Ashburton mayoral candidates first face off falls flat
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton's two mayoral candidates faced off for the first time without a shot being fired.
Neil Brown and Jeff Swindley both attended Greypower’s meet the candidates event on Monday and while it was the first time the two candidates shared the stage there was no debate or exchange - just two candidates with different approaches.
Incumbent mayor Brown used the platform to outline how he has navigated a tumultuous first term, while Swindley’s first public appearance was an introduction that fell short on policy.
Swindley used his time to shed light on his background and reasons for standing but ran out of time to touch on any policy.
He said his decision to run for mayor was based on his opposition to the government’s “unlawful” traffic light system.
He said he has been a Christian for over 35 years “so my way of life has always been based on the bible”.
“When I see an injustice and things like that, I actually make a stand.”
He said he was “ridiculed by the community” for his open stance on the traffic light system.
“So I started my society and I got ridiculed for that, but all the time it’s about the community and where I stand in my walk as a Christian, as a businessman, as a father, as a husband.
“Integrity is what I stand on.”
Just as Swindley started to ramp up into some policy, talking about the “vast amount of legal acts that are coming down”, his time was up.
When his opponent had his turn, Brown rattled off his successes in what has been a troublesome first term as mayor dealing with the Covid pandemic, historic floods, and three waters reform.
He also touched on some highlights but said he hasn’t achieved anything on his own, leading the council as a team “to achieve prosperity for the district”.
Brown outlined the challenges that lay ahead for the council in the next term as completing the library and civic centre, Te Pātaka a kā Tuhituhi and Te Waharoa a Hine Paaka, contesting Three Waters reform, lobbying the government to fund the second urban bridge, and to do better with the roading network.
“I’ve proved capable, reliable and ready for challenges – whatever they are,” Brown said.
“Let’s keep going.”
* Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
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Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
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