Tauranga City Councillors have refused parade permission to the Boobs on Bikes Tiki Tour scheduled for Thursday morning.
Councillors voted in favour of a resolution that denied parade permission on the grounds that there was no traffic management plan – and that it was likely to be offensive.
Most councillors voted for it on a show of hands with a couple of abstentions.
Wayne Moultrie did not vote. The former barrister says making a decision on the basis something might be offensive was wrong.
'Anybody who disagrees with a High Court judge does so at their own risk,” says Wayne.
The position that an offensive act might occur is irrelevant. The High Court has said quite clearly that Boobs on Bikes is not offensive. The topless parade has been held 17 times in a number of New Zealand cities and towns, says Wayne.
'Where is the moral degradation, the riots, the police arrests and firemen with hoses,” says Wayne.
He also took issue with the numbers game being played by the parade's more vocal opponents, Murray Guy, Bill Grainger and the motion mover Larry Baldock.
Having 80 people at the meeting in the council chambers is an infinitesimal number out of a total population of 120,000, says Wayne, and is not a number that any weight can be put on.
The only appropriate argument open to the council is whether the parade requires a traffic management plan.
On the basis of the information given to the council staff; 10-25 motor cycles driving along The Strand and Devonport Road, the staff considered the parade did not require a traffic management plan.
'So I'm not satisfied at this time that there is a valid reason why this consent can't be granted.”
Terry Molloy opposes the parade on traffic management grounds because of the crowds he says it will draw.
He believes it will create offence in the community. What he finds personally offensive is councillors inflaming the issues, knowing full well it plays directly into the hands of the Boobs on Bikes organisers.
Murray Guy wanted to change Larry's ‘offensive' part of the resolution, fearing it will provide ammunition for a legal challenge to the council's decision. It didn't happen.
Council staff will come back to council on Wednesday with options should parade organisers decide to ignore the council – which is what Steve Crow says will happen.
'I've been to court over the right to do this and I have won that right and I intend to continue doing this,” says Steve after the meeting.
'The fact that Tauranga City Council thinks it is offensive when I have just received a permit from Auckland to do it – to the best of my knowledge we don't live in a federal system in New Zealand, so one law covers the whole country.
'If they want to go down that road I will be there on Thursday.”
53 comments
You had better be right....
Posted on 02-08-2011 17:31 | By Tony
If the Judge cant find a legal issue with Mr Crowes parade I look forward to hearing the arguement from our learned friends Mr's Guy, Granger,Baldock and Malloy. Because Gentlemen you have just told a High Court Judge he or she is incorrect and you gentlemen are correct..******
yes, yes, yes
Posted on 02-08-2011 18:12 | By onthelevel
freedom of expression, If you don't like it stay home or go to church. I wasn't going to bother attending but have changed my mind and will now. Perhaps the bikes could swing by the council building (slowly) and am sure the fuz will be there in numbers with big (grins) on.
true colors
Posted on 02-08-2011 18:13 | By waitandwatch
that steve is useless. he probably has no mother, sister or daughter. where are they? i would love to talk to them. where is that mans family? what kind of a childhood has he had? is he stuck at some psychological stage. We need to do a sigmund freud on him. who is wayne and where does he stay? Good on you Council for thinking on your feet. long time coming but do not let it go to your head.
true colors come out
Posted on 02-08-2011 18:17 | By waitandwatch
Good on you Council for thinking on your feet, but do not let it go to your head. Satan comes back with revenge. keep it in mind. Satan does not like to go down easy. we need to a sigmunf freud on this fantasy character of this parade. call it the parade for those stuck at the stage where they have not got over their mother!
good grief
Posted on 02-08-2011 19:09 | By sanna
what's offensive about boobs? surely there are much more important things the council should be worrying about.as others have said, if you're going to be offended, don't go & see the parade.
Fact ...
Posted on 02-08-2011 20:36 | By Murray.Guy
I attempted to have the 'offensive' reference in Cr Baldock's resolution removed by way of an amendment but this was disallowed by the Chairperson, Mayor Crosby. I voted against the parade being approved finding no evidence of a 'traffic Management Plan', such as is reasonably required and complied with by all manner of street use events. There is no doubt many find the use of a public street to promote an erotica Expo in the manner described to be offensive, and I subscribe to that myself - but it was not, in my opinion, a valid consideration to deny the application.
Leave my mother out of this...
