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IT'S MY PARTY: Internet-Mana Party founder Kim Dotcom arrives at the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology’s Kowhai Lounge last night.

Georgina Beyer was loud and feisty, Laila Harre was articulate and thoughtful, but it was Kim Dotcom who the 200-plus audience was most curious to see, and the giant German didn't disappoint.

Last night's Internet-Mana roadshow at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, the first South Island stop, had the trappings of a band tour.

There was a stylish young DJ playing and swaying to light hip-hop as she warmed up the crowd. There was a road crew, all in black, moving seats, checking sound equipment and handing out information.

There was a tall, black-clad, miked security man who tested the strength of the low stage by bouncing up and down a couple of times, and a 20-minute delay on the advertised start time of 6pm.

By then the crowd was spilling through the rear doors of NMIT's Kowhai Lounge, with around 50 left to stand outside.

This was double what Labour's David Cunliffe and the Conservatives' Colin Craig got at their Nelson meetings a fortnight ago.

Last night's audience included everyone from tattooed young people to silver-haired grandmothers, with strong representation by the middle-aged.

Internet Party leader Harre and Mana's representative, Te Tai Tonga candidate Beyer, were welcomed warmly, but it was the arrival of Dotcom, to a pumping rock beat, that got the biggest cheer.

Wearing the team colour (black) and sporting his usual scarf, he said the big crowds the roadshow was pulling showed there was an appetite for "the progressive and disruptive political force" of Internet-Mana.

"We cannot just rely on our old economy, our farming, the sale of milk powder and our forestry industries. We need to focus on the digital age, on technology and the internet to take this country forward."

"We are not a First World country when it comes to connectivity and technology. We are more like Zimbabwe, and that has to change. We are going to do that for you."

Addressing media and political comment that backing the Internet Party was about fighting his extradition to the United States, Dotcom said that was happening in court, where he was "doing quite OK".

His crime, he said, was to "basically invent cloud storage" on the internet and make "50 million people happy every day".

"But 10 billionaires in Hollywood, they didn't like my technology . . . they saw it as a threat." They had used their power and money to bring about the 2012 raid on his Auckland property, with Prime Minister John Key knowing "exactly what was going on", Dotcom said.

He said the party was a time machine. "If you fuel it with your votes . . . we are going to take New Zealand forward 10 years, fast-track."

Dotcom promised free tertiary education to stop the country's young talent moving overseas to pay off student loans.

One of his biggest rounds of applause came when he described the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement as "a total piece of crap" and "a world domination agreement for US corporations". He pledged to stop it.

Earlier, in a brisk speech attacking the Government's welfare policies and performance, Beyer said she was "sharing the stage with titans" in a new political beginning.

Dotcom had impressed her when he spoke to the Mana Party conference, when he had been "straight-up and honest", she said.

Harre said Internet-Mana was "a political entrepreneurial exercise" breaking with old traditions and rules, not apologising to anyone "and liberating us to tell the truth about the real issues".

In linking with Mana, the Internet Party was committing to "a true partnership based on the Treaty of Waitangi and representing the best of a modern treaty relationship", Harre said.

The blame for New Zealand's employment ills lay with failure of successive governments to build a vision and make the transformational investment bring full employment, she said.

"We need to stop talking about knowledge waves. What we need in New Zealand is a knowledge tsunami, and the Internet-Mana Party is going to be the earthquake that creates that tsunami on September 20."

After 45 minutes of questions, Dotcom posed for selfies with the crowd that gathered around him.

WORRIED: Brook Street Store owner Martin Meads with a petition opposed to the removal of the two car parks opposite his store, with Brook residents Helen Black and CarleenEves

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Brook Street Store owner Martin Meads has over the past 17 years watched the reduction of car parking outside his business and is fighting plans to remove even more.

The number of car parks across the road from his shop, often used by shoppers heading home who make up a large portion of his business, have in recent years been whittled down from seven spaces to four "double" car parks.

They could be reduced to two if the city council goes ahead with plans to improve cycling pathways in the area.

Mr Meads has organised a petition opposing the removal of the car parks, which has attracted 400 signatures in less than three weeks. Almost 300 were gained in the first five days of the petition, which was launched on April 23.

He said one woman's comment summed up the problem: "If you lose the car parks and there's nowhere to park, I won't stop."

The council notified residents of plans to improve cycling connections between Nile St and the start of Codgers Trail further up the Brook Valley.

The proposed changes include off-road shared paths in places on Tasman and Brook streets, an upgrade of Tasman St between Nile and Bronte streets, removal of the roundabout at Tasman and Manuka streets which would be replaced with a "staggered" T-intersection, and promotion of the one-way sections in Brook St and all of Westbrook Tce as "cycle-friendly roads".

Mr Meads and fellow Brook residents Carleen Eves and Helen Black do not feel enough residents were notified of the planned changes.

Ms Eves, who lives further up the Brook, is outside the area the council notified, but believes she and others who used the store regularly, ought to have been consulted.

She took it upon herself to alert others, and the council extended the original feedback deadline from May 10 to May 17.

"This store is a hub for the community, and is also an important mail-drop area," Ms Eves said.

Mr Meads, Ms Black and Ms Eves stressed that they are not anti-cycling, but just want a solution for all.

Ms Black, who grew up in cycle-friendly Sweden, said it worked there because of the space dedicated to proper cycleways as opposed to adding bits "here and there" afterwards.

Mr Meads said he had considered changing the business to include a cafe for an emerging market of recreational cycling, but cyclists seemed more interested in energy drinks and icecream than lattes and lunches.

"The council wants to improve cycle links and I'm not knocking them, but I don't think there's been enough consultation. It's almost like this is a fait accompli and the letter was sent to say 'we're just letting you know'."

Ms Black and Mr Meads also wanted safety issues tackled, having watched cyclists riding the wrong way along one-way streets, and sometimes riding two or three abreast in the high traffic zone.

The council said that a concept plan and details of the proposal were sent to more than 800 addresses in the Brook and surrounding area. Because they were only concept plans it was possible they could change, depending on feedback.

The council said it had consulted extensively with the Active Transport Advisory Group to develop the plans.

Council officers also met with several businesses and organisations in the area, including the Brook Street Store.

"Council has so far received some very positive feedback on the overall proposals, which are aimed at making it safer and easier for residents to cycle to work or school.

"There have also been several suggestions for minor alterations, which could be considered in the next stage of the project, the detailed design work," council spokeswoman Ali Hamblin said.Residents have organised a public meeting for Saturday, May 25, at the Brook St playground next to the shop, start

2 Comments

Young Socrates4 hours ago Provide the right cafe environment and food/drink and you may just have a thriving business as a popular cyclists watering hole, it's worth a try. +1

Arniem8 hours ago Another effort by the NCC to drive Business to Richmond.

Swimming has been banned at Nelson’s popular Tahunanui Beach until Friday morning after sewage overflows following Tuesday’s heavy rain.

The Port Nelson Sea Swim event, scheduled to take place on Thursday evening, has also been cancelled due to sewage contamination in the Nelson Haven.

The Nelson Marlborough District Health Board Medical officer of Health has advised that there should be no swimming in the Nelson Haven until Friday.

The sewage discharge on Tuesday morning was significant and there is concern at the risk of contracting norovirus or other infections from the contaminated water.

Swimming off the Monaco boat ramp area has also been halted.

The Nelson City Council says sewage overflows occurred at pump stations at Beach Road and Saxton Road yesterday following heavy rainfall.

Nelson City Council’s manager roading and solid waste, Shane Davies, says the council is closing Tahunanui Beach and the Monaco Boat Ramp to swimmers to minimise health risks following advice from the Medical Officer of Health.

The council moves are a precautionary approach.

"Unfortunately, yesterday’s heavy rain overloaded the sewer system, which overflowed into the Waimea Inlet," Mr Davies says.

Emergency closure signage is being installed advising the public to avoid swimming in these areas. The bathing ban signage is expected to be removed around 8am on Friday.

Recreational activities such as walking or jogging along Tahunanui Beach, and using the boat ramp at Monaco are still permitted.

The council says shellfish should not be collected from these areas, or from the Nelson Harbour as a permanent ban is in place.

The Tasman District Council is also advising people not to swim in the local rivers or the sea for at least 48 hours following yesterday’s deluge.

It says the amount of rain received in the last 24 hours has the ability to wash disease-causing organisms off the land and stir them up out of stream beds and stormwater systems, and dump them into the popular swimming spots.

Generally, if you can’t see your toes in knee-deep water don’t swim, the council says

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 Another Fuck up by Nelson Police

MARTIN DE RUYTER/Fairfax NZ

TOGETHER AT LAST: A family hug at the McKee Domain, Ruby Bay, after almost a year spent battling charges that the father indecently assaulted one of his daughters at the domain.

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Fathers beware. Giving your child a kiss and cuddle in public could land you in court. Laura Basham reports.

Some 300 people are enjoying hot summer days at McKee Domain near Ruby Bay as a father is at the playground with his daughters.

It is a classic Kiwi setting, with happy campers, barbecues and children playing.

Then comes something out of place, a police constable asking questions. The idyllic illusion is shattered.

Strangers claim to have seen the man, in broad daylight, behaving inappropriately with a girl.

The campers report this to the reserve caretaker who informs the police.

The allegations include kissing, rubbing her bottom and allowing the 10-year-old to rub his thigh and chest.

The flabbergasted man says he didn't do anything wrong, the daughter named as his victim says he didn't, and his wife says he didn't.

They cannot be identified for legal reasons although they would be happy to be.

The father said even as the constable questioned him at the campground, one of the three daughters jumped up and kissed him, and poked her finger through a small hole in his shirt saying "tickle, tickle".

It was an example of the type of behaviour the campers must have seen, but there was nothing wrong with it, he said.

