Q & A with Mayor Cocurullo

This is the latest in a series of interviews with candidates standing in the local body elections. Thank you to everyone who sent in questions for WDC Mayor Vince Cocurullo.

Q & A with Mayor Vince Cocurullo

Letterbox question (Q): What do you consider to be your greatest achievement in your three years as Mayor?

Mayor Cocurullo's answer (A): Bringing all of Northland’s councils together as a unified region. That has given us strength when lobbying central government on critical infrastructure. The fast-tracking of the four-lane highway to Auckland and the Whangarei hospital are good examples of the gains we have made.

Inside the NRC

LETTERBOX has received documents revealing turmoil within the Northland Regional Council (NRC). We are told that many staff members are very unhappy with changes being proposed but fear their jobs may be at risk if they speak out publicly.

A source has revealed the following (in italics): 

“1. DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) is well underway. A DEI course is now mandatory for all new staff as part of their induction. Use of pronouns is being encouraged, though not mandatory. There is talk of a 'Maori Employment Strategy' to increase the number of 'Maori' staff to 25% of total staff numbers to reflect the percentage of the Maori population in Northland, though this has not been officially announced yet. This has created division and exclusion at NRC, the complete opposite of the 'supposed' intention of DEI. Up until recently, the culture at NRC was a great place to work, but that's all changing, and not for the better.

An internal memo written by a senior staff member says:

Wellington watch - Treaty Principles Bill

The committee hearing submissions on the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill has terminated the submission process early and reported back to Parliament with a recommendation that the Bill proceed no further. The Committee received 307,000 submissions to the Bill. 90% were opposed.

The matter will now go back to Parliament for its second reading and be voted down by every party except ACT. It will be a dead duck by Easter.

Perversely, the committee's decision to cut short the submission process brought howls from the likes of Labour’s Duncan Webb, who accused the committee of being anti-democratic, when the Labour Party had previously said the matter should not have been heard at all! 

Reader writes...Pride in our flag

 “I am encouraging others to fly the New Zealand flag with pride. It symbolises national unity and democracy, and respects those who have fought and died for the values we believe in. Let’s stand with pride under a flag that represents and respects those values and reject symbols of division.” - anon

Mega-sized wind turbines

Mercury Energy has begun work on Northland’s first windfarm. The $287 million project consists of 12 turbines, located 12km northwest of Dargaville and 3 km inland from the coast.  At full production, the “farm” is expected to generate enough power for 27,000 homes. The power will feed into Northpower’s substation near Dargaville via a 14km transmission line.

At a total height of 206 metres (125m tower and 81 metre blades), the turbines will be the second-highest structures in New Zealand – behind the Sky Tower in Auckland at 328 meters. Full generation is expected by the end of next year.

Snippets from the campaign trail

Cr Gavin Benney has announced he will not be seeking re-election in October. 

Cr Benney is one of two councillors who represent the Hikurangi-Coastal ward. 

The other is Cr McKenzie, who has confirmed he will be standing for a second term.

Guest comment - Marie Olsen: "Marie for Mayor"

This is the second in a series where we feature decision-makers and candidates standing in the local body elections.

Last week WDC councillor, Marie Olsen, announced she will be challenging incumbent Vince Cocurullo for the mayoralty. Here are extracts from her announcement speech.

“Marie for Mayor”

I am Marie Olsen and I am running for Mayor…

There are many things that need changing. There are three policies I am announcing today.

ACT to stand candidates

 

For the first time ever, ACT is looking to stand candidates in local council elections.

ACT Leader David Seymour said “ACT has been focused on tackling the cost of living, wasteful spending, and co-governance in central government. But when I travel the country, I’m constantly told that local councils have failed to address these same concerns at the local level.”

He said it was time “for a clean-out”.

WDC loses fluoride battle

 

A legal challenge by the Whangarei District Council (WDC) to prevent fluoride being added to the town water supply has failed. The Council had sought an injunction from the High Court to delay the implementation of a directive from the Director-General of Health

In a decision released on the 24^th of March, Justice Karen Grau found the WDC’s conduct to defy the directive was unlawful. She noted that the council's evidence, including expert testimony on potential health risks, did not demonstrate immediate risks sufficient to justify interim orders, especially given that over half of New Zealand has had fluoridated water for decades without evident widespread harm.

Justice Grau said it was unlikely the council would succeed in its broader challenge against the directive’s safety and legality.

As a result of the failed injunction, the council commenced fluoridation of the town supply on 24 March. It is still considering whether to continue with its legal challenge.

Further information

RNZ article: Whangārei District Council bows to government directive to add fluoride to water supply Here >>>

Northern Advocate:  Whangārei to fluoridate water after court dismisses district council’s challenge   Here >>>

Quotable quote - gravy train

 

“Nothing screeches louder than the brakes on the gravy train”. – Anonymous