"Bomb Parliament!" - Auckland community newspapers launch email campaign against Government's "Supercity" plans.
Auckland's major community newspapers are urging city residents to fight the "supercity" with an email campaign directed
at the Government.
This week's Aucklander, a local paper delivered free with The Herald, carries the editorial "Bomb Parliament! – It's the only way we'll get democracy for Auckland".
The editorial in Fairfax's ten Auckland papers asks "Who stole our voice?"
Both editorials criticise the Government's selective approach to the recommendations of the Royal Commission's Report on
Auckland Governance, the move toward a less democratic model, and the Government's failure to properly consult the
cities' residents.
The Aucklander, which does not usually publish editorial content, says the Government's changes amount to a total rewrite of the
Commission's report.
"John Key and Rodney Hide binned that report after less than a fortnight and one two-hour Cabinet meeting. Their own
study came to a staggering 34 pages.
"There was no public input. It has been suggested Mr Hide consulted only one of the region's eight elected leaders; at
best his manner towards Aucklanders has been cavalier. You might be tempted to think they already had their own agenda."
The Fairfax editorial describes the Government's approach as bullying, saying "this government’s stance strips democracy
from residents".
Both editorials contain Parliamentarian's email addresses, and urge residents to voice their concerns.
Fairfax's Auckland Suburban newspaper stable includes:
• Auckland City Harbour News
• Central Leader
• East & Bays Courier
• Eastern Courier
• Manukau Courier
• North Harbour News
• North Shore Times
• Nor-West News
• Papakura Courier
Western Leader
ENDS