I’ve received a number of kind and gratifying comments about my brief presentation at the Howick Local Board public forum last night (see Bunfight at Howick Local Board). Thank you.
I didn’t realize it at the time, but Cameron Slater was live-tweeting the event, and these popped up on my phone after I spoke …
For those interested, below are the notes I prepared for my (3 minute!) talk, complete with scribbles I made while listening to other speakers.
Some of what I planned to say became redundant. As I noted, there was substantial support, and effusive character testimonials for Adele White were delivered by the speakers before me, which I didn’t need to repeat except by implication. Given the mood of the evening, I also decided not to directly address the drink-driving charges Michael Williams reportedly is facing — they were in the public domain, with the Board members and public attending well aware of the issue.
My planned comments about Mr Williams’ & Mr Donald’s participation in what I regard (then and now) as a racist stunt in the Garden of Memories on the day of the blessing for the whare and sod-turning likewise felt off-point.
Available here as a PDF. A recording of what I actually said is here.
– P
Facts are stated to the best of my knowledge and commentary is my honest opinion. Corrections or clarifications are always welcome by email. Comments are open.
– Best wishes, Peter Aranyi © 2013 All rights reserved.
[…] Spoofing David FisherWhat I didn’t say at the Howick Local Board last night »Bunfight at Howick Local BoardPosted in 21 January 2013Peter Aranyi1 Comment […]
Peter, good on you for participating.
I’ve always believed local government to be more important than National or State governments. “Local” is where we live. Its politics affect trash-pickup, water-treatment, law enforcement, local businesses, local roads, and other infrastructure. It amazes me how we take these basic needs for granted, ignoring them; then spend all of our time focused on nonsense coming from the nation’s capital, none of which affects our daily lives the way it would if we suddenly didn’t have clean drinking water coming from out of our taps.
I feel that if you don’t participate, then you have no right to complain when things go wrong. In New Zealand we have the wrong idea about government (my opinion). We see government as a kind of Father – almost a God-like figure head, which must never be questioned and always be expected to fix things when things go wrong. But this idea is false. Governments are made by people, for people. They must always be challenged and must always be held accountable for their actions — good or bad. They are not something we should fear, nor should they be an organization that can do as it pleases. If people are to represent people, then common decency and fairness must be its highest calling. And if people like yourself and your neighbors, don’t stand up for what you believe to be right, then government has failed in its most basic of precepts.
Cheers exnzpat.
Yes, I agree with you that grumbling about decisions one had the opportunity to influence (but didn’t bother to) is pointless.
As we’ve discussed before, within each of us we find a line that when crossed sparks us to action — whether that action is positive or negative, building a community or resisting some sort of domination or imperialism.
Cheers, P