Waitemata & Gulf candidate for Auckland City Council, Stephen Berry, says today that he welcomes plans by Mayor Len Brown and Housing Minister Nick Smith to form a working group to look at the issue. “With an opportunity to vote out the current leftist council still being several months away, this is probably the best step toward more affordable housing that Aucklanders have to look forward to.”
“Normally, I’m not a big fan of Government working groups. They’re usually a horrendously expensive chinwag for bureaucrats which achieve little. However in this case I’m cautiously optimistic. Len Brown and his allies are so hopelessly clueless about the devastating effect their policies are having on housing affordability, that I think collaboration with a National government can only be positive!”
Mr. Berry is buoyed by indications from the National government that they are willing to reform the Resource Management Act in order to bring about a reduction in housing prices. “The power that the Resource Management Act grants to city councils and neighbourhood busybodies alike to intervene in property owners business and drag out the consents process is a major cause of housing unaffordability in Auckland and the rest of the country.
“It is also my hope that Nick Smith follows through on his threat to force through changes to local body processes, if necessary, to bring reduced housing costs. Auckland property owners should not have to continue suffering the economic illiteracy of the majority of Auckland City councillors.”
Stephen Berry says that electoral relief for long suffering property owners will be coming soon, in the form of a nation-wide local body political party that promotes small-government ways to improve housing affordability. “A real alternative to Len Brown’s policies is not far away. Let’s just hope he doesn’t bankrupt us in the meantime.”
Stephen Berry
Candidate, Waitemata & Gulf
Auckland City Council
0211653464 stephenberry@xtra.co.nz
Preamble….
On the reoccurring theme of ‘what is the proper roll of Government?’ I submit to you another post about the census yet with an extra punch.
Thomas Jefferson wrote “He who governs best Governs least”. He penned the American Declaration of Independence which actually defined what the proper duties of Government are… to defend the God given rights of the individual, which is a very limited sphere of operation which does not include the supply or control of such services as Education, hospitals, arts and sports, etc… all of which are the proper sphere of Free enterprise and private voluntary associations.
It is because western society has forgotten such enlightened principles as motivated Jefferson and the founding Fathers of America and instead have adopted a totalitarian socialist conception of government where the prevailing belief is that all of life’s problems have political solutions that western civilization teeters on the brink of Absolute economic collapse and chaos!
Keep this in mind when you read my following blog post.
Understand the gravity of the situation… the rationale that underpins the so-called justification for having the compulsory census…
*****************************************************************************************************
^^^^ That is the Cover pic from the Government Facebook page Census NZ. Here:
It clearly demonstrates why the enlightened Kiwi is outraged by the underpinning arguments which Census NZ, and the Government use to vindicate this compulsory violation of our privacy… ie that the information gathered will be used to for their Social planning.
Bread and Circus.
Notice how this picture appeals to the unthinking… ‘the government as the font of all culture….get someone else to pay for it ‘ mentality…
‘More Drag strips, more skate parks, More Gigs and festivals, more sports…etc etc’.
Notice it completely forgets to add “More Taxes, more rates…. More Debt, more compulsions and property violations!, More Government poking it’s nose into things which are not it’s business to be involved in!
Now I like Drag strips, Concerts, etc yet I am not so stupid as to believe these things are only possible via political interventions!
I also know that every time the Government or city council builds a stadium or sports facility and events that they always run massively over budget and put us into massive debts…. And end up costing Rate payers and Tax slaves Tens of millions of dollars…. Every time!
Three examples from my home town of Hamilton will suffice as examples.
The Rugby stadium.
The V8 Supercars.
The Claudlands event center.
Each of these cost Hamilton Ratepayers many 10’s of Millions of dollars… over the price the Hamilton city council told ratepayers they would cost!
Via consecutive socialist medaling the HCC has racked up $500 million in debts!
And what needs to be appreciated is that this bankrupt situation is the norm across the globe in western socialist democracies… ie Socialist politicians are systematically bankrupting their captive populations! Debts are skyrocketing and Rates are going through the Roof!
Yet nobody seems to be waking up to the fact That City councils ought not to be involved in such ventures!
They are best left to Free enterprise, and voluntary associations, whom are much more realistic about how such things get build and on what scale.
