Ohariu Belmont MP, Hon Peter Dunne, has released the results of his 2001 Ohariu Belmont electorate on a range of current issues.

Over 250 responses were received to the survey, distributed with his most recent Peter Dunne Reports electorate newsletter.

"These results came as no real surprise to me, and mirror the feelings I have been picking up from constituents for some time now."

"They are, however, a very valuable guide to me, which I will certainly take full account of, both in my role in Parliament and in general policy formulation," Mr Dunne says.

The detailed results were as follows:

1. New Zealand should have a new national day to replace Waitangi Day:
Agree 76% Disagree 21%
Unsure 3%

2. The possession and use of cannabis should be decriminalised:
Agree 16% Disagree 82%
Unsure 2%

3. MMP is working:
Agree 39% Disagree 49%
Unsure 13%

4. Parents should be able to send their children to the school of their
choice, regardless of where they live:
Agree 72% Disagree 21%
Unsure 7%

5. New Zealand is heading the right direction under the Labour/Alliance
Government:
Agree 34% Disagree 48%
Unsure 18%

6. The single most important facing New Zealand today is:
Law & Order 13%
Health 10%
Race Relations 10%
Education 8%
Values/Personal Accountability 7/%
Social Cohesion 7%
Economy 6%
Defence 5%

Ends

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>