Media Release
15 April 2004

Local Government Commission Praised

New Zealand First commends the Local Government Commission for its determinations on membership and basis of election for the forthcoming 2004 local body elections.

“The overall impression of the determinations was the forethought given to communities of interest, and the retention of community boards as constructive partners,” said local government spokesperson Jim Peters.

“The basis for council representation was utmost consideration for the total council area, with the rural and urban wards being but one part of an effective council.

“Moreover, the reduced size of local councils should enable more effective administration and the appropriate distinction between governance and the daily implementation of council policies.

“When new councils assume office in November, one of their early tasks should be to consider not only the governance of their district but the overall governance of the wider region.

“Within the three year period, without hurry or haste, consideration must be given to the best form of future governance, in the interests of ratepayers and citizens,” said Mr Peters.

ENDS

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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>>