Matamata-Piako mayor says 'sexism' is at play in local body election

Paul from Morrinsville

Mayor Jan Barnes says that she is being plagued by sexism in this local body election, i.stuff.co.nz..... In this post I examine her statements,

Matamata-Piako’s mayor says her campaign to remain in the top job has been plagued by sexism this time around. This seems to be an accusation levelled aginst her rival, I have never heard Councillor Tanner express any sexist views about Mayor Barnes, nor have I heard any complaints about Mayor Barnes that would remotely suggest sexism. Is it merely that Mayor Barnes has an opponent this time, what would be her complaint if it were a woman? Would she declare that it was jealously? Who knows.



But Barnes told Stuff this campaign had been different from her previous and claimed sexism was at play with numerous accusations, including that she is a bully, being levelled at her. I am unaware that being a bully is a gender based issue so I struggle to see how one can claim that sexism is provoking any claims about Mayor Barnes being a bully.
Not one to back down from a fight, Barnes admits in the past she has had a “ratchet and bust ” approach, but said the accusations were defaming her. Defamation is concerned with damage to your reputation by unjustifiable attack. There are number of defences to a defamation claim including honest opinion, truth, absolute and qualified privilege. I am unaware of any defamatory remarks having being made. I have been called many names, including a belly acher for complaining about the state of Matamata Piako Footpaths is this defamatory, not likely as it would be an honest opinion.
Barnes said she was absolutely over the “shenanigans”.
“I stand as a person and not as a woman…I have never experienced it [sexisim] until this last year. And you have to say is it because we have a woman Prime Minister, are people running scared of women? Once again I certainly have not heard any sexist remarks made about mayor barnes in terms of her ability to be a Mayor, I for one celebrate the fact we have a female prime minister, a female Governer General, a female head of the SIS, a female Chief Justice, I think that people should be appointed and elected on merit.
“I’m very fortunate to have my Christian faith, because I don’t think I could do this job without it. It’s very bruising at times and the digital media is very harmful, people are keyboard warriors, only a few, and it’s very sad that they can derail our youth and derail people that are isolated.”
Barnes said she will hear out people’s complains, but believes doing it behind the keyboard isn’t appropriate. Is Mayor Barnes now standing as a Christian? How do non Christian Mayors withstand the pressures of politics? Like Rugby, Politics is not tiddlywinks

Last week Barnes also had a knock to her campaign, with all her election signs having to be covered because they breached electoral rulings.
Barnes said the complaint related to some of her signs having a font 3mm-5mm, too small. Around 30-40 signs were covered, which all have since been uncovered with a sticker added over ‘Mayor’.
“They were put up straight away on August 12 and there’s been talk about how great they looked, then when the new signs got put up there was more talk and now since the sticker has been added there’s been even more talk, so it’s been great for my campaign.
Barnes said she was more than happy to change her signs to keep to the standard that is set for the district.
“Although my signs got the complaint council also found that a lot of the other candidate signs weren’t following the standard either, so watch this space, more signs will be moved around and fixed in the next few weeks.”
For the record, I complained about a number of signs, particularly signs being placed on State Highway reserves and font sizes being to small. I actually complained first about some of the candidates for Regional Council, it is of concern that someone who voted for the rules about placement of signs and font sizes was unable to comply with the rules that they had a hand in making. Council enforces bylaws when ratepayers are in breach of them, just recently a farmer planted trees that were less than 100mm from being compliant, the farmer was issued with a compliance notice, does Mayor Barnes think council rules and NZTA rules don’t apply to her?


The question is simply is Mayor Barnes feeling that she is likely to lose the election? I have heard plenty of statements made about Councillor Tanner, I don’t see him contacting the media about these. For the record I voted for Mayor Barnes when she was first elected on the basis of equity, I have learnt that voting for the best candidate is whom you should vote for. It is a shame that the way council meetings are set up that one really has to be relatively well off or be self employed to run for Council, it means the pool of candidates is not that diverse. That is to our disadvantage, Ralph Waldo Emerson said that A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. A diversity of opinions around the table in Council should be seen as a good thing. Speaking the truth never wins a popularity contest.
Food for thought,
Paul Cronin Ex Morrinsville Ward Councillor Matamata Piako District council