Politically Motivated Jack-Up Says North Shore Mayor

North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams says a contrived report in the Sunday Star Times today relating to the odd infrequent night-time txt to the Prime Minister is a politically motivated jack-up by some political opponents.

"The tall poppy syndrome is alive and well in New Zealand and it would seem that some feel very threatened by a Mayor who speaks out about the Auckland super city, leaky homes and cuts in government funding of important local body and community programmes." says Mayor Williams.

"We have just had eight months of significant discussion and debate on the proposed Auckland super city, and of course there will be messages coming to and from political leaders on many issues affecting Auckland through this process."

"I cannot recall the last txt I may have sent to John Key, but in this 'Auckland debate' it would have gone simultaneously to the other electorate MP's on the North Shore, and John Key is just one of those electorate MP's in my city. I can recall watching Parliament live late one evening while it was sitting under urgency on the 2nd Auckland Bill and could not believe that none of our four MP's were present for this incredibly important debate. So a txt message to them was appropriate asking why they were not there at such an important time to represent the people of the North Shore." says Mayor Williams. "I can't see any harm in that."

"I take issue with the term 'aggressive' too which somewhat surprises me. Most people tend to send txts that are short and to the point so txts can be fairly direct. Politicians need to have thick skins and I certainly get plenty of pointed messages, txts, and emails on different subjects, but that goes with the territory. I have seen John Key on a number of occasions recently and he's never mentioned any concerns to me." says Mayor Williams. "Might have been nice if he had said somthing to my face, if he had any issues with me."

"Much of this is being orchestrated by a group of political opponents who have spent much of the past two years of my mayoralty trying their darndest to unsettle me, and undermine my council. They enjoy stirring things up for their own political ends, and it is obvious by this latest episode that they are already into election mode for the new Auckland Council." says Mayor Williams.

"The media unfortunately can't see through what has been an ongoing systematic attack on me, and seem to go for this 'tittle-tattle' hook, line and sinker, when it should be the real issues at hand that should be focused on. I devote my time to addressing the important issues facing my city, the future of the Auckland region, and our nation. Others choose to attack me and my character personally rather than debating the issues. They can do that as much as they like but I will continue voicing the concerns I have on many serious issues confronting us." says Mayor Williams.

"I hope our North Shore MP's, including John Key, will do likewise."

ENDS

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