Peters backs Tauranga councillor

NZ First leader Winston Peters is proud the party is putting Clayton Mitchell forward as candidate for Tauranga despite the accusation the councillor will be 'double dipping” if he stays on at Tauranga City Council if elected.

The Mount Maunganui-Papamoa ward councillor was yesterday selected as the NZ First party's candidate for the Tauranga electorate in this year's general election.

Tauranga City Councillor Clayton Mitchell was today confirmed as NZ First candidate for Tauranga.

Clayton is reported to have said he will stay on as a councillor if elected as MP come September 20.

The self-appointed watchdog - NZ Taxpayers Union - today sent a media release accusing Clayton of 'double dipping” if he keeps his seat at council if elected an MP.

'Members of Parliament should be entirely focused on representing their electorates. How can someone be an effective MP when they are also paid to be on a city council," says union executive director Jordan Williams.

'We're calling on NZ First leader Winston Peters to step in and make clear that his party will not tolerate another 'double-dipper'.”

Winston rubbished the accusations saying the union is 'nit-picking with no regard for stable democracy at a local government or central government level”.

'It's a mindless accusation - firstly I thank them for their confidence about how well we will go in the campaign.

'Secondly, there have been countless Members of Parliament who have stood for government from such a position and rather than put the electorate through bi-elections they have served out their time and there have been no conflicts of interest in that.”

Winston says he would expect Clayton to stay on until the next local body election to avoid an 'expensive bi-election”.

'I know numerous people who have made arrangements with respect to their remunerations as a consequence. They have come from a number of different political parties in the past.”

'I would advise the union to stop nit-picking on parties that have, in our case, got the most frugal record of saving the taxpayers money.”

In confirming the councillor's appointment today, Winston said the Clayton will be a strong candidate for the party in Tauranga.

'I am proud that we are standing such a strong candidate in my former seat.”

'I understand that a significant number of local people approached Mr Mitchell to stand and give a strong voice for Tauranga- Mt Maunganui and the Western Bay of Plenty. They are pleased that he has answered their call.”

'Mr Mitchell has a positive approach to life, and he will work in the best interests of all New Zealanders.

'As a local body election candidate and then as a councillor he has built up a rapport with the people of Tauranga and Mt Maunganui, where he lives.”

Clayton, who owns Mount Mellick and Ivory Bar in Mount Maunganui and also chairs the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Hospitality Association, was elected as the Mount councillor along with Papamoa's Steve Morris at last year's October local body election. The pair replaced long-standing councillors David Stewart and Wayne Moultrie.

The father of three campaigned on providing sound, financial policies with limited impact on ratepayers to reduce council debt and balance the books, working to create job opportunities for youth and respect for the elderly.

He pinpointed the implementation of an advanced tsunami warning system and better exit roads for Papamoa, as two key aims.

'Clayton will fit well with New Zealand First, which is not an ideological-based party,” says Winston.

'Instead, we look at the facts and work out what is in the best interests of ordinary Kiwis and New Zealand as a whole. We are not beholden or constrained by allegiances or pre-existing conditions that serve particular interest groups.

Facing competition from National incumbent Simon Bridges, Labour candidate Rachel Jones, Michael O'Neill from Independent Coalition, United Future's James Maxwell and Independent Rusty Kane, Winston believes Clayton will be the voice of the region in Parliament.

'I think Tauranga needs a strong voice – take the Rena – where's the voice of Tauranga and the Western Bay on that – I think he will be strong voice on that and I think they need it.

'Parliament and New Zealand as a whole will benefit from representatives who get things done.”

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19 comments

Another greedy politician.

Posted on 15-07-2014 17:20 | By dgk

Don't like double dipping off the taxpayer/ratepayer.


The precedent has been set,

Posted on 15-07-2014 18:21 | By Sambo Returns

so everything else is just bull, so as much as I totally disagree with this happening, what can we do?, Councillor Morris set the bar!


Sorry Sambo Returns

Posted on 15-07-2014 19:57 | By FunandGames

I think it was ex councillor Larry Baldock who first saw this oportunity


Mike Baker

Posted on 15-07-2014 20:05 | By Mike Baker

This is a poor decision and to think that he honestly feels that if elected he can do both jobs capably he must just be fooling himself. What's wrong with these new councillors ho seem to only be using Council as a stepping stone to bigger and brighter things. And then WHY NZ First?


Cr. Morris and Cr Mitchell - Poles apart!