Police did not take any action then and the family laughed about the misunderstanding, until police came knocking on their door three months later, in March last year.

Since then the police have pursued the case. Even when two justices of the peace threw it out, the police went to the High Court to get the charges relaid.

Finally, partway through the District Court trial last month, Judge Michael Behrens agreed with a defence application that there was insufficient evidence to convict, and discharged the father.

While pleased to walk free from the court, the father is disturbed at what happened.

Particularly concerning was the police refusal to take statements from independent witnesses in his support, he said.

A Wellington family, which had never met the family until camping at the reserve, only became aware of the charges in August last year. The mother then wrote to Motueka police saying she saw the events at close range and could give an impartial account.

Another couple at the domain who knew the family said it was inconceivable that anything inappropriate could have happened. It was daylight, with a large number of people around the playground, and camp sites next to it. If anything inappropriate had happened they would have intervened, the man said.

Another woman, a nurse, who was there also said the accusations were nonsense.

Yet the police did not interview these witnesses.

Defence lawyer Brett Daniell-Smith considers it poor policing.

"In my view the big problem with this case is a complete lack of objectivity from the detective who has refused to interview witnesses; she could have and should have. Instead she adopted an intransigent view.

"Had those witnesses been interviewed at the appropriate time this would not have happened.

"It's just poor policing for a very serious charge with huge implications for the family.

"If you're going to arrest somebody, lock them up and not allow them to see their children you have to have a good case. I think it was gung-ho policing."

However, there will be no formal police review.

Tasman acting district commander Detective Inspector Geoff Jago sees no need, and said yesterday he was satisfied the case was handled correctly.

"From what I am aware of this particular investigation I am comfortable with it and the decision to prosecute," he said.

It has taken 20 months for the father to be able to walk free from court.

Mr Daniell-Smith said: "It has been an extremely costly exercise in emotion and money for no result at all. The only people to benefit out of it are the lawyers."

He believes the Crown should have exercised discretion. Because of concern about a lack of objectivity he asked the police for a senior detective to review the case.

Detective Sergeant Craig Johnston, of Nelson, who did the review, said in his report in July last year that he believed the father had been correctly charged.

Police had interviewed and obtained statements from six people independent of the man and his family, and the witnesses were all of seemingly good character and had given their statements in good faith.

However, at the trial last month, the Crown witnesses' accounts varied.

At the start of the trial the father faced two charges of doing an indecent act on the girl, a child under the age of 12, but because of difficulty for the jury to be able to identify what happened in each charge, the Crown amended the indictment to eight counts.

The witnesses' accounts ranged from describing the girl as 9, wearing a dress and tall so that when she kissed the man he did not need to bend down, to another who said she was 8 or 9 and wearing shorts, and another who said the man had to lean over to kiss her.

Judge Behrens decided to discharge the father based on the inadequacy of the evidence that pointed to the girl named in the charges.

The judge said: "There is a distinct danger in this case that the Crown witnesses were somewhat carried away, perhaps, by what someone believed they saw, and possibly there was an infection that ran through the people there.

"And I do say that, because it is possibly unfair that the accused leaves the court in a sense, some might say, with having got away with it simply because the Crown could not prove who the girl was. I just make the comment that I do not think that is the case, that I think generally there is some doubt anyway about the other evidence, but I underline the fact that I do not make my decision on that view. I make my decision based on the inadequacy of the evidence that points to [the girl] as being the - what would normally be called - the complainant."

The case was halted before the defence witnesses were called - and they would have included the girl and her mother.

The girl told the Nelson Mail her father had not done anything wrong.

The charges were based on events over two days, January 3 and 4 last year.

"I wasn't even there the second day, I went to my friend's place," she said. "When he was taken away I used to cry because I miss him. I love my Dad."

The mother is now separated from the man but said she totally supported him.

"I have known him for 26 years and he has never exhibited in any way or form that suggested behaviour."

She was distraught when he was arrested, and the upset children had missed their father during the eight months he was not allowed any contact.

"One of the children thought he was dead, and another was trying to get lemons to make lemonade to pay to get her father back from the police," she said. "I don't think I can ever trust the police again.

"It's made them [the children] want to be with him more than ever because they don't know what will happen next."

The father still only has supervised access to his daughters.

He said the allegation had been a nonsense. "It's unbelievable that gossip can have such power and these people did not investigate properly or stop to have a wee think."

The man, who has no previous convictions other than two traffic offences, says he doesn't want others to go through such a horrible experience. He believes there needs to be a more inquisitorial process initially, before police lay charges.

"It has such a big impact, not just on the accused but their families and everyone around them, and they need to take a balanced look."

He believes the adversarial system does not work in these types of cases.

"Once they lay charges the process goes into place and the steamroller does not stop, and there is nobody to take a balanced, logical view and for common sense."

WHAT HAPPENED

January 3 and 4 2011: Family visit McKee Domain, Ruby Bay, along with 300 others. Other visitors allege inappropriate behaviour between father and daughter, report to caretaker who calls police. Constable arrives and father denies any wrongdoing.

March 24: Police arrive at family home with search warrant for shirt and dress. Father taken to Motueka police station, arrested for indecent assault on 10-year-old daughter.

March 25: Father appears in court, bailed with conditions not to contact family.

June 21: Father's lawyer Brett Daniell-Smith applies for an oral evidence order to hear evidence of witnesses.

July: Lawyer asks police to review decision to charge father. Detective Sergeant Craig Johnston responds that police have six credible accounts of indecent behaviour and he believes the father has been correctly charged.

August 29: Judge Ellis grants an oral evidential order for three defence witnesses, bail conditions relaxed but father not allowed home.

September 29: After eight months father gets 1 hours of supervised contact with two younger daughters.

November 25: Oral evidence called at committal hearing at Nelson District Court. JPs rule there is no case to answer and discharge father.

March 7 2012: Police apply to the High Court at Nelson to re-lay charges, arguing the JPs have exceeded their function.

April 16: Application heard, Justice Miller agrees that the JPs were wrong and trial date set for October.

July 11: Judge Bruce Davidson declines application from father's lawyer for a discharge, saying it is up to a jury to decide.

October: Jury trial, Crown re-lays charge with eight counts of indecent assault. After the father has given evidence, the father's lawyer applies for him to be discharged saying there is insufficient evidence, and the identity of the complainant in each charge is uncertain. The trial is halted and none of the defence witnesses called. Judge Behrens discharges the father.

 10/9/2012 - Update Tasman district mayor Richard Kempthorne will meet Headingly Lane residents to try to resolve a rating conflict 

 'Quit' call after Maori ward poll

MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS Increased danger from sharks 'unlikely' from Salmon farming

 Last updated 16:00 07/09/2012

Sharks had never attacked anyone near a salmon farm but that did not mean it would not happen, Department of Conservation official Clinton Duffy said in Blenheim yesterday.

Sharks congregated around salmon farms, Mr Duffy told the Environmental Protection Authority board of inquiry considering an application by New Zealand King Salmon to develop nine new farms in the Sounds.

However, it was unlikely the number of sharks in the Sounds would increase if more farms were built.

Sustain Our Sounds chairman Danny Boulton, who runs a dive business in Pelorus Sound, yesterday asked whether more salmon farms would make diving more dangerous.

His organisation opposes King Salmon's application to expand in areas prohibited under the Sounds management plan.Mr Duffy said at least 14 species of sharks came into the Sounds including potentially dangerous bronzewhalers, which gathered around farms.The people at most risk of attack were company divers removing dead fish, which sharks would like to eat, he said.He would not be keen to dive around a salmon farm for reasons including that they were not attractive, Mr Duffy said."I can't imagine why anyone would want to dive around a salmon farm unless they wanted to see a shark," he said.

Mr Boulton asked whether sharks around salmon farms could attack his diving customers including school-children.Mr Duffy said people should treat any shark over 1.8 metres as dangerous.He would not advise swimming or diving near sharks but the risk of being attacked was overstated.The people most at risk were spear-fishers holding bleeding or struggling fish, he said.Roughly two people were bitten by sharks a year in New Zealand, usually in the surf zone.Hearings commissioner Mark Farnsworth said the word shark attracted emotions, mostly negative. Was the risk more to sharks than humans, he asked.

"There is very little evidence of adverse effects [of fish farms] on sharks but there is no research on it," Mr Duffy said. 

   Interesting Facts:   (Photo taken by Traitor)

1/Shark eyes are equipped with a tapetum lucidum, a layer of mirrored crystals located behind the retina. This provides a means for light that initially escaped detection to be detected as it is passed through the retina a second time. This process defocuses light, reducing acuity but increasing sensitivity. That is, at least you can see, but you don't see as clearly as you would if more light were available and you didn't have to use a tapetum.

2/Shark bites occur more frequently in murky water. They are attracted by lights, noise, or splashing, and smell. For theses reasons surface swimming should be kept to a minimum, in shark waters. Research shows that bright colors attract sharks more than dark objects, so it is better for divers to wear dark colors. Blood in the water can attract sharks from long distances. They can sense blood in the water in concentrations as little as 4 parts per million. Bleeding into the water by a diver or swimmer may not go unnoticed. Women who are menstruating are recommended to wear tampons

3/It must be noted not all shark attacks are reported. Many resort eg. areas are sometimes made to keep shark attacks quiet.

4/ Shows that the majority of shark attacks on divers are not fatal. This does not mean that divers should be less careful in the water, but it does support the idea that sharks are not hunting humans for food. Fatal attacks are usually the result of significant blood loss and stress. One theory suggests that sharks will bite their prey to make sure it is edible before eating it. Once this 'prey' item is identified as an unnatural source of food, the shark will swim away to find more suitable food elsewhere.

Due to overfishing in New Zealand waters - the Sounds will most definitely attract more Sharks with the increasing number of Salmon farms.

 Due to the Sounds having murky water the risk of shark attack does increase. 

