Radio Live Panel: 23 August 2015

Posted on August 23, 2015 by Vernon Tava

radio liveListen to my Sunday morning panel with Mark Sainsbury and Janet Wilson. We talk about the rather odd risk categorisations of various industries in the health and safety legislation coming through the House.

Should Gerry Brownlee resign over parts of the Christchurch re-build falling short of standards? Are opposition parties overdoing the demands for resignations and inquiries?

We hear about the brilliant business model of Eat My Lunch, about which I can’t say enough good things (seriously, donate to them on Pledge Me).

Does New Zealand deserve its reputation as a corruption-free haven? The raising of the speed limit to 110km/h on the Waikato Expressway is probably a good idea. Mark checks in with us on the Ashley Madison hack. We have a good chat about the mooted raising of the age of adult criminal responsibility from 17 to 18 years of age, covering the usual calls for a more punitive system as opposed to attempts to rehabilitate.

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Against More Elephants at Auckland Zoo

Posted on August 22, 2015 by Vernon Tava
elephant

An Indian elephant. Source: wikimedia commons.

I was very concerned to read in the Herald that, after importing another elephant, Anjalee, to accompany Burma at great expense, the Auckland Zoo is still talking about an elephant breeding programme “to build up to a herd of nine or 10”.

Below is a piece I wrote in 2010 [cross-posted at The Solution], in opposition, the last time this idea was mooted:

‘Plans were approved in August this year [2010] to expand the elephant enclosure at Auckland Zoo to six times its current area.  The importation of another 9 elephants to join the current sole occupant, Burma, would make this the only elephant herd in Australasia. The planned extension into Western Springs Park is estimated (by many accounts, unrealistically) to cost $13 million and the zoo plans to expand into 22,000 square metres of the park.

Two main arguments have been made for this. First, that Burma is in need of companions as elephants are intelligent, empathic, social animals and she has only recently lost her companion, Kashin. Second, that the herd will be valuable for conservation. Given a choice between sending one animal to a reserve overseas or committing to the hugely-expensive upkeep of ten elephants, the City has chosen the latter.

This goes against international trends to close elephant enclosures. As pointed out in SAFE’s excellent submission to the Auckland City Council Combined Committees, enclosures closed this decade include London (2002), San Francisco (2005), Detroit (2005), Lincoln Park, Chicago (2005), Alaska (2007), and Philadelphia (2009). A significant number of zoos have also committed to gradually phasing out their herds by not replacing elephants. Continue reading →

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Paul Henry Panel: 12 August 2015

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Vernon Tava

logo-paulhenryWatch a panel I was part of on the Paul Henry Show here. The law change to extend liquor licensing hours for the Rugby World Cup and warnings of an economic downturn.

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July 2015 Local Board Member Report

Posted on August 4, 2015 by Vernon Tava

Logo croppedPurpose

This report covers my Waitematā Local Board Activities during July 2015 as Deputy Chair of the Finance Committee; Deputy Chair of the Hearings Committee; Lead of the Parks and Open Spaces portfolio; Heritage, Urban Design and Planning portfolio holder; and, Local Board representative on the K Road Business Association.

Executive Summary

  • Renewal of Tole Reserve playground completed. Opening ceremony on 15 August
  • Attended the Local Government New Zealand Conference in Rotorua from 19-21 July
  • Local Dog Access Rules submission periods ended on 17 July
  • Alcohol Ban Area submission periods ended on 17 July
  • Swimming pool fencing exemptions site visits and hearing by the Local Board Hearings Committee on 28 July
  • Resource consent lodged for Heritage Foreshore Project on 1 July
  • Met with Office of Treaty Settlements officers about the Gladstone Park and Fred Ambler Lookout settlement with Marutuahu iwi
  • Met with Board of Trustees members of Western Springs High School about the proposed re-build of the school
  • Opening ceremony at Waitematā Green in Wynyard Quarter on 28 July
  • Fukuoka Garden Steering Committee meeting

Continue reading →

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Radio Live Panel: 2 August 2015

Posted on August 2, 2015 by Vernon Tava

radio liveListen to my Sunday morning panel with Mark Sainsbury and Deborah Coddington. We talk about Colin Craig’s latest pamphlet and wonder aloud whether it’s time for him to just stop talking.

The TPPA has stalled. Will it pass?

We discuss the matter of how Blessie Gotingco’s murderer, Tony Robertson, was free after a string of crimes and a lengthy lists of offences, and the sentencing of the 14-year old killer (13 at the time) of dairy-owner, Arun Kumar. We conclude that a focus on punishment and sentencing is at the wrong end of the equation when so many children are neglected and abused.

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Paul Henry Panel: 28 July 2015

Posted on July 28, 2015 by Vernon Tava

logo-paulhenryWatch a panel I was part of on the Paul Henry show here. A state solely for refugees? We talk about the suggestion for a 21st century Liberia (remember how well that worked out?) and drug mules duped into smuggling drugs by online paramours.

