2 September 2026
The above picture is pretty much how I felt at the last Tuesday 25th August meeting of Taupo District Council after tabling my two Notice of Motions about improving staff information in reports and requesting a staff report on the New Years fireworks. Because apart from one minor exception, all the Councillors I have labelled as dummies had nothing to say before voting to the negative. Only Councillor Hope Woodward online (who also Seconded) contributed anything of worth to the debate on both counts, and although the recording doesn’t show it many of the others were heavily engaged on their devices throughout my presenting (watch the 20 min recording HERE).
What did I say, what did I do, to deserve such a ceremonial boo?
I cannot recall ever voting against any item without at least justifying because I figure at very least the public are owed an explanation, and otherwise isn’t that only what dummies do? So I challenged Councillors on this yesterday at our weekly backroom catchup, and apart from Councillor Kylie Leonard who left the room so outraged at such an accusation, was only able to get one piece of useful feedback and from a new elect – “we had discussed it all before”. Folks, the only reason I table any item at all for a public meeting, is because the issue isn’t getting properly addressed out of public view. I don’t completely blame the new elects though, because they were only following the lead of some more experienced who also played dumb.
Last week I labelled this as a conspiracy of silence, and I don’t think I am wrong. So I encourage you to tell them that they need to lift their game, and next time that it happens I will post again to shame.
Because it’s not just me they are disrespecting, they are also disrespecting you.
duncandoestaupo.com 