Press Release
ISSUED BY AFFORDABLE AUCKLAND
Property Rights

Property Abuse by Local Politicians Endemic

“Manukau ward councillor Arthur Anae’s failure to obtain permission from a property owner before affixing a campaign sign to the fence is symptomatic of a criminal disregard for private property rights held by most local body politicians,” says Affordable Auckland Mayoral candidate Stephen Berry.

“As is typical of Auckland councillors’ with parliamentary sized egos, Mr. Anae appears unconcerned about any impact upon the property owner’s fence, claiming the screws won’t leave any damage.” Owner of the fence Tim Huston believes otherwise saying “there is definitely going to be some holes in there.”

Mayoral candidate Berry says that while most local body politicians would never be so rude as to screw their election signs into a private fence without permission, they will happily disrespect private property rights in other ways. “Local body politicians of virtually all political stripes campaign on the idea that local government should dictate land use to private property owners and if you’ve got a problem with that, be prepared to shell out thousands for permission to do otherwise.”

Mr. Berry says there are many examples across the region of politicians exhibiting total disrespect for private property rights. “Just last weekend at Franklin candidate Niko Kloeten’s launch I spoke to farm owners who have spent years battling council for the right to subdivide their properties. In my ward of Waitemata & Gulf I’ve been approached by a café owner who didn’t have a sink within the requisite number of centimetres from a food preparation area.”

“While candidates from the left will seek to centrally plan your property one way and candidates from the right will seek to centrally plan your property another way, Affordable Auckland says that what happens on your property should be done your way!”

Stephen Berry is also standing for Council in Waitemata & Gulf and for the Waitemata Local Board.

ENDS

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