Tane Webster of Voices For Freedom (VFF) talks about the importance of the upcoming local elections for communities, and the support VFF can offer those wanting to run for office.
Election day is 8 October, and the deadline for candidate nominations is 12 August. Webster says:
‘Envision a New Zealand where communities and regions are more autonomous – communities are more empowered to have more of a say in the way their affairs are run – none of this one size fits all that we currently live by – some would say a more de-centralised New Zealand.
‘That is achievable, but we’re a few steps away from it. The crucial first step in that direction is getting good people into these positions in local government.
‘So, if you’re interested in running, send us an email at hello@voicesforfreedom.co.nz.
‘If you’re not interested in running, but are interested in helping others in your area, maybe you’re good at campaigning, you’ve got good camera equipment, maybe you want to help fund some of these signs, also get in touch with your location at hello@voicesforfreedom.co.nz. We’ve got resources, we can refer you, we can connect you up.
‘This is a huge opportunity, time for us all to start taking some responsibility for the type of country we want to live in, the type of country we want to pass onto future generations.
‘So don’t pass up this opportunity, get in touch with us at hello@voicesforfreedom.co.nz.’
Local democracy died decades ago. Not even a third vote in many councils. It is all planned to create apathy. For example, many councils abolished wards. Political affiliatioins are allowed in order to divert from local issues. The amount of system pigs in the coiuncils is enormous. They work for the banks and other business people like realtors. Most councils are in debt, which is often taken for non-essential purposes in the name of promoting the town/city. Only a third of the rates got for essential services such as water, sewage disposal. Bigger councils even provatised water services. In such cases, most of the rates are spent on non-essential promotional projects. When digital technology is dominant, library services should not cost too much. Only a quarter of the rate payers even go to a library at least once. So library services must be made subscription based; same with swimming pools etc. Lower income groups rarely avail these “luxuries”. Rent, food etc cost a lot and many work in two jobs to keep life going. The system pigs never stop squeezing the poor.
What a brilliant list of reasons for good folks to now get involved.
Cheers and thanks…
I agree that there seems little interest in local body elections. We have relinquished ownership and the only way to get that back is for the locals to take control by voting.