[imc-auckland-video] Cat amongst the pigeons

[mandy.scott at paradise.net.nz]

Great, yet another vote splitter, Banksie will be laughing all the way....to the
Bank.

Yes, Dick Hubbard took his staff to Samoa, but they are still paid only a little
above the minimum wage and he's kind of paternalistic.



Quoting Kim Mazur <greenmps.auckland at greens.org.nz>:

> Cereal king adds fresh flavour to mayoral race 
> http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3585331&thesection=ne
> ws&thesubsection=general
> 19.08.2004
> By BERNARD ORSMAN 
> Cereal king Dick Hubbard is running for Mayor of Auckland City, saying
> he is standing against the "Muldoonism" of incumbent John Banks. 
> 
> The surprise announcement comes just two days before nominations close
> and gives voters a serious alternative to Mr Banks, former mayor
> Christine Fletcher and City Vision leader Dr Bruce Hucker. 
> 
> Mr Hubbard told the Herald that Mr Banks' style was too abrasive and he
> was determined to bring to the mayoralty the strong sense of values and
> culture on which he had built his multimillion-dollar cereal company. 
> 
> "I've always listened to my customers and my staff and I will listen
> carefully to Auckland ratepayers," Mr Hubbard said. "I want to look
> after the people and the businesses that need to prosper here. 
> 
> "Auckland needs a mayor who can work with everyone, not just those who
> support him. I want to bring pride, passion and principles back to
> Auckland." 
> 
> The 57-year-old Epsom resident said he had been quietly absorbing the
> issues and listening to the rhetoric over the past six months. The
> tipping point came two weeks ago when Mr Banks labelled North Shore
> Mayor George Wood "pathetic" for opposing the proposed V8 supercar
> race.
> 
> 
> "That was Muldoonism. Muldoon called people pathetic when they upset
> him
> ... I cringed and was ashamed." Mr Hubbard has earned a reputation as a
> campaigner for social responsibility in business. His workforce was the
> envy of the country after he shouted staff to Samoa for a three-day
> weekend to celebrate the company's 10th anniversary in 1998. 
> 
> The food technologist founded the Business for Social Responsibility
> group to promote ethical practices. 
> 
> He is among the inner circle of Prime Minister Helen Clark's business
> confidantes and has given $1 million to Outward Bound over the past 10
> years. 
> 
> He loves the outdoors and has climbed Mt Cook and Mt Aconcagua in South
> America. 
> 
> Mr Hubbard, who is funding his own campaign, has taken out a full-page
> advertisement in today's Herald explaining why he is standing and
> outlining his position on several policies. 
> 
> He supports a scaled-back eastern highway but wants more emphasis on
> public transport. 
> 
> Mr Hubbard is concerned that high-density housing could lead to "ghetto
> pockets", and wants to explore more autonomy for Waiheke and Great
> Barrier Island and alternative sites for the V8 supercar race. 
> 
> He said Dr Hucker did not have the traction to win the mayoralty and he
> did not believe Mrs Fletcher could make a comeback after being beaten
> so
> conclusively at the last local body elections. 
> 
> Mr Banks said yesterday that anyone was welcome to stand for the
> mayoralty. "It's called democracy." 
> 
> Meanwhile, Mrs Fletcher last night refused to comment on rumours that
> she was preparing to run a "Team Fletcher" ticket in her stronghold
> ward
> of Eden-Albert and on the Auckland Regional Council to damage the
> electoral hopes of Bruce Hucker's City Vision. 
> 
> 
> 
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