The new
chair of the West Coast District Health Board has shown how
little interest he has in the role with comments that he
only intends to pay attention once every six weeks,
National’s West Coast Issues spokesperson Maureen Pugh
says.
“Rick Barker told media ‘I'm going to remain
fully-focused on my role at the Hawke's Bay Regional Council
and the Environment Committee. I've been in Hawke's Bay
longer than anywhere else, so I call Hawke's Bay home. It's
a monthly or six-weekly meeting, and the phones, emails work
pretty well’.
“This is yet another slap in the
face for the Coast by this Government.
“These
comments are extraordinary. Not only is Mr Barker determined
to stay put in Hawke’s Bay, a region vastly different and
miles away from the West Coast, but it’s his impression
the role will only require a monthly or even six-weekly
meetings.
“This is a big role which requires a lot
of attention. I’m not sure what Mr Barker thinks the role
requires but it’s more than just a meeting every four to
six weeks.
“This is just par for the course by the
Government. It’s not interested in the views of Coasters,
and instead it’s making a full frontal assault on this
region. From attempting to ban whitebaiting, banning mining
on all conservation land, blocking the Waitaha Hydro Scheme,
and now it’s coming after our health representation.
“The West Coast deserves better from this Government.
Instead it’s being pushed around and ignored on every
issue.”
If you're using Scoop for work, your organisation needs to pay a small license fee with Scoop Pro. We think that's fair, because your organisation is benefiting from using our news resources. In return, we'll also give your team access to pro news tools and keep Scoop free for personal use, because public access to news is important!
Winston Peters is routinely described as the kingmaker who decides whether the centre right or the centre-left has a turn at running this country. He also plays a less heralded, but equally important role as the scapegoat who can be blamed for killing taxes that his senior partners never much wanted in the first place. Neither Ardern nor Robertson for example, really wanted a capital gains tax, for fear of Labour copping the “tax and spend“ label they ended up being saddled with anyway. Usefully though, they could tell the party faithful it was wicked old Winston who killed the CGT... More
The new coalition government of National, ACT, & NZ First will be stable, effective, and will deliver for all Kiwis. "Despite the challenging economic environment, New Zealanders can look forward to a better future because of the changes the new Government will make ... We believe in this country. We are ambitious for it. We know that, with the right leadership, the right policies and the right direction, together New Zealanders can make this an even better country," says incoming PM Christopher Luxon... More
“The new Government’s plan to expand oil and gas exploration is as dangerous as it is unscientific. We need to come together to stop them,” says Co-leader of the Green Party, James Shaw... More
MFAT's decision to remove te reo from correspondence before new Ministers are sworn in risks undermining the important progress the public sector has made in honouring te Tiriti. "We are very disappointed in what is a backward decision - it simply seems to be a Ministry bowing to the racist rhetoric we heard on the election campaign trail," says Marcia Puru... More
Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Green Party: Petition To Save Oil And Gas Ban
PSA: MFAT Must Reverse Decision To Remove Te Reo
