Those councillors should listen to all groups before making a decision, but that decision should only be made by elected members.
In Tauranga, we have a constant push for a Maori ward.
That is unacceptable to most voters because it takes us out of the equation. I certainly believe in one person, one vote, and all votes being equal.
Because the idea of a Maori ward is so unpopular among most voters, some clever clogs seem to be switching the angle of attack to completely take it out of public debate.
They are doing this by considering granting a joint committee of tangata whenua and the city council "limited" decision-making powers.
Iwi and hapu representatives want more powers for the advisory committee and this is not being instantly rejected by the leaders of our city.
This is not a race thing. I would have just as much of an objection if farmers wanted decision-making powers, or the police, or school teachers or journalists.
It should be up to elected councillors and no one else.
Otherwise, democracy becomes even less democratic and the vast majority of people will become even more ignored, except as walking cash machines to pay for the wishes of the few.
HERE is a pretty nasty bit of law and I'm not sure I should mention it, as it could give the Government another stick with which to whack the workers of this land.
It is set in the United Arab Emirates, where seemingly everything is illegal and punishable by jail.
Ryan Pate, a helicopter mechanic from Florida, was unhappy with his bosses over disputed sick leave, and so did what many silly folk do and went on Facebook to slag off his employer.
He did so while back at home and, upon arriving back in the UAE, he was promptly arrested for breaking an Emirates law on slandering his employer.
Pate spent 10 days in jail and is now on bail awaiting a trial. He faces up to five years in prison and a steep fine if convicted.
Gee whiskers, if they had that law here there would not be enough room in prison for all the miscreants.
I RECKON the Te Matatini kapa haka festival would be an amazing sight to witness.
More than 1800 performers took to the stage in Christchurch at the largest event of its type ever held.
But one does have to laugh at TV3's description of it as the "largest kapa haka festival in the world".
Well, you silly sods, where else but New Zealand would the largest kapa haka festival be held? Finland?
HERE'S what not to do when you are confined in a small space with no way to get out ... start a fire.
That's what happened in a Whangarei District Court cell with a lighter the culprit smuggled inside when there was no female staff to search her.
The blaze, when eventually discovered, damaged her cell and that of the adjacent two rooms.
When asked why she did it, the woman responded that she was angry at being led down to the cells. Hopefully, she thanked officers for saving her.
-richard@richardmoore.com
Richard Moore is an award-winning Western Bay journalist and photographer.