Posted on 15-07-2014 23:05 | By Murray.Guy

Councillor Steve Morris, if I recall correctly, if successful did NOT intend to double dip and did confirm he would significantly contribute to the costs associated with a by-election. That's integrity! Clayton, in stark contrast, has made NO such offer, insisting he can meet all of his family and private business obligations, as well as private the community and taxpayer value for his $250,000 combined annual income. Clearly, to be of this mind-set, he is NOT serving Tauranga City as a Councillor consistent with Mayor Crosby's opinion that Councillors are paid as 'full time equivalent' and the demands are likewise - if you are doing your job! As for the Rena, that is a function of the Environment Court, and political posturing is just that!


So both jobs

Posted on 16-07-2014 06:57 | By Fonzie

Are just part time ones then if he can do both And just a beginner politician too


Where's The Love?

Posted on 16-07-2014 07:50 | By Disappointed

As Mr Mitchell campaigns for NZ First this election it will be interesting to read of all he has achieved during these past nine months as a city councillor. Commitment to his constituency will obviously not feature at the top of any list! It must be of some concern that Mr Mitchell is the second councillor who, less than one year into the job, appears to view City Council as merely a stepping stone to higher office. Such blatant self-interest must surely earn the contempt of voters it so rightly deserves.


GO Clayton

Posted on 16-07-2014 07:56 | By kb

I got no doubt that Clayton could do both jobs very well , good on you


It's a good gig if you can get it

Posted on 16-07-2014 07:56 | By The Sage

Two salaries, can't do either job justice. Council need to be laying down some laws in their employment contracts to prevent this sort of thing happening.


Repeat rogerings

Posted on 16-07-2014 08:49 | By YOGI BEAR

Ratepayers and taxpayers. The reason that he will not let go of the Councilor job is so as to "double dip", what other reason is there ?


Triple Dipping!

Posted on 16-07-2014 11:56 | By Anbob

It not just Mr Mitchell being TCC Councillor and NZ First MP, but also running his two bars and chairing the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Hospitality Association. If he can do justice to all of these positions then he must be superman. What happens if NZF decides to run with the elected government of the day? How does Mr Mitchell reconcile the opposing wishes of TCC to government policy? For example, who funds the Papamoa East Interchange (Govt or TCC) and the PEI's timing, which I assume from the article getting built is one of his key aims. There could be many other conflicts between TCC policy and government policy that he may have a conflict of interest with, another example may be the issues around liquor licences. I have no doubt Mr Mitchell is a very effective operator, but a good operator knows where to draw the line.


pure outright greedy

Posted on 16-07-2014 14:22 | By Me again

Mr Mitchell is being rather greedy to my mind. There other people out there that are just as capable to take one or the other positions. What make him the man to do both jobs at once well. Nah we're are in enough big problems that are not being seen to as is. Glorifying thy self in two important positions.! We will be seeing the bottom of that big barrel.


Either or

Posted on 16-07-2014 15:14 | By nerak

not both, just looks like what it is, pocket lining, can't possibly do justice to both. If he wanted to be an MP, that's the road he should have started on, not used the ratepayers as a foot in the door. Best he just sticks to bars and hospitality, and tries to do his level best for the ratepayers who elected him, not that I did. How is he going to find necessary time to be a father of three? Any form of politics in this country looks more like a gravy train ride every day.


Interesting kiwis

Posted on 16-07-2014 19:16 | By kiwiasauras

Well done !Winston backs Mitchell. And one of your best ambassadors in Tauranga is Winston Peters .Have faith in local people that do. Lots of musos have been given a stage at them bars. Opinions matter that's democracy ! We can vote !


Do we need a bar owner as MP?

Posted on 18-07-2014 09:37 | By Annalist

Come to think of it do we need more lawyers in parliament? Probably don't need another weather reader? What we do need is full profiles of all the candidates and spin-free examples of their qualities and histories, good and bad. The we can make the best choice.


If Winston backs him...

Posted on 21-07-2014 20:52 | By Bobby

Well, lets at least give the man a chance to say what he will do if he is elected to parliament. He doesn't 'run two bars', he owns two, and I'm sure that he employs two very capable managers to actually run them. Being a councillor is not a full time job, most (if not all) councillors have business interests that they still manage while working for the city. I think that having an MP who also is a councillor will mean that this city is represented better in parliament


Overit

Posted on 22-07-2014 13:45 | By overit

I would call having 2 positions as "covering ones' ass". If one doesn't work, then you have the other.


maybe

Posted on 23-07-2014 09:00 | By Capt_Kaveman

both elections be held at the same time to stop this from happening


Give hm a chance

Posted on 23-07-2014 10:19 | By YOGI BEAR

By what Mayor Crosby says being a Councilor in Tauranga is a full time job. So where is the spare time to fit in being a MP also? Never mind the rest. The reasons for holding on to both have little to do with being able to do the job.


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