Hard News by Russell Brown

Read Post

Hard News: Victoria Crone and what politics is

47 Responses

First ←Older Page 1 2 Newer→ Last

  • Tom Semmens,

    Collin's faction had a go with Pallino last time, now it is Boag's factions turn to pick a potato.

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Here's one serious problem – another one baked in during the central government-controlled transition process – that Crone would seem well-qualified to address: the serious risks in Auckland Council's vast, expensive NewCore information services development.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Ben Ross, in reply to Russell Brown,

    And this is where the Governing Body should tell the Council Chief Operating Officer to step aside and let Crone in to deal with the NEWCore system in a full autonomous manner following directions set out by the said Governing Body.

    She probably have the entire mess cleared up within 6 months.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2014 • 32 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    I’m not sure why either Phil Goff (“Kiwi Chinese”) or Victoria Crone (“the entrepreneurial and tech sectors”) expect people to block vote according to an ethnic or professional affiliation.

    How about appealing to individuals with policies that might fix stuff?

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    Exactly how does a career in sales and marketing qualify one as magically able to sort out a highly complex enterprise systems merger? It’s like expecting Jamie Oliver to be able to run Fonterra, because he knows about food (or conversely, Henry Van der Hayden to take over the chef’s job at Logan Brown).

    Even if she was a technical expert at Xero, there’s a world of difference between developing a greenfield, SAAS, SME accounting system and integrating existing corporate legacy systems with a massive amount of baggage – which can’t just be hand-waved away because as we saw with Novapay, all the boring shit has to work or people don’t get paid (etc).

    (See also http://theoatmeal.com/comics/computers)

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Tom Semmens,

    and very a-peeling on tuber...

    ...Boag's factions turn to pick a potato.

    The 'eyes' have it!
    ;- )

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie, in reply to Ben Ross,

    She probably have the entire mess cleared up within 6 months.

    Sounds like the kind of endorsement that Rodney Hide's fanbase were once so fond of making.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

  • Bill Eaton, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    You have said it better than I was about to. Thanks!

    Auckland • Since Sep 2014 • 15 posts Report Reply

  • Peter Darlington, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    Even if she was a technical expert at Xero, there’s a world of difference between developing a greenfield, SAAS, SME accounting system and integrating existing corporate legacy systems with a massive amount of baggage – which can’t just be hand-waved away because as we saw with Novapay, all the boring shit has to work or people don’t get paid (etc).

    Yep...

    Nelson • Since Nov 2006 • 949 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    I'm glad people are passionate enough to put themselves forward, but the political skills required to lead this region do not come from being an executive. Goff's to lose.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic,

    Managing a city council just isn't the same as managing a tech startup, or any other company for that matter. Some people deliberately see no difference.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    I think they just see themselves as "running a business" not taking care of Auckland and those in it. Just as I suspect National do with the Country.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • David MacGregor,

    The skills needed to be a CEO vs a mayor are quite different. Even if there are some overlaps. The corporatising of government is well underway. In my mind the key difference is that a corporation can run as dictatorship if it wants to (benign or not). Most democratic entities nip that kind of stuff in the bud before it's too late.
    The kind of corporate hippy rhetoric that Ms Crone has been trotting out won't have the same kind of impact as, say, blaming the poor for being poor or inferring they are all just junkies. Unless she gives the media some headlines, rather than 'visionary' blogs and press releases they'll just turn on her as cannon fodder.
    And I say this with love - because I think she could be quite good. Maybe she could apply for the CEO job?

    Auckland, New Zealand • Since Feb 2007 • 41 posts Report Reply

  • Ben Ross,

    Quoting Rudman:
    But her naive comment about “serial” politicians reminds me of former prime minister Keith Holyoake’s much repeated advice to tenderfoot MPs, to “breathe through their noses” from the sidelines until they’ve learned the ropes.

    The serial politician jibe was obviously directed at her main mayoral rival, former Labour Party leader Phil Goff, but it also smears the 20 existing councillors – most of whom will be planning to contest next year’s election – and every other professional politician.
    ....................

    As I replied on my own blog:
    Yes Goff has been around as long if not longer as a politician than I have been alive (born in 85) but Crone’s rather indiscriminate and very crude attack on him by calling him a serial politician also captures our existing Councillors as Rudman has noted.

