Democracy Crossroads

It has been decreed, by the Government, that the 4 cities, 3 districts and one regional council that comprise the Auckland Region (1.4 million people) will become one Super City. This will take effect on the 1st of November hence. This being done for fiscal "efficiencies."

A Royal Commission was appointed to look into this and advise the Government on the best and most equatable form for this to take. The Minister in charge of this, a member of a small, fiscally right-wing party, led the charge for the Government to disregard anything that pertained to best and equatable, including the Treaty of Waitangi.

Thank God for the Select Committee process our Parliament has, for the legislation to form the Super City was amended just enough to stop a wholesale handover of our assets to big business (we're talking multi-billions of dollars here) and representation to those with the deepest pockets.

Democracy, though, has still suffered. We are now to be represented by far fewer Representatives than in the past, especially at the local Community level.

This is the most dangerous crossroad we have had to face in the history of our city/cities. We need to choose which way to go from here, and choose wisely. Never has the casting of a vote been so important in reclaiming back the community and our local government democracy.

Australia - New Zealand / New Zealand

Lat: 37° 54' 32.38" S
Long: 174° 41' 44.44" E

Elevation: 20

→ maps.google.com [EXT]

Precision is: Unknown / Undeclared.

Nikon D90, Nikkor 10.5mm, Panosaurus, Slik AMT, PC P4, PTGui Pro Beta 4, Photoshop CS3 extended