The current Government’s lack of consultation on important local issues is among the major factors that I discovered during my campaign in the Pakuranga electorate in East Auckland.
People concerned with the proposed Thurston Road College in Pakuranga have had no joy with the the incumbent National MP Maurice Williamson.
Local residents have a number of legitimate questions to ask about the proposed College and deserve to be heard by the local member.
As the Labour candidate for Pakuranga, I listened and took these concerns to Members of Parliament representing my Party. They asked Education Minister Anne Tolley a number of questions. She indicated that she was not satisfied with the consultation process.
The Education Ministry has been dismissive of the concerns of the people in the Pakuranga Electorate, effectively cutting them out of meaningful involvement.
If it were not for the intervention of Labour MPs and me, local views would not have been heard. Concerned at the electoral backlash that was awaiting National at the ensuing election, Ms Tolley has belatedly intervened and now a form of consultation is underway.
As the local candidate, I have attended this consultation process. I must say that I have not seen a more inept process of consultation on an issue of great importance to the local residents.
The consultation process is not between the Ministry and local residents.
The Minister has appointed AECOM to conduct sessions with the community.
The person leading the consultation was totally unaware how to consult with people and her first language is not English.
Despite the presence of an interpreter, the consultant repeatedly told the audience to ‘stop shouting,’ misunderstanding animated exchanges among the members of the Asian community. She had to be repeatedly told by members of the group that they were not shouting but were discussing an important issue.
Mr Williamson has been conspicuously absent from all discussions held with the local constituents. People are upset and this is certain to have electoral backlash.
I have just been informed that while the Thurston College matter remains unresolved, Ms Tolley is closing the Pakuranga Health Camp School in Half Moon Bay. This school caters to 300 disadvantaged children (aged 5 to 13 years).
I will visit the school this week to discuss this matter with the local Principal and the Board. I hope this would not be another case of ill-treatment of local Pakuranga issues by Ms Tolley.
As the Labour candidate for Pakuranga, I am concerned at the way National is taking local residents for granted just because it is their safe seat.
Sunny Kaushal is Labour Party’s electoral candidate in Pakuranga.
