Who Dunnit? Audio

Posted by Gold FM on 26/10/2011

There's a bit of confusion and annoyance around Waihi after an ad appeared in a local paper that seemed like it had been placed by Hauraki District Mayor JohnTregidga.

Some quarters are suspicious that someone associated with DRAT (Distressed Residents Action Team) is responsible. DRAT spokesperson Collette Spalding said " We had nothing to do with that and welcome any investigations from any interested parties to prove otherwise".

The newspaper concerned told our source that the advert was placed through their Tauranga office using a credit card and the local branch did not know who had placed the ad either.

The heading text of the ad read " HDC Mayor John Tredgida has announced an IMPORTANT PUBLIC MEETING". The ad urged people to attend the meeting and said "Now is OUR chance to UNITE and drive OUR Waihi COMMUNITY agenda. We deserve FULL disclosure around the total affects of both Martha Pit and Correnso mining proposals.

10 perceived problems were listed illustrated with plenty of question marks and exclamation points with a "SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS = COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL PROTECTIONS or WAIHI TOWN BUY OUT for an inclusive and POSITIVE WAIHI MINING FUTURE!!!" rounding off the ad with "COME TO THIS IMPORTANT MEETING" and "There is no liberty without security" to end.

Incidentally the Mayor's name was misspelt in the ad.

We spoke with Mayor John Tregidga this morning and here's what he had to say about the ad.