As voting packs arrive in the mail, progressive voters in Auckland now face a tough choice in the contest for Mayor: should they hold their nose and vote for socially conservative Efeso Collins, backed by Labour and the Greens, or support the ‘independent’ bid of socially liberal but right-leaning Wayne Brown?
Call me predictable, but I think their stance on cannabis reform is a bellwether issue. It shows what they really think about much more than just cannabis, and how their thinking is organised. Conservatism here, while professing to be a liberal on other social issues, should be serious cause for concern. It could be a sign of muddled thinking, or appealing to base instincts to “lock ‘em up”, or they could be beholden to vested interests or may be letting their religion get in the way.
Certainly, worth scrutinising further as we decide who should lead Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest city. Auckland voters are ready for reform, with significant chucks of the city going green during the cannabis referendum – especially the diverse central isthmus, the heartlands of West Auckland and all the Māori seats.
Local laws and approaches to drugs are possible. We already have local liquor licensing and different models in parts of the city, with West Auckland and Mt Wellington operating trusts which must return profits to the community. Auckland Council already has a Psychoactive Substances Local Approved Products Policy, and – once the supermarkets back off – it will have a Local Alcohol Policy.
Local councils can also petition central government to pass local laws which affect only their area (an obvious example is the Act which established Auckland Council, or the recent law for Tamaki housing intensification).
Auckland Council could design a Local Cannabis Policy which could, for example, create trusts like the liquor trusts in West Auckland, or designate safe consumption spaces giving police clear rules about who they should not be targeting. This is all possible – and especially so with a supportive mayor.
The trouble with Efeso
I was at Auckland University with Efeso Collins in the early 90’s. He was part of a clique who took an intense dislike to the campus NORML club. Upon being elected as Student Union president he made the area smokefree, took away the Upper Common Room safe space for cannabis consumers, and oversaw a reversal of AUSA policy so it no longer supported cannabis legalisation – a position it had held since the 1960’s.
It was obvious even back then that Efeso came from a conservative, religious, background and he held those beliefs deeply. As he has every right to.
But fast forward 25 years to the cannabis referendum in 2020, and this leopard had not changed his spots. Efeso strongly advocated for the Nope campaign, with public speaking, appearing on Christian panels, and media appearances including Q&A.
Efeso wasn’t a bit player in the Nope campaign, he was a main star. And it turned out that in those intervening years he had campaigned against marriage equality and abortion reform.
I’m reluctant to give him any credit for Nope’s narrow win. But Efeso’s predictions of doom, and appeals to liberal guilt, may have cost Yes a few percentage points. In the end that’s all it took, with the difference being a mere 37,000 voters going the other way.
After going hard for Nope, and after the result was declared, Efeso said he would have supported decriminalisation. If only he had said that at the time!
But credit where credit is due, at least Collins does support decriminalisation – confirmed by Family First. And he claims to have apologised for what he describes as his previous stance against marriage equality and abortion, acknowledging that he hurt people with what he had said.
In fact, at a recent forum organised by the Karangahape Business Association, all the leading candidates expressed support for cannabis law reform.
Quizzed by moderator Russell Brown about his opposition to the cannabis referendum, Collins said he would support decriminalising cannabis but couldn’t back legalisation due to what he said was the damage he had seen in young people.
Wayne Brown says legalise it, man
At the same forum Wayne Brown was reported as winning the crowd’s favour with his clear support for making cannabis legal, citing methamphetamine as a worse scourge on the community.
Brown calls himself socially liberal but fiscally conservative. He voted Yes.
I really don’t know much more than that. But I like a candidate who backs legalisation and I suspect he could find a way to make it happen.
But of course, candidates have positions on a myriad of issues and, despite me saying their stance on cannabis is a bellweather which informs voters of their true character, there are lots of things progressives may consider when casting their vote.
So, a tough choice.
The most important thing is to cast your vote.
Last time we had a pathetic 35% turn out, dominated by conservatives and older/elderly voters who get to decide how our city is run.
As our dear editor Martyn Bradbury would say: Fuck. That.
So, roll up and vote. Pro tip – voting is even better when you’re high!
Nandor for Mayor
Elsewhere, my good friend and former Green MP, Nandor Tanczos is running for mayor of Whakatane where he has been councillor for six years.
Please encourage any friends or whanau you have there to vote Nandor for Mayor.
If you’re already enrolled your voting pack should have arrived or will do soon. Post your vote back by 8 October. Enrol at vote.nz or call 0800 36 76 56 now.
Chris Fowlie is the president of the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws NZ Inc; developer of the CHOISE model for cannabis social equity; CEO of Zeacann Limited, a cannabis science company; co-founder of the New Zealand Medical Cannabis Council; co-founder of The Hempstore Aotearoa; resident expert for Marijuana Media on 95bFM; cannabis blogger for The Daily Blog, and court-recognised independent expert witness for cannabis. The opinions expressed here are his own.
I can’t imagine believing that New Zealand is under a federal system of government like the US and that local authorities have more control over police policy than the national government. Chris, please curb your reefer consumption just a little bit.
Back in normality, I think I’ll take decent people over disgusting neoliberals like Wayne Brown.
