Media Release: Sustainable Canterbury
Date: 21 November 2011
Subject: Election forum explores coalition potential
An election forum tonight looks at the possibility for a change of
government and outputs.
Local environmental watchdogs Sustainable Canterbury have invited the
Labour, Green, Mana and New Zealand First parties to speak on the topic
of “co-governance around water, towards 350 parts per million
atmospheric carbon dioxide”. Tangata whenua rights, sustainable
industry, and greenhouse gas reductions lead the set of related
challenges the group want commitments on.
Democracy has been curtailed at regional level since April 2010, and a
backdrop of damaging earthquakes has further undermined systems for
public voice. Sustainable Canterbury were disappointed to see the
Christchurch City Council pass over the opportunity to establish a Māori
ward seat recently, through its representation review, for example.
“The representation status quo does not work, and we know there is great
interest in cooperative governance for justice and equity, so let’s hear
what solutions are available,”says Sustainable Canterbury spokesman Rik
Tindall. “Kaitiakitanga [guardianship] of the natural environment and
resources is something the whole community has a stake in and wants to
see done well.”
The council cannot neglect the improvement of local democracy forever,
Tindall suggests. “Māori are a uniquely entitled New Zealand minority,
and proportional representation at local level is an obligation long
owed them by settler society. Around that question we must resolve means
of renewable production that stop depleting biodiversity and the planet,
for our own survival.”
Water issues have perplexed Cantabrians, with privatisation of supply
now in the offing.
“The public interest needs active protection, and resource uses need to
greatly improve,” Tindall says. “Good representation is required to do
that job. The increase of poverty worsened by state asset stripping is a
combination we want to see firm, coherent opposition to.”
The Sustainable Canterbury election forum is at 7.30pm, Monday 21
November, at the WEA, 59 Gloucester Street in Christchurch.
“‘Co-governance means around water, towards 350 partsper million
atmospheric carbon dioxide’ is our forum theme tonight. If the
opposition parties can agree on how to achieve that together, people
have a very strong reason to vote for them,” Tindall concludes.
[Ends]
Contact: Rik Tindall - 332-1069 or 027-406-0077
More information:
http://mauriroawaitaha.wordpress.com/2011/11/09/scmw-november-meeting-350-water-forum-21-11-2011/
Date: 21 November 2011
Subject: Election forum explores coalition potential
An election forum tonight looks at the possibility for a change of
government and outputs.
Local environmental watchdogs Sustainable Canterbury have invited the
Labour, Green, Mana and New Zealand First parties to speak on the topic
of “co-governance around water, towards 350 parts per million
atmospheric carbon dioxide”. Tangata whenua rights, sustainable
industry, and greenhouse gas reductions lead the set of related
challenges the group want commitments on.
Democracy has been curtailed at regional level since April 2010, and a
backdrop of damaging earthquakes has further undermined systems for
public voice. Sustainable Canterbury were disappointed to see the
Christchurch City Council pass over the opportunity to establish a Māori
ward seat recently, through its representation review, for example.
“The representation status quo does not work, and we know there is great
interest in cooperative governance for justice and equity, so let’s hear
what solutions are available,”says Sustainable Canterbury spokesman Rik
Tindall. “Kaitiakitanga [guardianship] of the natural environment and
resources is something the whole community has a stake in and wants to
see done well.”
The council cannot neglect the improvement of local democracy forever,
Tindall suggests. “Māori are a uniquely entitled New Zealand minority,
and proportional representation at local level is an obligation long
owed them by settler society. Around that question we must resolve means
of renewable production that stop depleting biodiversity and the planet,
for our own survival.”
Water issues have perplexed Cantabrians, with privatisation of supply
now in the offing.
“The public interest needs active protection, and resource uses need to
greatly improve,” Tindall says. “Good representation is required to do
that job. The increase of poverty worsened by state asset stripping is a
combination we want to see firm, coherent opposition to.”
The Sustainable Canterbury election forum is at 7.30pm, Monday 21
November, at the WEA, 59 Gloucester Street in Christchurch.
“‘Co-governance means around water, towards 350 partsper million
atmospheric carbon dioxide’ is our forum theme tonight. If the
opposition parties can agree on how to achieve that together, people
have a very strong reason to vote for them,” Tindall concludes.
[Ends]
Contact: Rik Tindall - 332-1069 or 027-406-0077
More information:
http://mauriroawaitaha.wordpress.com/2011/11/09/scmw-november-meeting-350-water-forum-21-11-2011/
