A Better Tomorrow with Peter Wakeman
For better health, council and community

The Extra Taxation System, GST and ETS, is hurting us, so I would seek an investigation into lowering the transmission costs associated with council-owned lines companies, to help people afford to keep warm.

Government-owned subsidiaries also need to reduce the unit price of electricity. Our health and finances are under threat from the government policy response to climate change, with little prospect of success.

A better plan for us and the planet would be to learn from financial policy made during The Great Depression; refer to my website www.peterwakeman.org : State Housing in State $$$, page 6. Saving our planet must be financially viable, working with Nature to take action, if it's not already too late.

My experience with health suggests the government seems to favour medication over medical devices that can increase blood flow by 60%-70%, without tablets.

I stand against the lack of regulation protecting our water supplies from contamination.
 

PETER WAKEMAN
Central government has been financially squeezing New Zealand communities in recent times and I believe that city councils and associated boards should challenge and influence the decisions, regarding the Canterbury region, politicians make. Rather than indulging in party politics, our council should be challenging government policy which impinges negatively on all of us.

Canterbury is becoming an expensive place to live for many of its residents. Central Government has increasingly been sucking the financial lifeblood out of the province. The ETS (Extra Taxation System) which includes GST, the Emissions Trading Scheme and other Government levies (taxes) of various sorts, reduce the amount of consumer money available to the local retail and service industries. Our health and finances are under threat from central government interventionary polices.

Canterbury needs an injection of capital to drive it out of the recession. The Government needs to be reminded that during the earlier Great Depression, created credit, from New Zealand's Reserve bank, provided the momentum for New Zealand's financial recovery. (refer www.peterwakeman.org  - State $$$ pages 6&7) State $$$.Sitting on one's hands is a copout and a heavy cost to our society. The country is going backwards financially because we are borrowing millions of dollars overseas and internally just to stay afloat. Some new credit creation is needed to kick-start the local and national economy.

We are choking in traffic snarl-ups while our buses travel half empty. We should be reducing bus fares, not increasing them, to encourage more people to commute and leave their cars at home. It is interesting that the city fathers can provide free bus transport for the local World Rugby Cup fixtures and related activities but craves to squeeze more money out of daily commuters who are doing their bit for conservation and traffic overload, by reducing car numbers on our roads at peak times.

Fuel reserves are decreasing annually as demand increases beyond additional new supplies. The cost of owning land for producing food, harvesting and transport will rise significantly in the future. Planning to protect food growing areas from development is to ensure good soils are protected to feed all residents. All Councils need to consider long-term sustainability of land; particularly for growing food and preventing arable land from future housing developments. Cheap imported food may soon no longer be available to purchase locally. I object to the money previously from Councils supporting dairying irrigation schemes on Canterbury Plains. We should not have spent money on AMI Stadium, the City Mall and other big ticket items before having a sustainable lifestyle. This is not prioritising our life essentials. I feel that our elected representatives must place immediate value on our grandchildren and the needs of future generations.

Councils, along with other local government groups, must be proactive in challenging central government over its financial intrusions within our community. Government controlled electric line charges are approximately $25 for each $100 of monthly power bills. Council coffers benefit financially, so local residents and commercial uses should also receive discount benefits from this community asset. We will soon be paying 15% GST, ETS and corporate tax rate on the line companies' profits. These central government taxes drain the financial resources of the community which in turn decreases the cash flow available for Canterbury-based retail, commercial and service industries. We must challenge the lack of regulations protecting our water supplies from contamination. As Mayor, I will not be condoning sand castle junket trips, saving developers and landlord's necks or sanctioning wasteful polices before incorporating necessary bus shelters as part of malls.

This is what Peter Wakeman healthy 50 years old now. In his last election, he said:

• Stop AMI Stadium funding from Christchurch rates and electricity line charges to reduce our living expenses.
• People are struggling financially therefore the Government must immediately increase the Rates Rebates.
• Waimakariri cannot afford to fund the Canterbury Museum given that 1000+ people received rate penalty notices.
• Government and Councils need to be more fugal by not getting involved in sponsoring increased dairying such as Canterbury Plains Water.
• More affordable and practical training required for Health Professionals and other trades.

Labour seat voter, against Iraq War therefore voted Green Party in last General Election.  47 years old and born in Christchurch.  In 1998 I stood for Council and Mayor, Gary Moore won and also contested Winston Peters and Tariana Turia, Maori Party co-leader for a seat in Parliament. While living in Singapore I worked as an international airline jet pilot. We must protect water and food growing areas from pollution.  I’m disgusted at the yearly increases of electricity, rates, and the impact of proposed carbon taxes on our living costs. Canterbury is becoming too expensive to live in, hence the crime. Reduce traffic by making bus exchanges part of malls so it is safe and dry to access the services provided.  Retain assets to give long term benefits.  People’s great ideas and questions need to be heard.   

This election is about actions not promises.

Peter Wakeman  Independent 2010

To call Peter:    

Christchurch: +64 3 355 7200

last updated on 22/08/2010