Thanks Chris – Efeso needs to be the Mayor of Aucklanders, not bible thumping, holier than thou crowd, who makes up to 2% – 5% of Auckland, mostly in West and South Auckland communities – who give Christianity a bad name…I feel Efeso is going to lose…why? He is linked to Labour — and there is disquiet about Labour in Auckland.
I am not an Auckland voter but if I was Efeso would be off the table.
Despite his stated support for the marginalized I cannot reconcile his stance on cannabis or his religious affiliation and calling himself progressive.
“I cannot reconcile his stance on cannabis or his religious affiliation and calling himself progressive.”
I gather then, Luxon and National won’t get your vote at the next general election.
Never voted National.
Never will.
So true, Jack. How can anyone consider themselves ‘progressive’ if they don’t believe smoking weed every day will cure cancer and, in fact, all other diseases?
The progressive part is not the smoking it’s whether the state criminalises it or treats it as a health issue.
groan !!not what he said and not the reason for legalization. You know nothing about cannabis MK best to STFU.
pot is not the devils pubes nor is it a universal panacea
Brown has the right approach.
All local government candidates that campaign under the Labour banner have to sign up to a document guaranteeing their obeisance to Labour central.
That’s why we should never vote for a Labour candidate in local government – we would be essentially kissing goodbye any real local representation.
Interesting, mmm can you show me a link to ” a document” Andrew? I’m very interested.
We don’t need anymore evidence than “endorsed by Labour”.
So you have nothing then…as usual.
Bhahahahahaha!
Andrew there is no such document pledge or commitment or anything like that at all. I was a regional council candidate under a labour banner (Collins is just an endorsed candidate) and I can tell you there is zero command and control of labour candidates by national office firstly because despite what you may think they’re not well resourced at all.
And that is why you can take none of Andrew’s posts seriously.
Nor the irrational Coward Kraut.
So being under the labour banner you were not influenced by their policy?
So whilst Andrew according to you is incorrect he still makes a very valid point as does SK.
Is there a little intellectual dishonesty here?
THERE IS NO SUCH DOCUMENT.
Dishonesty on your behalf, however intellect you have not.
Thanks for sharing the back story Chris. The whole Nope thing was appalling with the involvement of US prohibitionist group SAM (smart Approaches to Marijuana) with Family First, embarking on overspending which remains officially unchallenged. I am a strong supporter of legalisation and a local Cannabis industry.
But, the thing is Wayne Brown or Efeso Collins cannot make a change to national Cannabis legislation if Mayor. I guess they can “send signals” to the local cops perhaps about enforcement, and that is about it.
Single issue has to take the back seat with the supercity Mayoralty in my view. Filthy right wingers set up the corporatist wannabe Supercity and undemocratic CCOs to benefit business interests. Wayne Brown would finish the sell off of public assets and wind down public services. I know that because I live in the Far North and saw what he did during his two FNDC Mayoral terms. Sold pensioner flats, used insider info on personal development projects, tried to resurrect a Mangonui Harbour Marina the community had actively rejected, travelled on ratepayer funds to China and Canada to set up sister cities with a view to Far North mining!, sacked scores of PSA staff members, after slagging them off publicly during his campaigning, transferred rates burden from farming/commercial to residential! So Brownie is a proven arsehole. In Auckland as well when he suspended Standing Orders at the DHB.
I have little time for Efeso’s conservatism, but his pro working class policy of fare free public transport etc. outweighs that in my view in overall political strategy. Plus it is past time for a Polynesian Mayor and city leader. The Tāmaki Makauru coots in suits need to be sent a message.
Efeso is the best possible candidate for Auckland & has changed his mind on many issues & could possibly do so on Cannabis law reform. He doesn’t not always toe the party line either & has voted against Labour policy from time to time.
So. Decision time for Mayor of Auckland.
Lisa Lewis or Craig Lord?
Waitemata Ward – Mike Lee
Pippa coom is shite!
Craig Lord it is then. Lisa spends most of her time in court rooms and involved in litigation so would have no time to be mayor.
In court like labour still is on corruption charges? Come on bert. You can diss better than that.
I can, but what I know I won’t share with you, just keep warltching the Herald and all will be revealed.
What were Labours corruption charges denny?
Not declaring their donations in 2017 nad 2020s general election(s) and then tried to hide them by breaking them down and then lied about them. About 15 charges in all bert.
And what was the result of such charges paoa?
Because ” and then tried to the hide them” is an accusation and is an act of defamation.
Given NZ First and National parties donation scandals , one can only assume the same outcome.
https://sfo.govt.nz/media-cases/cases/national-party-donations/
As you know paoa, I’m all about credibility, the “about 15 charges” you claim can be found on what document?
Are Labour in the local Elections? Come on paoa, you can diss Labour better than than, or are you going to leave the dirty work to Pale Stale Male Bob?
And here’s why Mike Lee should be Mayor!
Outing AT’s mega corporate welfare splurge of Auckland ratepayers cash.
All AT does is parking ticket infridgements. They contract out every other service for billions of dollars from Aucklanders pockets!
Watch and listen to Mike tell you how this scam works.
https://youtu.be/E9BncKlw4qI
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