Most importantly they don’t demand money via compulsory taxations upon the community!
Ie Little old ladies living on pensions don’t face rent increases or rates hikes to pay for the white elephants and delusions of grandeur which Big mouth big promising politicians spout at election time to get elected!
If the figures don’t add up… they don’t get built its as simple as that…. Ie economic reality prevails…. Not ridiculous socialist whim.
The sort of people whom support the Council/ government involvement in such things are either Ignorant, evil, or both!
The ignorant have not figured out that such things will turn around an bite them on the arse via higher rates, rents, and costs for necessities in goods and services, and the evil don’t give a damn if people whom don’t like Rugby, etc are forced to pay for New stadiums etc . All they care about is having a flash new place to worship their sporting Gods! They are too stupid to realize that Better stadiums and facilities could be established via legitimate means without the use of Draconian powers of compusion.
Here are just a couple of articles I have plucked off the net…
And below are some links to some blog posts I have done on thes subjects covering some of my own Libertarian Election campaigns standing for Hamilton city council in direct opposition to this Bankrupt big spending socialism….
How to solve Hamilton’s rates crisis
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0709/S00333.htm
I’m blogging on the wrong site.
Eternal vigilance sounds stressful – I think occasional vigilance is my limit. 🙂
Anyway… I just realised that Rotorua District Council never answered my questions… so I just emailed this follow up. Unfortunately I’m 5 days too late.
Hi XXXXX
I asked these questions of Council in December and was given contradictory answers – I needed authoritative answers to be able to make a submission regarding the Proposed District Plan designations.
I see the Proposed District Plan is now closed for submissions.
The Council has acted unfairly by not answering my questions before ending the consultation process.
I’d still like to know the answers to these questions.
Regards
Reed Robinson
On 16 December 2012 22:35, Reed wrote:
Hello
I have spoken with several Council representatives concerning the Proposed District Plan – in particular I have been enquiring about the proposed rural road designations.
Most recently I was advised by Council that the statutory authority being relied upon was the RMA (sections 166 to 186) and that Council will be seeking the designations in its capacity as a network utility operator under the Act.
This explanation doesn’t make sense and it contradicts an earlier explanation I was given by Council. The earlier explanation I was given was that Council was seeking to correct rural road (or road reserve) widths; that Council considered some roads too narrow and was seeking to widen roads (or road reserves) from 15m to 20m as part of the District Plan.
Can you please clarify the following points…
1. Is the Council proposing these designations in its capacity as a local authority or in its capacity as a network utility operator?
2. For what purpose is the Council proposing these designations?
3. What statutory authority is the Council relying on to propose these designations?
Angry Cantabrians, frustrated with the speed of the rebuild, are threatening to blow up earthquake repair hubs and shoot staff.
The abuse of rebuild staff escalated yesterday when an eastern Christchurch hub, which looks more like a fortress, was locked down after an angry homeowner, with a violent past, threatened staff.
Things are going to get worse before they get better.
[EQC] Customer services general manager Bruce Emson says staff have been verbally and physically abused by homeowners frustrated at the speed of the rebuild.
He says there have been death threats as well.
“It’s exacerbating a little, as people become less resilient and less tolerant as I guess as we head into our third winter it might even continue to escalate.”
You think?
Fletcher EQR general manager David Peterson said the firm had spent thousands of dollars on extra security to protect its 700 staff after threats and verbal abuse from homeowners.
“We have 20 hubs around the city and we’ve had to make the fences slightly higher, put in exit doors for staff and the reception counters are higher now too, so people can’t jump over them so easily,” Peterson said.
He understood homeowners were frustrated but some behaviour had forced staff out because “customer interaction had become unbearable”.
“When it’s every single day, it really does wear you down. We’ve trained staff specifically to be able to handle aggressive phone calls, and we’ve trained them how to deal with threats physically and emotionally.”
Some areas of the city, such as North New Brighton, were “more problematic” than others, he said.
Perhaps the EQC should focus its rebuilding efforts on “more problematic” areas—areas where people actually live—instead of on the CBD, where rebuilding has continued apace. Take a look at the recent picture below. You’d hardly think that just over two years ago the city was struck by a devastating earthquake.