Posted on 02-08-2011 20:49 | By stevecrow
@waitandwatch who hides bravely behind and anonymous pseudonym. My mother is 79 years old and I call her every day without fail so leave her out of this. My sister is a happily married mother of two teenage boys and we are very close; and my daughters are beautiful, well adjusted adults. My name is Steve Crow and I will debate you and your narrow-minded opinion any day, any where. Did you know, that between 1990 and 2000 there were over 800 convictions against members of the clergy in Australia for sex offences against children. Not one pornographer was charged, let alone convicted, of such an offence during the same period. I know who I would rather leave my kids with.
whaaaat
Posted on 02-08-2011 21:05 | By onthelevel
That "waitandwatch" is about two feet short of a plank n not the sharpest knife in the draw either. Crow is no saint but the do gooders have helped his cause no end !
@waitandwatch
Posted on 02-08-2011 22:32 | By Chaudog
Stop trolling. How about you go back to your church and wait for the next rapture. I hear it's going to be in October.
I'm personally against the parade but
Posted on 02-08-2011 22:51 | By Inconvenient Truth
all the publicity generated by the attempt to ban it has actually meant far more people know about it. Isn't better for people to lead by example and not go. Makes you wonder if a parade was held where women showed their ankles 100 years ago, whether come of the councillors predecessors would have banned it? Make no mistake I don't approve of the parade, but I don't approve of sanctimoniousness either, or flagrant moralising for whatever reason. What would Jesus have done? Turned the other cheek and got on with the job of throwing the momeylenders out of the temple and exposing the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and their moral adherence to certain laws. Were the Pharisees the equivalent of politicians?
Valid concerns???
Posted on 03-08-2011 07:20 | By jmows
Mr. Crow - are you not concerned with children getting the message from your parade that it's ok, and in fact, good fun for girls to bare their breasts to complete strangers, and have them photographed, leered at??? If you have any morals, and this might concern you, then why is your parade happening in a public place? Don't tell us that people can choose not to bring their children. You know that some people WILL bring their kids, and also that many people do not know about the parade. I have spoken with several families who were unaware of the parade, despite media attention. And why should families HAVE to avoid a PUBLIC place? This type of thing is not OK for a public venue, I don't care what any judge says. These good people are NOT religious nuts, but are standing up for decency and protecting our valuable children from danger. I applaud them and so should all people who care about protecting our children. What would you tell a young girl after a man tells her that he should be able to look at her breasts? It's just a bit of fun????????? Wasn't that a fun parade???? Let's get real - these are serious issues people!
Probably a good decision
Posted on 03-08-2011 07:50 | By wreck1080
Good call, but, as I said yesterday this will probably go ahead regardless of council permission.
yawn
Posted on 03-08-2011 08:06 | By earlybird
For a moment I thought I was living in Iran. Instead of this "event" being low key and largely unnoticed, we are now told that satan and his/her desciples will be there, and Murray Guy and his desciples will be there trying to stop the parade. Obviously all the TV cameras in NZ will be there too. This I have got to see. I'll be there with my camera - please don't disappoint me Murray
CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT ?
Posted on 03-08-2011 08:35 | By WORMTONGUE
What they may see? what they may look at ? perhaps we should ban booze on the Strand next ? that affects seem to be "offensive"!
here we go again
Posted on 03-08-2011 08:37 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
Why is it that Paeroa, Waihi, katikati, Matamata and Hamilton who are all having the same parade haven't complained yet good OLD Tauranga has to kick up a stink. We now know where all the moaners have moved to.
Next issue ...
Posted on 03-08-2011 08:39 | By Murray.Guy
The next issue is, does TCC have a legal obligation to ensure it enforces the requirements of our Street Use Bylaws? Where every indication is a breach of our bylaw is to occur, will TCC follow it's own bylaw's purpose and mitigate risk to public health and safety, potential of offence, etc or sit on their hands saying it's all too hard. Will TCC treat the offence differently to locals who park illegally, display signs on footpaths? The intriguing reality is the majority of elected members and the supporters of street use of this parade type, are likely the same who find an election sign offensive and doing their level best to have them banned! LOL or cry!
yawn 2
Posted on 03-08-2011 09:57 | By earlybird
Methinks you're clutching at straws Mr Guy
@ the council & Murray
Posted on 03-08-2011 10:31 | By Mr bay
YOU BUNCH OF OLD NANNA's. Lets get Tauranga out of the retirement village...GO BOOBS ON BIKES, not Boobs in council.
