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Waikanae Watch

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Waikanae Watch

Monthly Archives: January 2021

Friends of the Library first event for 2021

31 Sunday Jan 2021

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Greetings and thanks for your continuing support for Friends of the Kapiti District Libraries which in turn supports our libraries and librarians.

We’re excited to invite you to the first event for 2021… postponed from last year because of Lockdown.

Five poets will entertain us at an afternoon called

TALL TALES AND TRUE

on Sunday 7 February at 2:00 pm in the Paraparaumu Library Meeting Room.

Please read the poster above for more details — and forward this to anyone you know who might be interested. 

As always, light refreshments will be served and books will be available to buy.

A koha is appreciated.

We look forward to seeing you on the 7th.

Warm regards,

Jennifer

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sunset over the south end of Kapiti Island

31 Sunday Jan 2021

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Another great Karl Webber photo from Motungarara.

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inspiring music and visuals for fans of the Dear Leader (the other one)

31 Sunday Jan 2021

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Newshub could broadcast a local version of this every night, shorter and different each time. Loyalty to the subsidy provider!

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the Curtailment of Consultation and Diminuation of Democracy

31 Sunday Jan 2021

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by Andi Cockroft

An Otago Daily Times report (23 January) that nearly two-thirds of Dunedin residents think public consultation is lacking at the Dunedin City Council, according to the latest Dunedin Residents’ Opinion Survey, is yet another example of the erosion of the public’s voice.

Underlining the diminishing of democracy was Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins’ reaction to the survey which seemed to ignore public concern and seek solace in other convenient angles of his choosing.

Increasing awareness of limiting consultation

The Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations (CORANZ) has been aware of the quelling of public opinion in the bowels of both local government and central government.  This has evolved even more so immediately after elections when politicians seem to relax and forget who elected them. 

The words “accountability” and “transparency” used to be used often. They still get uttered, but trends indicate that they are becoming increasingly meaningless. This has been further aggravated by a lack of consultation, and when consultation does seem to occur, a closer examination shows it to be only token.

CORANZ has encountered the token nod to consultation in central government’s select committees where members of the public are now given just five minutes each.

Rudeness by MPs

Earlier this year, the Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations of New Zealand (CORANZ) expressed concern that parliament’s select committee democratic process was being undermined to the detriment of the public giving submissions.

I made an oral submission to a select committee dealing with the Resource Management Act (RMA). After being beforehand granted 15 minutes speaking time, the chairman, Labour MP Duncan Webb, interrupted my submission after five minutes and said the committee had heard enough thereby cutting the oral presentation short by ten minutes. The rudeness and snub to democracy left me bewildered and angry.

It has been happening for some years now. Several years ago there was The Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) 1080 poison review in which submitters were mostly given just a token five minute slot. It was evident the ERMA 1080 review was nothing more than a “kangaroo court” with a token nod to consultation.

Rapid firearm law reform – far too rapid

The manner in which firearm law changes following the Christchurch mosque tragedy of March 2019 were rushed through with “thoroughly indecent haste” showed a total disregard for democracy. Consider the manner of the select committee dealing with 13,000 submissions in just two days. Forget the subject — in this case, assault firearms — the issue might have been something else completely. 

The point is that public opinion was totally shunned, defying credibility and showing a total lack of integrity and respect for public opinion.

The convenience of Covid-19 as a cover

Currently the government, under cover of the Covid-19 scare, has been pushing law changes through which lack proper democratic scrutiny. Perhaps the Governor-General should be stepping in and giving government a stern reminder about its duty to democracy?

It’s been happening for quite a while and it’s fair to say the erosion of democracy is not confined to the current government.  

The National coalition government (2008-2017) was guilty of a shocking and blatant breach of democracy when Environment Minister Nick Smith sacked the democratically elected Environment Canterbury Council and grabbed control by installing its own “state puppet” commissioners.

Another example was Environment Minister Nick Smith taking resource consents over 1080 poison aerial drops away from regional councils and public scrutiny and giving the government the sole, unassailable power to approve. 

Public opinion through local government was obliterated.

MP are Public Servants

Politicians are treating the public with disdain, just making a token effort consultation. 

MPs are in reality public servants and the Prime Minister is not the people’s leader, but the most senior servant of the public.

