Be wary of politicians claiming a mandate
LIKE many voters, I am concerned when I hear any politician claim:
‘‘The voters have spoken, and the results show clearly the people are happy with the direction of the council and the mayor.’’
If you take the time to look at the Dunedin voting statistics, it clearly shows that’s not the case.
Roughly, all the people who voted in the election would fit into Forsyth Barr Stadium with about 1500 people standing outside.
The total number of people voting for Aaron Hawkins would fit in the north stand, the total number voting for Lee Vandervis would fit in the Speight’s stand, the total number voting for Andrew Whiley would fit in the Otago Daily Times stand, and the total number voting for Christine Garey would fit in the Mitre 10 stand.
The total number voting for the remaining candidates would fit on the playing pitch with some standing outside the stadium.
Given the size and population of Dunedin, does it really look like any candidate won a clear mandate from the people?
Keep that picture in mind every time you hear a Dunedin politician make any claim concerning ‘‘a mandate from the people’’.
Dr Timothy Ferner
Outram
Rugby World Cup
I AM with Helen Davies ( Letters, 26.10.2019) concerning the usual overthetop coverage of the Rugby World Cup.
May I suggest she can not only press the fast forward button, but also press the mute button. It is possible to let the whole event disappear. Just like that. It does, however, mean a fair degree of skill in manual dexterity.
I actually have time for good people like Richie McCaw and Kieran Read, and for others whose names I can’t remember, who seemed to be blessed with some humility and dignity, away from the usual bogan rugby culture. It is their game to enjoy — and good on them.
But not everyone in New Zealand is interested in whether the All Blacks win or lose. The life of the nation does not depend on this event. Though, inevitably, you get politicians, local and national, whose job security seems dependent on being seen ‘‘to back the boys’’.
Peter Attwooll
Dunedin
I THINK that the media needs to take responsibility for hyping the Rugby World Cup to the extent that people become so invested in it that they will suffer severely when the All Blacks lose, and it’s often family members who suffer.
In its opening story, 1 News said that all New Zealand was in mourning.
I am not in mourning, and many of my friends are not in mourning, as we see it as only a game.
However, we are made to feel the odd ones out as there seems to be some sort of social engineering going on to make New Zealanders believe that this particular sport is the ‘‘be all and end all’’ and we are not patriotic if we are not carried along with the hype.
Those with fragile mental health or anger issues will find defeat difficult to deal with.
I think the media should help people keep things in perspective rather than feed the hype.
Christine Bennet
Dunedin