Private Parade
Posted on 03-08-2011 13:06 | By jayjay
For those that need this parade why don't you hire out your own facilities and have it there, or did you want a free thrill down main street. At end of the day Steve Crow is running a business and whatever free publicity he can get serves him and him only.
diva1962
Posted on 03-08-2011 13:09 | By diva1962
Tauranga's looking good on national news this week people (lol)! What with the bashing of a TV reporter and this debacle - no wonder no one takes this city seriously!
Suck!!
Posted on 03-08-2011 13:43 | By windsor136
Well I am disappointed! I thought it was a hell of a laugh. If you don't want to see it, don't go and look!
It's not just about boobs
Posted on 03-08-2011 14:01 | By equalworld
This is not about a bit of fun & baring breasts. This is the tip of the iceburg which is advetising and promoting pornography. Women once again are sexualized for male entertainment. Objectified and dehumanized into things to be used and violated. It is a few women exercising their freedom of choice...but it is anything but freedom for women. Pornography enslaves women under male dominance. It promotes female subordination! Pornography tells us that it is the will of women to be used. It hurts all women. Yet our culture accepts and defends it! And this in our public space. We tell our sons that this is acceptable. We tell our daughters that they are body parts and orafices to be used in any manner by men. Men need to unpack attitudes, beliefs and behaviours that perpetuate the sexual denigration of women. That is why it is offensive to have this parade...It's about what it stands for!! It may be legal, but that doesn't make it right! When the "legal" brothel opens next door to any of you and they "legally" advertise their goods topless you may rethink your stance. Crow is parading Trash for Cash. Its not Boobs on Bikes...It's Slutts on their Butts. Well done Tauranga for saying NO.
Posted on 03-08-2011 14:10 | By labjnz
haha tga stop being so perdantick haha whats the harm in the parade if you don't want to watch don't. Its just people on bikes wearing half thea birthday suits. gota laugh about the picture just because a judge says dosn't mean its right
A new slogan
Posted on 03-08-2011 14:13 | By DRich
"Tauranga - nothing happens here; now move along"
Numbers game
Posted on 03-08-2011 14:25 | By Fonzie
Wayne Moultrie dont make me laugh When has any politician taken any notice of numbers on issues except when it suits them Minorities always rule
Offensive
Posted on 03-08-2011 14:29 | By bidi
I find the Councillors offensive - can we ban them? I am a woman who realises the purpose of breasts - as do my young children. This parade doesnt bother me. As a parent it is my choice to keep my children away from the parade - or to take them to see it. They are more likely to think the motorbikes are exciting and wonder if the women are cold!
murray guy has a point...
Posted on 03-08-2011 14:58 | By wreck1080
Given the council know the parade is probably going ahead anyway, does the council have to take responsibility for traffic safety? The term 'Offensive' is entirely objective. This parade is not offensive to me, but , to some it might be. You have to laugh at Waitandwatch,who should have been disappeared in the rapture a couple of months ago and not posting here ha ha. What is the fine for an unauthorised parade?
Councillors on Motorcycles
Posted on 03-08-2011 15:06 | By The Tomahawk Kid
I have no interest in watching Tauranga City Councillors riding motorbikes . . . ! - Topless or otherwise. The Fun police - ie the Council Department of Pimps and prostitutes - have to limit the amount of fun we are allowed to have now, and Boobs on bikes exceeds the Fun budget. You lot will never learn will you? This is what happens when you give your permission to principle-bereft people to make decisions for YOU. (ie people who make decisions based on their feelings as opposed to a set of principles based on individual rights) Next election, make sure you select councillors who tell you what they are NOT going to do for YOU.
I like how the weather is coming to the party
Posted on 03-08-2011 15:06 | By esquire
Metservice is showing 'nipple crinkler' weather for lunch time tomorrow. Its going to be clear, light breeze and brisk with about 10-14degrees. This ought to bring out the crowds on both sides!
Posted on 03-08-2011 15:31 | By MonkeyBoy
@labjnz 13:06 It's spelt 'pedantic'.
hmmm...
