Auckland Mayoral candidate Penny Bright denied access to Local Govt NZ Conference 2010 being held at Sky City 26 - 28 July 2010.

" My request that the $625 registration fee for LGNZ's Conference proceedings being held today, be waived, on the grounds of my 'impecuniousity' and 'public interest', but I was declined", says Auckland Mayoral candidate Penny Bright.

"As a 'self-funded' judicially-recognised 'Public Watchdog' on Metrowater, water and Auckland regional governance matters, my only source of income is $150 per week from a flatmate.

I do hundreds of hours of unpaid research on Local Government matters, and that research is freely available to Councils all over the country.

It is common practice in other areas, the Courts for example, to waive Court fees on the grounds of 'impecuniousity' and 'public interest' - so why not organisations like Local Government NZ?

Whose interests are Local Government NZ serving?
The public or corporate interests?

This LGNZ Conference is entitled 'Building Prosperous Places'.
FOR WHOM?

Please see attached research 'LGNZ BACKGROUNDER' - which may help explain why LGNZ don't want 'Public Watchdogs' like myself, who are representing the interests of the public majority (whom, as citizens and ratepayers, are arguably the most significant 'stakeholders'), at this Conference?

I will be outside Sky City this morning, with my banner, drawing the public's attention to whose interests LGNZ really represent - which does not appear to be those of the citizens and ratepayers 'represented' by the 85 New Zealand District, City and Regional Councils."

ENDS

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