trust me I promise

Ngai Tahu have come out in support of the CERA bill which give wide ranging powers to gerry brownlee to sort out christchurch. Our kaiwhakahaere has said that the "detail of the legislation backs up Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee’s commitment to engage with Ngai Tahu along with local government; business groups and the wider community." I'd be interested to see where that is - might have to read the legislation because I am not convinced the brownlee even understands what consultation is - he deliberately didn't consult with tangata whenua over granting the exploitation licences to Petrobras. He has been under increasing scrutiny in his role and has been found wanting. I wouldn't trust him or his words to consult and discuss - he means "let's work as a team and do it my way."

The Greens, Chris Carter and Hone have opposed the Bill. The Greens have come out with some excellent arguments

“The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery bill effectively gives unbridled power to the Beehive for five years and sidelines councils and local communities. The international evidence shows that community-led recovery efforts work best and we will be seeking amendments to achieve this,” said Dr Kennedy Graham, Green Party Earthquake Recovery spokesperson. “Under this bill the Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee will be able to exercise emergency powers and change any law in the country for the next five years. This is more than is needed for the rebuild and is not consistent with a democratic locally-led recovery effort."

Too much power indeed, as Idiot/Savant notes

 Which means that the big decisions around the future of Christchurch will be decided not by its people, but by Gerry Brownlee. Who while he is a Christchurch MP, isn't exactly in the same position of democratic accountability as the elected representatives of the Christchurch City Council.

Eddie at The Standard is scathing

The power given to Brownlee here is unprecendented and uncontrolled. He will be appointing the CEO or CERA who will report to him. On Marae Investigates last Sunday, a disaster expert, Dr Regan Potangaroa, who has worked around the world said he had never seen such powers put into the hands of a minister, or anyone. He said they are powers that officials have in dictatorships.

Can we trust him to not abuse his powers - the evidence says no, we can't. I have no doubt that brownlee is well below par on any standard. That's right - I don't like his philosophy, what he stands for, says or does. We will see if he consults and works with tangata whenua, we will see if he consults and works with communities.