Posted on 03-08-2011 15:42 | By jmows
Why won't Steve Crow answer my question? Is it ok to show girls and young women that it's great fun to bare their breasts to a bunch strangers? Or that their bodies are for the entertainment of men? How is that going to work out for girls who are struggling with low self- esteem, or trying to find out who they are, or girls who are desperate for some male attention? How about the rest of you parade supporters? Will anyone answer that question? Of course not, because all of you are only concerned about having your "bit of fun" regardless of the impact on others, including children. And of course Mr. Steve Crow is only concerned with lining his own pocket. It doesn't matter that parents have the choice to bring their children or not. Teen girls and younger all over the city know about the parade, and will see/hear about it on the internet and the news. The fact that this parade is happening is sending a destructive message that women are applauded for using their bodies to get attention from men. What about the people who work in the area and don't want to view pornography on the street? And again - what about the kids playing outside at the park when the parade goes by? Oh right, I forgot - nobody cares about the kids. It's all about having your minute of "fun" and to hell with everyone else.
@ JMOWS
Posted on 03-08-2011 15:55 | By YOGI
Allow me to answer for Steve C "YES" like that is not obvious already! Reason: Because they want to, because I have seen only "happy" woman on a bike doin it! The concept is as simple as two dots on a single page, just just have to draw a line between (often referred to as "join up the dots"). Any more "obvious" questions?
A MIRACLE HAS OCCURRED
Posted on 03-08-2011 16:01 | By WORMTONGUE
TCC staff got this one right, so the blockage in the system here is that the "old fuddy duddies" sitting in the TCC Council Chamber decided otherwise, why could they not get the "wrong decision" on something important like say Baypark or Mt Greens that have cost mega Millions annually and will continue to do so. Go Steven to hell with this lot just do it anyway! A least all the TCC staff will be there anyway so in Court after there will be plenty of "impartial" judges I mean witnesses.
Conservative Tauranga
Posted on 03-08-2011 16:36 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
The reaction from some to this event confirms to me that Tauranga is a town full of old farts. I am all for this and think the event will be all in good fun. At 11.30am on The Strand where are the so called impressionable children at? In school. If you don't like it, don't watch. Bring on Ron Jeremy!
@YOGI
Posted on 03-08-2011 16:38 | By jmows
That is honestly the scariest and stupidest answer I could ever have anticipated getting. So...yep...girls with low self-esteem need to learn to let men abuse their bodies to find happiness. Obvious?? You make me sick. Please stay away from the rest of the human population. Signing off as I know I won't get any intelligent answers from you parade supporters...
no fun here
Posted on 03-08-2011 16:59 | By clamfam
most comments here are right on the mark. Tauranga is a serious, boring city. Boobs on Bikes is just one thing that could have livened it up a bit. Those girls are not being forced to go topless....they choose to. Young girls can form their own opinions whether working for Steve Crow is a good idea or not. A few chicks on bikes isn't going to make all the young Tauranga girls want to have a career in porn ! HELLOOOOO!!! I think the people that oppose the parade don't want others to have a right to choose what they do and don't do and see in their lives. Some ridiculous prudes have decided the rest of us have to be boring too. YAWN ! Gosh, is that the time ? Must be time for us all to get out our knitting and watch the News. But wait, shock horror, there might be boobs on the telly. Aaarrrggghhh, what to do ?? C'mon Tauranga, WAKE UP, GET A LIFE. I just hope Steve Crow and his girls cruise through town unofficially....bring it on Steve !
@ JMOWS LOWS
Posted on 03-08-2011 17:19 | By WORMTONGUE
Signed off? gosh was just getting started. Perhaps we need something where you are less emotional about as a woman ... Clearly you have no issue with men stripping off and wandering down teh beach where numerous kids are say on any fine day in the summer, so why do you have an emotional hang up about "ONLY WOMAN"? Maybe you are sitting on the fence here or something? All I m asking is that you take away the personal emotions as a woman and so apply your words on a consistent basis to both men and woman. To do otherwise means there are double standards.
take a stand
Posted on 03-08-2011 18:09 | By poops
Thankyou councillors for taking a stand for decency in our city. WE have so many fun activities on every weekend - just look in the Weekend Sun. This is not clean fun - it is porn. Go and bare your boobs elsewhere and see if you wont get arrested. If we allow this what will follow??
equalworld
Posted on 03-08-2011 18:31 | By equalworld
No one is forcing them...No they are being paid! Trash for Cash! No one is stopping you do whatever you like in your space "No Fun" I don't have the right to come and pee in your pool just because I like it and think its fun. They don't have to right to parade trash through the streets which demeans women...once again!
whats wrong with it, better than watching boy racers going buy
Posted on 03-08-2011 19:39 | By Jaijos
.