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Under Threat in the Auckland Unitary Plan: Special Character, Pre-1944 Building and Demolition Overlay, and Volcanic Viewshaft Protection

Posted on July 25, 2015 by Vernon Tava

The Panel of Independent Commissioners on the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan (PAUP) have issued interim guidance memoranda on matters of significance: special character areas, the pre-1944 building and demolition control overlay, and volcanic viewshaft protection. The purpose of the guidance is to inform all parties of the Panel’s interim position on these two matters.  They are not a formal recommendation/decision and is not yet binding on the Council, submitters or the Panel. They do, however, give a clear indication of the direction in which the PAUP will likely go on these matters. None of them are good news for some important built and natural heritage protections currently in effect. Continue reading →

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June 2015 Local Board Member Report

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Vernon Tava

Logo croppedPurpose

This report covers my Waitematā Local Board Activities during June 2015 as Deputy Chair of the Finance Committee; Deputy Chair of the Hearings Committee; Lead of the Parks and Open Spaces portfolio; Heritage, Urban Design and Planning portfolio holder; and, Local Board representative on the K Road Business Association.

Executive Summary

  • I submitted on behalf of the Local Board to the Auckland Development Committee on the Queen Elizabeth Square plan change and our concern that there is no alternative civic site secured to replace QE Square. This generated significant media interest with articles published on 9 & 12 June in the New Zealand Herald
  • Special Consultative Procedure on dog access rules began on 12 June (ending 17 July)
  • Alcohol Ban Review public submissions open on 19 June (ending 17 July)
  • Costley Reserve renewal completed on 26 June
  • Plaques on Grey Lynn Park ‘Sculptura’ artworks renewed
  • New signs installed at Arch Hill Reserve Walkway
  • Viewed the giant Amorphophallus titanum at the Wintergardens
  • Attended Mike Lydon’s workshop on ‘Tactical Urbanism’, hosted by Waterfront Auckland
  • Spoke to bFM about the Symonds Street Cemetery work programme
  • The Skypath resource consents were approved. At the time of this report there may still be an appeal against the decision

Continue reading →

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May 2015 Local Board Member Report

Posted on June 2, 2015 by Vernon Tava

Logo croppedPurpose

This report covers my Waitematā Local Board Activities during May 2015 as Deputy Chair of the Finance Committee, Deputy Chair of the Hearings Committee, Lead of the Parks and Open Spaces portfolio, Heritage, Urban Design and Planning portfolio co-holder and Local Board representative on the K Road Business Association.

Executive Summary

  • Renewals of playgrounds at Salisbury and Tole Reserves start this month
  • Local Dog Access rules are being reviewed by the local board. The Statement of Proposal for public consultation was completed this month
  • Instruction for use signs installed on Cox’s Bay fitness trail equipment
  • Two applications considered confidentially for Special Housing Area tranche 7
  • Appointed to the Auckland Domain Committee
  • Fukuoka Garden concept design approved by the Local Board
  • ‘Proposal Review of Alcohol Bans – Waitematā Local Board Area May 2015’ has been adopted and will be publicly consulted with Local Board Hearings Committee delegated to hear submissions
  • ‘Statement of Proposal Amendments to Auckland Council Policy on Dogs 2012 – Waitematā Local Board Area May 2015’ has been adopted and will be publicly consulted with Local Board Hearings Committee delegated to hear submissions
  • Newmarket Laneway consultation began on 18 May
  • Upgrade and extension of Victoria Park premier cricket pitch in final week of May

Continue reading →

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Radio Live Panel: 31 May 2015

Posted on May 31, 2015 by Vernon Tava

Radio_Live_logo.svgListen to my Sunday morning Radio Live panel with Mark Sainsbury and Deborah Coddington.

The morning after the Green Party AGM at which I got a whopping 1% (third equal) of the first preference vote in the male co-leader contest and Deborah is celebrating the release of her new book, The Good Life on Te Muna Road.

We talk about the FIFA scandal and the re-election of Sepp Blatter as president.

Lawyer, Lecretia Seales, is fighting in the courts for the right to assisted dying. We discuss the viability of her claim that The Bill of Rights gives her the right not to be deprived of life, and not to be subject to torture or cruel, degrading or disproportionately severe treatment or punishment. Her lawyers have argued that the Crimes Act sections on assisting suicide and killing can be interpreted in a way consistent with her rights. Alternatively, she wants a declaration that the Crimes Act is inconsistent with her rights. Crown lawyer, Paul Rishworth QC, said there could not be a serious argument for an alternative interpretation of the relevant Crimes Act sections. Her claim that her right to life was infringed was based on an argument that, if assisted suicide and euthanasia were not available, it would force her to take her own life earlier, he said. Her illness was depriving her of life, and there was no treatment by the state that could be labelled as cruel, degrading or disproportionately severe.

A 65-year old woman in Germany has had quadruplets through artificial insemination. She already has 13 other children. Is this right?

New Zealander, Peter Gardner, is highly likely to be sentenced to death in China for attempting to smuggle 30kg of methamphetamine (which he claims he thought were peptides for bodybuilding). Mike Morah joins us to talk about the case.

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