Misconceptions @ Facts

Some misconceptions and facts...

Yes! I will be standing in the Mt Albert by-election representing “The People's Choice Party” No! I have never stood for the New Plymouth District Council and nor was I the first non Maori to stand for a Maori seat as reported by the TDN 20/05/09.. That person was People's Choice candidate at the time Doug Wilson who stood in the 1999 Te Tai Hauauru by-election.”The People's Choice Party” how ever, was the first political party to be registered out of Taranaki. ( May 1999 ). Most people including the media believe it is a waste of time for me or the People's Choice to keep standing in elections if we are not going to win. It is true "The People's Choice Party"are standing me as a candidate in the Mt Albert by-election merely as a focal point of intense media and public interest to highlight and promote their views like citizens initiated referendum's should be binding on the government. In our opinion there is no better place to highlight this view. Issues like the Auckland Super City and the Waterview motorway are contentious issues for the Mt Albert community. Where a citizens referendum would better help decide a more democratic community lead process and outcome. The People's Choice Party are a ginger group that uses its democratic right to stand in elections to make political comment not win elections. The by-election is also a place for me as their candidate to take the opportunity to push my provincial New Plymouth Independent view that I would like to see a greater proportion of the money ear marked for Auckland's infrastructure be redirected to the provinces were it is also needed. Auckland takes most of the lion share of all New Zealand's roading money leaving very little for the provinces. New Plymouth for instance, who has the third largest export port in the country. Its vital road north to Auckland state highway 3 is well overdue money for a major upgrade, and the bridge at its northern outlet needs to be widened or replaced. None of which has for years been allocated the necessary funds from the NZ Transport Agency. Money allocated is politically motivated towards the cities for vote catching and is neglecting the provinces infrastructure needs. If people like me and my party don't make use of elections to focus our views and make public comment, places like New Plymouth that have no real political clout other than their local MP will be waiting a long time knocking on the doors of the NZ Transport Agencies death ears.
Rusty Kane