 Shark attack

 Further notes on farming in the Sounds

 I have been told that Mussel farming can cause a temporarily reduction in Cod and other fish species due to  open feeding (fish eggs). This may be the same with Salmon farms.

 On that note local fishing will pay the price.

  Nelson Local New        Best story of the Week

 Barker on Maori ward row: I told you

Nelson city councillor Ian Barker wants the council to reverse its decision to set up a Maori ward.

Cr Barker, who heads the council's governance portfolio, returned from overseas on Sunday night to what he called a "real disappointment" at the council's conduct.

He was alarmed at what had transpired since he left the country on the day the decision was made at the November 3 meeting to establish a ward, despite his suggestion to councillors the day before to hold off making a decision.

"I now believe the proper thing to do would be to rescind the decision, which would negate the need for a poll, which could save the community a lot of money."

Cr Barker said he would be checking the rules, but he believed the council could revoke any decision it makes. If he gathered enough support from colleagues he planned to move a notice of motion at a forthcoming council meeting.

The council's decision to set up a Maori ward, against a tight deadline, has prompted an angry public response over the lack of consultation and a petition calling for the council to hold a poll on the subject.

Council staff said at the time there was no legal requirement to consult, but several councillors expressed concern at the likely public reaction and asked for the decision to be delayed.

Cr Barker said he had been aware for some time of "strong moves to introduce undemocratic separate Maori representation" into the council and he had constantly advised his colleagues not to make any such moves.

Council chief executive Keith Marshall explained at the November 3 meeting the council's reasons for wanting a Maori ward were based on its submission to the Local Government Commission on the proposed union of the Nelson and Tasman councils.

Cr Rachel Reese said later that a submission to the commission on amalgamation for a completely different model should not have been taken as a proxy for the council's collective view on a Maori ward decision in Nelson city.

Cr Barker was disappointed and concerned that the council voted to set up a Maori ward in his absence. He has been part of an Australasian tour of Japan, organised by the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations.

"As the portfolio holder I was only informed of the matter being on the agenda a few days before the meeting and as the report was withheld from the original agenda I only learnt of the content a few days prior to the meeting, which everyone knew I was unable to attend," Cr Barker said.

He told councillors and the mayor the day before at an informal meeting that it would be a "huge mistake" to make such a decision based on a late report and on a recommendation that had not been consulted upon.

Cr Barker said his view that council standing orders provided for portfolio holders and chairmen and women to be involved in the agenda process before meetings had been backed by an independent legal opinion.

He felt many of the recent high-profile issues the council had battled could have been avoided if the political will and leadership of the elected members had been more effective.

• Click click here to view a transcript of the discussion by councillors and staff on the Maori ward decision at the November 3 council meeting.

- 9 comments

Nikki Romney   #9   9:11pm

 

Hiya Jim.

1. I have to disagree with you on this one. Considering the unfolding events and the considered withdrawl of the resolution for a Maori Ward, and the poll not then being necessary, spending further ratepayer funds on this matter could prove wasteful. That money has been hard earned by the public and would be better used for the good of the community. Deciding to go ahead when it's likely not necessary is spendthrift at this time.

2. I strongly agree with Barker that this resolution for a maori ward should be rescinded. The process of obtaining this vote was CORRUPT.

3. The current display of public adversity to a Maori Ward around New Zealand, could gather momentum, then eventually turn around the current legislative 'encouragement' of maori wards. In several years time there may be no maori wards..... who knows.....

4. IF IT's NOT NECESSARY TO SPEND, THEN WHY DO IT?

 

sme   #8   08:27 pm Nov 22 2011

 

RACISM inaction.

 

nina   #7   07:50 pm Nov 22 2011

 

justice #6 Settle down - plenty of us pakeha are in the maori party - just as there are maori in some of the pakeha parties. Medication time?

 

justice   #6   06:50 pm Nov 22 2011

 

News flash Rangi!, local body politics is entirely separate from National. Your confidence in supply backroom deal has no relevance and is about to come to an end. Ironic so many Maori see the 'maori party' as a bunch of sellouts! Imagine the hoopla if someone started a Pakeha Party? Rangi would be the first one out there claiming "racism". At least Hone has the guts to include people like John Minto and Sue Bfradford, not that I have much time for either of them. Race based communism is not top of my agenda.

 

adam   #5   06:07 pm Nov 22 2011

 

Seems like some of Nelson does not like democracy. 11-0 and still whinging.

 

Tui   #4   05:04 pm Nov 22 2011

 

Barker for mayor! He seems to be the only thinking person out of all of the members of Council.

 

Rangi   #3   03:04 pm Nov 22 2011

 

To quote Davd Dobbyn, "Things done in earnest, never get to stand". It's interesting to note that the lateness came from seeking Legal advice on the Local Govt Commission submission...pfft "Legal Advice" when you already had the Waikato example as precedence. I do feel for the councillors in that they now have the responsibility to explain to the citizenry why they unanimously voted for the Maori Ward 11-0 when there appears to be widespread public dissent. Its also ironic that Cr Barker describes the Ward as "undemocratic" when the council supports it 11-0. Newsflash Mr Barker, when governance is guaranteed at a national level, as agreed by the Govt of the day & The Maori Party as part of confidence in supply arrangements, local body politics takes a back seat, where it belongs.

 

Jim Cable   #2   02:49 pm Nov 22 2011

 

Normally, I'd agree with Cr Barker that if it was possible to revisit and rescind a council decision, it might put the issue to rest and save council the cost of a poll. However, in this case there are points for consideration which render a poll of Nelson citizens advisable - if not essential.

1. Despite warnings against the probable outcome and backlash, the mayor and chief executive appear to have been complicit in attempt to subvert council process.

2, Councillors were given no time for meaningful consideration of the proposal which was covered in a separate order paper, issued to them only minutes before the council meeting commenced. Cr Barker, who already had - and would have again - denounced it, was necessarily absent.

3. Despite the proposal's high constitutional significance, nothing whatsoever was done to advise or consult the public. Nor was any sort of preparatory advice circulated to Nelson's citizens - with one notable exception: iwi must have known about the issue to have attended in such numbers.

4. The reason for the rush as advised to councillors was spurious - councillors were misled. Yet despite reported comments of councillors' disquiet, the mayor even claimed the "vote" had been unanimous.

5. The concept of Maori council seats has yet to be adopted anywhere in NZ, and the reasons advanced to date for the establishing of a Nelson seat appear frivolous. There's no relevant connection between Nelson having a Maori seat and the unlikely event of its amalgamation with Tasman.

For those reasons, I believe that the issue of whether or not we have a Maori seat on Nelson City Council should be settled now once and for all by all of Nelson's citizens - not by any elected council.

 

justice   #1   12:38 pm Nov 22 2011

 

Councillor Reese, simple question. If you had misgivings about this decision then why did you not abstained along with Mr Barker?

I put it too you that the community backlash has made you chase your own tail on this issue?

 

City councillors have their say on a Maori ward in Nelson:

Aldo Miccio: Ongoing legislative, Local Government Act and Resource Management Act changes mean the council will have to give consideration to Maori views in all it does. There will be benefits to the Nelson community from Maori wanting to invest $400 million in the top of the South Island through the Treaty of Waitangi settlement process, and from giving cultural redress in terms of a Maori voice under treaty obligations. It's simply the right thing to do.

Eric Davy: This was the only way to get this into the community for their involvement due to the short notice we got. This will allow for a poll of electors to make the final decision on what the community wants.

Paul Matheson: This city and iwi have waited a long time and worked hard to embrace this partnership and to have this resolution rushed through with such short notice and without consultation to the wider electorate is disgraceful. This is a major democratic move and deserves community engagement at all levels and with all sectors to ensure its acceptance is a rewarding experience for all concerned.

Mike Ward: To date Maori have been grossly under-represented. A Maori ward provides a support structure for the Maori councillor and the certainty of representation. While changing to STV (single transferable vote system of election) would have dramatically improved the likelihood of Maori representation we failed to achieve that at the last attempt.

Ruth Copeland: I voted "yes" to the decision to include a Maori ward in Nelson because we face some very real challenges in regards to the wellbeing of our peoples and our natural environment. It's time for some new thinking. Without Maori input our leadership will be incomplete. We need to walk forward together.

Gail Collingwood: I voted for the resolution as presented because of the time frame constrictions under the Electoral Act. Voting at short notice will allow for the ward to be introduced in 2013 rather than five years away. Over the last decade Nelson has provided proactive leadership in New Zealand in regard to involving Maori in decision making as required by Local Government Act. The Maori ward councillor will be in addition to everything we currently do and is the next step providing a "voice for Maori" in the actual decision-making process.

Pete Rainey: Either you accept New Zealand is a bicultural society, or you don't. I do. As far as the council is concerned, we have a good relationship with local iwi. However, the voice of iwi is not heard around the council table in a sustained manner. The creation of a Maori ward will allow that to happen, at a time when iwi are poised to become even stronger participants in local affairs. I think this is an inclusive, bold and timely governance decision. There is nothing to fear, this will strengthen council.

Kate Fulton:Treaty settlement negotiations embedded in the Local Government Act already oblige us to work in partnership with iwi, but for me this is about more than just obligation. Within the system of governance that we currently have, the establishment of a Maori ward is the closest we can get to indicating there is a strong desire to form a genuine equal partnership and that Maori values are of cultural significance to our entire community.

Rachel Reese: I voted for the resolution in the report because of the time constraints in the Electoral Act. I do not support the idea that promoting a seat at the council table can be seen as leveraging additional Treaty settlement money into the city. That is a misguided view in my opinion and disrespectful to the integrity of iwi, the independence of local government, and counter to the conflict of interest provisions that apply to all elected members.

Creating a Maori seat at the council table is one way that we can recognise the special status of the Treaty of Waitangi in our society. Introducing a Maori seat may also encourage more Maori to vote and participate in local democracy.

