The "New Zealand Riders Are Voters" campaign

[Hitcher]

If we can convince politicians we are prepared to become "swinging voters" they will have to listen.

You can start by explaining to me what becoming a "swing voter" means.

[Maha]

That was FPP. Politics in New Zealand hasn't been that simple for years, not that the "average" voter has figured that out yet.

Did I hear right that they want to move back to FPP for the 2014 election?

[StoneY]

You're joking right. You do watch the news. That sounds like a prime opportunity missed

Ok, the BIKEOI was never meant to be a riot

We pulled it off without any arrests or fights, or even a ticket issued (for the main convoys)
What would we have gained by causing such a situation to boil over?

Opportunity missed my ass

So many people keep repeating this sort of dribble, none of them were present when myself and the other organisers met with the Council, SIS, Police, Parliament Intellegence Unit, the guy from the Army, to be told 'we will assist you as long as you assist us by coming peacefully'

The public in Wellington STILL love Bikers because of how well we ran that event, and the minimal disruption it caused to the daily business of the city.
Your thirst for blood, flames and anarchy would have had the opposite effect, this I know for a fact

[Hitcher]

Did I hear right that they want to move back to FPP for the 2014 election?

I understand that the plan is to have a referendum. I doubt that there will be any change, even if the referendum suggests a preference for a return to FPP. Even though it's widely used for local government elections, most people don't understand STV either, which is probably the leading contender if MMP is to be replaced by some other system of proportional representation.

[Luckylegs]

Ok, the BIKEOI was never meant to be a riot

We pulled it off without any arrests or fights, or even a ticket issued (for the main convoys)
What would we have gained by causing such a situation to boil over?

Opportunity missed my ass

So many people keep repeating this sort of dribble, none of them were present when myself and the other organisers met with the Council, SIS, Police, Parliament Intellegence Unit, the guy from the Army, to be told 'we will assist you as long as you assist us by coming peacefully'

The public in Wellington STILL love Bikers because of how well we ran that event, and the minimal disruption it caused to the daily business of the city.
Your thirst for blood, flames and anarchy would have had the opposite effect, this I know for a fact

Nowhere in my post did I suggest starting or participating a riot. I merely suggested that from a headlines point of view. A group of people turning up to protest (both legally and peacefully and being confronted by the the bullying tactics of the powers that be in the form of riot police would have made for an 'Impactful' news story.

Your assertion that Wellington "love bikers" cos of the way we handled it may very well be true, I dont know. I have to admit to being a little more cynical and think that they (as for as jo public is concerned) simply retained there existing level of indefference.

...You seem prone to taking shite far too personally man, No-ones bagging yours or anyone elses efforts around the Bikoi

[riffer]

...You seem prone to taking shite far too personally man, No-ones bagging yours or anyone elses efforts around the Bikoi

Hmmm. From where I stand it appears Brent takes personal insults personally, while acting professionally on matters BRONZ. Perhaps some of you people could consider waling a mile in his shoes before posting...

As for direct disruptive protest action, that's not BRONZ policy. Perhaps its a major point of differentiation between MAG and BRONZ. If so - that's good. We need both organisations working together to achieve any effect on policy. There's definitely a place for both of us here.

BRONZ have been very effective in working withing the relevant governmental organisations this year. And a HUGE amount of that has to do with the way bikers were perceived after BIKOI.

Brent may come across sometimes as a loud-mouthed stroppy ginger. But under that facade there's an incredibly passionate, intelligent, caring individual who's absolutely dedicated to a better outcome for all motorcyclists - even the idiotic ones.

And for that he has my support.

[Luckylegs]

... waling a mile in his shoes before posting...

I'll leave the waling to the Japanese and bob marley, but that aside... My post was. Serious one and raised a valid point (albeit based on my opinion)

Brent may come across sometimes as a loud-mouthed stroppy ginger. But under that facade there's an incredibly passionate, intelligent, caring individual who's absolutely dedicated to a better outcome for all motorcyclists - even the idiotic ones.

Passion is a powerful thing eh ?



PS gingas rule

[StoneY]

PS gingas rule

Depends.... anywhere except the habitual abode, and I would agree.

However 'her indoors' runs a very tight ship at our pad....

[Waxxa]

if you want any permanent change then MAG-NZ needs to become a political party.

