NEXUS ISSUE 19 2014

nexus magazine
YOU CAN
GO FUCK
YOURSELF
JAMES RAFFAN
—
Last week the Hamilton City Council announced that
it was investigating tough new bylaws to crack down
on the problem of homelessness and begging in
Hamilton. The plan would include both enforcement
and, where appropriate, social safety nets, but has a
“DID HE BURN THE BOOKS?” IS NOT
THE RIGHT QUESTION
SARA LEMME
—
Book burning found its way into a WSU meeting agenda for
possibly the first time in the organisation’s history as it was
alleged that President Letcher had, along with a group of
CNI Young Nat’s, purchased and burned 212 copies of the
Nicky Hagar book Dirty Politics: a charge which Mr Letcher
denies.
A group of students attending the meeting had asked
whether Mr Letcher had bought the organisation into disrepute
with his actions after former Nexus Editor Arthur
Robinson stated on Facebook that Aaron had burnt the
books. Robinson’s claim was later picked up by NZ First
Youth member Curwen Rollinson and a number of others
including the Waikato Times. This resulted in #BookBurning
briefly trending on twitter.
Mr Letcher stated to the Waikato Times that he had only
purchased a single copy and was part way through reading
it- although that statement was contradicted by right wing
blogger David Farrar who said on his kiwiblog site that Mr
Letcher had actually purchased six copies of the book and
sent five to his mother.
Mr Letcher excused himself so that the Board could
discuss the allegations and agree to a process. Nexus
understands that at one point that vote was locked 5-5 as
to whether Mr Letcher should be stood down during the
length of the investigation but eventually the board moved
that the “WSU takes the allegations seriously and will take
whatever steps they can to investigate them. At this stage,
in the absence of any substantial evidence, the Board will
not stand the President down from his duties”- a motion
that was carried 6 votes to 2.
The exact scope, nature and method of that investigation
has not been released at this time.
If this all seems like a bit of a circus that’s because it is.
It’s theatre at the highest level and it’s our opinion that the
Waikato Times has focused on the wrong part, the sensational
part of the story. Nexus doesn’t believe the Mr Letcher
burnt books, he wouldn’t, he wants a future in politics. In
the words of David Farrar- “the hilarious thing is Aaron has
done lots of stupid crap in his time. But this is not one of
them.”
The real question is once again about process. The
WSU has a publically available conflicts register for meetings.
Among other things it lists Aaron’s connection to
the National Party and his brother’s connection to the
CNI Young Nat’s. However at the WSU meeting no-one
declared a conflict and removed themselves from the decision
whether Aaron should temporarily stand down.
It isn’t so much that Nexus believes Aaron should be
stood down, we actually think that the claims were more
bravado and stupidity on the part of some young Nats in the
wrong setting than anything else.
It is that this board is going out of its way to appear correct
without following through.
Nexus understands that four board members worked
with Mr Letcher for, or on the behalf of the company Curia
Market Research which features prominently and is referenced
on a number of pages in Hagar’s Dirty Politics book.
Given this company is seemingly the link between Mr
Letcher and the book then it would surely stand to the test
of a reasonable person that these conflicts should have at
least been declared, and that one or more of those people
should recuse themselves from any vote or investigation
that includes Dirty Politics or the conduct of Mr Letcher.
Should these claims be investigated by the Board itself
they would in all likelihood be found to be unsubstantiated.
But without clear and transparent guidelines around conflict,
the whole thing will be a major black mark on a Board
who will largely not be returning next year.
It’s ironic that a story that began as nothing but silly
claims about Dirty Politics has resulted in really dirty looking
politics.
stated goal of eliminating homelessness by 2016.
That seems perfectly reasonable. What doesn’t
seem reasonable is the response from former
Mayoral candidate and one time convicted fraudster
Councillor Ewan Wilson who said to the Waikato
Times, "I'm of the opinion - and this will be controversial
- if you are homeless in this country it's either
a choice of lifestyle or mental health.”
"I will sail as close as I can sail to the issues of the
Bill of Rights while sending a message that if you
want to live homeless don't do it in this city."
That’s right. Take a second to let that sink in. A
councillor and former Mayoral candidate suggested
to the region’s largest newspaper that the only way
you can be homeless in NZ is if you have a mental illness
or you decide to be. More than that he is issuing
“...IF YOU WANT TO LIVE HOMELESS
DON'T DO IT IN THIS CITY.”
the homeless community a “get out of Dodge” ultimatum
that says you want to carry on being homeless
then knock yourselves out but this town has a new
sheriff and he won’t tolerate this.
However there is something to be said for Mr
Wilson’s view that annoying public nuisances should
be driven out of town for the public good, particularly
if they are found to have committed some infringement
that violates the by-laws or actual laws of the
county. It’s a little ironic, but if Mr Wilson feels that
way then perhaps he should start packing.
6 nexusmag.co.nz