Single transferable voting for Hamilton City Council.
Hamilton City Council is considering moving to STV voting. Have your say at www.yourcityelections.co.nz...
I think STV helps to build a sense of connection with councillors. While voters will not necessarily get their first pick onto council, they will almost inevitably get people elected who were just a little lower among their preferences. It removes the need for strategic voting. I often vote for people who I think are probably outside chances. In this situation, a vote for other candidates is effectively a vote against my favoured candidate so I vote for that candidate only. STV would enable me to participate more fully. I could rank all candidates knowing that if my favoured candidate is knocked out, at least my next rankings will count.
What workplace change would you like to see most?
This coming Monday is Labour Day in New Zealand. This public holiday marks when the eight-hour workday and 48-hour workweek became law in 1899. The idea started with Samuel Parnell, a carpenter in Wellington, who in 1840 refused to work more than eight hours a day. Since skilled workers were in short supply, his employer had to agree.
As more skilled workers arrived, employers tried to change working conditions, but Parnell and others kept pushing for better rights. In 1890, Parnell led a Labour Day parade of 1,500 people to promote the eight-hour day. He passed away shortly after, and nine years later, Labour Day became an official public holiday.
Do you feel that we have reached the ideal in working environments yet? What rights are you passionate about relating to employment? Share your thoughts!
Poll: Does grocery bagging affect where you shop?
There's only a few differences between our larger chain supermarkets here in New Zealand. Having someone bag your groceries is one of them.
Does having your groceries packed for you at the checkout influence where you do your grocery shop? If so, tell us why.
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24.1% Yes
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75.2% No
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0.7% Other - I'll share below
Second property purchase near zoo revealed
The city council’s recent purchase of a 3.6ha Rotokauri Rd property near the zoo for $2.5 million follows another nearby property buy for $2.35 million two years ago, also related to zoo expansion plans.
Records show the earlier sale of the adjacent 17 Bagust Rd took place in November 2022 with title going to the council the following month.