You only need 5% of the vote and you have a member in parliament. Become the power broker!

[Bassmatt]

I understand that the plan is to have a referendum. I doubt that there will be any change, even if the referendum suggests a preference for a return to FPP.

I wouldn't bet on that. The two big parties would love to go back to FPP.

[caseye]

Hmmm. From where I stand it appears Brent takes personal insults personally, while acting professionally on matters BRONZ. Perhaps some of you people could consider waling a mile in his shoes before posting...

As for direct disruptive protest action, that's not BRONZ policy. Perhaps its a major point of differentiation between MAG and BRONZ. If so - that's good. We need both organisations working together to achieve any effect on policy. There's definitely a place for both of us here.

BRONZ have been very effective in working withing the relevant governmental organisations this year. And a HUGE amount of that has to do with the way bikers were perceived after BIKOI.

Brent may come across sometimes as a loud-mouthed stroppy ginger. But under that facade there's an incredibly passionate, intelligent, caring individual who's absolutely dedicated to a better outcome for all motorcyclists - even the idiotic ones.

And for that he has my support.

Here here riffer.Stoney has always had my support for what he has done in Welly.He still has it now and as anyone with eyes can see I'm a MAG-NZ member too.
Always will be a time and a place for differing views/opinions and methods.I' ve never seen being in different camps as a reason to attack others, simply because they do things differently.
If there is a clearly defined point of difference between BRONZ and MAG-NZ or any of the other players in the bike world I've yet to actually see it.We all want the same thing.Fair treatment for all motorists. Motorcyclists included naturally.
Different organisations may say things differently, they may even approach things differently but the desired outcome is the same.
Stop wasting breath and time hitting out at other groups and start thinking, how can we assist those doing the most good going forward and still be involved.
Bikers,Morons not necessarily the same but hell sometimes in here it makes ya wonder.
I've stood alongside Brent and others in Wellington, twice! I'd do it again in a heart beat.He's a mate of mine and he's someone who helped make a difference, I wish to continue helping him and others make a difference, not fight amongst ourselves.
I'm a member of BRONZ Dorkland and a MAG-NZ rep, I'm MAG-NZ through and through but don't expect me to bag our fellow motorcycle groups, either personally or collectively.Of all the BRONZ groups, Wellington was the first to show an interest in working with us here at MAG-NZ to achieve a common goal.For that I thank Brent and his cronies (hey Ratti) for having the good sense to realise there is no threat, but another ally.

As for MAG-NZ becoming a political party, well someone/group has to, perhaps it'll be a bunch of people who can see that backing all biker groups to achieve that as an end goal .
Perhaps it;ll be all the people who see the Riders Are Voters campaign started by MAG-NZ who get together and elect a spokesperson and who take it to being a political party that'll do it, who cares as long as it gets done.
"Just Do IT"
This thread was started to promote the campaign and to get ideas and opinions and to see who's actually interesed in getting something done, not bitching at one an other.

[StoneY]

Too big post to quote Cas, but I agree with evbery word you wrote bruv!

This threads about making riders aware they CAN vote the government out if they're unhappy enough over the way we were treated this last 2 years

I said something very similar after the Febuary protests and got laughed at, and I was not the first to say it, and sure wont be the last.

Again, well done on getting the campaign off the ground team MAG
This is a personal post and is MY own personal opinion for the record

[ynot slow]

Voting is an issue for sure,look at Winston and his oldies they have voters who will vote for whatever party gives them a percieved fair go,and how many oldies are/were bikers,if you want to talk numbers maybe a tick in the right box may help,even if it does go against your normal party vote.

[Maha]

Voting is an issue for sure,look at Winston and his oldies they have voters who will vote for whatever party gives them a percieved fair go,and how many oldies are/were bikers,if you want to talk numbers maybe a tick in the right box may help,even if it does go against your normal party vote.

Winston is brilliant, he knows how to run a campaign very well and by May/June next year he will right up the arse of and drilling at the very core of the two leading party's.

[pc220]

Winston is brilliant, he knows how to run a campaign very well and by May/June next year he will right up the arse of and drilling at the very core of the two leading party's.

Hope you are not planning on teaming up with Grey Power. Imagine having to trade the 1300 for a mobility scooter.