Tauranga's own porn parade
Posted on 03-08-2011 19:55 | By grahamwood
Is this really the society we want for our children and the generations to follow? That a middle aged, dirty old man can parade porn stars through the centre of our city? These girls will young enough to be his daughter you can be sure. Would he parade 70-80 year old women topless? No he wouldnt lust after them and nor would most of the other men watching his parade. its all based on lust. I think most of the wives and partners of men watching this parade would be insulted if they found out their partner had watched. Watching is verging on abusive behaviour to their spouses and certainly will not loosen their knicker elastic when they come home!
WAYYNE LOOKS .... HMMM
Posted on 03-08-2011 20:00 | By YOGI
Seems to have the look of a BAC VIcar about him, I hope that he will run a proper service for all afterwards.
Not council business
Posted on 03-08-2011 20:42 | By The Tomahawk Kid
Women who bare their breast in public do it for their OWN purposes - they don't have to be paid to do it, and nobody is forcing them to (regardless of whether they are being paid or not!) I am opposed to the council and government telling people what they can and cannot do with their bodies in the privacy of their own homes (ie those opposed to prostitution only object to a dirty thought in their own minds unless they can actually SEE what is going on, or there are indecent acts on display to the public) HOWEVER, I cannot understand how a women baring her breasts in public (although I am not opposed to them doing so) is not an indecent act (and therefore against the law!) This should NOT be a council thing - it should be a case of THE LAW, and NOT council business
oh puhleez
Posted on 03-08-2011 20:45 | By sanna
get a life you people. i'm sure your satan has more to do than leer at girls with bare breasts. freedon of choice is supposed to be available for everyone. :)
Too PC
Posted on 03-08-2011 20:56 | By The_Courier
Some people in this world need to live a little, everyone is turning a bit too PC lately and it's becoming a joke! Can't pat your kid on the back for fear of getting a call in from the police over a complaint from someone saying your smacking them to something like this. Don't like it don't turn up and watch ? or turn away, not really that hard is it.....
yeah right
Posted on 03-08-2011 22:58 | By basil65
so every year we go to mount main beach and are confronted with budgy smugglers and swim suits that barely cover the essentials of life. Can you please tell me what the difference is? I moved to this "city" thinking it was a go ahead sort of place. What I have realised is that it is full of people that have no interest in the place unless it furthers their financial or social status. as per politicians, we only push the barrow that furthers our own needs
4 the
Posted on 04-08-2011 09:25 | By PLONKER
If you had anything worth looking at you would be there, if you dont want to look then dont go, if no one goes then the parade will fail, PS Thanks for hypoing the parade as now everyone knows about it and the advertising was free! HINT: If you dont like it ignore it.
Tits in a tangle
Posted on 04-08-2011 09:28 | By MINDER
For better or worse Council has decided to ban the Biking Boobs parade.The issue is not really about displaying the family jewels in public it is a traffic control type matter.There is no reason why residents and visitors going about their normal weekday business should be inconvenienced by the Crow clowns. Traffic chaos no parking and crowds all add up to a mess and cost TCC ratepayers plenty to control.Crow and his cohorts could have hired Baypark charged the perverts to view riding round and round in circles or had a day at the Tauranga Races yesterday with the Marx Bros but no he wants the CBD for free.FITH
What qualifications Mr Crow?
Posted on 04-08-2011 09:36 | By MINDER
As I recall Mr Crow reeled off and prattled on about some impressive tertiary qualifications he had obtained and someone asked him which University and when.I have seen no response from Mr Crow so I guess we have to reach our own conclusions on his intellectual prowess or otherwise.Otherwise is winning at the moment.
JEZZ WAYNE YOUR PREJUDICE IS SHOWING
Posted on 04-08-2011 11:29 | By RORTSCAM
What an inane scaremongering comment Cr Moultrie. It is the Judges that need to take heed of strong public opinion and not hide away behind the lawbooks.The couple of Councillors who abstained from voting are gutless wonders -don't they have an opinion either way or are they hedging their bets.
WHAT QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED?
Posted on 06-08-2011 16:48 | By PLONKER
All men are qualified on "B o B" right!
More risk to the public I would say
Posted on 07-08-2011 15:38 | By Hebegeebies
Only risk with High Court Judges is that you are likely to get the wrong decision as more likely than not they are overruled on appeal
Get over it!
Posted on 12-08-2011 20:40 | By triplediamond
Approx. 80 people attended the council meeting to oppose this event. Over 3000 approx. people turned out to watch the event! The numbers say it all. The majority DO want the event to take place! Good on ya Steve Crow, some people need to get over themselves!
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