    Again as Rudman has noted some of the Councillors and our Deputy Mayor are vying and will return after the elections bringing them a large pool of experience and knowledge.
    ....


    So Crone effectively goes and alienates 19 Councillors and our Deputy Mayor who Hulse herself can rally 10 of that 19 at any given time on most issues.....

    Crone is off to a good start....

    Auckland • Since Jan 2014 • 32 posts Report Reply

  • kris_b,

    "I'm not a politician!" seems like an odd pitch for someone running for political office.

    Let's say I was pitching Crone to take over the legal work for her company. Would she take me at all seriously if I opened with "I'm not a lawyer!". What is it about the right that makes them think politics is in any way related to running a business?

    Auckland • Since Jan 2012 • 16 posts Report Reply

  • George Darroch, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    I’m not sure why either Phil Goff (“Kiwi Chinese”) or Victoria Crone (“the entrepreneurial and tech sectors”) expect people to block vote according to an ethnic or professional affiliation.

    This is actually how politics works. You get out there and shake hands, and acquire support within identifiable groups. They aren't hiveminds, but they share values.

    It's why John Key visited a Tongan church this weekend. He expects to soften opposition and weaken a Labour constituency. Any politician not doing this work on a regular basis is letting their team down.

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Ben Ross,

    This follow-up from Rudman's article:

    I'm guessing Ms Crone didn't sell herself to Contact Energy shareholders last week by proudly declaring her ignorance of the ways of the business world. Yet here we have her seeking support to become mayor of the Auckland Super City, the home of a third of New Zealanders, by bragging about her political inexperience.

    Yet I guess Boag will be hoping for a re-run of Key being marketed as a 'non-politician' with corporate experience.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to George Darroch,

    a Tongan church

    and there are some quite right-wing values in the more traditional parts of Pasifika and Maori communities. Hence the Nats testing the waters with Lotu-Iiga, Ngaro and gagging for Michael Jones to join their team.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • izogi,

    I hope someone can immediately snuff this out, but with Auckland's leadership at stake does she have any significant connections with the Dirty Politics crowd, and can any interference from that side be expected?

    I mostly ask because of the connections to top levels of Xero, combined with Rod Drury's statement that he really liked and read Slater's blog (y'know, until Cam started an allegedly funded campaign against him)... combined with past interference in Auckland mayoralty.

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 1142 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz, in reply to George Darroch,

    Well, as one of the “entrepeneurial and tech sector” people, i’m certainly not going to be swayed on my vote by any pitch to my alleged “shared values”, because I don’t really have any. (We’ve had a “geek candidate” run for mayor in Wellington twice, and I’ve never voted for him, mostly because he shows no sign of understanding what council actually does or wanting to learn).

    And aren't parties that do this failing to reach a whole sector of the population who don't go to church (80%?) or participate in any old-school community groups. (I might have a community, but they're widely distributed and heterogenous).

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Swan,

    Do you think Trump calls himself a politician? I think the "I'm not a politician" line will actually resonate with a lot of people.

    Birkenhead • Since Feb 2011 • 86 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    I’ve never voted for him, mostly because he shows no sign of understanding what council actually does or wanting to learn

    = Penny Bright

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • FletcherB, in reply to Swan,

    Do you think Trump calls himself a politician? I think the “I’m not a politician” line will actually resonate with a lot of people.

    It's a great introduction, and catches a lot of attention... but you need to follow-up after that...

    And theres only two possibilities...

    1) you prove it's true, and wither by the sideline as actual politicians do their politician-stuff and beat you...

    2) you compete on an equal footing, or even beat the politicians at their own game... and prove you are a liar and a politician to be reckoned with...

    West Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 893 posts Report Reply

  • Keir Leslie, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    (a) people emmeshed in those networks are way more likely to vote, and (b) parties don't just build relationships in that way, they do that and a bunch of other stuff.

    Since Jul 2008 • 1452 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to izogi,

    an allegedly funded campaign

    Not seen that allegation. Link?

    The credulous publisher would hardly require incentive to relay the ideological lines of an aligned libertarian dolt like Hide.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

First ←Older Page 1 2 Newer→ Last

Post your response…

Please sign in using your Public Address credentials…

Login

You may also create an account or retrieve your password.