Jeff Rackley: Agrees with the mayor.

Ali Boswijk: The timeframe imposed on us meant that if this did not proceed now it would be another two to three years until it would be considered again and then five before a ward could come into being. We have a legal obligation to engage with Maori as part of our decision-making and we could just do the minimum. However, Nelson has made great strides in recent years to do more than just the minimum. To make provision for one voice out of 13 to represent a Maori perspective is, for me, the right thing to do. The wider perspective we can have on issues the better we will deal with them.

Derek Shaw: I supported the Maori ward proposal because it is another step forward in council's evolving relationship with local iwi/Maori. I believe local iwi/Maori are now in a position to increase their contribution and should be given the opportunity to have an input into decisions at the council table. I regard the decision as a logical extension of the views in council's decision to the Local Government Commission on the proposal for the union of Nelson City and Tasman District that supported the establishment of a Maori ward for the new council if the union proceeds.

Councillor Ian Barker is overseas and did not attend last week's meeting

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Nikki   #79   12:36 pm Nov 15 2011

 

We are 'all' New Zealanders Stephanie, one people, with different upbringings, heritage, cultures, beliefs... but we all value and want similar things in life - in that we are all united. Integration of maori and pakeha has been a work in progress for over 150 years. We've come a long way, but we're still not there. Why? We can lay blame on the other, it's a matter of perspective, but really it doesn't get us anywhere, I'm equally guilty in that. But I keep trying to learn... and look at the bigger picture. We can't get caught up in 'complications', there have to be basic rules to live by, for all of us, governance & laws that work toward the unity of all New Zealanders. The one issue- that Maori should be allocated seats by right in Governance, we have all been fed untruths pertaining to this over the years, and we should be looking to gain knowledge and understanding of what is actually right and true. Research. Ask questions. Find out for yourself. This is personal opinion, but I believe the best way forward is 'together' with all being treated equal, and that means equal rights - one rule for all. That doesn't mean we do away with peoples heritage,culture & beliefs.

 

Stephanie   #78   11:28 am Nov 15 2011

 

If Maori have it so good, would you trade places? No, didn't thing so.

Maori seats in parliament was brought about by a racist law. At the time they were introduced Maori were majority and pakeha feared they would not be voted into parliament. So they gave Maori a separate roll and allocated seats, of coarse making sure they had the bigger share. Maori were simply getting on with the raw deal they were dealt. Now Maori can be the king makers, people want to axe Maori seats.

Furthermore the Maori party isn't exclusive for Maori people. Just a group of people who share the same views and values associated with Maori. You forget Maori are also part other European cultures. Therefore It is not a race based party.

Im of Scottish, English & Maori decent. Just because I defend my Maori side, does not mean I deny my English side. People love to point out there are no "full blooded Maori" left in this country but when it suits them they also lump Maori together when trying to make a racist point.

Maori DO NOT have special rights. If a Maori sells drugs, off to jail with them, same as any Pakeha. Although some would argue that's not the case. Benefits are give to Maori and Pakeha. Services are given to all New Zealanders. End of.

A note to you Nikki. Integration works both ways!

 

Nikki Romney   #77   11:29 am Nov 14 2011

 

Lets look at the word 'INTEGRATE' - to make or be made into a whole. To amalgamate - to unite. Then let's consider also;

Giving seats to maori by 'right' in local Council when all others have to stand to be elected. A separate maori party - for maori only. 8 reserved sets in Government for maori only. Advantage & extra benefits/services given to maori in New Zealand's social services. Hone Harawira and his supporters actively working towards separation in new Zealand, in particular against us white mother f*****s.

Then let's consider non-maori saying 'How can we progress as a nation if one group is treated differently & operates under a separate set of laws? We want one rule for all, working towards 'unity'"

... and remember, local Iwi already have excellent representation in local councils. Maori have one of the loudest voices in Government in asking for special benefits for Maori, over and above others.

'Who' is finding it hard to integrate?

 

tony   #76   07:33 am Nov 14 2011

 

James Gollan #74 "Racial Integration is an important aspect of this once great nation"

Very true. But some pakeha seem to find it so hard to integrate.

 

Stephanie   #75   06:41 pm Nov 13 2011

 

When all else fails resort to empty threats.. Typical of a sore looser.

 

James Gollan   #74   09:48 am Nov 13 2011

 

This is a patronising decision, I suppose we should have a ward for mori oris, European settlers, Asian Settlers, perhaps one for Indian settlers. This is the type of decision that shows that maori can not look after themselves by accessing the resources that are available to every New Zealander.It is derisive and as such is designed to put the interests of one ethnic group as being paramount over the others. This decision should be tested in the Courts.Racial Integration is an important aspect of this once great nation and it is a shame to read comments from Councillors who are proud to have voted for the imposition of a form of Apartheid in this Country. Voters in Nelson should take note to make sure these Councillors are not re elected

 

clint   #73   11:32 pm Nov 11 2011

 

Was it Albert Einstein who said "Anger dwells only in the bosom of fools" and Abraham Lincoln who said "I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice."

 

justice   #72   10:40 pm Nov 11 2011

 

Council. A warning too you. I will take this issue to the highest court in the land if you proceed and you know what? I have plenty of backing. The time of sitting back and watching "our" country, MY country descend into some self righteous form of Apartheid is over. The pandering to racists is over. I will force you in court to prove Maori have less representation than others by any other means than their own lack of interest in putting forward candidates to be elected. I will bring about a national debate on why Pakeha descendants and other NZ non maori are classed as "second class citizens" with lesser rights to the destiny of this country. Let the fight begin.

 

jake the snake   #71   09:39 pm Nov 11 2011

 

John #68 That's right John. We love maori who think and act like pakeha! Some of them even get to be honorary white folk. The others continue to be a bit of a problem though.

 

Nikki   #70   09:29 pm Nov 11 2011

 

Reply to Sarah P

big grin. That's ok Sarah, I like to live dangerously. x

 

Maori bodies major step forward - Wakatu boss

Nelson city supports setting up a Maori ward and a Maori community board if one local authority is formed in the region.

It is one item on a bigger list that the Nelson City Council wants to see under an amalgamation of the two councils.

The council's policy, planning and governance committee was set to approve the council's draft submission to the Local Government Commission at a meeting today.

The commission has proposed a single council for Nelson city and Tasman district with a mayor and 16 councillors, a second layer of five community boards, and its headquarters at Richmond. It proposes calling the new council the Nelson Tasman District Council.

The Tasman District Council was today finalising its submission opposing the commission's draft reorganisation proposal. Public submissions to the commission close next Friday.

The Nelson council supports the commission's proposal on the union of the Nelson and Tasman councils but thinks there is room for improvement for better local government here, including strengthening the proposed community board responsibilities, and providing for Maori representation across the region.

The council said in its submission that a Maori community board would "provide an appropriate mechanism" for the council to set up and maintain processes for Maori to have input into council decisions. A Maori community board would also serve the interests of Maori and the council well in the pending post-treaty settlement environment, the submission said.

The move has been welcomed by the head of one of the largest ratepayers in the region.

Wakatu Incorporation chief executive Keith Palmer said Maori had been "asking for a voice at the top table" for some time, but the creation of a Maori ward would be a major step forward.

The most recent census figures show that 8.7 per cent of the people in Nelson city and 7.1 per cent of the people in Tasman district belong to the Maori ethnic group.

Nelson-based Wakatu Incorporation, which owns a significant amount of land in Nelson and Tasman, is described as a "family business of the land and sea", whose more than 3500 shareholders descend from the rangatira and families of four iwi: Ngati Koata, Ngati Rarua, Te Atiawa and Ngati Tama.

Mr Palmer told commissioners at a hearing late last year on the proposed union that Wakatu was a "significant contributor" to the two local authorities. In that year it had made rates payments and contributions of more than $500,000.

He said a "false line" dividing Nelson and Tasman at Champion Rd did nothing to achieve optimum running of the province.

At last year's council elections, three Maori stood unsuccessfully for election in Nelson city, but none in Tasman.

"Traditionally, Maori have not engaged well with local government. Consequently, there is significant history to overcome before demonstrable forward progress will become evident," Mr Palmer said.

He said yesterday Maori intentions were not intended to ignite a political backlash, but were a step towards putting in place what the law allowed.

The Local Government Act allowed Maori a seat on councils, but neither Nelson nor Tasman had done that, though Nelson had at least appointed a Maori liaison officer.

Mr Palmer said a lack of support and negativity towards Maori wishes were grounded in people's lack of understanding over what could be gained from them having a voice in local government.

"There's ignorance, but that's understandable, because people are busy."

An important part of the role would be imparting a greater understanding to the wider community of the value of Maori input, Mr Palmer said.

A portion of the $300 million heading to Te Tau Ihu (top of the south) in iwi settlements will filter into Nelson city and the wider region through investment planned by local iwi

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AY   #20   12:37 pm Sep 19 2011

 

I am discusted at the amount of people who believe that by including Maori in the decision making body of the council is a step toward creating a partied?! Are we not a bi-cultural nation as exhibited by the partnership in the Treaty of Waitangi? Governance should be shared amongst both parties who are involved in the treaty agreement and working together is essential for the equality and race realtions of the nation. The majority of people seem to have no understanding of the dark history of New Zealand during the early European contact period where Maori were decemated. The Imperial colinial forces imposed a western system on Maori, that propogated a long history of negative impacts both social and economic detremental to the survival and wellbeing of Maori that Maori continue to experience to this day. This position is vital for Maori ability to exercise their rights, values and beliefs in their own country.

 

Puzzle79   #19   05:35 pm Aug 12 2011

 

This racist descrimination is not democracy. The fact that the three candidates were not elected last year was because the "voting at large" system used in Nelson weighs the scales so heavily in favour of sitting members. Good candidates like Jason Wawatai have been elected in the past and that is the only acceptable way for maori, asian, pakeha etc representation to meet at the council table.

