Hutt grassroots network to stand for council

Elections for local councils around New Zealand will be held between 17 September and 9 October. Voting papers will be sent to all correctly registered voters, for people to complete and return by post.

“This year, residents in Hutt City will have the choice to vote for a grassroots voice on council, VAN – Valley Action Network.

“This is VAN's second election, having also run for Hutt City Council in 2007. We stand on our record.

“VAN represents a fresh approach to a neglected, but important, part of our democratic system. For too long, Hutt City Council has been monopolised by an exclusive club.

“We don't seek to stand candidates who are media personalities, former Members of Parliament or powerful business leaders.

“We’re independent of all the current crop of local politicians. We practice our belief that real democracy means rule by the people, for the people.

“Our election campaign will be about the issues facing grassroots Hutt residents, not about the face on the billboard.

“And unlike many other candidates, who don’t reveal their real political allegiances, we are open about what we stand for and what we will do if elected.

We'll be campaigning for:

* A city for the residents - not for property developers & investors * No water meters, no privatisation - protect river & residents * Build council houses - create jobs, assets & affordable homes * No GST on rates - a tax on a tax is robbery * Council change, not climate change - a future for our kids * Free public transport - it makes climate sense & serves the people

VAN has also adopted the following statement of What We Stand For:

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WE STAND FOR A NEW VISION

The world is changing. The endless pursuit of growth is creating global instability and straining Earth’s capacity to sustain us. New thinking is needed at the local as well as national level, to protect people and our environment from the system’s insatiable appetite for profit.

WE STAND FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE

For the majority of Hutt City residents the status quo is not enough. Corporate interests can't keep calling the shots. Property developers and investors must no longer be given precedence over residents. We need social change, from the ground up so the social and political interests of our multi-cultural communities are empowered and represented.

WE STAND FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT

Council must protect the remaining precious public green spaces from the developer's bulldozer. It must make the vested interests, not residents, pay for plundering water and other natural resources. Rising levels of greenhouse gas emissions threaten the current generation of Hutt residents, and our children. Serious action, starting at the council level, is needed to tackle human-induced climate change.

WE STAND FOR DEMOCRACY

We do not believe that decision making, affecting the lives of Hutt City residents, should be monopolised by a few, or confined within the walls of council chambers. We know that too often, elected representatives are captured by the system and lose touch with those who voted them in. We pledge to promote full council accountability to the grassroots.

OUR GOALS ARE FAR-REACHING

Our goals are far-reaching but we do not promise what cannot be delivered. Achieving these goals will take the active involvement of many Hutt City residents. With our eyes on the prize, together we can re-shape our future. We understand that social and environmental forces affecting Hutt City residents are often shaped at the regional, national and global level. We will seek to link up with authorities and grassroots campaigners in other places to tackle these forces.

WE PUT RESIDENTS FIRST

If elected, we will use our positions on council to give voice to community campaigns for social justice and environmental sanity. We will encourage residents to come together to discuss solutions and take action with us.

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Full policy statements containing our pledges will be available at www.huttvan.org.nz before the election.

VAN's candidates will be announced after nominations open on 23 July.

ENDS

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