Northern Advocate questions LETTERBOX over "Woke Seven" report

Last Friday, I received a phone call from Brodie Stone. a reporter from the Northern Advocate. It was concerning an article we published in the last issue of LETTERBOX (issue 30).  (Available here >>>)

That article (Cr Halse drops a bombshell on the "Woke Seven") reported on an interview carried out on the 16th of June between retiring WDC Cr Phil Halse and a member of a new ratepayer group called Concerned Ratepayers of Whangarei (CROW). LETTERBOX thought the interview offered some important insights from the 33-year veteran councillor and Deputy Mayor. A transcript of the interview was in the public domain, which no other media organisation had picked up on. Brodie confirmed she had no knowledge of the interview until it was reported in LETTERBOX.

I suggested she talk directly to Phil and CROW, as they were the source of the information. Given our role was to report on information in the public domain, I thought that would be the end of the matter, but Brodie has persisted in demanding a response from us, so here it is:

New action group formed - something to CROW about

Concerned residents in Whangarei have combined to represent community concerns about the Whangarei District and Northland Regional councils. Concerned Residents Of Whangarei (CROW) founder Ian Melrose, says council spending and rating is the first issue they will be addressing. 

"The excessive rate increases from both councils are just not acceptable, and we are going to voice the concerns that many are expressing privately”. 

The group’s inaugural public meeting will be held on Saturday, the 21^st of June, 10.30am at the Old Library in Rust Ave, Whangarei. Everyone is welcome.