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Letterbox is a copyright-free citizen press, produced by Democracy Northland. Back issues are available from our website. If you would like to support us in bringing about better local government, please consider donating to the cause. Our bank account number is: 12-3238-0590622-00.

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Frank Newman: Councillor’s “you piss me off” rant against fellow councillor

A Whangarei District Councillor is now subject to multiple Code of Conduct complaints following an online “racist” rant directed at another councillor.

Cr Phoenix Ruka made the remarks about Cr Marie Olsen on Instagram on the 14th of November. He is one of two councillors representing the council’s Maori ward. He stood under a Maori Party affiliation and gained 889 votes (the least number of votes of any WDC councillor). Cr Olsen represents the general urban ward, gaining 3564 votes.

In the Instagram post Cr Ruka said,

SOLAR FIRM COLLAPSE

Taxpayers are likely to be the big losers following the collapse of SolarZero. SolarZero is thought to be the largest solar panel supplier in New Zealand with 15,000 customers. Earlier this year the company came in for criticism after running a door-to-door sales campaign in Whangarei. It offered no-money-up-front solar panel installations, instead charging a monthly subscription over a 25-year contract! Consumer NZ issued an advisory expressing caution.

Where the collapse leaves customers is unsure at this time, but the government will likely have to write off $115 million lent to the company. SolarZero was purchased by Blackrock in 2022 (Blackrock is the world’s largest asset manager with US$11 trillion under management). Some are now calling on Blackrock to repay the taxpayer money advanced to SolarZero.

COUNCILLOR FACING MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS

The WDC has received multiple complaints about the conduct of one of its councillors. The Code of Conduct complaints relate to comments made by Cr Phoenix Ruka on social media and to a Maori news station.

Cr Ruka has accused councillor Marie Olsen of racism after she questioned the numbers attending the recent Maori Party organised Hikoi to Wellington, which Cr Ruka attended.

In an Instagram post directed at Cr Olsen, he said, “don’t expect any favours or niceties from me in council any more”.

COUNCIL FINANCES SLAMMED

A former councillor and finance committee chairman has expressed serious concerns about the state of Whangarei District Council finances.

Crichton Christie served on the Council for 11 terms, including time as the head of the council’s finance committee. He told LETTERBOX,

“The council’s finances have deteriorated in recent years. Total debt and rates have increased faster than the rate of inflation, which is now costing ratepayers dearly.

WDC U-TURN ON FLUORIDE

Last week the Whangarei District Council (WDC) voted 7-6 against adding fluoride to its water supply, despite a directive from the Ministry of Health to do so. By defying the order, the Council may face a fine of $200,000 and an additional $10,000 a day if it fails to fluoridate its water supply by the end of February 2025. The WDC is the first council to defy the directive.

The council resolution was: 

“to not add fluoride to the Whangarei District’s water supplies as required by the directive from the Ministry of Health (MOH)…This decision is based on recent court rulings and research that question the effectiveness, safety and legality of fluoridation…”

Those who voted for the motion were: Mayor Corcurullo, and Crs Benney, Golightly, Halse, Olsen, Reid, and Ruka (7).

Against were: Crs Connop, Couper, Holmes, McKenzie, Peters, and Yovich (6). Cr Harding abstained.

Garrick Tremain Cartoon - The Treaty

 

Trump Victory

 

The US elections delivered a staggering victory to Donald Trump. It has given the Republicans a mandate to carry out widespread and far-reaching reforms with greater determination than was evident during Trump's first term as President.

The victory revealed how out of touch the political elite and the mainstream media have become with the issues important to ordinary folk, like the cost of living and immigration (here its cost of living and Māori activism). 

What happens in Trump America will have an impact here not only on our economy but also in terms of the momentum it will give to the anti-woke resistance movements that are now gathering strength around the world. The lesson for our politicians is that ordinary everyday voters are more concerned about realities than ideologies. 

More

https://www.nzcpr.com/a-day-of-reckoning/

Illegal Number Plates

Letterbox has been presented with a photo file of illegal motor vehicle registration plates, issued by a Far North hapu claiming sovereignty over their patch.

We are told the Police have been made aware of the issue but have turned a blind eye. The concern is not only with unregistered and unwarranted vehicles being unsafe and a danger to other motorists but there are implications with third-party insurance and in some cases avoidance of road user charges.

Northern Advocate article: Here >>>