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Episode 4: the aftermath

I didn't expect to be writing a fourth instalment of this saga but it looks as if one is warranted.

If you've been playing along at home you'll be up to speed, otherwise go back a few episodes for some context.

Over the weekend I posted a video to FaceBook which documented the events of Thursday, along with footage to substantiate my claims. Yesterday I also posted a video to YouTube for my international audience.

As of very early Monday morning, when I wrote today's column, the viewcount on the FaceBook video sits at 33,000.

It's worth reminding readers that the South Waikato district only has around 17,000 registered voters so clearly this video has attracted a lot of attention from around the country.

Watching either video and comparing the actual events to the misinformation carried in The SWDC's press release show just how much the council wishes to cover its tracks.

Likewise, comparing Newstalk ZB's report clearly suggests that they are not a bonafide news organisation but a repackager of press releases. This same story was also carried by the NZ Herald.

Oh my, how the mighty media has fallen and can no longer be trusted to provide an objective, researched account of events.

Suffice to say that I have complained to NewsTalk ZB and I'm aware of at least one complaint going to the NZ Media Council alleging a breach of journalistic standards.

Since the FaceBook video was published, I've had a massive stream of emails and calls from people around the country wanting me to come and sort out their own councils or to give them some tips on how to deal with similar issues they're facing with their own local government.

Clearly there are systemic problems within the structure of our local government that need to be addressed at a much higher level.

Although the South Waikato District Council may be the worst and the most highly publicised (thanks to me) example of a dysfunctional institution, there appear to be many others suffering under bad governance. Fair to say that a lot of those contacting me have also complained about the propensity for these organisations to engage in bullying of the type that I've endured over the years.

Maybe it's time that we re-evaluated the whole local government model and looked to come up with something better. We need something that allows communities to force greater openness and transparency upon both the governance and executive arms of councils. We also need better ways to hold these people accountable, other than just having an election every three years.

Perhaps it's time to have a conversation with the minister of local government and put some ideas to them?

Whatever the final outcome, I think the events of last week prove beyond doubt that if you have the resolve and the principles, you can stand up to a bullying authority that refuses to obey the rules and that perhaps we've finally proven that when it comes to disinformation, the mainstream media are the ones leading the way.

Here's the YouTube video I posted on Sunday with footage from the meeting. Compare this to the Mayor's version of events and the stories that the MSM wrote without even bothering to interview other parties to ensure objectivity and balance:

If you want to see what the world thinks of our shonky council, read the (more than 500) comments on that video.

Carpe Diem folks!

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