Behind central and local government elected representatives are bureaucrats who seem to manipulate MPs and the procedures to suit political and/or self-serving agendas.

The public believe Parliament is the centre of democracy – where you can get a fair hearing from elected representatives based on a historical and moral constitution of honour, truth and justice. It should not be a charade.

So whether it’s local or central government, consultation and democracy is under threat. Dunedin’s Mayor Hawkins’ attitude reflects this cancerous disdain for democracy by publicly elected representatives.

(Andi Cockroft is Chairman Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations of NZ)

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Amnesty International call for the release of Nigerian sentenced to death for blasphemy

31 Sunday Jan 2021

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“Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a 22-year old singer detained in Kano prison, Kano State, in northern Nigeria, is at risk of imminent execution after an Upper Shari’a Court sentenced him to death by hanging for circulating a song via WhatsApp considered blasphemous.

“Influential individuals and religious leaders are mounting pressure on the authorities to carry out the judgement as soon as possible. Yahaya Sharif-Aminu is now appealing the sentence. He must be immediately and unconditionally released.

“Call on Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje to immediately and unconditionally release Yahaya Sharif-Aminu.” Petition link


While in itself dreadful, this typical episode in the World’s theocracies relates to Jacinda & Co.’s intended “hate speech” laws in NZ.  We asked the question two years ago, “Does Andrew Little intend to ban criticism of religions?”  According to this opinion piece from December, de facto Blasphemy and Heresy laws are what Dear Leader wants to keep Muslim immigrants happy.  Even if that isn’t what she and her minions actually intend, you can bet that’s how religious extremists — not just Muslims — will use her laws.  —Eds

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Waikanae garden

31 Sunday Jan 2021

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No flowers in this scene, but they aren’t needed as the mature shrubs and trees around the lawn provide a little haven by themselves.

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Image

curb appeal, Te Moana Road

30 Saturday Jan 2021

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Posted by Waikanae watchers | Filed under Uncategorized

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historic kauri tree

30 Saturday Jan 2021

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This is one of about 125 notable trees listed by the KCDC on its Heritage schedule, but given its location about 100 metres southwest of the roadside at 208 Te Moana Rd and about the same distance northwest of the frontage at 8 Greenaway Rd, it’s probable that not many are aware of it. Info about the Tuku Raukau marae that was here until the railway was opened and the marae moved is here.

In the centre foreground is a rather younger rimu tree.

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Can cv-19 mania get any more nutty? Oh yes

30 Saturday Jan 2021

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Doctor Tells NBC Americans Should Consider Wearing FOUR Face Masks

Article on Summit News

Most know (but not all will admit) that one piece of cloth doesn’t protect against this or any virus, so maybe four will? Nevermind that so doing will likely suffocate you. Once expired CO2 levels reach about 12% of what you breathe back in, it will be fatal. On the plus side, though, you sure won’t catch a covid.

But wait, there’s more…

In China, more than a million people have undergone “anal swab coronavirus tests” because authorities say they are more effective

Time to bend over.

Article on the Daily Mail (UK)

Eight gorillas get covid at St Diego Zoo

Article on the Daily Mail

It appears the infection came from a member of the park’s wildlife care team who also tested positive for the virus but has been asymptomatic and wore a mask at all times around the gorillas.  Oh dear, is this an earth-shattering admission that wearing a piece of cloth doesn’t prevent virus spread?

One would think keeping socially distant from gorillas is a natural inclination, but maybe in a zoo it’s different.

The Cov-idiocy Chronicles are far from concluded.

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list of Gardens in this weekend’s Lions Garden Trail

29 Friday Jan 2021

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Beach zone:

42 Ngapaki Street

31 Rauparaha Street

Longbeach Café herb and vegetable garden, Rauparaha/Tutere Sts

51 Waimea Road

55 Waimea Road

Central zone

2 Rahana Way

3 Rahana Way

4 Rahana Way

350 Te Moana Road

20 Alexander Street

23 Alexander Street

55a Park Avenue

42 Ngarara Road

118 Ngarara Road

Hill zone

2 Seddon Street

19 Elizabeth Street

Tickets are $25 per person, per day. Gardens are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

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