Here is the Stuff Headline I am referring to – it is under the byline of Glenn McConnell:

`Councils vs Government in battle over Māori wards.’

Clearly this is not true – Councils (with the exception of Kaipara and Upper Hutt) are at war with the people that put them on their respective councils.

THEY ARE AT WAR WITH THEIR VERY OWN RATEPAYERS!!

All the Coalition Government is doing is respecting the wishes of the electorate that voted them into power on the 17 October 2023.

All the 43 Councils that decided to retain Maori Wards have done is inflict unnecessary extra costs on Ratepayers due to the need for Referenda at Local Body Elections in late 2025. No mention of the extra cost to Ratepayers that I could see in McConnel’s Stuff rant.

He does point out that Palmerston North City Council are investigating what would happen if they refuse to hold the legally required referendum. What cost will that stupidity inflict on ratepayers?

Labour genius Keiran McAnulty, filling in his time before he strikes on Hipkins says the Government is out of touch with Local Government.

I say bullshit McAnulty – Local Government is out of touch with ratepayers and voters!!!

Link to the Stuff article follows so you can read the full diatribe.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/350407505/councils-vs-government-battle-over-maori-wards

In conclusion I say to Glenn McConnell stop interviewing your word processer and get out talk to ratepayers and the people that supported and voted in the Coalition Government. Perhaps you would care to stand up for your position in the comments here – we love fair and open debate at No Minister.

Meanwhile I say – Go Simeon Brown you good thing!!