How to solve Hamiltons Rates crisis>>>> http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0709/S00333.htm
If only Hamilton had listened to me! Your 38 million dollar mistake >>>> http://blog.eternalvigilance.me/2011/10/if-only-hamiltonians-had-listened-to-me-your-38-million-dollar-mistake/
I thought it might be important for dealing with the Rotorua District Council to find out precisely what the Council is… so I asked. It took a few weeks to get a considered response.
Dear Reed
My email below refers. Kathy confirmed that Council is a territorial authority. Below, please find an explanation.
Territorial authorities of New Zealand
Territorial authorities are the second tier of local government in New Zealand, below regional councils. There are 67 territorial authorities: 13 city councils, 53 district councils, and the Chatham Islands Council. Six territorial authorities (Auckland Council, Nelson City Council, Gisborne, Tasman, and Marlborough District Councils and the Chatham Islands Council) also perform the functions of a regional council and thus are known as unitary authorities. Territorial authority districts are not subdivisions of regions, and some of them fall within more than one region. Taupo District has the distinction of straddling the boundaries of four different regions (see below). Regional council areas are based on water catchment areas, whereas territorial authorities are based on community of interest and road access. Regional councils are responsible for the administration of many environmental and public transport matters, while the territorial authorities administer local roading and reserves, sewerage, building consents, the land use and subdivision aspects of resource management, and other local matters. Some activities are delegated to council-controlled organisations.
I trust the above information answers your question.
Thanks
**** ******
Policy Planner
Their considered response was the same as their unconsidered response – which I’d already explained couldn’t be correct. Try again…
Thanks for that but it doesn’t answer the question I asked.
The Local Government Act 2002 states: – territorial authority means a city council or a district council named in Part 2 of Schedule 2
The Rotorua District Council must have existed prior to the existence of territorial authorities.
Territorial Authority is a title/role that has been given to the Council. This doesn’t tell me what type of organisation the Council is.
The type of organisation that the Council is should be defined by its establishment.
When was the Council established and which Act was it established under?
Cheers
Reed Robinson
And their response…
Hi Reed
I will investigate further and get back to you.
Regards
**** ******
Policy Planner
Sent today…
Hi ***
Can you please investigate these related questions at the same time.
1. Do the Rotorua District Council and Council employees have a fiduciary duty to Rotorua property owners?
2. If not, what duty do the Rotorua District Council and Council employees have to Rotorua property owners?
I asked these questions in June 2011 and the following is a summary of Council’s response at the time…
I re-asked these questions in July 2011 and Council has not responded.
I did decide to do some investigation… I’ve spent a couple of hours on the phone with Council staff but I still haven’t figured out precisely how Council intends to take away existing property rights from land owners. My questions probably seemed stupid to Council staff but everyone I spoke with was pleasant and helpful.
I figured out enough to put a question in writing so, I sent this email on Monday…
Hello
I have spoken with several Council representatives concerning the Proposed District Plan – in particular I have been enquiring about the proposed rural road designations.
Most recently I was advised by Council that the statutory authority being relied upon was the RMA (sections 166 to 186) and that Council will be seeking the designations in its capacity as a network utility operator under the Act.
This explanation doesn’t make sense and it contradicts an earlier explanation I was given by Council. The earlier explanation I was given was that Council was seeking to correct rural road (or road reserve) widths; that Council considered some roads too narrow and was seeking to widen roads (or road reserves) from 15m to 20m as part of the District Plan.
Can you please clarify the following points…
1. Is the Council proposing these designations in its capacity as a local authority or in its capacity as a network utility operator?
2. For what purpose is the Council proposing these designations?
3. What statutory authority is the Council relying on to propose these designations?
Regards
Reed Robinson
At this point I am trying to establish if there is an unjust law that allows Council to take away land owners rights or whether the Council is acting illegally.
As I understand the law (corrections welcome), for the Council’s (or any government agent’s) actions to be legal they must :-
1. have a law (statutory authority) that explicitly enables the action; and,
2. act according to the intention of the law.
I suspect there is no law that is intended to allow councils to widen road reserves in this manner. If my suspicion is correct (that the Council is acting illegally) then Council recognising the illegality should be sufficient to stop the Council from proceeding.
