LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS
DEMOCRACY DENIED
Q. How come any city councillor is able to completely ignore a ratepayer? In total contravention of their sworn oaths to do the opposite?
Oaths to uphold and facilitate rate payers, regardless of personal considerations, to help ratepayers/citizens understand and access the democratic process?
If I am correct, it is the Mayors job (legal obligation) as ‘chief councillor’ to oversee councillors, to make sure that what he and all councillors do is lawful, procedurally correct, in line with protocols and their sworn duty as elected representatives in respect of serving rate payers needs and issues without judgement and that is not happening then something is very very wrong with democracy in Upper Hutt.
Q. So who’s not doing their job?
How come the Mayor has not done his job, as we understand it, in guiding the councillors in their sworn legal obligations to rate payers. How has he allowed our councillors to be derelict in their duty to us?
Did the Mayor not tell them their obligations as elected representatives to rate payers?
Did the Mayor instruct them regarding their obligations to us and in this instance they chose to ignore them?
Did the Mayor instruct them to ignore me?
That six (6) sworn representatives ignored me at the same time leaves me no choice but to conclude that it was a deliberate attempt to deny me my rights to democracy!
Q. How many others have been shut down, shut out, by this Mayor and Council?
How successful has this strategy been over the years of the Incumbent Mayors reign, that they were confident as a group, that this was the tactic to employ to deny me or anybody else democracy?
Whatever the answer is, each of them is responsible for their own choices, but the final overarching responsibility always comes back to the Mayor.
Latest scams to look out for 👀
Neighbourly hopes to keep you safe by keeping you informed of the latest scams circulating. This week, we are sharing two common text message scams:
NZTA / Waka Kotahi scam:
- The scam is a text message saying it's from New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, and it encourages the recipient to pay an overdue road toll by visiting a fake website, threatening to take the matter to court within 15 days if they don’t pay up.
- The aim is to trick people into giving away their personal details or pay them money.
- While it is not the first time toll payments have been utilised by scammers, the threat of court action could see more people fall victim.
- The sender will either be a unknown phone number or unknown email address.
Want to report one of these scams? Do so, on Netsafe
NZ Post scam:
- This scam arrives by test message and says it's from NZ Post.
- The premise is that delivery of your parcel was unsuccessful so in order to rearrange delivery. you must click on a link to give your correct address.
- The aim is to trick people into giving away their personal details or pay them money.
- NZ Post advises people not to click the link, but to report the message to the Department of Internal Affairs by forwarding it to 7726.
Think you may have fallen prey to a scam? Get in touch with Netsafe or contact your bank if it involved your bank details.
Remember, if you didn't expect the message and you are now asked to share personal details or money, then stop contact and seek advice elsewhere.
Feel free to share any below that you've encountered recently. This may help others across the country be aware.
Poll: Have you had a pen pal?
With the invention of the internet and mobile phone communication, pen pals seem to be a thing of the past but it was a common practice at one point.
Did you have a pen pal? Where did you meet them? Share below!
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67.1% Yes
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32.5% No
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0.4% Other - I'll share below!
Show us your winter craft or DIY projects
When we are stuck inside, it can be a time to get creative. And we think Neighbourly members are quite a creative bunch. So, let's fill the Neighbourly newsfeed with crafty creations from across the country.
Share a photo below of your craft projects, recent DIY, or your hobby. You may just inspire someone else!
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