A Better Hawke’s Bay

Media Release

11 September 2015

Napier Mayor threatens Magpies’ sponsorship

Napier Mayor Bill Dalton’s threatening comments on a shared facebook page post last night are another example of his intimidating tactics, says A Better Hawke’s Bay Chairman, Rebecca Turner.

The Pro Hawke's Bay facebook post featured Magpies assistance coach Danny Lee giving the thumbs up to voting yes and encouraging people to vote if they hadn't already. While it went live late yesterday afternoon, the post had been taken down by this morning.

Ms Turner said it was disappointing that Mr Dalton was trying to use his position of power and authority to censor amalgamation posts or advertising that didn’t suit his personal agenda.

"I was shocked at Mayor Dalton's comments which said…'Whoever is advising Danny Lee has got it all wrong. The Magpies bring us all together in Hawke's Bay. Why would he choose to drive us apart. Sadly some sponsors will be reviewing their position.'

“To suggest that some Hawke’s Bay Magpie sponsors may rethink their positions just because their assistant coach posted a short video clip encouraging people to vote yes is disgraceful behaviour and shows Mr Dalton is willing to stop at nothing to scaremonger,” said Ms Turner.

Ms Turner said while everyone was entitled to their own viewpoints and opinions, Mr Dalton had overstepped the mark in his capacity as Napier Mayor and needed to be censored.

“A person in that position cannot rule with an iron fist dictating that if people openly support amalgamation there could be future consequences.”

She said Mr Dalton's outburst supported a long list of examples that had come to the pro lobby group's attention.

“We have heard first hand of examples where Napier businesses have been threatened with consequences if they were supportive of amalgamation and, far as I’m aware, Magpie management were also strongly encouraged to get the Facebook post removed,” she said.

Meanwhile, A Better Hawke’s Bay is continuing to encourage Hawke’s Bay voters to get out and vote, if they haven’t already.

“We will be canvassing as many people as possible this weekend to let people know that councils are open for voting. If people have lost their voting papers they can still vote, they simply need to visit a council office."

-ENDS-

© Scoop Media