On the 1st of November a new form of Auckland city comes into existence. Before then you'll have the chance to vote for a mayor, a councillor and a new community board. There are 18 candidates standing for 5 positions on the Waiheke Community Board.
In this first of two opportunities to hear from the candidates Waiheke radio has given each of them two minutes to answer the question, "Why should Waiheke people vote for you?"
After you've listened to the statements we encourage you to make comment and ask questions. Later in the election process we will ask each candidate back on-air for an interview which will include your questions. We look forward to your input.
UPDATE: We have now conducted an interview with this candidate incorporating some of the community feedback and questions. Take a listen
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Island Life
What happened Vic? Why wasn't your name published?
That answer I have not been able to establish. I managed to track it back to the Media Communications Manager with the Auckland City Council sending the Gulf News an incorrect list but the reason my name was left off the list is unknown at this point.
I sent the Media Communications Manager an email on Friday and have not yet received a reply.
I have just received an email from Election Services Ltd apologising for the error in leaving my name off the list.
Vic It sounds from your talk that you want to be able to make changes to property and businesses without bureaucratic involvement. Are you the sort to ignore the requirements of the resource management act? How would you balance the needs of homeowners against those of the environment and island as a whole?
Hi Visitor, I will answer your questions but would prefer to answer to a name in future. I think it only fair and polite.
Hi Vic, I didn't post the original question but do have a follow up on your comment. - and this is not just aimed at you but all candidates who talk about land ownership rights.
The Spencer family owns most of the far end of the island, should they be entitled to close off the road that goes around that end, should he be entitled to build what ever they wants on the land however inappropriate, and ugly? should they be entitled to close off access to Cactus bay there?
Should land ownership give someone the right to say cut down all the bush on their land leading to landslips, silt run off into the bay and subsequent destruction of shell fisheries? Does land ownership give someone the right to flush animal manure into the waterways resulting in pollution, eutrophic blooms and dead zones in the gulf? Does bore hole ownership give someone the right to pump down an aquifer at the expense of the rest of the island?
Fundamentally why does merely having enough money to outbid everyone else for a bit of land give anyone the right to have an excessive say in what happens on the island. Anyone who thinks that they can live independently of their neighbours and community, who has a my home is my castle attitude - shouldn't be living on a small island.
Andrew
Hi Andrew,
You say “the Spencer family own” the definition of OWN is to belong to and be responsible for.
The road owned and if maintained by the Spencer family is theirs to determine access. If someone is hurt or even killed on the road would the Spencer family be held accountable?
We have seen how hell bent the government can be on businesses and property owners if a member of the public is injured in the business or on the property.
You also say “entitled to build whatever they want on the land however inappropriate and ugly”
As long as the Spencer family build a building that is safe and not used for illegal purposes surely that is their right as they own the land.
Ugly is a matter of an individual’s opinion, Andrew, if we prevented everything we thought ugly much of the Beehive would be empty.
Sorry I’m not trying to make an enemy of you. It’s just that, ugly is not a fair reason to stop someone doing what should be their right on their land.
All the other issues you raised could be and should be dealt with common law.
Your last comment was “Fundamentally why does merely having enough money to outbid everyone else for a bit of land give anyone the right to have an excessive say in what happens on the island" .
The Island is neither yours Andrew nor mine nor is it everyone else’s, it’s a fact that parts of the island are privately owned and some are publically owned.
Thanks for the response, Just to be clear on this, if you are on the Local Board you would support the closure of roads and footpaths across private land.
We need work with private property owners, not bully them and work out a solution for all the community. Ultimately if the land owner is not comfortable with giving access then that should be their right.
Victor, what's your position on Waiheke becoming a Biosphere reserve?