 

bdub   #18   01:33 pm Aug 12 2011

 

When are these political establishments going to understand that New Zealanders are not going to stand for an errosion of their democratic rights/voice. The political rights and freedoms everyone now enjoys have been fought and died for over hundreds of years because lets face it, we did inherit our political systems from Britian. And now they want everyone to just give it all up and for everyone to roll over and have a political elite making everyone elses vote worthless. Everyone has the same democratic rights and voice as everyone else. Changing that is creating simple discrimination.

 

jman   #17   01:00 pm Aug 12 2011

 

I was going to vote for the amalgamation but I have suddenly changed my mind

 

Adrian   #16   12:51 pm Aug 12 2011

 

Just what we need more publicly funded ethnic elite clubs....

 

Vivien   #15   12:33 pm Aug 12 2011

 

Mr Palmer, if you want a voice for Wakatu, stand up for election to Council. We do not need a separate 'Maori' voice or body - that is apartheid! No wonder Tasman people are moving across 'the ditch' in record numbers - first amalgamation is thrust at them, and now this! Boy, NCC are really showing how brainy they all are!

 

Phyllis   #14   12:28 pm Aug 12 2011

 

We do not need separate Maori/Pakeha bodies in New Zealand unless we have full-blooded Maori. The full-blooded tribes in Africa do not allow, as members of their tribe, any child with one parent from a different tribe - let alone a white/African combination! The word they use to describe such a child is worse than "mongrel" or "half-cast"! If the UN knew that the New Zealand Maori were not full, or half, blooded then they would not give them any support. What we want, and need, are people who are proud to be called 'New Zealander' and practise any ethnic differences in the privacy of their homes without forcing things on their neighbours.

 

Sue   #13   11:43 am Aug 12 2011

 

Surely there are other ways to try to create a more integrated community. This would be another divisive decision that would not make much difference to the position of Maori in the Nelson region. Maori, like everyone else need to feel they have a community voice that is listened to. Being part of the wider community is the best way to be heard - strength in numbers not isolation.

 

st   #12   10:58 am Aug 12 2011

 

I am disgusted - but then I was disgusted by special position created already in NCC for 'Maori Liason' officer (which was advertised in Te Reo only) 2 years ago. On and on this apartheid grows. Very pleased I now live in Oz. By the way, amalgamation in Sunshine Coast is being undone 'cos the savings never happened and rates went massively up, not down. Google it.

 

Steve   #11   10:10 am Aug 12 2011

 

Quote from the United Nations : The UN does not define "racism", however it does define "racial discrimination": According to the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the term "racial discrimination" shall mean any distinction, exclusion, restriction, or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin that has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life.

 

The Nelson City Council has become the third council in New Zealand and the first in the South Island to establish a Maori ward for the 2013 council elections, in the event amalgamation does not go ahead.

The move reflects the council's preference for a Maori ward under a combined Nelson-Tasman council, as outlined in its submission to the Local Government Commission.

Councillors were unanimous in their decision today, despite concern about the "surprise element" of the recommendation, filed as a late notice to today's policy, planning and governance meeting.

There was concern that a decision today would be perceived as the council not taking the community with them, but council staff confirmed there was no legal requirement to consult on the matter.

Nelson Mayor Aldo Miccio says the move is historic and bold. "Council believes this is right for the future of our city. It will create the best possible representation for treaty settlement implications."

A Maori ward will give iwi a guaranteed voice at the council table, which was important for cultural reasons as well as pending business decisions, city council kaihautu (leader for iwi affairs) Geoff Mullen said.

• Full report in tomorrow's Nelson Mail. 

 Last updated 13:00 20/01/2012

COLIN SMITH/Fairfax NZ

DID IT AGIN: Brenda Schwass-Arnold appears in the Nelson District Court where she pleaded guilty to charges of using a bank card for pecuniary advantage.

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A scheming woman who fleeced her grandmother's estate of thousands of dollars and was jailed, has done the same thing to her partner's mother.

She managed her second deception by changing her name.

In the Nelson District Court yesterday, Brenda Schwass-Arnold, 45, was remanded in custody to be sentenced on February 27 to another jail term.

She was known as Brenda Overton when on Elder Abuse Awareness Day in June 2007, she was jailed for 18 months for stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from her sick grandmother.

Yesterday she was convicted on 203 charges of using a Motueka woman's bank card to clean out her accounts, taking a total of $28,452. A further 100 charges were withdrawn by police after Schwass-Arnold entered guilty pleas yesterday.

The victim's son, Neill Cherry, said he was devastated that he had introduced Schwass-Arnold to his mother, Joyce Cherry, who is now 72.

He knew her as Brenz Arnold-Schwass. "In those 4 1/2 years, the person I knew is a complete lie," he said.

He was in a de facto relationship with her and never knew her as Brenda Overton, but now understands that she used names from previous marriages.

Her duplicity even went as far as lying about her children. "She told me her daughter died of cancer when she was in foster care and her son was in the States, when he wasn't."

He said she was able to take advantage of Mrs Cherry because the elderly woman had Alzheimer's disease and had earlier written down her bank card passwords. "Brenz put two and two together."

His mother's savings account was empty and her credit card was maxed out to $11,000, he said.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Graeme Eden said in court yesterday Schwass-Arnold did not live with the victim but started to help with her care. Mrs Cherry had a Westpac account and Visa and internet banking.

In 2010, Mrs Cherry's health started to get worse, and Schwass-Arnold increasingly started looking after her. She took her out from time to time.

In July 2010, she started taking money out of the savings account, though she had no authority to do so. She kept Mrs Cherry's eftpos card in her purse, and police later found it in her handbag.

Schwass-Arnold used the card mainly in Motueka, but also in Havelock, Picton, Blenheim, Nelson, Richmond and Stoke.

She transferred money from the Visa to the cheque account to top up the account.

Mr Cherry said the money had largely been frittered away. "She spent it on loads of junk. She would go into the $2 shop and spend $80 ... not once but quite a few times."

Mr Cherry said Schwass-Arnold also told people she had cancer. "She was supposed to be in Wellington getting chemotherapy when she had been living it up at Picton."

When he discovered what she was up to, he was shocked.

"This is not the first time she has done this. If we had been aware, none of this would have got off the ground."

While distressed for his mother, he was also concerned during the weeks before police were able to arrest Schwass-Arnold that others could fall prey to her.

He also had to wait, powerless to intervene, during the investigation, while she spent his mother's money. "The police could not put a freeze on it because it was cash."

Mr Cherry said his mother was well liked in the community. "A lot of people in Motueka want a piece of [Schwass-Arnold]."

After Schwass-Arnold was led away into custody yesterday, Mr Cherry said: "I'm very glad she's inside now, for other people's safety."

It was seven months since he first went to the police, he said. "It's gone on a bit long.

"She's not going to change her habits, and there's probably a lot more we don't know about. Fingers crossed she goes away for a long time."

Judge Tony Zohrab, who yesterday remanded Schwass-Arnold until February 27 for sentencing, said she would receive a jail term.

He said she had taken advantage of a vulnerable person she was supposed to be caring for, a woman with dementia and who was unable to communicate verbally or in writing. She had also stolen significant funds before in similar circumstances.

Nelson Local News   Best story of the Week

Nelson Local News 11/08/2011-Best story of the Week

 Segway tours arrive in Nelson

1 comment from Pannikin cider

An option for those  ”energetic” hash walkers I can’t see the cup holder though for the pannikin

 CRUISING ON: Move Nelson Tours operator Hugh Briggs spins along the Maitai walkway on one of his Segway personal transporters.

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Hugh Briggs wants people to have more fun in Nelson, and his Segways are certainly creating smiles around town.

He has six of the battery-powered personal transporters and will offer a variety of guided tours around Nelson.

He hit on the idea while at Bangkok Airport and when he returned found that every main tourist town in New Zealand had Segway tourism operations, except Nelson.

A bed and breakfast operator, he believes Nelson does not have enough fun activities for tourists.

He plans tours ranging from 30 minutes to two hours, starting from Nelson's i-Site, going to Tahunanui, or around Founders Heritage Park, or along the river, to the Botanic Gardens, up to Fairfield House, along to the cathedral and down Trafalgar St.

He has been working with Nelson City Council on getting approvals.

The main reaction he gets is smiles and waves. During this interview two boys on scooters stopped to watch, saying: "Oh, cooool."

Unfortunately for them, users need to be over 12 years old and a minimum 45kg to use the self-balancing devices which can whiz along at up to 20kmh.

Mr Briggs' Auckland-based business partner has imported the Segways at $10,000 each from the United States, and the tours range from $40 to $90.

He will launch his Move Nelson (It's Wheely Fun) Segway Tours at the Ecofest Expo on August 20 and 21, "because they're a fantastic eco-friendly thing".

He's not just aiming at tourists, he expects local residents will be keen too. "I think they're a fantastic way to see Nelson. I'm passionate about seeing the city in this unique way.

"If an old fart like me can do it, anyone can."  

Chinese e-commerce opportunities that Nelson Mayor Aldo Miccio has been touting as being great for Nelson businesses also look set to make money for the mayor himself.

Mr Miccio says there is no conflict of interest between his mayoral work in developing Nelson-Chinese business and his chairmanship in a new venture, NZ Inc Shop.

It intends to sell New Zealand products through Tmall.com, a subsidiary of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba.

"It's complicated and I know it will cause speculation but without a doubt it's all above board," Mr Miccio said.

"I believe there is no conflict ...

"The NZ Inc Shop story is an extremely positive story, for not only Nelson, but New Zealand."

This year ratepayers paid more than $10,000 to send Mr Miccio on trips to China in March and September to help develop connections for Nelson businesses.

