That was a really good piece you did on Aaron Hawkins. My wife and I moved to Dunedin from Australia in 2019 and, what with trying to settle in and dealing with various family issues, we haven't really had the time to become knowledgeable about local politics and issues. But I know I have seen a helluva lot of vitriol against Hawkins. And very little supporting him. But all the serious comment I've read about the man says he is a good person and genuinely concerned for the area. And the world as a whole. Vitriolic comment seems to be the flavour of the month/year here in Dunedin and NZ as a whole, the worst manifestation being the misogyny against PM Ardern. Maybe she needs to take a page or two from former Aus PM Julia Gillard's playbook and her now famous speech about the treatment she suffered whilst PM. It surprises me somewhat that she hasn't already done that. But I have to admit it's not not as bad or as blatant here as it was in Aus. Jacinda doesn't have arseholes of the quality of Tony Abbott or Alan Jones to deal with.
It's not nasty, Hamish. You go on campaign with him and you'll see that it's just the truth. Do you not think that it's highly unusual that a Mayor has built up such resentment around town and that his detractors such as Weatherall had such an easy ride into Council? Unfortunately the Greens or Labour are likely to throw up someone just as toxic next time, and they have several to choose from.
And the latter (and probably the former as well) are in receipt of several hundred thousand a year from the Government each $ of which comes with the condition of 'no debate' (vaxxes, women's rights etc).
Getting away from Aaron for a second, that's a pretty interesting picture of the new hospital site in that 1874 photo featured in the Happy Birthday Josephine video. Mostly water by the looks of it (about the 3min mark)
Eek, Groundswell and their protest, thanks for the reminder, trying to figure out if they'll still be in the area they've stated around mid-afternoon when I finish work before school pick-up (and then dash down to the Oval for after school sports)
That was a really good piece you did on Aaron Hawkins. My wife and I moved to Dunedin from Australia in 2019 and, what with trying to settle in and dealing with various family issues, we haven't really had the time to become knowledgeable about local politics and issues. But I know I have seen a helluva lot of vitriol against Hawkins. And very little supporting him. But all the serious comment I've read about the man says he is a good person and genuinely concerned for the area. And the world as a whole. Vitriolic comment seems to be the flavour of the month/year here in Dunedin and NZ as a whole, the worst manifestation being the misogyny against PM Ardern. Maybe she needs to take a page or two from former Aus PM Julia Gillard's playbook and her now famous speech about the treatment she suffered whilst PM. It surprises me somewhat that she hasn't already done that. But I have to admit it's not not as bad or as blatant here as it was in Aus. Jacinda doesn't have arseholes of the quality of Tony Abbott or Alan Jones to deal with.
A lot of the problem is we don't speak up when people do well, so any of those voices get drowned out by those who think everything is bad.
No he deserves everything that came his way.
Another nasty comment, do better.
It's not nasty, Hamish. You go on campaign with him and you'll see that it's just the truth. Do you not think that it's highly unusual that a Mayor has built up such resentment around town and that his detractors such as Weatherall had such an easy ride into Council? Unfortunately the Greens or Labour are likely to throw up someone just as toxic next time, and they have several to choose from.
Because you aren't seen as toxic at all Richard?
Only by a small percentage concentrated around the corner of Moray and Stuart and at Radio One and Critic, not by 90% of the town, Toni.
And the latter (and probably the former as well) are in receipt of several hundred thousand a year from the Government each $ of which comes with the condition of 'no debate' (vaxxes, women's rights etc).
Out of curiosity, are you mentioned in the above post, without your name attached?
No, it wasn't Richard.
I was trying to work out how he would phrase his response, whether it was him or not
I didn't think that your question deserved a response really.
How would I know. I didn't write it. And Hamish and facts, well.....
Only 1 out of the 14 current councilors were on his side. So you have 13 other suspects just right there. And then another 25. Go to it sleuth Toni!
Also there's a few councilors to whom lies come easily. Might have your work cut out there Toni.
Maybe a Stuff article for you Hamish? How a billionaire run 128b Swiss fund is running NZ's local elections.
https://plebeianresistance.substack.com/p/would-you-trust-a-swiss-private-equity
‘‘I got a pretty easy ride, whereas many of my female colleagues, or Māori colleagues, don’t’’.
R18 Hamish.
Getting away from Aaron for a second, that's a pretty interesting picture of the new hospital site in that 1874 photo featured in the Happy Birthday Josephine video. Mostly water by the looks of it (about the 3min mark)
Eek, Groundswell and their protest, thanks for the reminder, trying to figure out if they'll still be in the area they've stated around mid-afternoon when I finish work before school pick-up (and then dash down to the Oval for after school sports)
You should go and have a chat with them Toni. As without them NZ is toast.
I was thinking of asking if anybody had a spare tractor but I guess it's too late now.
Unfortunately I don't have the time tomorrow, as you can see, my time is already well and truly spoken for.
Girls sports or boys sports?
Not sure that makes a difference?
LOL.
An old grey Fergie maybe.