Cam Slater: They Never Asked Before, Why Ask Now?

The Government has decided to ask Aucklanders what sort of harbour crossing they want. They think we are stupid and have forgotten the last bridge debacle that Michael Wood, the Transport Minister and bridge salesman, tried to sell us. A cycle bridge, which cost us tens of millions of dollars in consultancy fees, only to be scrapped. They never asked before, so why ask now?

The Government is calling on Aucklanders to give their feedback on the Waitemata Harbour crossing, which is being called the “most significant city-shaping project”.

Transport Minister Michael Wood announced on Sunday the Government is upgrading New Zealand’s transport infrastructure to future-proof it for generations, while supporting “our largest city to thrive”.

“As part of the development of options for future transport connections across the Waitemata Harbour, the project team wants to understand Aucklanders’ aspirations for a future crossing,” Wood said in a statement on Sunday morning.

“This study will look at future options for people wanting to drive, walk, cycle, transport freight, take the bus or perhaps travel by light rail across the Waitemata Harbour.

“This will support us to confirm what new infrastructure is needed to cater for these modes, where it will go, and how to make the best use of our existing infrastructure, including the Auckland Harbour Bridge.”

Wood said the Waitemata Harbour crossing marks one of the most significant city-shaping projects for Tamaki Makaurau in the coming decades.

“Sharing information, talking and listening to our communities in Tamaki Makaurau is a key part of this planning phase that will establish the future vision for this transformational transport programme,” Wood said.

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Tamaki Makaurau might want what they are shilling, but Aucklanders want something that works, not some grandiose boondoggle.

I’m buggered if I know why they are consulting us anyway; they never listen.

Tens of thousands of people have made submissions on things like Three Waters, gun laws, the gun registry, and many other things, and they are simply ignored as this Government ploughs onward with their ideological machinations.

There are plenty of things that they should genuinely consult us about; things that have never been put before the voters in a manifesto but they are doing them anyway.

No one was consulted about destroying the District Health Boards and creating an apartheid health system based entirely on race.

No one was consulted about the revisionist history of the Treaty of Waitangi and the constant Maorification of absolutely everything, from road signs to place names, and co-governance.

No one was consulted on reducing State Highway speed limits down to 60 km/h in some areas.

No one was consulted on implementing a gun register.

No one was consulted on destroying democracy by promoting an apartheid state, from health to water resources to local governance, all the way through to co-governance.

If the Government won’t consult on those things then why start talking about consulting on Auckland’s harbour crossings?

It’s a trap: you’ll all submit and the Labour Government will tell you what they are going to do anyway, which will bear no resemblance at all to what people submitted.

Then they’ll claim they consulted with you.

Then you will find out what it is like to be a gun owner whose submissions get constantly ignored.

This Government doesn’t care one bit for your views. They are just going through the process so they can pretend you had a say.

It’s a farce.

Cam Slater is a New Zealand-based blogger, best known for his role in Dirty Politics and publishing the Whale Oil Beef Hooked blog, which operated from 2005 until it closed in 2019. This article was first published HERE