He went because China valued the role of mayor, Nelson Economic Development Agency (EDA) chief executive Bill Findlater told the Nelson Mail before the first trip.

It included a delegation of local businessmen and saw Mr Miccio and Mr Findlater visiting e-commerce capital Hangzhou, where they met Alibaba's president.

"The potential for our region from this single company visit could be exceptional," Mr Miccio wrote in a trip blog.

The meeting was set up by Auckland-based Yong "York" Zhang, chairman of New Zealand Chinese Youth Chamber of Commerce, who Mr Miccio met through an EDA-arranged business visit to Nelson last year.

Mr Zhang is now a co-director and chief executive of the New Zealand-registered NZ Inc Shop, of which Mr Miccio is chairman and co-director. The other directors are Auckland-based Weidong He and Paul Gerald Hu.

After the first trip, Mr Miccio told The Nelson Mail that local small to medium businesses could have a new opportunity to sell into China in an e-commerce deal that was "groundbreaking stuff".

Nelson would be at the forefront of the opportunity, with the rest of New Zealand to become included, he said.

Mr Miccio and Mr Findlater visited China again in September. On his return, Mr Miccio told the Mail that a New Zealand-based company was facilitating the e-commerce deal - but failed to mention that by then, he was personally involved in it.

Mr Miccio said this week that he and Mr Findlater only landed in Hangzhou on the second trip, and did not meet any e-commerce representatives.

Both visits were about furthering connections for Nelson businesses, he said.

Mail inquiries have revealed that between the two trips Mr Zhang asked Mr Miccio to first write a business model and then be chairman of their new company, which was incorporated on August 23

In response to the paper's inquiries, Mr Miccio issued a media release celebrating his new company as "a coup for New Zealand", which would launch in February.

It said that NZ Inc Shop had secured a New Zealand-made products e-shop on Tmall.

Last year Tmall averaged 3000 inquiries per day for New Zealand products and had a total half-yearly turnover of about NZ$4 billion that was forecast to grow by 25 per cent.

Tmall figures available online show it is expecting its total transactions to surpass US$7.85 billion (NZ$9.54b) in 2012.

Mr Miccio would not name any Nelson businesses involved with NZ Inc Shop, but said they had "a number of New Zealand companies ready to go".

Mr Miccio said there had been no council crossover and he had never spent any council time on NZ Inc Shop. Instead, it was his past personal business experience in China that had led to his involvement. He said nothing he had done on the council trips "added value" to his role in NZ Inc Shop now.

When he met Alibaba in March, "it was unknown to me what future proposal I would receive four months later from York and his colleagues."

Mr Miccio said his new job was "a big role".

"It will mean I will have to sacrifice a lot of my personal time to get this up and running, and I firmly believe you need to be fairly rewarded for the work you do. I have no problem being remunerated for being the chairman of the company.

"Of course there's going to be speculation about it all but hopefully people can see through, that this is separate outside other interests, private business, a lot of mayors have them, and this just so happens to tie in well where it's going to be game-breaking for New Zealand, let alone just Nelson.

"It's going to be huge benefits in terms of jobs and companies here [and] so it's a great opportunity to be asked to chair it. It's a great offer that I couldn't refuse and it was an exciting opportunity that I wanted to be a part of."

Local Government New Zealand president Lawrence Yule said he had spoken to Mr Miccio about the company.

"I can't really see a problem with it," he said.

"You have to be careful in this but mayors get asked to do lots of things to try and promote the interests of New Zealand and business."

He said he could not answer why Mr Miccio took a personal stake in the company.

"He told me it was a small personal stake".

TIMELINE

2011 (date unknown): Mr Miccio meets Yong "York" Zhang at EDA meeting, who sets up a meeting with Alibaba in e-commerce hub Hangzhou.

March 2012: Mr Miccio and Nelson delegation visit Chinese cities including our sister city, Huangshi, and Mr Miccio and Mr Findlater meet Alibaba in Hangzhou.

April: Mr Miccio tells The Nelson Mail e-commerce opportunities with China will be "groundbreaking" for Nelson.

July: Mr Zhang asks Mr Miccio to join NZ Inc Shop as chairman.

August: NZ Inc Shop incorporated.

September: Mr Miccio and Mr Findlater return to China on council business.

October: Mr Miccio tells The Nelson Mail "a New Zealand company" will be furthering an e-commerce deal with China.

November: Mr Miccio announces his involvement with NZ Inc Shop.

- © Fairfax NZ News

Nelson Local News 21/08/2011-Best story of the Week

 News update Distressed Swallows 

 Another- dickhead!!!

Bird error hard to swallow

21/08/2009SharePrint Text Size  SUPPLIEDSAD SIGHT: A swallow lies injured after being injured trying to free itself from a bird repellent gel. SUPPLIEDTRAPPED FAST: Two swallows stuck to a pipe.Relevant offersDozens of protected swallows were killed or injured after the wrong application of a bird repellent left their inner city roost a death trap. Over 70 welcome swallows had to be put down after suffering horrific injuries while trying to free themselves after being stuck to a pipe.

 SPCA inspector Kayte, who asked for her surname not to be used, said it was an "overwhelming and bizarre sight" that confronted her after the distressed birds were found in a building alcove near Garden Place on Wednesday night.

 "A lot of the birds were stuck to the pipe and flinging themselves around," she said. "The majority had broken wings and broken legs by the time we managed to get to them."

 The narrow pipe which covered a sprinkler system was about five metres off the ground.  

"We had to call the fire department because there was no other way to get to the birds. They had to take the birds off one by one, almost feather by feather."  

The sticky substance had caused some of the birds to stick to each other as well Kayte said. "They were glued together in clumps on the ground and were thrashing around. It was an overwhelming situation."

 The birds were taken to Chartwell Vets. "Thirteen were already dead when we got to the site. Seventy-three had to be euthanised because they were too badly injured but we were able to wash and clean 21 of them."

 The owner of the building where the birds were roosting, Steve McLennan, said the birds had become a problem in the area over the last month. "There were massive piles of excrement where they were roosting. I had asked the guys to come and clean it up and look at options for bird-proofing it."

 Contractor Graham Jefferis said it appeared a worker had applied too much Hot Foot repellent on the pipe. The product has been on the market for 23 years and is designed to give a sticky feel as the birds step out of the gel, making them avoid the surface in future.

 "I think he was being overzealous in making sure the birds didn't land there," Mr Jefferis said. "The intent was certainly not to harm or kill anything."

Mr McLennan said he was devastated by what had happened and had offered $1000 to help with the surviving birds.

  50 Distressed Swallows put  down

Nelson Local News 8/7/2011-Best story of the Week

Palmer tenanted by Harvey Norman and Resene Paints.

Distressing, sticky end for trapped swallows

GLUE TRAP: Kylie Yates, senior nurse at the Stoke Veterinary Centre, with the 49 dead swallows the vet put down after they were found glued together with the product Hot Foot.

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Nearly 50 distressed birds have been put down after being trapped in a sticky repellent on a Nelson building.

A Nelson SPCA inspector and the vet who had to euthanase the swallows are horrified at their injuries.

Many of the birds had their wings stuck to their bodies, their bodies stuck to one another, and leg injuries, said Nelson SPCA senior inspector Craig Crowley.

The birds were found at the back entrance to the St Vincent St building owned by Wakatu Incorporation and tenanted by Harvey Norman and Resene Paints.

Swallows roosting on pipes had been causing a problem, and a bird repellent product, Hot Foot, had been used, Crowley said.

"I understand the reason for doing it, but we ended up with a huge number of birds taken to the vet to be put down."

Stoke Vet Clinic veterinarian Callum Irvine said the woman who called the clinic after-hours was distressed about the birds she had found.

"She brought in 45 birds quite heavily covered in this sticky substance. They couldn't move, with injuries to their legs and wings, and the decision was made to euthanase them."

Crowley brought in another four birds the next morning.

"It's quite distressing, not just to the member of the public who found them, but for me as a vet. I have never seen anything as horrible in pest control. It is unacceptable in any circumstances."

It was concerning, despite people considering swallows to be pests, he said.

"It's still unnecessary to cause that suffering and harm. Animal control should be humane."

Irvine said he understood the product was effective.

"I'm not suggesting the product is not OK; it's more about the method of application."

Wakatu Incorporation chief executive Keith Palmer said it had asked its maintenance contractor to chase the birds away and the contractor had bought the product.

After meeting with the SPCA inspector this morning, Palmer said the issue was with the product, not the contractor, who he declined to name.

"We will not use the product again."

Instructions for Hot Foot repellent specify where to cut the nozzle of the cartridge to apply the appropriate bead of gel to repel birds according to their size.

Crowley said the product, which is readily available, should be used in a narrow bead. A bird making contact with it and feeling it was getting stuck would warn other birds.

"It's a product that is out there and if it is not used correctly, these sorts of things happen with a degree of animal cruelty or animal welfare issues

"In this case, if it was used deliberately in a way to entrap the animal there could be consequences. If it was used incorrectly with no intent, a stern letter would suffice."

A similar case in Waikato two years ago led to more than 70 swallows being put down.

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fiordlander   #10   12:03 pm Jul 09 2011

 

 

I thought the "welcome swallows" were protected by the NZ law. They were self introduced in '50s. They cause no trouble, in to any other bird ar animal species in NZ. Since when did they became "pests" and needed animal control measures?

 

Rick   #8   09:18 am Jul 09 2011

 

Most civilised countries regard swallows as a joyous portent of spring and a very wonderful site.

Who thinks of these as pests?

There are plenty of ways to discourage nesting birds without this barbarism. However in a country that poisons the countryside with 1080 I suppose we should expect no better.

 

minnie   #7   08:28 am Jul 09 2011

 

what stu # 3 said. swallows are delightful birds, what a horrible, cruel way to end their lives. why isn't the business concerned being prosecuted?

