform-bill
But basically its really easy - the secret is to keep it simple:
- Stick to a few key points, no need to write an essay.
- Talk about the main things that concern you, don't try to analyse the bill itself.
- Illustrate with real examples and tell your story, make it personal it will have more impact.
- Say you want to speak to your submission, then when you do you can provide extra written information if you want to (get 3 bites at the cherry of making your point).
- Go to your MP (especially if they are National or ACT) and tell them you are unhappy with the undemocratic way this is being forced onto Aucklanders.
- Ask GAG for help if you need it - call the GAG submission helpline on 021 213 7779 :)
Send your submission:
By post (2 copies) to:
Clerk of the Committee
Auckland Governance Legislation Select Committee
Select Committee Office
Freepost Parliament
Wellington
Or you can submit using the online form here:
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/SC/MakeSub/6/3/a/49SCAGL_SCF_00DBHOH_BILL9729_1-Local-Government-Auckland-Law-Reform.htm#captcha
Good luck!
MEET LEN BROWN
GAG has invited supercity mayoral candidate LEN BROWN to meet the people of West Auckland.
Please come and join us at Kelston Community Centre on Weds 24 March at 7pm. All welcome.
Please come and join us at Kelston Community Centre on Weds 24 March at 7pm. All welcome.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
GOVERNMENT GETS ITS WAY
The Grassroots Action Group (GAG) is disappointed that the Government has not listened to the people of Auckland’s views and has pushed through Rodney Hide’s version of the Super City Bill virtually unchanged.
Despite almost 24 hours of non-stop debating in Parliament the Super City Bill passed into law today, with all the amendments proposed by Labour, the Greens and the Maori Party defeated.
The only last minute concession made in the face of strong public opposition this week was to keep the whole of Rodney District within the Super City and not split it in half. Unfortunately for Franklin they remain split.
The passing of the bill virtually unchanged means that Rodney Hide’s plan to concentrate all the power into the hands of a select few, most notably the Super Mayor, has succeeded.
National’s claim to have listened to the people of Auckland is nothing but a lie. The 1000s of public submissions calling for Maori seats, for a fairer voting system, for real power at the grassroots level and to retain the structures that actually work for communities, have been ignored.
The only changes made to the bill were to ditch the idea of councillors being elected at large and to promise some – as yet unspecified – functions and powers to the local boards.
The reality is that all the decisions on funding and priorities for local communities will be made by 21 people, who will need to be extremely well funded even to consider campaigning for a seat at the table. With wards likely to serve 100,000 people each (twice that of an MP) the chance of communicating effectively with constituents is nil.
A Super City for the super rich. How super for the rest of us remains to be seen, but we will all be paying the super rates bills to fund the changes all too soon.
The next Bill to flesh out the details and transitions is due in October. GAG will be informing people of the issues and enabling them to have their say, although the record is not good for being listened to.
Despite almost 24 hours of non-stop debating in Parliament the Super City Bill passed into law today, with all the amendments proposed by Labour, the Greens and the Maori Party defeated.
The only last minute concession made in the face of strong public opposition this week was to keep the whole of Rodney District within the Super City and not split it in half. Unfortunately for Franklin they remain split.
The passing of the bill virtually unchanged means that Rodney Hide’s plan to concentrate all the power into the hands of a select few, most notably the Super Mayor, has succeeded.
National’s claim to have listened to the people of Auckland is nothing but a lie. The 1000s of public submissions calling for Maori seats, for a fairer voting system, for real power at the grassroots level and to retain the structures that actually work for communities, have been ignored.
The only changes made to the bill were to ditch the idea of councillors being elected at large and to promise some – as yet unspecified – functions and powers to the local boards.
The reality is that all the decisions on funding and priorities for local communities will be made by 21 people, who will need to be extremely well funded even to consider campaigning for a seat at the table. With wards likely to serve 100,000 people each (twice that of an MP) the chance of communicating effectively with constituents is nil.
A Super City for the super rich. How super for the rest of us remains to be seen, but we will all be paying the super rates bills to fund the changes all too soon.
The next Bill to flesh out the details and transitions is due in October. GAG will be informing people of the issues and enabling them to have their say, although the record is not good for being listened to.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Super Shitty
Super City – Super Shitty
That John Key, now who is he?
Rodney Hide – yeah he’s the guy
Knows the answers, oh yeah right
What do you think? Don’t be shy
Make a stand, lets hear your cry
Select Committee – they’re here to listen
Have your say, write a submission
But all so formal & off-putting
Only the brave will be there pitching
I sat & listened for several days
To all those people rant & rave
Give their ideas, experience & views
So much wisdom from the heart, so true
The messages I heard were clear
Consistent themes learned over years
Talk to the people, not at them, eh?
In Waitakere we like to have our say
Not only that, it works you see
Decisions made by you and me
We’re happy when we feel involved
In our community, not told
What’s best for us by some “big man”
Who throws his toys out of his pram
If he doesn’t get his way
Is that democracy I say?
The marginalised & poor shut out
They’ll just complain, will scream & shout
Protest & march, but what’s the use?
When 1% man rules the roost
So what’s the answer? How to change
The minds of those who want their way?
Don’t pay your rates, now that might work
Cos after all, this is our turf
Can’t do too much without the cash
Build more white elephants, make a splash
Down on the waterfront, that’s where
All our rates will be spent – is that fair?
And sell our stuff, you know that’s next
Our precious assets, Auckland’s best
Libraries & parks, stadiums & pools
And then our water oh so cool
Its worth a bomb to the highest bidder
But when it is gone will Auckland be fitter?
Not when we have to buy it back
Just like the trains & of course the track
So don’t be GAGGED about your place
It’s not too late to win this race
Just vote Len Brown for Mayor you see
So much better than John Banksy
And get someone who cares in charge
With politics born from the heart.
Mels Barton
GAG
That John Key, now who is he?
Rodney Hide – yeah he’s the guy
Knows the answers, oh yeah right
What do you think? Don’t be shy
Make a stand, lets hear your cry
Select Committee – they’re here to listen
Have your say, write a submission
But all so formal & off-putting
Only the brave will be there pitching
I sat & listened for several days
To all those people rant & rave
Give their ideas, experience & views
So much wisdom from the heart, so true
The messages I heard were clear
Consistent themes learned over years
Talk to the people, not at them, eh?
In Waitakere we like to have our say
Not only that, it works you see
Decisions made by you and me
We’re happy when we feel involved
In our community, not told
What’s best for us by some “big man”
Who throws his toys out of his pram
If he doesn’t get his way
Is that democracy I say?
The marginalised & poor shut out
They’ll just complain, will scream & shout
Protest & march, but what’s the use?
When 1% man rules the roost
So what’s the answer? How to change
The minds of those who want their way?
Don’t pay your rates, now that might work
Cos after all, this is our turf
Can’t do too much without the cash
Build more white elephants, make a splash
Down on the waterfront, that’s where
All our rates will be spent – is that fair?
And sell our stuff, you know that’s next
Our precious assets, Auckland’s best
Libraries & parks, stadiums & pools
And then our water oh so cool
Its worth a bomb to the highest bidder
But when it is gone will Auckland be fitter?
Not when we have to buy it back
Just like the trains & of course the track
So don’t be GAGGED about your place
It’s not too late to win this race
Just vote Len Brown for Mayor you see
So much better than John Banksy
And get someone who cares in charge
With politics born from the heart.
Mels Barton
GAG
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