Comments on: Finlayson’s flip-flop

By: Kent Duston

Kent Duston — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 03:36:00 +0000

Minister Finlayson has recently washed his hands of protecting the heritage of the Basin Reserve, which is endangered by the NZ Transport Agency’s desire to build a huge flyover right next door.

In his letter disclaiming any responsibility for protecting the heritage of the area, he claims that this is the job of the Historic Places Trust – which, as Steve notes, he’s busy stacking with political appointees and gutting of budget. It’s one of the most callous and venal displays I’ve ever seen from a Minister.

By: Siouxb

Siouxb — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:45:33 +0000

Chris Finlayson said:

Presenter: “They would also be freed, I presume, from funding from head office”

Finlayson: “Yeah, well, I am not a professional fundraiser, but I can think of a number of sources where funding will be available to enable them to do their job.”

In 1996 the newly-elected National Govt. let Nick Smith instigate the “Historic Heritage Review”. This stripped the HPT of its funding and required them to re-tender for less funding to do the same job. Their funding went from $8 million base guaranted by govt. to less then $4 million. This led to several redundancies (necessitating monetary pay-outs) and is also the reason the branches were obligated to cover some of head office costs.

A case of complaining about a siutation one created to me….

By: Steve Chadwick

Steve Chadwick — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 08:44:52 +0000

They are simply doing what they said they would do in the manifesto and that is to strip Community voices out of Boards in the guise of saving money.

By: ghostwhowalksnz

ghostwhowalksnz — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 03:07:46 +0000

Must have NP nobodies waiting to be appointed and not enough vacancies.

They have a busy legislative calendar and there is time for this arranging the place mats ?

By: Spud

Spud — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 02:59:41 +0000

Bye bye buildings