 

badbob   #6   10:06 pm Jul 08 2011

 

nic #2 stu #3 Are you both members of Morons Unliited ? Neither of you mention Resene,and if you had a brain between you you would have read that it was "Wakatu Incorporation"that engaged the contractor ....

 

andrew   #5   09:26 pm Jul 08 2011

 

what kind of contractor was this? sounds like a Mafia contract. id be going down throwing bread onto the roof to feed the birds if i lived there. disgusting

 

vixen   #4   07:19 pm Jul 08 2011

 

I don't think it's anything to do with Harvey Norman, Whakatu Inc are the owners of the building and therefore responsible for pest control...

 

stu   #3   05:47 pm Jul 08 2011

 

boycott harvey norman ...name the moron contractor

 

nic   #2   04:18 pm Jul 08 2011

 

Thought someone with such a high profile in town would do better Harvey Norman. There are better ways.

 

anne   #1   02:26 pm Jul 08 2011

 

 

Nelson Local News 28/6/2011-Best story of the Week 

Aussie owners of Nelson Mail and Leader exporting NZ jobs to India

The Australian company that owns the Nelson Mail and the Leader is sacking New Zealand workers and sending their jobs to India, according to a report in the New Zealand Herald newspaper.

Fairfax Media announced plans to axe 45 staff across its publications in New Zealand to creative advertising studios in India last week.

EPMU senior national industry officer Paul Tolich expressed disappoitment at the news in the Herald,which affects "day-to-day advertisements, often from templates, for insertion in metro and suburban papers owned by Fairfax Media in New Zealand."

The Nelson Mail and the Leaders are already using offshore studios for some artwork.

The cuts in staffing are being made in Fairfax publicatons across the country. "It's extremely disappointing that Fairfax has chosen to export these highly skilled jobs. At a time when  there is high unemployment and insecurity, it's the last thing these workers and their families need. "We know that the newspaper industry is facing challenges, and that they're looking to reduce costs and grow revenue. But local advertising relies on workers spending in their local communities. How can they spend when they don't have jobs?" Paul was reported as saying.

The Nelson Mail made significant cuts to its staff in 2009 in sub-editing, accounts and prepress departments, with the majority of  the work for those departments now done from out of town "hubs" based in Hamilton and Christchurch as well as other centres.

(reported in Nelson Weekly) 

Comments

*Nick Guegon - What are the Trade Union doing about this ?  As usually nothing. 

No point studying at Nelson Colleges for creative advertising (no future for you)

*Adrian Clark - Maybe we could sacking the High Court Judges in NZ and send their jobs to India, would save NZ Tax payer lots of money. 

Nelson Local News 25/5/2011  -Best story of the Week (Truckie blown up from buttock in freak accident)

A Bay of Plenty truck driver says he felt like a human balloon when compressed air was forced into his body after he fell onto a brass fitting that pierced his buttock.

Despite the freak accident, Opotiki's Steven McCormack, 48, was cheerful in Whakatane Hospital's intensive care unit yesterday, saying he felt "lucky to be alive".

On Saturday he was standing on the plate between the cab of his truck and semi-trailer at Waiotahi Contractors.

His foot slipped and, as he fell, he broke the hose off a brass nipple connected to the compressed air reservoir powering the truck's brakes.

He fell hard on to the nipple, which pierced the flesh of his left buttock.

As the air, compressed to 100 pounds per square inch, began rushing into his body and he started screaming.

"I felt the air rush into my body and I felt like it was going to explode from my foot," McCormack said.

"I was blowing up like a football... it felt like I had the bends - like in diving. I had no choice but just to lay there, blowing up like a balloon."

Doctors later told him that the air separated fat from muscle, and they were surprised it did not break his skin.

McCormack's workmates heard his screams and found him with the elbow-shaped nipple hooked into his rear, company co-owner Robbie Petersen said.

He said he could hear the air hissing out and quickly released the pressurised container's safety valve to stop the air flow.

The nipple remained embedded as three men - Jason Wenham, Ross Hustler and Petersen - lifted  McCormack's upper torso on to the truck's plate.

Wenham put him on his side in the recovery position, a move McCormack thought probably saved his life.

It helped him breathe, although his head and neck were swollen and one lung was filling with fluid.

His workmates broke into a water cooler to find ice, which they packed around his neck to ease the swelling.

They waited an hour for ambulances to arrive from Whakatane as Opotiki's ambulance and the rescue helicopter were busy.

Aided by a doctor, ambulance officers removed the nipple and McCormack was rushed to Whakatane Hospital.

Doctors inserted a tube into his lungs to drain the fluid and cleared the wound in his buttock using what felt to him like a drill. "That was the most painful part."

He said his skin felt "like a pork roast" - crackling on the outside but soft underneath. The only way for the air to escape was the usual way gas passed from the body, he said.

He credited his workmates - Wenham especially - with saving his life and thanked emergency services and hospital staff for their actions.

Petersen said it was a "million-to-one freak accident" and he had notified the Department of Labour.

The surgeon who treated McCormack declined to be interviewed.

Nelson Local News  -Best storys of the Week  14/4/2011-Toothfish rejection a 'cynical' gesture

Nelson Local News  -Best story of the Week  

 Sealord's in Finance Trouble!

Sealord's Japanese shareholder comes to rescue

Horse ride ban

TUCKING IN: Barney, the horse owned by Lewis Stanton aka Hone Ma Heke, is tied up outside the Nelson Courthouse while Mr Stanton appears in court.

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Nelson vagrant Lewis Stanton has been banned from giving horse and cart rides at Tahunanui Reserve without a permit, a decision he says will see him spending more time in the central city.

Judge Tony Zohrab yesterday granted the Nelson City Council a permanent injunction which prevents Mr Stanton, also known as Hone Ma Heke, from offering rides at the public reserve in exchange for koha or donations.

Judge Zohrab determined that Mr Stanton was essentially operating a business on council land without council permission, which he would have to apply for if he wished to continue.

Judge Zohrab said Mr Stanton was entitled to live in his own style, but not to the extent that it impinged on the lifestyles of others.

He said the injunction was a matter of balancing Mr Stanton's individual rights against the collective right of the public to freely enjoy recreational spaces, and against the rights of people who had legitimately applied to run a business at the beachside reserve.

Lawyer for the council, Julian Ironside, submitted that Mr Stanton gave people horse and cart rides in exchange for cash donations or koha, which amounted to a commercial service, as defined by the bylaw that regulates trading in council-controlled public spaces.

Defence lawyer Jessica Heard argued that Mr Stanton was the "antithesis" of a commercial operator. Because people were not obliged to pay him, this distinguished him from other commercial services, she said.

She submitted that it was a lifestyle choice for Mr Stanton to rely on donations for his survival, and that taking people for rides was simply part of that lifestyle.

"His world view is about harmonious co-operation rather than commercial exchange for profit.

"He does not undertake what he undertakes for profit, but in accordance with the lifestyle he leads."

It was accepted by both parties that between October and December last year, Mr Stanton took numerous people for rides, and sometimes accepted donations or koha, but not always.

Mr Stanton admitted targeting the reserve, as well as the central city, because those sites had the highest volume of foot traffic.

Though he did not ask for money, he did display a donation "bucket" that invited people to make a contribution to his lifestyle.

Mr Stanton recorded the money he received during that period, which totalled $1644, but denied that this was "revenue" in a commercial sense.

"Basically, I live simply, by human goodwill," he said.

"I am simply a lifestyle. That's exactly why I live the way I do, to get away from all that [commercial] stuff.

"I have chosen to live an alternative lifestyle and council don't want me to do that. It's that clear, plain and simple.

"What sort of society are we creating because we have to rely on everything having a monetary value? There are a lot of other values in society that many of us don't recognise now, because of the mighty dollar."

Judge Zohrab ruled that by refusing to apply for a commercial operating licence, Mr Stanton had breached a council regulation that all other citizens were obliged to follow.

He said the council had offered Mr Stanton an opportunity to get a permit as per the regulation, but he refused.

Mr Stanton said he had never intended to apply for a permit, which costs $35, because he was not a business and never would be.

"He expects to be treated differently. This is simply the council treating Mr Stanton like any other citizen," Judge Zohrab said.

Outside the courthouse, Mr Stanton said the decision meant he would be "stuck here in Nelson, which is going to upset a few more of those shop owners and others".

"I'll be stuck around town for a little bit longer - I hope it puts a smile on some people's faces."

On Wednesday, Mr Stanton featured on TVNZ current affairs show Seven Sharp, which he said had exposed the "bigotry" of some Nelsonians. "Nelson can be quite a redneck town."

He said he wanted to eventually return to Motueka.

A lifestyle choice

HORSE AND CART: Lewis Stanton parked in Nelson's Hardy Street, with his horse Barney and a cart and trailer.

Nelson Mail

PAPERWORK: The notebook Stanton uses to record his fines and donations.

Nelson Mail

LEWIS STANTON: Has no intention of paying his parking

Nelson vagrant Lewis Stanton has been issued more than $50,000 in parking infringements and has "absolutely no intention" of paying them.

The Nelson City Council has referred over $30,000 of the fines to the Ministry of Justice for collection.

Stanton keeps a running total of the fines he has clocked up since December 21 in a notebook.

He was issued tickets for $600 on Monday and $1380 last week.

Monday's fines included $200 for no warrant of fitness on his trailer, $200 for operating an unlicensed motor vehicle and $200 for not having registration plates affixed in the prescribed manner.

Stanton, who is not on a benefit, records in a separate notebook the amount of money he gets in "donations" from the public. Last week he said he got $74.20 or about $1.65 an hour.

Stanton said he would not be paying the tickets because his horse and cart did not fit the legal definition of what a motorised vehicle was under the Land Transport Act. Nor did his trailer need to be warranted or registered.

