Nick Clark: Council chambers of the absurd

The Local Government Commission has been consulting on a draft Code of Conduct for Local Authorities.

The Code addresses what bureaucrats see as local government’s biggest crisis: councillors saying unpleasant things. Never mind that rates rose 12 percent last year and will rise another 9 percent this year. Never mind crumbling infrastructure. The real problem is hurt feelings.

Pee Kay: Have you heard of these 3 people?

> Brendan J Duffy ONZM, JP
> Bonita Bigham
> Dr. Sue Bidrose

Frank Newman: No-show by voters

The coroners report into the 2019 elections will no doubt include a comment about the state of our local democracy: "Vital signs critically low. Bradycardia and bradypnea evident". In other words, voter interest is so low that the majority of folk can't be bothered voting. 

That is particularly relevant for the Auckland mayoralty race where it was essentially a choice between the former Labour Party Minister Phil Goff or the former Labour Party minister John Tamahere. Preliminary figures indicate the turnout is around 35%. The turnout is low virtually everywhere; more than 50% is considered good. The turnout for the Far North and Whangarei District councils is likely to be around 45%.