Hands Off Tasman petition tops expectations

November 10th
[Press release]

Hands Off Tasman (HOT), an informal group of Tasman ratepayers, launched a petition on September 19th to enable residents and ratepayers, primarily of the Tasman District, to be able to express their views by way of submission, on the proposal for the union of Tasman District and Nelson City.

The petition was made available at outlets in Takaka, Collingwood, Brightwater, Wakefield, Upper Moutere, Tapawera, Murchison, Richmond, Riwaka and Motueka in the Tasman District as well as one outlet in Stoke (Nelson City).

Within the limited submission period open to the public, a total of 3,510 signatures were collected. Additionally, signatories were given the option of "removal of support from Miccio Petition". With the ability to "please tick to have your name removed from the Miccio petition". A total of 198 signatories selected the option to indicate the removal of their support from the Miccio petition.

Of concern to the signatories was the changing of the Miccio petition wording and the misleading information disseminated via posters, radio advertising, direct mail, media releases and social media. In addition to the changing wording on the Miccio petitions, claims that signing the petition would result in "a review of all options at no cost" also concerned signatories.

"That the Hands Off Tasman petition gained 3,510 signatures in less than six weeks without any advertising or expenditure during the local body elections and at the busiest time of the year for our rural communities, clearly demonstrates the depth of feeling of the Tasman community", said spokesperson Paul Searancke.

The union petition by Mr Miccio was launched 24 July 2009 and was finally accepted by the Local Government Commission 9 September 2010 - a lacklustre 14 months to gain just over 3,400 signatures from each Council.

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