"My trailer is not pulled by a motorised vehicle."

Stanton and his brown horse, Barney, regularly park on Bridge St, where Barney, his cart and trailer take up two parks.

He has been in a long running stoush with Nelson City Council, and heads back to court with the council on July 25. He is appealing an injunction that the city council issued against him which prevents him from offering rides at Tahunanui in his horse and cart without a concession.

He does not believe he needs the licence that other businesses operating from Tahunanui require because he is not a business.

"I'm not a business. I'm simply a lifestyle."

Stanton staged a one man protest against the council and its freedom camping rules last year by sitting outside Farmers' store on Trafalgar St.

In November, his conviction for obstructing the footpath in Trafalgar St was overturned by the High Court.

Since then he's been in further battles with the council over where he can camp with Barney.

A Nelson City Council spokeswoman said Mr Stanton had been issued fines totalling $50,690. They were for a range of infringements, including no parking permit, no warrant of fitness, no number plate, no licence label (registration) and over the condition of tyres.

The spokeswoman said all unpaid fines were referred to the Ministry of Justice for collection. Non payment of fines could result in arrest.Currently $33,940 is overdue for payment and has been lodged with the court for collection.

Asked if the tickets would continue to be given to Mr Stanton even though they failed to be a deterrent, the spokeswoman said council officers were obligated to issue fines when they saw infringements.

"The reaction of the recipient to the fines has no bearing on council's obligation to issue them," she said.

The council is scheduled to discuss a report around the issue of Stanton's freedom camping next 

Stanton throws his hat in the ring

STANTON TO STAND: Lewis Stanton has set his sights on the Nelson mayoralty.

Nelson horse-and-cart man Lewis Stanton is understood to be preparing an audacious bid for the Nelson mayoralty.

Mr Stanton, also known as Hone Ma Heke, joins city councillor Rachel Reese and senior Nelson police commander Inspector Brian McGurk as one of three contenders so far to announce plans to run for mayor in local body elections later this year.

A source close to Mr Stanton suggests that his decision is the result of a long-running battle with the Nelson City Council over parking, access to public parks and reserves and his right to protest in the city.

"Hone has decided that if he can't beat them, he won't just join them, he'll lead them" said a friend of Mr Stanton.

Transport is expected to be a key election issue for Mr Stanton, with a number of city roads earmarked for modifications and upgrades to make them more horse-friendly.

Funding for the project would come from a hike in city parking fees where cars would be charged up to $3 an hour while horse-drawn vehicles would be allowed to park for free.

Mr Stanton is expected to formally announce his entry to the mayoral race with a speech outside Farmers on Trafalgar St at midday on April 1.

 Banned protester awaits High Court decision -28/08/2012

  Banned protester awaits High Court decision

 28/08/2012

A Lewis Stanton leaves the Nelson Courthouse afteelevant offers

Nelson protester Lewis Stanton will find out next week whether an appeal to the High Court has resulted in another legal victory.

Stanton, also known as Hone Ma Heke, appeared in the High Court at Nelson yesterday to appeal convictions handed down by Nelson District Court last year.

He had been sentenced to 195 hours of community work by Judge Tony Zohrab after being found guilty of five charges of trespass, a charge of wilful damage and two charges of defacing a footpath with graffiti, following a defended hearing this year.

The charges arose after Stanton protested against a blanket trespass ban issued by the Nelson City Council, which prevented him from entering most of the public reserves in the city.

It was the first time the council had issued a blanket trespass order, which Judge Zohrab ruled was unreasonable and a violation of his human rights.

However, he found Stanton had broken the law by refusing to leave Civic House at closing time on a number of occasions in February, and by drawing on the footpath in Nelson in protest against the ban.

Representing himself yesterday, Stanton said he had a right to self-expression under the Bill of Rights.

Crown prosecutor Hugh Boyd-Wilson said that while Stanton felt aggrieved by the ban, he had gone beyond what was acceptable in terms of freedom of expression.

Justice Warwick Gendall said that while writing in chalk could not always be considered as defacing a footpath – children playing hopscotch, for example, would not be offenders – the question was of degree. He said he would deliver his decision in writing before Friday.

 

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 Hone Ma Heke is reunited with his horse 22/08/2012

Hone Ma Heke is reunited with his horse Barney in Marsden Valley on Wednesday.

Mr Stanton, who is also known as Hone Ma Heke, said this morning he would stay with Barney in Marsden Valley for a few days and re-train him for pulling the horse and cart on the road.

The reunion would end his long-running protest in Trafalgar St.

‘‘I might go back to being the wizard. I don’t think I will be going back to protesting.’’

Mr Stanton has been protesting outside Farmers on Trafalgar St against the Nelson City Council for over 18 months.

He was protesting after the city council confiscated his horse and cart after he repeatedly breached council by-laws by camping overnight in council reserves.

The council had repeatedly offered to give him Barney and his horse cart back on condition he stopped camping overnight on council reserves.

Mr Stanton refused the offer as he said it breached his human rights.

He said today he was "absolutely" pleased to be back with Barney, whom he said he last saw a fortnight ago.
Marsden Valley was a pleasant place to camp, he 

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Ella #30 10:08 am Aug 26 2012

 

donna #20 I was thinking the same thing. The horse was running to escape. Very complex and sad situation. Robyn there is a difference between thinking outside-the-box-innovative and outside-the-box-insane. I don't think Steve Job's had Mr Stanton in mind when he shared those thoughts. You can't honestly think he was protesting on all our behalf? Often Mental instability can make you act narcissitically because it can be difficult to see the bigger picture and you are stuck on your own needs ; ie he wants to camp for free. We all want to live for free but I know its fantastic that if somebody in my community is sick they can visit a hospital, and oh yes our kids can go to school.

 

hmmmm #29 04:10 pm Aug 24 2012

 

Well the lack of Lewis Stanton news will reduce the size of the Nelson Mail and save a few trees, so that's a positive.

 

Nelsonian #28 10:04 pm Aug 23 2012

 

So the one person in Nelson that pays no rates, or contribution to society has more rights to our parks than anyone else?.....?? Nice work. Where do I go to get my permit.

 

sandy #27 via mobile07:48 pm Aug 23 2012

 

Lol @robyn i can not believe you compared Lewis Stanton to Steve Jobs!! Ridiculous!

 

truth #26 03:10 pm Aug 23 2012

 

*sigh*

He's hardly a misfit. Why don't we all take a second and stop pretending he's some social outcast thats a fighter against all forms of social constriction and society and see him for what he really is.

A man with head injuries and a temper problem. He needs not be applauded, but looked after in a home.

And if he's really just an excentric then perhaps a country with laws and regulations is not his place. It doesn't 'breach' your civil rights you absolute fool! It protects the reserves from being filled with freedom campers toilet paper and bodily fluids while REAL campers pay good money to camp in an environmentaly friendly way that doesn't destroy or disgustingly pollute our environment.

Well done Council. Your backbone and intelligence in this complete fiasco came through good and proper!

Hope SPCA keep a close eye on that horse. If he's struggling to make money now, what will it be like when he no longer begs for money and has an animals mouth to feed?!

 

Sue #25 02:20 pm Aug 23 2012

 

YES!

 

PT #24 01:55 pm Aug 23 2012

 

Bye! Don't come back if you know what's good for you!

 

Robyn #23 11:39 am Aug 23 2012

 

Thought these words were a fit .. Well done Hone! "Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes... the ones who see things differently -- they're not fond of rules... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things... they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do." -- Steve Jobs, US computer engineer & industrialist

 

Rangi #22 10:01 am Aug 23 2012

 

If they were to have a civil union, would that qualify as animal husbandry? Sorry Mr Stanton, but people like you will always find a home in the ridicule of others. If respect is what you want, then please make efforts to earn it.

 

Scott #21 via mobile09:26 am Aug 23 2012

 

Good stuff Hone. I hope the retraining is successful. The kids and I are looking forward to seeing you out on the road again and having the Wizard back out our way.

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 13/08/2012

Nelson protester Lewis Stanton may soon end his protest and be reunited with his horse and cart, but he is asking the Nelson City Council to pay his wages for a few weeks first.

On Friday, Mr Stanton was bailed on two charges of obstruction of a footpath. He will be back in court on August 24, after the result of an appeal to the High Court on a previous conviction for obstruction is known.

His bail conditions mean he is able to continue his protest, but he must do so on the outside edge of the footpath in front of the Farmers store in Trafalgar St, away from the cover of the verandah.

Defence lawyer Steven Zindel has also been lobbying the council on Mr Stanton's behalf, and on Friday he sent an email outlining Mr Stanton's latest requests.

Mr Stanton wanted his cart seat repaired, his horse Barney reshod - with tungsten-tipped shoes - and a saddle repaired, Mr Zindel said. He also requested up to three weeks to retrain Barney for traffic.

While this transition occurred, and Mr Stanton was not able to earn money from travelling around in his horse and cart, he was requesting $100 per week, for up to three weeks, towards compensation for the loss of his livelihood brought about by the conversion of his chattels 18 months ago.

Mr Stanton reserved his rights to camp anywhere, Mr Zindel said.

As the city's freedom camping bylaw "sunsetted" on August 30, the council might not be able to stop him freedom camping until a new lawful bylaw was promulgated, he said.

Council executive manager network services Alec Louverdis said the council had repeatedly said it would give Mr Stanton his horse and cart back. There had been some damage to the cart and saddle, and the council would repair those items, and was also prepared to reshoe the horse.

Mr Louverdis said he would be meeting with the council's lawyers today to discuss Mr Stanton's other demands, including compensation.

The next step would be meeting with Mr Stanton's lawyers and police to see if there could be a way to resolve the situation.

Mr Louverdis said Mr Stanton was saying he did not want a special permit to camp on council land, which was something councillors were considering.