I got a couple of letters from the Rotorua District Council last week regarding a couple of my properties.
The letters said that their plan’s rural road designation overlaps with a property owned by me – that doesn’t sound good. The letters were wrongly addressed so I phoned to clarify that the letters were for me and what they meant. It was explained that the council has decided that they would like to own 10 metres either side of the roads’ centre line in rural areas and so… the Rotorua District Council is claiming all rural land that is within 10 metres of a roads centre line.
This is simply theft.
Not sure what I’ll do about it. Probably nothing. Tell me what you think I should do about it.
I might talk to the Council’s legal department about this. Tell me any questions you think I should ask.
Here is the letter…
Dear Sir/Madam
RE: NEW DESIGNATION:
REFERENCE NR: RDC511
DESIGNATION ADDRESS: RURAL ROADS AS PER PROPOSED PLANNING MAPS
The proposed District Plan was notified on 31st October 2012. As part of this, the existing (formed) rural public roads are proposed to be designated.
Please note that the location of the rural road designation overlaps with a property owned or occupied by you. The planning maps provide an indication to the extent of the overlap, but a more detailed map can be provided upon request.
The details of the designation can be viewed on the Council webpage, www.rdc.govt.nz under the link ‘Proposed District Plan’. The designation description is in Appendix 6 of the Proposed Rotorua District Plan and the extent of the designation boundaries can be viewed on the proposed planning maps.
The notice of requirement details the reason for the designation. This and the Proposed District Pian can be inspected at the Customer Service Centre of the Rotorua District Council (1061 Haupapa Street). The Proposed District pian is also avaiiabie for viewingat the Library (1127 Haupapa Street).
Any person may make a submission on the notice of requirement. Please address any submissions regarding the new designation to the undersigned at the above address, quoting the designation reference number. Submissions must be in Form 21. Copies of this form are available at the Customer Service Centre of Rotorua District Council
Public submissions to the Rotorua Proposed District Plan close on 18
January 2013. Submissions can be made online from 14 November 2012.
If you have any queries, please feel free to Contact me on (07) 351-8045.
National Socialist Bill English socks Commy Super City Mayor Len Brown.
Our system of Governments is ridiculous.
It would be Funny if it were not so tragic!
Recently I have blogged on the Super city Council manufacture of a housing crisis in Auckland (here)
This is The UN Agenda 21 in action.
I also blogged about Opposition to Mayor Len Brown’s unitary plan by Councilor Dick Quax (here)
Like all populist sensationalism which appears in the Media, the Hype has provoked the National government to act out of self interest resulting in a ‘socialist vs socialist’… Agenda vs Agenda situation… The National Party vs SuperCity Mayor.
Feigning Benevolence… with the aim of easing the extortionate rate of buying a home in Auckland Bill English has told Len Brown to ease council restrictions to free up land to be developed for housing… Or He will force the issue via legislation.
Super City Councilor Dick Quax put out a media release (Here) in approval of The government stepping in to force an easing of Council restrictions.
This is one of the rare occasions in which I too am in favour of Bill English using political coercion!
This coercion is aimed at forcing a tyrannical socialist council to loosen it’s grip.
it is a move which improves property rights (albeit ever so slight… It’s certainly not a fundamental reform)
Of course this artificial crisis offers Totalitarians like Brown both the the pretext, and the financial advantage to expand state housing… in the form of High-rise apartments… capitalizing on High rents in the city.
Watch this space…
Am I the only one who finds it despicable that Brown has no quams about knocking down Privately owned apartment buildings to create his Rail network?
Read about it here:
We are also witnessing the rise of left wing Totalitarian support groups posing as ‘concerned citizens’, for Eg The Tamaki Housing Group blames Deregulation for the Leaky buiding syndrome here:
It would be interesting to investigate what links Mayor Brown has with this lobby!
Of Course the ‘Red Flag’ aka The NZ Herald is quick to provide these Leftist with a media boost.
Objectivist Libertarian and achitect Peter Cresswell has done a series of blogs exposing this sort of socialist tactic used by the Tamaki Lobby that Leaky building syndrome was caused by deregulation Here:
